Who is the guy on here that does all the sound work at concerts?

Wanting to know what are some recommendations for ear plugs, which brands are worth the money.

So far i've seen alpine(music safe), hearos and dr dougs.

http://www.headphones.com.au/

The people there are extremely helpful and will sell you what you actually specify, not the most expensive item available to them.

LOL
completely misread.
carry on

squarky?

I bought some of these for going to shows. Work well http://www.earjobs.com.au/index.php/gig-pig1/etymotic-er-20-clear-with-case/

EDIT: heh, that site actually has a search category for 'band photographer' http://www.earjobs.com.au/index.php/band-photographer1/

last edited by Dan at 17:57:19 27/Jul/09

This reminds me, I need to wash my Hearos :(

How much are these plugs lowering the db by? It's another big concern of mine.

I'm pretty sure mine cut 25db, it's pretty significant. If you have small ear canals, they can be a pain in the ass to get in but once in, it's a big big difference.

I sleep wearing earplugs and its awesome.
Sex with earplugs in is very good too.
the ears, that is.

haha

Get some of those fluro ones from the chemist - more important than the brand is how you put them in your ears. Read the instructions and you'll find that an $8 pack works just fine.

cheapos may work just fine, which i use at work..they only lower db by upto 8-10..I'm wanting something greater.. Due to amount of concerts i goto and how loud they are, i need to reduce db as much as possible, being up in photo pit area my areas get a hammering.

I would get custom plugs made, but i dont have spare couple hundred laying around.

last edited by Damo at 21:08:52 27/Jul/09

you freak faceman

Try the Hearos Damo, cheap and work well. The website has the attenuation it cuts but it's being gay so I can't paste it.

The etymotics are supposed to be around 20 dB reduction, but the important part is that they don't muffle the sound so the music still sounds good. They're also easy to clean and will last for ages.

If you don't really care about the music at the shows your photographing, then just pick up a big pack of the foam disposable style ones. Don't know where you can buy bulk local retail, but I picked up a big 100 pack from a rite-aid store for like $15 when I was in the U.S. They're that Hearoes brand you mentioned and cut up to like 30dB, you can also sleep in them quite comfortably, which is what I use them for (originally bought them when I was staying in a cheap hotel that was noisy 24/7). Sure you could find something similar ordering online.

I wouldn't wear those to concerts though, they muffle everything way too much.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but are you sure you're wearing the earphones correctly? I have no idea how much the orange ones reduce the sound, but there is a massive difference between wearing them and wearing them properly.

all good billy, i have to wear ear plugs for my work, machine operator in a factory, never go inside without them. I noticed a massive difference if the plugs aren't cushy enough, some can be squashed and pushed in others i do the same but slide out. Some defects here and there.

the ones at my work are cheap and do the job for there, but being at concert i need more protection.. Higher db rating the better, the etyomotic or whatever seem to be the ones i'll get.

Honestly if it is for your job i would considering getting some made, my friend has some that he can even take the core out of and change to affect the dB rating of them, they are definately worth it. I'll check how much they were and get back to you.

He said they were around $200 and come with attenuators of 15 and 25 db, its worth it to protect your ears.

you can buy cheapies that do 33db

I work as an Audiologist

Custom plugs FTW if you want something decent. These are a few we do;

Suitable for: Construction Workers,Metal Workers and Heavy EquipmentOperators.Provides Maximum Protection byeliminating outside noise and canreduce sound by up to 40 decibels.

Suitable for: Musicians, Sound Crews, DJ's, Bands and Orchestras.
Choice from three acoustic filers thatcan reduce sound by up to 25 decibels.

They are made by GN Resound

Swan

Custom plugs FTW if you want something decent.

+1

Completely forget off-the-shelf ear-plugs! Not worth it if you are serious about your hearing. Custom plugs are insanely more comfortable (can wear them for hours without noticing), low profile / hidden, and do a way better job.

I got mine from Phoenix Hearing a few years ago for $150-175, took about 2-3 days to make. I think this is the brochure:

http://www.phoenixhearing.com.au/pdf/Musicians%20Custom%20plug%20Brochure.pdf

(9-24dB selectable attenuation levels)

Still going strong after 4+ years:

http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~boldajis/images/earplugs.jpg

I would definitely recommend Phoenix hearing. They are great to deal with and have good customer service. Good price for customs as well.

When I was doing shows and working at the Tiv I just used the ones from the chemist. bought a box of them and kept them in the car and they worked just fine.

Its been a few years since Iv done that sort of work tho so maybe times have changed but back a while everyone just used the chemist foam ones.

That included security guards standing in front of the stacks.

ausome thread...we were just talking about this at band practise yesterday...
custom jobs ftw +1
the chemist foam ones dont filter the sound, they just muffle it, and the frequencies that cause the damage still get through at concerts.

last edited by lewd at 15:25:32 28/Jul/09

Exactly

Foam reduce all frequencies evenly where as the proper plugs are frequency specific, so you can hear what you want, and block out the evil noise.

What sort of training does an audiologist have?

Masters

So you have to do an undergrad in basically anything. I did a Bachelor of Music. We had scientists, speechies, lawyers, teachers - really varied.

Probably me you are thinking of

Etymotic Research stuff is great, so are custom molds like the GN's etc. Getting a custom mold is definitly the way to go, but for a cheap fix the ER-20's are great, I used them for ages but one of my ears is a bit too small for them and it hurt wearing them for extended times.

I'm going to get some custom molds done soon for both plugs and IEM's, nice way to spend my krudd money.

A mate who sings in a metal band spend $400 odd getting some made up that allow certain frequencies more then others. No other useful info though sorry.

Edit: A drummer I know purchased these ones for $35 and reckons they're pretty decent.


last edited by Syco at 19:37:54 28/Jul/09