what is the rule on walking around with music?

[Lx]

is this allowed? if it is, i'm sure there are rules that come with it, let me know thanks

[Katie]

Greg probably has a much better worded answer for this question but in the meantime here's what I know. The powers that be just got finished discussing a rule about this and it is something to the effect of, it should not be heard more than 5 feet from your person (if you are the one playing music).

[Greg Hines]

The policy, as currently written (and is subject to change):

Attendees don't come to NDK to have their conversations disrupted by other attendees' music. As such, we have some limitations on who may carry around music, where they can carry that music, and how loud that music can be.

Music may be carried around in the hallways so long as the music can't be heard clearly more than approximately five feet from one's person. Given that sound carries differently in various areas of the hotel and depending on how many people are around, this is still somewhat subjective and the volume of the music may need to be adjusted regularly.

Music may not be taken into any activity rooms (e.g. main events, panel rooms, video rooms, the video game room, the art show, etc.) nor be played within approximately 10 feet of the entrance of said rooms. Music is restricted to the hallways and open areas of the hotel.

Such music is only allowed to be carried around as part of a cosplay; those in street clothes carrying music around will be asked to turn their music off.

[Lx]

To be honest i am surprised that its not stricter, but i like it. Thank you for the info.

[Greg Hines]

Well, as I mentioned, it's still somewhat subjective. If people are complaining that someone's music is being disruptive--if a staffer walks by and determines that it's too loud--we'll ask that person to turn their music down or off.

The "five foot" rule is more a general guide on what's acceptable. The real test is whether it's being disruptive to other people, and that varies by situation. If you're sitting down in a corner somewhere with a few friends and the music isn't a problem outside of that, then we'll leave you be. But if you're blasting your music while walking through the hallways, not caring if the people next to you can't hear each other talk, then we'll ask you to turn it down or off.

[HeroofSalida]

Ok so let me figure this out *scratches head really hard* So if you're in your cosplaying outfit, like saying I'm dressing as Link () would it be ok for me to get my small CD player and play Legend of zelda music?

[nemisis47]

Would it be a issue if I brought my psp with speakers and played american anthems dressed as America from hetalia.

[Greg Hines]

If it's directly related to your costume, it's allowed. If you're not in costume, or if you're in costume but the music has nothing to do with said costume, it's not allowed.

I should note that we're not trying to encourage this. We're simply laying down the ground rules for if you do it. The inevitable problem that I see is that eventually, lots of people will decide to carry around music as part of their cosplay and you won't be able to escape it. I hope it doesn't reach this point because if it did, we'd probably just have to put a blanket ban on it altogether.

[Lx]

Sorry wasn't trying to encourage this maybe you should hide this topic or something so you dont get a lot of people walking around with music.

[ChavFreak]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I think rather than focusing on the strict rules of the con, we should probably just take it as a basic courtesy. There's nothing worse than having someone walk through the hallway where you're relaxing, blasting the most high-pitched, fast-paced squeaky-voiced JPop they could find.

Just as a suggestion to my fellow con-goers, don't judge your conduct based on the letter of the law at NDK. That basically presses on the staff to control everything on their own. Instead, just go by rules of thumb. If you're walking around in the halls, maybe keep your music off or at a total minimum. If on the other hand, you're sitting in a corner with your friends in between events or laps, just keep it at a 4 or 5 / 10, maybe face your player towards you, and don't cause traffic.

The NDK staff aren't outrageous or unrealistic. Don't interrupt the smooth flow of the convention, be gracious, and you'll be hard-pressed to get into trouble.

[Greg Hines]

Very well put, ChavFreak.

[l4justice]

Okay, so I like making Caramelldansen vids, and I'm wondering if it's okay to play this if you have a group in an area that WILL NOT BLOCK THE FLOW OF MOVEMENT. Would this be a problem or no? That's the only music I plan on doing really...

And if I can't do that, will it still be okay to go outside and play it?

[Greg Hines]

It'll be a problem if the music is too loud. Our concern is that the music doesn't disrupt other people's ability to have a good time--a song that you enjoy might be extremely annoying to someone else. Which means we're generally going to enforce this rule for any music being played inside. If you do it, please keep the music to a reasonable volume and away from any panel/activity room doors.

As for music outside, we won't generally care too much unless it's being played obnoxiously loud. That's completely at the discretion of staffers, and if we get complaints about it, you'll be asked to do something about it.

[l4justice]

It'll be a problem if the music is too loud. Our concern is that the music doesn't disrupt other people's ability to have a good time--a song that you enjoy might be extremely annoying to someone else. Which means we're generally going to enforce this rule for any music being played inside. If you do it, please keep the music to a reasonable volume and away from any panel/activity room doors.

As for music outside, we won't generally care too much unless it's being played obnoxiously loud. That's completely at the discretion of staffers, and if we get complaints about it, you'll be asked to do something about it.

Okay, but I can play a song even if it doesn't pertain to my cosplay. And I wouldn't really be walking around, I'd be set up in one spot...

[ChavFreak]

Okay, but I can play a song even if it doesn't pertain to my cosplay. And I wouldn't really be walking around, I'd be set up in one spot...

As said above, just don't make a direct effort to irritate the other con-goers, the staffers, or the general public, and I don't think it will be a problem. Personally, being one of the rare people entirely sick of that song, I think it should just be observed as common decency to keep things at reasonable levels.

Nothing personal, just... four conventions of hearing that song for 3 days straight changes a man.

[Greg Hines]

Okay, but I can play a song even if it doesn't pertain to my cosplay. And I wouldn't really be walking around, I'd be set up in one spot...

If the volume is at a reasonable level and it's a one-time occurrence, then I don't see it being a problem. If you played it repeatedly, we'd ask you to shut it off altogether.

[rini]

greg: what about players in the dealers room? i've been to a lot of dealers room where ppl bring in their iHome players, and whatever, and it's very, very disruptive. you cannot hear your customers, even with a 5' rule, when they're standing next to you.

i don't want to be a meanie-poo poo head, but we can't give good customer service when we can't hear our customers.

[l4justice]

If the volume is at a reasonable level and it's a one-time occurrence, then I don't see it being a problem. If you played it repeatedly, we'd ask you to shut it off altogether.

What about playing it repeatedly throughout the day, like maybe do it once at about 11, then another time at 2, etc.? I'm sorry, just hate getting in trouble so I like to make rules as crystal clear to me as possible >.<

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

L4justice

If your referring to playing the caramelldansen, and getting a crowd together to dance to it. I am going to request that you don’t do this. It caused a disturbance in  2009 and irritated and upset a great number of people; and the chances of this happening again with the  same results in 2010, are higher than the sky’s limit.

If you feel the need to have a crowd dance to the caramelldansen;I suggest you do it with your pool party crowd in your hotel room, when you have your pizza party.

[Greg Hines]

greg: what about players in the dealers room? i've been to a lot of dealers room where ppl bring in their iHome players, and whatever, and it's very, very disruptive. you cannot hear your customers, even with a 5' rule, when they're standing next to you.

i don't want to be a meanie-poo poo head, but we can't give good customer service when we can't hear our customers.

Hm. That's a good point. I'll bring it up with the board and the dealers room area heads. I'm sure there's a happy medium to be found there.

What about playing it repeatedly throughout the day, like maybe do it once at about 11, then another time at 2, etc.? I'm sorry, just hate getting in trouble so I like to make rules as crystal clear to me as possible >.<

No, this would not be OK. We don't want people to get in the habit of frequently playing music. Plan on doing it once, and once only.