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Loudest Drum Corps - 2011 Indy Prelims Edition


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How much of a corps "loudness" should be contributed to writing? I feel some chord progressions and arrangements can make a corps sound louder. Or even better lows that make the highs more of a pay off. What do you think?

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What kind of meter are you using and how are you positioning. I got wildly different results at allentown

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What kind of meter are you using and how are you positioning. I got wildly different results at allentown

I would certainly have expected different results in Allentown, mainly because of outdoor versus indoor stadiums. Due to all the variables (seating position, crowd numbers/noise, Corps having an off/on night, plus many more), I doubt we'd get similar results unless you were seated close to me at the same show.

For both Atlanta and Indy, I used a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter (#33-2055). It was set to Fast Response (updates every 0.2 sec) and Weighting "C" (flat response for 32-10,000 Hz). I pointed the mic towards the "center mass" of the sound--i.e, if the brass was playing and they were to the right of the 50, that's where I directed the microphone. I tried to keep the meter at the same position (heightwise) for each corps and tried let the mic have a direct "view" of the field, avoiding fans seated directly in front of me (not a problem in Atlanta--we were on the front row!).

For next year, I'm considering investing in another, more professional, sound meter so I won't need to make range adjustments during a performance. I might even run both meters--one doing peak measurements and one doing average. Average measurements might help factor out concert bass drum hits, but won't do much with synths of course.

How did you measure the show in Allentown?

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BYBO! :smile:

And yes, mega kudos to Madison!

I'm surprised no one has commented that Blue Devils bettered their Atlanta "score" (the only corps that did, though 2 equaled and several came close) and this was measured from further back at Indy.

Anyway, as I've said before, this is just a "gee whiz" exercise and nothing more. There were GREAT sounds from ALL the corps this year. Can we do better next season--you bet!!!

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I think your meter is broken or not all hornlines try to project to the top of the dome. When I was in indy, crown was not loud at all. Phantom, Devs and Coats were the loudest of the top tier from where I was sitting (top section on the 50 all three nights).

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Carolina and Madison were the seasons loudest and proudest. stock lol.

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Were these the highest numbers from the entire shows, or just certain points of them? Some of these numbers are quite a but screwy imo...

Each Corps entire show.

I think your meter is broken or not all hornlines try to project to the top of the dome. When I was in indy, crown was not loud at all. Phantom, Devs and Coats were the loudest of the top tier from where I was sitting (top section on the 50 all three nights).

Nope--meter not broken and had fresh batteries. And Crown WAS loud as was Madison from where I was sitting.

The thing about measuring with a meter and not by ear is that it removes the human factor. I did my best to measure each corps exactly the same way and let the chips (or decibels, if you will) fall where they may.

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The numbers on Jersey Surf and Glassmen don't add up. Those lines weren't loud at all. I think this is an issue of who has the best speakers.

Took the words right out of my mouth. That and cymbals.

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