Please save our eardrums by lowering volume on sound effects at Champs

[billylo]

Champs is awesome. Best teams, best robots with best volunteers.

But it's really really difficult to withstand the powerful speakers doling out FMS sound effects (start of game, end of autonomous, end of game) all day.

If you know the organizers who are responsible for tuning AVs at Champs, would you mind passing this message?

Thank you!!

[ATannahill]

I can sympathize with you about how the sound level can be annoying. One of the issues is that the people who can influence the volume level are rarely in the stands to realize there is a problem. I know in previous years it has been recommended to bring it to the attention of pit admin, but that is not practical at the championship. I would suggest you try to get the attention of a volunteer or staff member and inform them.

[Richard Wallace]

I recall that sound intensity in the stands during CMP varies based on where you're sitting, but I don't remember where the loudest spots are.

Are smartphone apps good enough to indicate when loudness is dangerously high?

[billylo]

Over the last 4 champs event I went to, it's loudest in the middle section (where the majority of the audience is.)

Even for the back section, the sound effects are still uncomfortably loud.

Hope this message gets to someone who can help.

Yes, smartphones readings are good enough to indicate dangerous level.

[Phalanx]

I've resorted to wearing ear plugs. The decibel volume has been far too loud for too many years. I've given up trying to get them to lower it. So ear plugs it is.

[chapman1]

Amen! Sound levels both in pits and stands at all events we've attended this year have exceeded 100 decibels.

[gblake]

This subject has made an appearance in CD before.

The safety angle seemed to be the trump card in those previous conversations. Purposefully too loud music or other sounds is a decision to injure the entire audience (including infants, etc.).

FIRST doesn't want to injure anyone, but they might sometimes get distracted, and leave the DJs unsupervised for longer than they should.

Blake

[billylo]

Ok. I can collect some data points during practice rounds and share them here.

If you come across AV guys who can help, pls share and suggest changes. It will make the spectator experience much better.

thanks,

[billylo]

Happy to report that it's been good during practice matches. Fingers crossed, it will stay at a comfortable level today.

[Conor Ryan]

How loud are your measurements? OSHA says 90db should be the limit for 8 hours of exposure. NIOSH recommends 85db. These measurements should be at a reasonable distance (25'+) away from the loudspeakers.

If it is significantly outside of that range you may want to bring it up to a Safety Advisor.

[Tom Line]

The announcer on. Carson physically hurts you ears it is so loud.

[FiMFanatic]

Earplugs for me! I measured as high as 104 on my phone. Not sure what the daily average was, but I would guess 85-95!

[SoMe_DuDe904]

Originally Posted by Tom Line

The announcer on. Carson physically hurts you ears it is so loud.

I hope that wasn't me but it probably was ! I'm sorry and On behalf of the sound crew we apologize. We have to try to find a good balance not only for the field but so the teams and ourselves can hear the sound triggers and our own voice.

I was the division reliever between the two fields on that side. I will work on my volume for next year as we continue to improve ourselves and the event.

[RoboChair]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

Are smartphone apps good enough to indicate when loudness is dangerously high?

yes they are

[tcjinaz]

Originally Posted by billylo

Champs is awesome. Best teams, best robots with best volunteers.

But it's really really difficult to withstand the powerful speakers doling out FMS sound effects (start of game, end of autonomous, end of game) all day.

If you know the organizers who are responsible for tuning AVs at Champs, would you mind passing this message?

Thank you!!

We were up in section 137 Saturday. There were some bright lights aimed directly at us from the far side of the stage that were blinding us. One of the kids Instagram'd a picture of the situation to FIRST. The lights went out.

I'm starting to believe in Social Media.

Tim