Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by billypilgrim on Apr 28, 2010 16:26:20 GMT -5
Even in outdoor venues, the sound can get loud enough to cause some hearing loss -- especially if you're right in front of one of the speaker banks. Does anyone else worry about this? If so, what if any precautions do you take?
Post by stallion pt. 2 on Apr 28, 2010 16:48:14 GMT -5
I brought earplugs to Roo last year for the first time and was glad I did. I started wearing them to shows about a month before last roo after a punishingly loud Animal Collective/Black Dice show.
Don't use the foam core type plugs you use for power tools, as they block too much sound and you can't hear the music. what you want are impact reducuing plugs, the kind musicians wear on stage to protect their ears and still hear what they're doing. You should be able to pick them up at any guitar store for about $20 a pair. I forget which brand I bought, but they look like this
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
Post by funkblastin on Apr 28, 2010 16:53:37 GMT -5
I went to school for audio production and am a Live sound engineer. I HAVE to worry about my hearing. When it comes to Bonnaroo, 80% of the time I won't use/need earplugs. The other 20% is usually when it is insanely loud (ie: front row or close to the speakers). And I'll almost always wear them if I'm at the which stage, because the sound often blows there.
No need for fancy earplugs (unless you have them or can have health insurance cover the cost of custom molds). I just buy a pack of 20 or so that take it down 30db for like $6 at Wally World.
awesome thread, I have been wearing the foam ear plugs for the past couple years. these suggestions look to be reasonably priced and should provide better sound. i am ordering them now!
3/19 Portugal the Man 3/31 Japandroids 4/3 Alberta Cross/BRMC 5/1 White Rabbits 5/7 OK GO 5/14 Mumford and Sons 6/2 The National 6/10-13 Roo 8/21 MMJ and Tom Petty
Another thought about ear plugs, we pack them and use them when we're trying to sleep. I don't know how the ones pictured above would feel but the foam ones cut just enough sound from neighbors who may still be rockin' when you've just got to crash.
Post by avocadolady on Apr 29, 2010 15:32:58 GMT -5
Foam are perfect for sleeping (and probably more comfortable) but the Etymotic ones Wildman posted are really well suited for music...they don't muffle the sound as much. It's still clear, just kind of like turning down the volume a lil bit.
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Post by charlieallday on May 4, 2010 8:55:27 GMT -5
Earplugs are so essential. It makes the next day crazy easy to deal with. I agree with the Etymotic suggestion. They come in two sizes (Blue for smaller/sensitive ears and White for normal). I have used both and usually use the normal size but if you err on the side of caution, you will be fine with the smaller version. They are only marginally smaller and I did not notice any difference in how effective they were.
Also, they have a decent alternative that's relatively cheap at Duane Reade or your local mega-pharmacy. They are flanged rubber/plastic with a cord that connects the two. The plugs are effective but don't have a tuner like the Etymotic plugs and I picked them up for 5 bucks.
Does anyone know if swimming ear plugs pretty much work the same? Is there a difference between those and regular ones intended for music?
Yes. Swimming earplugs are NOT made to attenuate volume. With them in things may sound quiter, but those are made to keep water from entering your ear. I suspect if you put a pair of those in at a show it would sound like doo doo.
Does anyone know if swimming ear plugs pretty much work the same? Is there a difference between those and regular ones intended for music?
Yes. Swimming earplugs are NOT made to attenuate volume. With them in things may sound quiter, but those are made to keep water from entering your ear. I suspect if you put a pair of those in at a show it would sound like doo doo.
Post by charlieallday on May 4, 2010 9:50:02 GMT -5
Yeah...the swimming plugs would just clog your ears and are supposed to be molded into the ear canal AND the outside...to form a nice barrier. It would just sound like complete mud, as 'blastin said.
I just bought of a pair of those etymotic plugs from Ebay for $13.99 - Free shipping. I have extremely sensitive ears and usually end up about deaf after a good show, haha! But I've never wanted to compromise the sound with those big foam plugs or my swimmers. So I'm very glad I found this thread, thanks guys!!!
I just bought of a pair of those etymotic plugs from Ebay for $13.99 - Free shipping. I have extremely sensitive ears and usually end up about deaf after a good show, haha! But I've never wanted to compromise the sound with those big foam plugs or my swimmers. So I'm very glad I found this thread, thanks guys!!!
I have extremely sensitive ears and usually end up about deaf after a good show, haha! But I've never wanted to compromise the sound with those big foam plugs or my swimmers. So I'm very glad I found this thread, thanks guys!!!