Earplugs
On 30/03/2017 11:57 a.m., Scott Dorsey wrote:
Gareth Magennis wrote:
so, some customers are asking for earplugs at a live event. (sometimes
including children)
As sound engineer, I feel it is my duty to do what I can and provide them
when requested.
You get two choices, the cylindrical foam ones and the bullet-shaped foam
ones. I think the bullet-shaped ones are better but some people disagree
so I keep a bag of each. Both of them have 20dB or so reduction and aren't
really very flat, but are flat enough.
I get both kinds from Grainger, a big industrial supplier, and they are a
few pennies each. I think the EAR brand is what they last had.
You could try earplug-store.co.uk, but whatever you do, don't forget to
bill the customer for them! Never pass up an opportunity to bill the
customer!
You can get much higher quality earplugs, but they won't be pennies each
and you won't want to give them out. But if you're mixing at high levels
you might consider getting some custom-molded Etymotic ones. I would not
be able to survive steel bands without them.
I don't know about smaller ones for children. That might be a good plan
too.
--scott
The Etymotic type custom-moulded ones are great (with a range of value
attenuation 'capsules' available), but a pain to get in-and-out
frequently, even with KY.
I often use (for myself) the EAR ones with the the silicone flanges that
come with a little black container' - much more covenient for frequent
in-and-out.
But for giving out, the simple foam ones for sure. But if people had a
clue they'd bring their own to such an event.
However NEVER use a screwed up bus ticket even in an emergency. I
needled to go to the doc to get one removed after a distressingly loud
pub gig I went to unprepared once ;-0
geoff
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