Sound Policy – What If

PURPOSE

Music and amplified sound are integral parts of What If and contribute to its magic. Musical expression is valued and appreciated by the What If community, provided it is done with respect and does not threaten the cohesion and coexistence within the event. Bass travels multi-directionally and cannot be effectively contained by structures.

This is why the cumulative and far-reaching impacts of sound can potentially endanger the smooth functioning of the event. This sound policy is designed to protect both participants’ comfort and artistic freedom, while enabling a sustainable way to keep sound at desirable levels. We aim to ensure that our community members can choose to rest or enjoy amplified sound at their leisure throughout the event.

DEFINITIONS

Sound Camp – Registered camps pre-approved to operate a large-scale sound system during their specific operating hours.
Sound Camp Lead – Person(s) responsible for a Sound Camp’s amplified sound equipment and point person for the Sound Leads. The Sound Camp Lead is directly responsible for ensuring adherence to this policy.
Stage Managers/Sound Techs – Designated representative(s) of a Sound Camp responsible for the adherence to this policy during performances. The person(s) must be present and accountable while the system is running.
Sound Leads – Members of the What If team responsible for liaising with Sound Camps, approving set-up of amplified sound, and handling manners relating to sound.
Theme Camp – Registered camps providing interactive experiences and community engagement.

SOURCES

Sound Camps – relatively large spaces and sound systems which act as dance areas. Music is considered the main driver of this type of camp, and they will be placed with the intent of minimizing sound impacts to the rest of the site, and each other.
Theme Camps – which can have sound systems for live music, presentations, events or parties related to the camp’s theme. These are intended to be relatively small systems with the sound to be contained within the footprint of the camp. Music should NOT be the main driver for a theme camp and as such, should not be used as an “attractor” to draw in guests. Music inside a theme camp should serve to elevate the vibe, contribute to the party, and should not interfere with neighbouring camps or projects.
Art Projects – sound systems integral to the performance of artistic presentations. These are intended to be relatively small systems with the sound to be contained within the vicinity of the project. Music/sound should be used only as essential forms of artistic expression and not as a way to fill a sensory void.

SPECIFICS

6am to 10am. Quiet Time. No amplified music during this time.
10am to Noon. Amplified audio is permitted but at low volume. No subwoofers.
All camps/projects must shut down sound at 2am on Sunday night (Monday am). We want everyone to be well-rested and get home safely after the event.
No amplified sound is allowed in the Quiet Camping/Parking areas.
Amplified sound within Sound Camps requires pre-approval. Amplified sound within Theme Camps and Art Projects do not.
Sound Camps will be informed of their specific operating hours by the Sound Leads. 2am restriction North of the river. 6am restriction for Forest areas.
Theme Camps must turn off dedicated subwoofers at midnight, and all amplified sound must be off by 2am.
During event setup, Wednesday 9pm to Thursday 10am, no amplified music. Limited sound system testing of Sound Camps only with approval/coordination of Sound Leads.
Sound Camps, Theme Camps, and Art Projects will have their specific operating hours directly communicated in advance of the event and all members of their team will be aware of these times.
Sound Camp speaker direction and placement will be managed on a camp-by-camp basis with the Sound Leads before and during setup.
As noted in the event venue rental license agreement, event management is responsible for ensuring that “the sound level on the Site at no time exceeds 80dB, as measured at the Venue front gate.” Sound Leads will work with Sound Camps on a one-to-one basis to ensure that this contractual objective is met.
Sound Camps, Theme Camps, and Art Projects must work with the Sound Leads and other camps/projects to prevent sound bleed into other areas with sound.

POLICY

Violation of these policies may result in disciplinary actions. Those disciplinary actions are outlined in the ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE section of this document.

Amplified sound is not permitted at any location during these times:
♦ Daily 6am-10am
♦ Monday after 2am (Sun night, event teardown/exodus)
♦ Wednesday after 9pm (event setup)
From 10am to Noon, camps should be operating with significantly reduced levels. If your camp has dedicated subwoofers, those must be off until Noon. Sound camps North of the river have a 2am restriction for amplified sound. Sound Camps in the forest areas have a 6am restriction for amplified sound. Specific operating hours for Sound Camps will be determined by the Sound Leads.
Main system volume should not be operable or within arms reach of DJs or performers. If you have any speaker with a wattage of more than 200 watts, it is highly recommended that a line mixer be placed elsewhere between the performer and the sound system, with master volume control only accessible to Sound Camp Leads/Stage Managers/Sound Techs. When a Sound Camp is running amplified sound, that camp MUST have an individual assigned to the role of Stage Manager/Sound Tech. This person is directly responsible for managing the overall volume of the performances and must always be present while the system is running.
If a Ranger or member of Production is responding to a camp and determines that there is a Sound Camp with no Sound Tech/Stage Manager present, the system will be shut off until one is on duty. This will run on a 3 strike rule. On the 3rd infraction, your system will be shut off for the remainder of the event.
Sound Camp systems may briefly run for testing purposes after Wednesday 9pm only with expressed approval from Sound Leads/Production. No events on Wednesday night, even if you have completed setup!
Neighbours should talk to one another if sound becomes a problem by attempting to resolve the issue with direct and civil communication. It is CRITICAL that we use communication as our primary method for remediation. If you are unable to resolve issues directly, please discuss things with the Rangers and they will send someone to help assist the conflict. Responding negatively to a reasonable request to turn down the sound is unacceptable and is antithesis to our Civic Responsibility principle. Please respect that request.
Music in Open Camping is not permitted after midnight. Speakers should not be larger than handheld bluetooth speakers and neighbour courtesy is paramount.
Music in Quietest Zone Camping is not permitted at any time. Please respect the area designated for individuals who require minimal noise.

SETTING UP

Sound Camps will be placed in designated spots that shield residential camping from excessive sound. Sound systems will be oriented away from residential camping areas in order to minimize noise bleed and contain volume.

Sound Camp Leads will check in with the What If Sound Leads prior to, and upon completing, set up of sound systems. What If Sound Leads will have final say on orientation and setup of sound systems.

ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE

If a sound producing entity is found to be in violation of the Sound Policy, the Sound Leads, and/or Production Team will address the problem. All violations will be logged, available at the Ranger Station, and reviewed at each shift change.

Entities operating amplified sound without appropriate pre-approval are subject to the disabling and seizing of all equipment until the conclusion of the event.
Entities violating the Sound Policy will receive a first verbal warning and will turn their system off (breaking curfew) or levels down (excessive volume) to respect neighbouring camps.
A second violation will result in a second verbal warning, and potentially the system being shut down for 24 hours, at the discretion of the Sound Leads and/or Production Team.
A third violation, and/or gross negligence regarding the Sound Policy will result in the violating sound system being shut down for the remainder of the event. If this occurs, the violating sound system will need to be removed from the event, and future attendance/placement will be subject to limitations or sanctions.

EMERGENCY SOUND ABATEMENT PROCEDURE

In the case of a complaint by a local resident/local official, or in the case of an emergency, it may be essential that amplified sound be urgently silenced or turned off completely. In the event of this, the Sound Lead, Ranger(s), or What If Production Team will inform Camp/Project Leads to turn down their volume, or turn off their equipment entirely until such time that the issue has been resolved. Failure to comply may result in confiscation of equipment, and penalties applied to future event attendance.

COMMUNITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND MUTUAL RESPECT

As a community, it is essential that we work together to keep sound at acceptable levels. Musicians, DJs, and sound based artists are an integral part of our community. Many sound artists spend countless hours preparing for their limited performance time.
Please respect their art whether you enjoy it or not. If you are sensitive to noise, consider wearing ear plugs, and/or camping in Quietest Zone.
If you are having sound-related problems, please talk to your neighbours and attempt to resolve the issue directly and amicably. Please attempt to communicate with the Sound Camp representative, Theme Camp lead, or Art Project lead rather than the performer themselves, especially mid-performance. If this fails, please locate a Ranger or an on-duty Producer to discuss your concerns, and they will be happy to mitigate the issue on your behalf.