Sound Registration
All camps with amplified sound (100 watts or larger) must register with the event during theme camp registration. On arrival at the event, please find the Sound Lead (reachable via radio by Ranger or other event volunteers), who will give you more information relating to your specific camp placement.
Amplified sound (100 watts or larger) is not permitted in open camping areas.
Amplified Sound Limits
- Sound may not exceed 100 dB at 10 meters from the source at any time.
- You will be asked to taper your sound down to 80dB at 10 meters from the source during specified hours.
- There will also be enforced quiet hours throughout the event.
Sound Hours
| Date | Time Range | Sound Limits & Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 15th | Noon – 11 PM | 100dB at 10 meters, subwoofers permitted. |
| 11 PM – Midnight | 80dB at 10 meters, all subwoofers off. | |
| Friday, May 16th | Midnight – 1 AM | 80dB at 10 meters, all subwoofers off. |
| 1 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – all sound off. No speakers of any time. | |
| 9 AM – Midnight | 100dB at 10 meters, subwoofers permitted. | |
| Saturday, May 17th | Midnight – 3:30 AM | 80dB at 10 meters, all subwoofers off. |
| 3:30 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – all sound off. No speakers of any time. | |
| 9 AM – Midnight | 100dB at 10 meters, subwoofers permitted. | |
| Sunday, May 18th | Midnight – 3:30 AM | 80dB at 10 meters, all subwoofers off. |
| 3:30 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – all sound off. No speakers of any time. | |
| 9 AM – 11 PM | 100dB at 10 meters, subwoofers permitted. | |
| 11 PM – Midnight | 80dB at 10 meters, all subwoofers off. | |
| Monday, May 19th | Midnight – 1 AM | 80dB at 10 meters, all subwoofers off. |
| 1 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – all sound off. No speakers of any time. | |
| 9 AM – Noon | No amplified sound. Event officially ends at noon. |
Sound & Open Camping
Please note: Amplified sound is not permitted in any open camping area.
If you want to listen to some music at your tent using a small personal speaker that is allowed, but please be mindful of your neighbours and keep your music to a volume respectful of those around you. If your neighbour asks you to turn it down, please be willing to work with them to find a volume you can both be comfortable with.
Quiet Hours apply to the whole event, including open camping. During quiet hours no speakers of any kind may be used. If you want to listen to something, use headphones. no exceptions.
Sound Hours for Open Camping
| Date | Time Range | Sound Limits & Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 16th | Noon – Midnight | Small personal speakers are OK. |
| Friday, May 17th | Midnight – 1 AM | Small personal speakers are OK. |
| 1 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – No Speakers of any kind. Use headphones. | |
| 9 AM – Midnight | Small personal speakers are OK. | |
| Saturday, May 18th | Midnight – 3:30 AM | Small personal speakers are OK. |
| 3:30 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – No Speakers of any kind. Use headphones. | |
| 9 AM – Midnight | Small personal speakers are OK. | |
| Sunday, May 19th | Midnight – 3:30 AM | Small personal speakers are OK. |
| 3:30 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – No Speakers of any kind. Use headphones. | |
| 9 AM – Midnight | Small personal speakers are OK. | |
| Monday, May 20th | Midnight – 1 AM | Small personal speakers are OK. |
| 1 AM – 9 AM | QUIET HOURS – No Speakers of any kind. Use headphones. | |
| 9 AM – Noon | Small personal speakers are OK. |
SPL Metering Point (Amplified Theme Camps)
Upon placement and sound system inspection there will be a clearly marked spot (10m from the sound source). This will be where SPL readings will be taken at each camp requiring monitoring. Sound team will go over this with the camp lead(s) in addition to standard placement/system tagging protocols.
Camps leads, DJs, and 2 Strikes
- Camp Leads: We recommend that you have someone from your camp with authority over the DJs and sound at all times while music is playing. If possible, please let the sound squad know who this person is and who to direct concerns/converse with about issues throughout the event.
- DJs: All camps are responsible to inform their DJs that they must adhere to sound requests from anyone in the sound squad (those wearing the yellow SideBurn shirts).
- 2 Strikes: If the DJs are spoken to (in the event that a camp lead cannot be found immediately) and they do not heed the warning, that is a strike against the camp. If your camp receives a second strike, your sound will be shut off for the rest of the night. There is not a second chance in this case.
Sound Squad & Sound Leads
The Sound Squad will be monitoring and working with sound camps throughout the event. Failure to comply with their requests will be grounds for removal. If the police arrive with noise complaints, they may be directed toward camps that are violating sound policies. Please protect the safety and success of SideBurn by complying with all sound restrictions when they are in effect.
Sound Leads who will be coming around to each camp, after you’ve arrived and are setting up your sound, to help with speaker alignment (where you’re pointing them) and sound level tuning. Sound Leads will also show you the point from which we will be metering your sound. The goal is to get your music sounding absolutely perfect with the equipment that you have so that there isn’t reliance on volume to get that euphoric feeling we’re all craving.
If you have any questions, reach out to the Sound Team at sound@sideburn.ca.
Sound policy is subject to change on site as needed. Check in at HQ for any changes.
