You've found the perfect venue, booked the date and started looking at bands. Then someone mentions the venue has a "sound limiter". What does that mean? Will it ruin your party?
Most of the time, no. Here's what a sound limiter is, why some Liverpool wedding venues have one, and what to ask so there are no surprises on the night.
01What is a sound limiter?
A sound limiter is a device fitted by a venue to keep music below a set volume. A microphone in the room measures the sound level. If it goes over the limit for more than a few seconds, the limiter cuts the power to the sockets the band or DJ are plugged into.
Many limiters have a traffic-light display:
When the power cuts, the PA, lights and amps all go off together. Depending on the system, they come back after a short delay or need resetting by the venue.
02Why do some venues have them?
It's usually about neighbours. Venues in residential areas, city-centre buildings with apartments nearby and some historic or listed buildings may have a noise condition on their licence. A limiter is the simplest way for them to stick to it.
Liverpool has plenty of wedding venues in converted warehouses, Victorian buildings and city-centre streets, so it's worth asking about, whichever venue you're looking at. Plenty of venues don't have one at all, and many that do set it at a level a good band can work with.
03Does it matter for a live band?
It can. A DJ can simply turn the volume down, but a live band has instruments that are loud on their own. A drum kit or a trumpet makes plenty of noise before it goes anywhere near a speaker. A horn section like ours adds real energy, and real volume.
A professional band handles a reasonable limiter by:
- controlling stage volume and mixing the room to the level, not just turning everything up
- adjusting how the drums and horns are played for the space
- positioning the PA and the band away from the limiter's microphone where the venue allows it
- keeping an eye on the warning lights through the night
A very low limit is a different story. If a venue's limit is set close to background-music levels, a full band may struggle to perform without tripping it. For that kind of venue, one of these might suit the room better:
04Questions to ask your venue
If you're considering a venue, these questions will tell you everything you (and your band) need to know:
- Do you have a sound limiter?If not, great. Ask whether there are any other noise restrictions, like doors and windows being kept closed.
- What level is it set to?Ask for the figure in decibels and whether it's the same all night or drops after a certain time.
- What happens if it trips?Does the power come back on automatically, and how quickly?
- Where is the microphone?Where the band sets up in relation to it makes a big difference.
- Have you had full live bands here before?A venue that regularly hosts bands will know how it works in their room.
- Is there a music curfew?Many venues have a finish time for live music, separate from the bar.
Once you have the answers, send them to your band. Any experienced wedding band will tell you straight away whether it's workable.
05What we do
We've played all sorts of venues, including ones with their own in-house PA where we've plugged straight into their system, and we work with professional sound technicians to manage our levels.
Our rule of thumbA limit of around 100 decibels, with the limiter at least 7 metres from the stage, lets our full 9-piece play at its best.
Lower limits aren't always a deal-breaker. We've played plenty of venues with lower limits, sometimes using in-ear monitors and the venue's electronic drum kit to keep the volume down. Just talk to us before you book and we'll tell you what's possible.
So if your venue has a limiter, we recommend talking to us before you book. Ask the venue for the figure, send it over and we'll tell you honestly whether it will work, rather than risk the power going off halfway through your first dance.
06Quick answers
Will a sound limiter stop us having a live band?
Not usually. A limit of around 100 decibels, measured at least 7 metres from the stage, lets our full 9-piece play at its best, and we've played lower-limit venues too, sometimes using in-ear monitors and the venue's electronic drum kit. Check the figure with your venue and send it to us before you book.
What happens if the limiter trips?
The power to the stage sockets is cut, so the music and lights stop. Depending on the system, it comes back automatically after a short delay or needs resetting by the venue.
Is a DJ better for venues with a limiter?
A DJ can control volume more easily, so it's the safer choice for a venue with a very low limit. Many couples have both: the live band for the main sets and a DJ to keep the dancefloor going afterwards.