AUTOMATIC SOUND LEVEL REDUCTION

Yes, automatic sound level control is readily applied, but it is rarely implemented for a wide range of reasons, some of which I will discuss here.

Usually the request for such a feature comes from citizen groups and government agencies who ask "Why not have an automated sound engineer who just turns down the sound when it is too loud. This concept is easy to express but difficult to implement to the satisfaction of both performers and the audience.

With a live sound engineer at the controls, he knows what sound the audience expects, not only at each moment but also into the future as the song and as the concert progresses. The sound engineer is able to take the appropriate steps, using his knowledge base, to reduce sound as might be necessary, with the minimum compromise to the artist. Automated systems do not contain this knowledge base.

In addition, at most concert venues, artists bring on site equipment needed for the anticipated artistic expression . This may include a wide range of specialized microphones, mixers, amplifiers and loudspeaker systems. But in order to apply automatic sound level control, all the artist's audio signal must been intercepted for control. This will be impractical until there is an industry standard for making this interception readily possible.

However, there are venues where there is fixed audio equipment. These locations, such as indoor theaters and theme parks, have the ready potential for installation of Grozier automatic sound control equipment.

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