The target volume during worship should be between 85-92dBC, peaking no higher than 95dBC. The target volume during speaking should be 70-75dBC.
Every part of the room receives a different volume. Just like with lighting, there are “hot-spots” where the speakers are aimed, which can cause as much as a 15dBA difference in volume depending on the location in the room. Sound systems are designed to minimize that difference, aiming at only a 2dBA difference no matter the location in the room.
Most of the time, volume concerns are not about the actual overall volume, but about a certain instrument that “feels” too loud. Volume complaints are usually a result of an instrument or frequency being out of balance. When giving feedback to the audio engineer, please be specific about what is bothering you, and where in the room you were when it bothered you.
The best time to give feedback to a FOH Audio Engineer is in the middle of the worship set.
The worst time to give feedback to an FOH Audio Engineer is at the beginning or end of the worship set.
During the beginning of the set, especially during the first service, the engineer is still adjusting the overall audio to compensate for the sound difference that the bodies in the room makes.
At the end of the set, the engineer does not have the time to listen to the audio and adjust to any feedback given.