Music Volume at the Competitions

[Alex Golec]

As my teammates and I sat around dinner discussing organization for the upcoming year, we noted a minor vexation from the previous season: the loudness of the music during competitions.

From what we discussed, some of our reasons for irritation included:
1) Difficultly of communication between team members and other teams
2) Embarassment with sponsors when neither party can understand a word that the other is saying.
3) Headaches and other nuisances (especially that ringing in the ear) as a result of exposure to high decibel levels for extended periods of time.

However, these annoyances are limited to the competitions we attended, namely the Great Lakes and Midwest regionals, and the Championship event. What we propose in solution is to limit the music's volume so that communication within team members can be accomplished.

The question to be expounded upon is:
Has the music at regionals proven to be in excess of volume or an irritation to your team? Basically, what is your opinion on the music volume during the competitions?

_Alex

[DarkJedi613]

Last year we went to two regionals SBPLI Long Island, and Philladelphia. At SBPLI the music level was fine, though at Philly the bass was a little loud leading to headaches (mixed with it being really hot didn't help however)

the music selection could definitly be better though

[Ryan Albright]

This topic and thread is started every year. I really have never noticed the music i been to busy driving or fixing the robot or doing whatever. If my mind serves me correctly i dont even think they play music in the pits at the Florida Regional since the pits are right behind the field. I know they play it on the field though.

[robolemur1236]

at the VCU regional they have the speakers aimed at the bleacher section because the pits are right behind the field. you can hear it in the pits, but its really like a background murmer. i would like a better music selection though, me being a technogeek. emphasis on techno

[KathieK]

I am old. That being said, the music is too loud for me. Although I enjoy listening to it and feel it adds to the atmosphere, I value the little hearing I have left and I wear earplugs to some of the competitions. FIRST is concerned over safety issues and should measure the decible levels. What might be OK for a short time period (ie a concert) is too much for three days in a row.

[Zanella BR]

All my team agree that the music can be a big problem during the competition.
We went to the NJ Regional and it was very loud, almost everybody had a headache.
The music is nice, BUT it's not necessary to be too loud.

[ahecht]

The worst thing is that when I go to a competition, I always ending up having to shout over the music the whole weekend, and end up with a sore throat the next week. There is no reason it has to be that loud. It's much more important that you be able to hear other people than that you be able to hear every note of the songs.

[Joe Ross]

I can't say that I've ever had a problem in the pits, at least since before FIRST banned noisemakers in the pits. However, I do find that comunicating on the field is sometimes close to impossible.

[tiffany34990]

i really don't pay attention to it--

@ ucf (florida)-- s.p.a.m. is usually in the outside pit so we don't hear it from the field
then last year at palmetto i don't think i really heard it- unless u really went near the field or by the stands---and then again i probably ignore it

[IMDWalrus]

It didn't seem to be an issue at Palmetto or Detroit, but my memory is shot and I'm not out on the field very often, if at all. It didn't bother us programmers, though.

It depends on the venue, I guess. There's not much we can do about it beyond getting a small mob to go and politely ask the DJ to tone it down a bit, but there's always the option of escaping. When the competition starts to become too much for me, I just leave the building or find another area of it that's quieter and less crowded. That can be enough sometimes, especially when you need to return soon.

[rappo]

I really don't even notice it. You focus on the competition, not the music!

[Carol]

Originally Posted by KathieK

I am old. That being said, the music is too loud for me. Although I enjoy listening to it and feel it adds to the atmosphere, I value the little hearing I have left and I wear earplugs to some of the competitions. FIRST is concerned over safety issues and should measure the decible levels. What might be OK for a short time period (ie a concert) is too much for three days in a row.

I'm old too, and agree with Kathie. After three days, my ears always ring like they do after I've been to a rock concert (I'm not that old). MOE passes out hundreds and hundreds of (green) ear plugs at the competition every year, and most of them get used. Particularly by my fellow oldsters.

[Zanella BR]

Originally Posted by Carol

I'm old too, and agree with Kathie. After three days, my ears always ring like they do after I've been to a rock concert (I'm not that old). MOE passes out hundreds and hundreds of (green) ear plugs at the competition every year, and most of them get used. Particularly by my fellow oldsters.

In the 2004 competition I was 17 and I used the ear plugs from MOE guys too...
I love rock, but that was too loud!

[Steve W]

I am old and I can't hear any problems. The fact that I am an announcer and can't even hear myself over the speakers is a problem. If the music is directed at me YES it's too loud. Now that might be cause they are trying to drown me out, I"m not sure. I do know that one of the biggest complaints that I hear from spectators is that the music is TOOOOO loud. Headaches are common with both young and old if you listen to it all day. I have heard this said at all of the regionals that I have attended.

[Pin Man]

Last year Long Island and New Jersey and National's music level was perfect... we danced soooo much... hahaha... but however I'm not sure about how they were at other competitions...