Sound Volunteer Instructions

Sound Core Expectations

Attend Sound Core Meeting

A Sound Core meeting will be scheduled for Volunteers and Sound Camps at the start of the festival. You will be emailed the meeting's scheduled time and location before the festival begins. You can also check with Gnomes on arrival to confirm the meeting time and location. All Volunteers are asked to attend. All Sound Camps are asked to send a representative.

During the meeting Volunteers will be shown where to sign in for their shifts, check the maximum sound levels for the night, and collect a sound meter. You will also learn where and how to measure sound levels. You will be shown where to log violations.

Sound Camps will receive meters to check their own levels. Sound Camps will be shown where to check the maximum sound level for each night. Sound Core Leads will be available to answer specific questions.

Monitor Sound

Volunteers are expected to log in at the Stage and collect a sound meter. You can then freely roam and enjoy the festival, testing levels at random as instructed.

If a Sound Camp exceeds the maximum sound limit, Volunteers should indicate to the DJ or Camp Lead that the sound needs to be turned down. If the DJ fails to lower the sound, please escalate the matter to a Ranger or a Sound Core Lead. Volunteers are not expected to be enforcers and should not confront uncooperative DJs.

If you need to warn the same DJ or Sound Camp in a single shift, inform a Ranger so the Sound Core Leads can be notified.

Upon finishing your shift, please return your meter and log all violations. If you work the early shift, please try to be punctual returning your meter so the graveyard shift can use it.

Shift Schedules

There are two shifts for Sound Volunteers each night that PA amplified sound is permitted. The early shift is from 10pm to 2am; the graveyard shift is from 2am to 6am. Volunteers will be reminded of shifts by email before the festival. A printed list of shifts will be present at the Stage. Gnomes can also assist in confirming shifts for all Cores during the festival.

Read the shifts carefully when signing up to be sure you have the shift you want.

General Sound Limits

Early Arrival: no PA amplified sound, personal bluetooth speakers permitted until sundown

Arrival Day: no PA amplified sound, personal bluetooth speakers permitted

Holiday/Weekend Days: PAs allowed 10AM - 10PM, reduced volume 10PM to 6AM

Exodus Day: PAs until noon, personal bluetooth speakers permitted during load out

The maximum decibel levels for PA amplified sound will be approximately 85-95dB, but vary throughout Firefly depending on the weather. These limits are carefully determined by Sound Core Leads to avoid disturbing the neighbors or attracting law enforcement.

Sound Camp Guidelines

Sound Camps will receive instructions from the Sound Core Lead specific to the camp location and elevation. This will include coordinating speaker placement so we don't disrupt the neighbors.

If a Sound Camp violates the limits, two warnings are given before the matter is escalated to the Officer of the Day. If a DJ receives three violations during a set, it will be escalated and the set will end. Sound Core Leads will evaluate the situation with the OOD to determine consequences for the Sound Camp. If a Camp has three violations across multiple DJs, Sound Core Leads will evaluate the situation with the OOD to determine consequence. Repeat offenders may be shut down for the duration of the night or the festival. Violations may be escalated to the Board.