Just HOW loud are drums/cymbals?

[metalhead1000]

Mods I don't know if this is sticky-worthy or if it's been done already.

Basically, I made this thread because I wanted to create a nice big list of decibel levels for various drums and cymbals (for the drummer that is, so a distance of 1m from the source is reasonable).

That's it really... so we can get decibel values for 1 m from: snare drum, bass drum, crash cymbal, and maybe even the whole set on average, I'm not sure how that could be calculated though.

If anyone has any suggestions please tell me and I'll continually edit this post as we get more numbers (if this thread doesn't fail).

Thanks, I hope we can eventually have a nice list everyone can use as a reference!

[Rawley]

I think you would have to have a standard for pounds of pressure applied when hit as well.

But HEY what do I know?

[PYRRHO]

There's at least two recent threads on this....

[metalhead1000]

Mmm yes that's true...

All I have is high school physics (did Grade 12 physics last term), I'm no expert on decibel stuff, I just know basics lol.

If someone notices a big flaw in my reasoning that would make this thread impossible then say so .

[44Ronin]

Mods I don't know if this is sticky-worthy or if it's been done already.

Basically, I made this thread because I wanted to create a nice big list of decibel levels for various drums and cymbals (for the drummer that is, so a distance of 1m from the source is reasonable).

Pointless , to many variables involved

[PYRRHO]

How does it feel Ronin, to be your own worst enemy?

Originally published in MD, then posted here by MIND_DRUMMER:

At drummer ears

21" ride = 102 db
21" ride (bell) = 112 db
Bass drum = 105 db
Toms = 110 db
Snare 5x14 single roll all rimshot 120 db
Snare (maximum rimshot) 125 db (sorry I thought it was 123 db but anyway)
16" crash = 111 db
14" hats (maximum/open) = 117 db
18" china (maximum) 118 db


Interesting fact

Quiet groove: drummer ears 105 db - 5 feet 100 db - 25 feet 96 db
medium groove: drummer ears 110 db - 5 feet 105 db - 25 feet 102 db
Solid groove: drummer ears 115 db - 5 feet 110 db - 25 feet 108 db
Maximum (snare): drummer ears 125 db - 5 feet 120 db - 25 feet 116 db

These are the result from the January MD issue, all measure were taken with the Metrosonics DB-2100 digital SPL meter.

[44Ronin]

How does it feel Ronin, to be your own worst enemy?

Originally published in MD, then posted here by MIND_DRUMMER:

At drummer ears

21" ride = 102 db
21" ride (bell) = 112 db
Bass drum = 105 db
Toms = 110 db
Snare 5x14 single roll all rimshot 120 db
Snare (maximum rimshot) 125 db (sorry I thought it was 123 db but anyway)
16" crash = 111 db
14" hats (maximum/open) = 117 db
18" china (maximum) 118 db


Interesting fact

Quiet groove: drummer ears 105 db - 5 feet 100 db - 25 feet 96 db
medium groove: drummer ears 110 db - 5 feet 105 db - 25 feet 102 db
Solid groove: drummer ears 115 db - 5 feet 110 db - 25 feet 108 db
Maximum (snare): drummer ears 125 db - 5 feet 120 db - 25 feet 116 db

These are the result from the January MD issue, all measure were taken with the Metrosonics DB-2100 digital SPL meter.

It still means nothing.

[MIND_DRUMMER]

How does it feel Ronin, to be your own worst enemy?

Originally published in MD, then posted here by MIND_DRUMMER:

At drummer ears

21" ride = 102 db
21" ride (bell) = 112 db
Bass drum = 105 db
Toms = 110 db
Snare 5x14 single roll all rimshot 120 db
Snare (maximum rimshot) 125 db (sorry I thought it was 123 db but anyway)
16" crash = 111 db
14" hats (maximum/open) = 117 db
18" china (maximum) 118 db


Interesting fact

Quiet groove: drummer ears 105 db - 5 feet 100 db - 25 feet 96 db
medium groove: drummer ears 110 db - 5 feet 105 db - 25 feet 102 db
Solid groove: drummer ears 115 db - 5 feet 110 db - 25 feet 108 db
Maximum (snare): drummer ears 125 db - 5 feet 120 db - 25 feet 116 db

These are the result from the January MD issue, all measure were taken with the Metrosonics DB-2100 digital SPL meter.

Thank's for citing me, I appreciate

[metalhead1000]

That's great PYRRHO thanks a lot. Maybe I should subscribe to MD ...

Sorry Ronin for making this thread but I'm sure someone will profit from it.

VF Isolation Headphones have 24 or 25 dB sound reduction I think, so max I'd be getting 100 dB maybe, and according to "experts", 2 hours daily is the max without sustaining hearing damage.

I rarely play for that long so I should be fine... although I do play to music... not sure if that would have an adverse effect over time, maybe someone can answer that?

[MIND_DRUMMER]

That's great PYRRHO thanks a lot. Maybe I should subscribe to MD ...

Sorry Ronin for making this thread but I'm sure someone will profit from it.

VF Isolation Headphones have 24 or 25 dB sound reduction I think, so max I'd be getting 100 dB maybe, and according to "experts", 2 hours daily is the max without sustaining hearing damage.

I rarely play for that long so I should be fine... although I do play to music... not sure if that would have an adverse effect over time, maybe someone can answer that?

They discuss of all these product too in that great article. At the end, it come to protect your hearing the best you can. It's better than nothing.

[Patrik_CZX]

Testet in our old rehersal once.. 5x3 meters maybe, with good dampening.

dB-meter in middle of the room, average when whole band played for 3 minutes was 112dB, peak (snare hits) 125db.

Snare only, from 1 meter i think was 129dB or 132...

[Demian]

Thanks everyone for this info.. I was looking for it long time ago.

[UpTheIrons]

There was a thread about this some time ago. The noise from a crash cymbal can be up to 130dB (!!!) from a drummer seat. This damages hearing very much, so ear protection is a must .

[-=Steve=-]

isn't 125 db the pain limit? or am I wrong

[veggyboy]

How does it feel Ronin, to be your own worst enemy?...

In regards to Ronin's first post (and I would agree), there ARE too many variables to consider based on the original post:
the player, the brush/rod/stick being used, the specific instrument being played, etc.

You can't just say this 18" cymbal produces 96db of crash.

So, in this respect, I can see where he was coming from.

I did find your "interesting fact" well, um, interesting!

I wish I started wearing ear protection when I first began playing the drums, but better late than never.