Earplugs or au natúrel?

pepe · August 2006

While I'm waiting for my first PJ set ever important questions arise... like do I use earplugs on the gig or not? And if I do which ones? And how?

Right now I think I'm wearing them (for the warm-up act at least). Thinking of classic yellow disposable foam ones. Maybe I should cut 35-50% off of them to get that sound right...

How has the European Tour sounded so far? What was your choice? Any recommendations?

10,000 Fools · August 2006

I took my wife (not a huge PJ fan) to Boston 1 and she brought earplugs. However, she never wore them because she was too into the show. Unless you're going to multiple shows back to back, I hardly think earplugs are necessary.

IamFarFromGlorified · August 2006

In my experience, earplugs haven't made the sound worse. If anything, earplugs clear up the drums so you can hear the bass guitar better. It terms of ear damage, it probably isn't a big deal if you see a show or two w/o earplugs, but I highly recommend using them if you're seeing 10+ shows, especially in arenas.

Ms. Haiku · August 2006

I've been close to the stage for recent shows, and I haven't worn earplugs. I'm shocked my ears don't ring afterwards, but they must be doing something with the mix not to hurt ears.

Truth Machine · August 2006

I use plugs at every show. I agree that if you are just going to one or two you should be ok but I go to many and they tend to be in a string so I always wear them.

froggy bunnyman · August 2006

Must have been to around 200 shows in my life

Never wore earplugs

Never have problems...

My ears are ok !

Maybe if your ears are fragile, you should wear them.
If not, it's not necessary at all...

Abneriel · August 2006

froggy bunnyman wrote:

Must have been to around 200 shows in my life

Never wore earplugs

Never have problems...

My ears are ok !

Maybe if your ears are fragile, you should wear them.
If not, it's not necessary at all...

what?

The Kids Are Alright · August 2006

wear them. theres a reason why the band/security, everyone who works there wears them. Go to your local drugstore and get a pair. They work fine. They actually improv the sound/help remove some of the distortion. Hearing is something you dont wanna fuck around with, in my opinion anyway

inmyrvm · August 2006

no ear plugs, it's rock & roll!

lowlight10 · August 2006

wear earplugs, always! its better for your ears and it makes shows, especially arena shows, sound a lot better. when everyone around you is puzzled by what eddie just said, youll be able to hear it clearly.

as far as damage to your ears, you might think its not affecting them now, but down the road, you might regret not wearing them.

upina2001 · August 2006

I have noticed my hearing is not as good in my right as it is my left. Wonder why? Cause I answer the phone with my right ear??

It is not like going blind and trying to replace an eye;
they do make hearing-aids.

Pegasus · August 2006

Last night I started with them (Etymotic ones for £10, don't do foam ones, they're really crap)., but it was boosting a bit too much the bass (though I sure could hear Jeff a lot better), so I started taking them off, but back on because it was last, but eventually taking one of, then eventually both.

But I have to say that I could hear Ed better with them than without..at the front it's pretty hard to hear Ed sings (same at the Astoria so I assume it's just the fact there's no speaker for him upfront), especially with everyone around belting it out.

I'll wear them at Reading...probably will try again, or at least have them on the first part (no point in damaging my hearing for someone else

), and keep them or not dependig on the sound level/position (like right in front of side sepakers..)

Cazpj · August 2006

I wear them at every gig I go to or play at... Except Pearl Jam. But that's because if you sing along wearing earplugs you hear your own voice really loudly.

So your alright for the odd gig without, but generally around loud music you should wear them.

Just to give an idea of how easily you can sustain hearing trouble, you can listen to a snare drum being played at a normal level for about a minute before it starts causing permanent damage to your ears. When a full band starts up there is no safe time.

So generally it's well worth it! :0)

SpinMeRoundRollMeOvr · August 2006

I typically wear them during the opening act...

I've had to start wearing them during main sets as well... strings of concerts can do some serious damage.

brain of c · August 2006

huh? what?

ear plugs. don't go to a show without them. if you don't need them, fine.

otherwise,

huh? what?

boxwine_in_hell · August 2006

earplugs are for fags. lol....just kidding. I think they've actually turned down the sound at shows in the last 15 years or so.....there was a point in the late 80's/early 90's that the volume level bordered on ridiculous and earplugs would have been welcome.

red mos · August 2006

I wear earplugs at every show I go to. I have too though because I have a bilateral high frequency hearing loss in both ears. A high frequency hearing loss, as I understand it means that I cannot hear certain frequencies and the audiologist indicated that the drums and seeing loud shows without earplugs will damage my hearing worse. I forgot my earplugs at Peter Frampton and Styx and my ears were ringing afterr words. I am a strong supporter of ear plugs and protecting my hearing as best I can, but I know it will probably worsen with age. As already mentioned, the show sounds better with earplugs. The drums, bass, and vocals are clearer. It's up to you honestly if you want to take them, but it is probably safer to always were earplugs. I even bring extras for my friends. In regads to how my high frequency hearing loss occured, it was from listening to the walkman when I was little, shows with my parents, and probably my cousin and friends playing drums and such in the garage. I even wear earplugs when I play my bass.

boxwine_in_hell · August 2006

red mos wrote:

I were earplugs at every show I go to. I have too though because I have a bilateral high frequency hearing loss in both ears. I high frequency hearing loss, as I understand it means that I cannot hear certain frequencies and the audiologist indicated that the drums and seeing loud shows without earplugs will damage my hearing worse. I forgot my earplugs at Peter Frampton and Styx and my ears were ringing afterr words. I am a strong supporter of ear plugs and protecting my hearing as best I can, but I know it will probably worsen with age. As already mentioned, the show sounds better with earplugs. The drums, bass, and vocals are clearer. It's up to you honestly if you want to take them, but it is probably safer to always were earplugs. I even bring extras for my friends.

The real crime isn't that you are doing damage to your hearing.....the real crime is that you admitted you were at the Peter Frampton/Styx show.

PJaddicted · August 2006

Sometimes I wear them for the first band....especially Sleater Kinny. I tried wearing them for Pearl Jam....I don't like what it does to the sound. If you are seeing them several nights in a row....and up front....it's a good idea, my hearing has been shot for days afterwards.

oxc

red mos · August 2006

boxwine_in_hell wrote:

The real crime isn't that you are doing damage to your hearing.....the real crime is that you admitted you were at the Peter Frampton/Styx show.

LMAO!! Peter Frampton was great live (that is who we went to see), and he was doing a co headlining show with Styx and America opened the show. I enjoy Peter Frampton, and you'd be suprised how good he is live... I hope to see him do a headlining show. Styx was LOUD (Suprisingly, and very obnoxious) we left Styx's set after 8 songs. They do this loophole thing (put like 10 AOR songs to gether in a melody format and it just killed the show for me. That is where they slipped Mr. Roboto in sequence, and everyone of us looked at each other booed and or groaned. It was hilarious. Tommy shaw told us we weren't fired up enough, and made us all sing deep in the heart of Texas accapella and I knew the styx set was dead in the water. We stayed to watch come sail away and when they had all this confetti rain all over the audience and stage... my friend and Iwere like um.... let's go. The tickets were free, so I figured what the fuck, and Peter Frampton is now one of my fave live acts.

SPALMA · August 2006

Would never wear earplugs for Pearl Jam.

However, I did blow an eardrum in the mid 70's at a Mountain concert.

Earplugs or au natúrel?

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