Sound Systems

Am I the only one who has trouble hearing amplified sound these days? I have no problems at the Metropolitan Opera or the NY Philharmonic, but some Broadway shows have sound systems that render them virtually inaudible for me.

I started noticing this during the Hunter Foster revival of LITTLE SHOP: when the urchins sang I hear nothing but distortion. In BIG FISH, I had the same problem whenever more than one person sang (There was one big number where almost the whole cast was singing and a mermaid was popping out of the orchestra pit. It was nothing but noise for me. The lyric was completely lost). The same was true at KINKY BOOTS.

I had no trouble hearing every single lyric of ON THE TOWN, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE KING AND I.

Is it me, or are the sound systems bizarre?

I feel that when I've paid good money to see a show I should be able to HEAR it as well. As it is now, I shy away from musicals because they're inaudible for me.

uncageg said: "It may not just be the systems but the person mixing the show on the sound board. I am very interested in sound at shows and have on many occasion walked up to the sound board and told them that music was too loud, or we can't hear things, etc. I will also go to them to compliment them when they are doing a good job."

If you're seeing a Broadway show, the person mixing it is, I guarantee, doing a great job. An audience member's preference in volume or how vocal-forward a mix should be is not a guage of the mixer's ability. You could tell the mixer that you think the band is too loud and the vocals sound harsh, and the mixer could completely agree with you (though they'd never say it), but they're mixing the show the way the designer/director/music supervisor/producer(s) agreed on.

We were putting up our Christmas tree and my son felt we needed to hear some carols, so he pulled out his android and had it playing holiday tunes. I asked him why he wanted to hear the distorted sounds coming out of a pin hole. I turned on my Boise system and the difference in sound was remarkable.

Perhaps our society is getting used to inferior sound.....Just a thought.

uncageg said: "trpguyy, unfortunately that is not completely true."

What did I write that you disagree with?

Matilda. I don't know if it is the sound sytem or design... but it is horrid. IF/THEN is just amplification. Also horrid.

Updated On: 1/8/16 at 03:58 PM

In my experience, most of the complaints about loudness are actually complaints about the nature of the music itself. People for whom "standard book musicals" are the norm don't like the percussive sound that is part and parcel of many "non-standard" shows. The issue is not loudness.

the problem with the sound at Kinky Boots is not how it's amplified (which I think works for that show), but rather that it is simply too loud (especially if you are sitting near the sides). Fun Home, I actually thought needed better sound. When actors were turned away from me, I could barely hear them at times.

trpguyy said: "uncageg said: "trpguyy, unfortunately that is not completely true."

What did I write that you disagree with?

That they are always doing a great job and mixing it the way it is intended.I have a number of friends that run sound for shows.

"

Updated On: 1/10/16 at 04:08 PM

I should also mention that I pretty much shut down at weddings when the music is cranked up too loudly. I can't hold conversations, I can't even function. I usually head out to the lobby and sit there pretending to have a good time.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have an appointment with my physician next week and will ask him to suggest the name of a good audiologist. It won't hurt to learn if this is a physical problem for me.

I appreciate all your feedback.