Standards Georgia | Foxes and Fossils
Open air performances are less expensive for the hosts and artists but present technical challenges to ensure sound quality, coverage, and compliance with regulations that pertain to audience (crowd management):
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): Measures loudness in decibels. Open-air events typically require SPLs of 90–110 dB for clear audio, depending on audience size and distance. Standards like ISO 8253-1 (for sound level measurement) guide SPL calibration.
Frequency Response: Ensures balanced sound across frequencies (20 Hz–20 kHz for human hearing). Systems should maintain flat response to avoid distortion, per standards like IEC 60268-5 (loudspeaker performance).
Coverage and Dispersion: Speakers must distribute sound evenly across the audience area. Line array systems are common for large open-air events, adhering to manufacturer specs for dispersion angles. AES56-2008 (Audio Engineering Society) provides guidelines for array design.
Noise Regulations: Local laws dictate maximum permissible noise levels, often 85–100 dB at the perimeter. Standards like ISO 1996-1 (environmental noise assessment) are used for compliance. Time restrictions may apply (e.g., lower dB after 10 PM).
Audio Equipment Standards: Amplifiers and Mixers: Must meet IEC 60268-3 for signal clarity and power output.
Cables and Connectors: XLR or Speakon connectors with low signal loss, per AES48-2008 (interconnection standards).
Weather Resistance: Outdoor gear should be IP54-rated or higher (IEC 60529) for protection against dust and water.
Wireless Audio Standards: For wireless mics or in-ear monitors, systems must comply with FCC regulations (U.S.) or ETSI EN 300 422 (Europe) for frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, UHF). Low latency (<5 ms) is critical, per AES67 (networked audio).
Power and Safety Standards: Power distribution must follow IEC 60364 for electrical safety with particular attention to audio system grounding and surge protection to prevent equipment damage, per IEEE C62.41.
Stage Monitoring: In-ear monitors or wedge speakers should meet AES3-2003 for digital audio interfaces, ensuring low feedback in open-air settings.
Acoustic Modeling: Tools like EASE (Enhanced Acoustic Simulator for Engineers) follow AES standards to predict sound propagation, accounting for wind and temperature.
Accessibility: Systems may need to support hearing assistance devices, complying with ADA (U.S.) or EN 60118-4 (hearing loop standards).
New video coming this week! Some of you may be familiar with the mysterious pajama photo that surfaced on the Fan Page recently…well its associated video is finally here! Join us at 6:45pm EST to chat with the band before the 7pm premiere. ➡️ https://t.co/7H2OUheraA pic.twitter.com/2fFhOSRlXi
— Foxes and Fossils (@foxesandfossils) December 21, 2020
