It's one of those things nobody mentions until you've already fallen in love with a venue: "Just so you know, we have a sound limiter." If you're planning live music, those words can cause a bit of panic.
The good news is that a limiter doesn't have to mean a quiet wedding. Here's a plain-English guide to what they are, how they affect a band, and how to find out whether your venue's limiter will work before you book anything.
01What a sound limiter actually does
A sound limiter (sometimes called a noise limiter) is a box fitted by the venue. The band's or DJ's equipment is plugged into sockets controlled by it, and a microphone somewhere in the room keeps track of the volume.
If the sound goes over a set level for more than a few seconds, the limiter cuts the power to those sockets. The PA, amps and lights all switch off at once. Many give a warning first:
Some reset automatically, while others need the venue to switch them back on.
02Why venues fit them
Most of the time it's a licensing condition. Venues close to houses or flats, city-centre buildings, historic and listed properties, and rural venues where sound carries a long way at night may all have agreed to keep music below a certain level. A limiter is how they prove they're sticking to it.
It isn't a sign the venue doesn't want a party.
Plenty of venues with limiters host brilliant live bands every weekend. What matters is the level it's set to and where the microphone is.
03How loud is a live band?
This is where live bands and DJs differ. A DJ is almost entirely amplified, so turning the volume down is easy. A band has instruments that are loud on their own: a drum kit, a trumpet or a saxophone all make plenty of noise before they go anywhere near a speaker.
That's why the number matters. As a rough guide, a lively room of people chatting is well into the 70s and 80s in decibels, and a full band with drums and horns needs more headroom than that to sound like a party rather than background music.
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.
04Five questions to ask your venue
- Do you have a sound limiter, or any other noise restrictions?Some venues have no limiter but ask for doors and windows to stay closed, or have a finish time for amplified music.
- What level is it set to, in decibels?Ask whether it's the same all night or drops later in the evening.
- Where is the microphone?The further it is from the stage, the better. A mic right next to the drum kit makes life very hard.
- What happens if it trips?Does the power come back on automatically, and how long does it take?
- Have full live bands played here recently?A venue that hosts bands regularly will know exactly how it works in their room.
Then send the answers to your band before you book either of them. Any experienced wedding band will be able to tell you whether it's workable.
05Marquees, barns and outdoor weddings
Limiters aren't just for hotels and city venues. Marquees, barns and garden weddings can have noise conditions too, especially near neighbours. They also bring a separate question: power.
Check the power earlyOur band needs two separate 13 amp supplies on individual spurs, or a 32 amp generator supply with 13 amp sockets for the band's sole use. Check both with your venue or marquee company early on.
06If the limit is too low
If your venue's limit is too low for a full band, you still have good options:
07How we work with limiters
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 through the night.
If your venue has a limiter, we recommend talking to us before you book. Send us the figure and we'll tell you honestly whether it will work, rather than risk the power going off in the middle of your first dance. You'll find more answers in our FAQs.
08Quick answers
Can a live band play at a venue with a sound limiter?
Often, yes. It depends on the level the limiter is set to and where its microphone is. Around 100 decibels, measured at least 7 metres from the stage, is ideal for our full 9-piece, but we've played lower-limit venues too, sometimes using in-ear monitors and the venue's electronic drum kit.
What happens when a sound limiter trips?
It cuts the power to the band's sockets, so the sound and lights stop. Depending on the system, the power comes back automatically after a short delay or needs resetting by the venue.
Should we choose a DJ if our venue has a limiter?
Only if the limit is very low. Many limiters are set at a level a live band can work with, so check the figure with your venue and your band first.