Published
31st January 1992 (approx)
Pages
8 (A5 B&W)
Strapline
SAFE AS HOUSE
FEATURED ARTICLE – SOUNDS
The sound at a rave is all important. In an ideal world it would be crystal clear, painless and unrestricted – an integral part of a choreographed symphony of lights, music and atmosphere. In reality sound is a very complex and subjective animal so to understand the basics we asked MAJOR JUMP to explain some of the technicalities and terminology.
Firstly K. The total K relates not to the loudness of the speakers, but to the power drawn by the amps and the ratio of power to sound depends on the efficiency of the system. This can be imagined as two one bar electric fires which both use the same amount of electricity per hour, but one gives out more heat than the other, due to better design. Depending on the venue and any restrictions, a rave for 2000 people will usually required a 30K system.
Sound Quality. This depends on the company installing the system and the sound engineer knowing his job on the night. They have to arrange and supply the equipment needed for each venue taking into account the size, shape, accoustics, electrical power supply, number of people and the promoters personal sound preference! They also have to contend with DJ’s who compete with each other, all trying to be the loudest, but any system, if pushed to its limits, distorts. To avoid this particular problem, Major Jump take all their mixers apart and rebuild them incorporating restrictors, so that the sound levels can be judged correctly by the engineer.
A good sound system should not cause pain. Particular frequencies hit the ears in certain ways. Too heavy bass causes aching and too much top end leads to loss of hearing. Exaggerated frequencies lead to distortion.
Noise Pollution. Concern over excessive sound pressure levels is a common reason for the refusal of licences. Many venues now have sound restrictors in place, as it was not unheard of for an event to be heard over 6 miles away, but it 1s usually not the music, but the voices, M.C’s, horns and whistles that cause the disturbance. It is therefore vitally important for any promoter to work closely with their chosen sound company, in order to achieve not only the best sound possible but also to reduce noise to minimum levels of disturbance. Major Jump have now prepared a ‘Noise Spillage Report’ which goes some way towards addressing this problem.
Special Effects. 3-d sound is similar to a chorus reverb and the sound is shifted from left to right. It is also known as Binorial pyschoaccoustics, and is usually badly used at raves, but is a good effect with a hi-fi in the living room at home. There is no such thing as quadrophonic sound from a record as DJ’s only have a stereo signal, left to right, but it is possible with live music.
Flyers. When comparing raves look out for the quality sound systems – JBL, Martin F2, Turbo and also look to see that the sound companies are credited – it makes a difference!
ADVERTS
- Nanette Gregory – Listen to the facts about Ecstacy (Factfone)
- Orange at the Rocket – Every Saturday @ 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7
- Full Force Dance Agency, Tailors Health Club, Bedford Square, Woolwich
- Kik and Live Wire present The Living Dream @ Funcoast World, Skegness
- Dreamscape – Friday 14th February @ Zodiac Dance Studio, Sedgewick Street, London E8
- Empower present The Buzz Club – Friday 14th February @ New Tudor Rose, 68 The Green, Southall
- Dance International Limited / Brave New World – Feb 1992 in Kent
- Labrynth / 2000 AD Productions @ 12 Dalston Lane, London E8
- Direct Force Promotions
- Pulse – Saturday 15th, 22nd and 29th February @ Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
RAVE LISTINGS
- Rezerection Saturday 8th February. Edinburgh Trade & Exhibition Centre
- Living Dream March 6th – 8th. Funcoast World, Skegness
- Distortion Friday 14th February. Swallows Leisure Centre, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne
- Erotica Saturday 8th & 15th February. Grange Farm, Chigwell
- The Breakfast Club (Nut Nut Promotions) Sunday 9th February. Busby’s, 157 Charing Cross Road, London
- Raindance Friday 7th February. Salters Way, Wisbech, Cambs
- Tonka Monday 2nd March. Brighton Zap Club
- Brave New World Part III 14th February
- Reincarnation Saturday 15th February. Kings Hall, Herne Bay, Kent
- Raven 4 Saturday 8th February. Essex University Students Union Dance Hall, Colchester
- Pirate Club Saturday 15th February. Roller Express, Lea Valley Trading Estate, London N18
- Dreamscape (Dreamscape Promotions) Friday 14th February. Zodiac Dance Studios, London E8
- World In Action (Perception) Saturday 15th February. Oxford Ice Rink
- Biology Saturday 8th February. The Warehouse, Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
- The Second Sight (Fantazia) Friday 21st February. West Point Exhibition Centre, Exeter
- Pulse Saturday 15th & 22nd February. The Warehouse, Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
CHART
Compiled by DJ Dance
- Elevation – Can You Feel It (Creative)
- Analogue Bubble Bath Vol 2 (Rabbit City)
- Extravagance II EP – The Coma Kid (Debut)
- Master Techno Vol II (ST)
- Exposure – Shaggy & Breeze (White Label)
- Elemental EP – Sycosis 451
- Toytown EP – Interface (Rising High)
- Atomic – Ignition
- AFX Analogue Bubble Bath EP Vol 1 (Mighty Force)
- Archaos – Boomer (Hardcore Noise)
