Front-of-House Level Disparity in Small Live Music Venues

Yorozu A. Front-of-House Level Disparity in Small Live Music Venues. J Audio Eng Soc. 2026;74(9):695-701. doi:10.17743/jaes.2026.0297

@article{Yorozu2026_23428,
  author = {Yorozu, Akihisa},
  title = {{Front-of-House Level Disparity in Small Live Music Venues}},
  journal = {Journal of the Audio Engineering Society},
  volume = {74},
  number = {9},
  pages = {695--701},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  doi = {10.17743/jaes.2026.0297},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2026.0297}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Front-of-House Level Disparity in Small Live Music Venues
AU  - Yorozu, Akihisa
T2  - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
J2  - J. Audio Eng. Soc.
VL  - 74
IS  - 9
SP  - 695
EP  - 701
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/16
DO  - 10.17743/jaes.2026.0297
UR  - https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2026.0297
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - Small live music venues often use the front-of-house position as a practical reference for mix balance and sound-level monitoring. However, when main loudspeakers are close to the front audience area, this position may not represent the highest audience exposure. This paper presents a parametric geometric calculation of front-of-house–referenced sound pressure level differences in small live music venues. The model isolates the direct-field distance effect between loudspeakers, front-row listeners, and the front-of-house reference position. Stage/floor-mounted and elevated loudspeaker configurations are compared. The results show that short source-to-listener distances can produce substantial positive front-of-house–referenced level differences at the nearest audience positions, while increasing the minimum source-to-listener distance reduces this distance-driven component. The model is not a substitute for venue measurements or detailed sound-system prediction, but it clarifies a structural mechanism relevant to audience experience, sound-system design, and exposure-risk management.
ER  -