Volume Control

Don Heckman is right, objecting to over-amplified music (“Holland Band Overcomes Sound Woes,” Oct. 5). The problem exists not just at Royce Hall but at many non-rock venues. I have often observed the problem.

Regrettably, most of the so-called sound engineers are techies rather than music lovers. They revel in complex mixing panels, powerful amplifiers and industrial-strength speakers while gunning the sound out to the listeners at levels just below feedback.

My basic rule is that orchestras were invented before microphones. During the big-band era of the 1930s and 1940s, large halls were often served by only one microphone, used by the announcer and the vocalist. In recent years, I have produced band concerts in halls of 500 seats and larger with just the one microphone, and that was turned off until a singer or announcer stepped forward. The sound was wonderful.

ED STAUSS

Woodland Hills