What is a dB (Decibel)?

Decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement used to quantify the intensity or volume of sound. In live event production and the music industry, dB is used to measure the loudness of audio equipment, such as speakers and amplifiers.

How Decibels Work

The dB scale is logarithmic, meaning each step on the scale represents a multiplicative change in sound intensity. Specifically, an increase of 10 dB signifies a tenfold increase in acoustic intensity. Conversely, a decrease of 10 dB means the sound intensity is reduced by a factor of ten.

Decibel in Practical Terms

Here’s a practical breakdown of what certain decibel levels might represent in a live event setting:

• 0 dB: Threshold of human hearing.
• 30 dB: Quiet, like a whisper.
• 60 dB: Normal conversation.
• 90 dB: Lawn mower or heavy truck traffic, potential for hearing damage if sustained.
• 120 dB: Rock concert or jet engine, immediate risk of hearing damage.