What’s That Buzz? The Vuvuzela Drone!
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Okay, the first time I heard it, I thought it was the transmission. After all the rainy season had just hit us and it brought with it the usual problems of power outages, telephone and internet connectivity problems and visual and sound disturbances on TV. Then I noticed that every other channel was perfectly all right. So it was just the FIFA transmission. I wondered why – aloud - and didn’t get an answer. I didn’t expect one actually. I also wondered if my sporty husband and daughter even heard the drone – they were too immersed in the game. Now tennis and football are two games I love watching but definitely not to the accompaniment of bee songs. But it was the first night and I sat through it, trying to look like I enjoyed it – and went to bed with a headache. So it had to be pretty bad – the sound, I mean because I am not a headache kind of a woman and I can’t remember when I last had one!
The next day we had friends over – the football fever is catching and much better enjoyed in a group with beer flowing and plenty to eat. And of course, the vuvuzela was the hot topic of conversation. Some were convinced it was a weapon of destruction – deafen the enemy and vanquish him, kind of thing. Some felt it was a great accompaniment and some didn’t even notice the drone – so engrossed in the games were they.
Then came the news that it might be banned – but can anyone ban a national stadium sound? You might have a riot on your hands. And what about the drums, the boos the whistles all over Europe during the football season? Will that have to be banned too? Too sensitive – so no ban. The networks however are trying to figure out how they can filter the sound out and then transmit the games.
There’s a recording engineer from Munich, Clemence Schlieweis who claims to have an anti-vuvuzela filter. He’s made an MP3 file with an inverse sound and when it’s played near the TV, it will cancel out the sound of the vuvuzelas, he claims. Of course, you can always mute your TV – but then you’d miss out on all the excitement of the commentary and that’s not something football fans want!
Today, a new solution presented itself – and I’m going to be trying it to see if it works. This is for those who own a Samsung TV – yes, we do! All we need to do is to go to the Sound Settings of the TV, drop the 300 Hz channel, then raise the adjacent levels. This has to be saved as a Custom Set-up. Every time you switch to the FIFA channel, just turn this setting on. If it works, you’ll hear from me tomorrow. No more buzz – what a wonderful thought!
Well, that change in the settings helped a bit – but the buzz just doesn’t want to go away! With the BBC and ESPN saying they are going to mimimise the sound, here’s hoping the FIFA days ahead are easy on the ears. Pity the poor players though – must be torture!
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Well, isn't this the buzzing topic of the moment!! Well, the first time I heard it, I thought along similar lines. I just couldn't figure out what it was!! Then, I heard about it on the news and I was like - what?
Well, this is avoidable torture IMHO. Really, what's with that. I don't think it has anything to do with the culture, etc. Fact is lot of folks can't take it - so why have it??
Frankly, watching games this time around has become awful with this sound in the background. I don't know how its for the players, but I just can't bear it.
Nice tips you have there Shalini, unfortunately though I don't own a Samsung so guess I'll just have to mute it and miss out on the commentary :(
Thanks for a very timely hub Shalini!!
Aha...that's what my husband has been mumbling about all these days? :D
I think it was funny.
I'm glad I didn't watch it. Saw it on the news. Idiocy reigns in stadiums.
A very nice video befitting to World Cup.
At first I thought this would be referring to a type of cacophony I always associate with basketball games in high school gyms in Indiana during "Hoosier Hysteria" - otherwise known as Championship Playoffs.
It is ear-splitting, consissting of a mass of interminable close-quartered echoing, resonating screams, boos, hisses, shouting, cheerleading, the pound of a ball as it's dribbled up and down a hardwood floor, (it can never be carried - must be always in motion, which is accomplished by the running player pounding it fast so it's bouncing between the floor and his open palm & progressing in front of him in the direction he is running, you see), the rush of players' big feet up and down the court, the sound of a ball whizzing through the air & repetitively being slam-dunked into the basket (accompanied by a rise in the decibel volume of the crowd beyond ear-splitting). This furore takes place during brutal winter. But I have VERY senstitive ears, and -also not given to headaches - always got one from this torture, so almost always had to retreat from the gym to the outside where the noise was somewhat muted and snow was quietly falling.
What a surprise to learn the real source of the World Cup buzzing sound. I do have a Samsung TV but it won't be memorizing that sound setting. I'm saving my eardrums for next fall's AMERICAN football season!! hehehe.
Thanks for this peek into the scene at your house, Shalini! Glad you found that video to let those of us who hadn't experienced it do so &congratulations on discovering what I hope has turned out to be a solution to the Vuvuzela Drone for your house! Good riddance! There are some good comments here too!
Nice hub Shalini..I'm fed up of the bees humming too! I've insisted that when I'm in the room the sound has to be on mute! I've decided I prefer the English fans "songs"!
Hi coz - I hope so too - guess I'm getting old, haha - but that noise does irritate so!
Hi Shil - yes, some games and I guess football without all that noise wouldn't seem right somehow. This, however, is really like sound torture! Having the Samsung has helped - but not totally! Like you, I really pity the players - it must be so hard! Shouting and singing is bad enough but this buzz can be painful!
FP - so now you know :)
Vladmir - I'm so glad you can laugh :)
Charlie - ahhh but the games are so worth watching :)
Thanks HPR!
Nellieanna - I've realised that as I grow older, I can put up with less and less noise. It didn't matter when I was young. I always wondered when out parents would ask us to turn down the volume. Now, they're 80 and the TV volume is usually turned on high so I'm hoping that as the years go by, I won't mind the noise either. This drone's really getting to me - even though it's much better after resetting the settings!
Minilady - I'm just wondering if the men and youngsters in our lives really notice it at all or is it just us :D
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Then I am deliriously happy that I am not a football fun! :D
Oh, spoil sports. I think it is lovely and I prefer it to the drums or the fans chanting bad words. Thank you for your lovely hub.
I'm with Minilady, i miss the songs and chanting. There was one brief moment in the England/USA game where you could actually hear the England fans singing. It was a joy to hear and what a respite from the hideous buzzing of those horns! Only 3 more weeks to go. Great hub Shalini and I'm sure Samsung tv owners will enjoy your suggestion.
Gee whiz...That sound makes it so exciting. Not a big fan but I played in school. My husband is a football nut and we have been watching the cup nonstop. I enjoyed your hub. Tammy
I LOVE THIS! And I want one. I'm sure I can find it somewhere in New York City - Unfortunately America is not known for soccer/football - our football is different. But this is so much fun - such a united front there. Wow! We'd sell it anyway - and then we'd all buy it anyway.
Thanks so much for explaining this and providing the video. In NYC we probably won't even hear it.
Nice to meet you by the way! Rated up!
Vuvuzela is becoming a hot topic!
It does create a tiny little confusion when you start watching the games, but honestly everyone that is a soccer fanatic is used to the crazy sounds of the audience, no matter what kind! Especially for those that have attended a game in person!
Once you focus on the game, you don't really notice them that much, and even if you do.. it is part of the excitement! Soccer fans know this!
I think CBC is doing a nice thing to reduce the background noice from the audience in the transmission of the games, for those that are not so used to the soccer noise. But I think it actually adds to the excitement and soccer fever!
I too used to think the same, thought that it maybe the transmission problem. I do have a Samsung TV which we bought two days back but it does not show us the option to set the 300 Hz channel so it looks like maybe we have to go for that MP3 option. I believe it comes at 3 Euros.
It's our (not-so-)secret weapon!
I was at a park some kilometres away from Loftus Versfeld stadium on Sunday and could hear the vuvuzelas even at that distance and over the normal sounds of a city. So they are LOUD! No doubt irritating to many.
But they are a part of the soccer scene in South Africa and are the trade mark of soccer culture here. They have certainly brought a totally different feel to this World Cup.
Thanks for the interesting read.
Love and peace
Tony
Hi De Greek - you don't know what you're missing - the football, I mean :D
Hello, hello - I do agree that it's a very upbeat feeling you can sense there - I was only cursing my poor ears!
Green Lotus - I'm sure the atmosphere in the stadium is electric and full of fun. Unfortunately, on the TV it's a little more than I can take - the tip helped but not completely!
Hi Tammy - I quite understand - mine's one too and our daughter as well So everything revolves around the games!
TheListLady - I'm sure you can - it's said to be selling like hotcakes all over the world.
varonny - I do agree - it's just me and my aging ears! Time was when I loved the buzz in the stadiums but this drone has got to me!
packerpack - go to the s-Mode on the remote, then to the Equaliser, then adjust the bandwidth, You can also go to the Mode option, go to Clear Voice and select. You'll find the sound definitely better!
Hi Tony - Yes, it's a different feel - so joyous - and in some way, it's given football in Africa a unique feel. How I wish my ears didn't protest so much. Were I young, I'd have revelled in the sound!
I hope the vuvuzela doesn't quit because South Africa lost yesterday. I like it-- but I found your hub pretty humorous, Shalini!!! Buzzing bees do create delicious honey, eh?
The buzz is all about Germany winning!
Hi Story - I didn't like the sound at first but with it tones down, I'm getting used to it! Maybe I'm seeing the honey - beyond the bees :D
quicksand - they might not the way things are going!
Imagine the crowd all blowing bagpipes. Now there's a reason to be greatful its only a vuvuzela. I went to fetch someone at the airport and even there the sound of them were heard. Luckily they are now banned inside most shopping malls. They are at times irritating, but we tolerate them now with a spirit of sportmanship. Have to agree it can not be nice to listen to, when you watch it on tv.
Hi equealla - surprisingly, I'm getting used to it! The watered down version of course! I do see your point about the bagpipes :D Thanks for coming by and reading!
Oh, so that is what it's called? When I first saw your title, I thought it's about some kind of ancient chant or something. I am not a football fan (those who are fans, please don't hate me for this), so I am not really familiar with what is happening in this field.
Still, I enjoyed learning a new thing.
Thanks for this hub Shalini!
I wish I had one yesterday. I would of been blowing it at the official who can't even say why he made a call.
O I love it! The drone, the low buzz, the hypnotic burr burr burr of the masses as they lower themselves into the semi-conscious state known as 'watching football'...it's a sound that matches perfectly the 'match' itself...I find the vuvuzela an ideal musical expression of what goes on in soccer---mainly--nothing of 'note'...(pun intended)
Congratulations for catching a trend with this hub! Pat watched the USA v England match with her son and wondered if there was a swarm of bees in the stadium. Must be v. difficult for the players.
Just read that they banned it in Wimbledon too! As if the English could be bothered to be un-stiff! Haha
Thanks for explaining. Our family joined together with cousins uncles, allsorts in one house and none of us could quite understand that dreadful din. If it's part of S. African culture. That makes sense. Great hub. Thanks
Jill - haha - after I read your comment, couldn't help thinking it did sound voodoo-ish :D
BJBenson - yes, it could have its uses :)
Woody - ouch! I must say though that football fans are in anything but a semi-conscious state :)
2patricias - hi there - ahhh they're probably used to it now like we all are!
Cris - can you imagine the hallowed air of Wimbledon being rent with this sound?
Hi Dim - it's been a few days now - so we're so used to it, we'll probably miss it when this is over!
I had absolutely no idea what your Hub could be about when I saw the title, since I'm not a sports fan. But being your fan, I knew I'd enjoy the read. Like you, I never get a headache, but this vuvuzela drone would definitely do it. Even the one-minute video was a bit hard to take. I'm sticking to my crime shows and sit coms!
Hi Sally's Trove - actually it isn't too bad anymore but if you aren't a sports fan it might be a bit tough to take! Thanks so much for coming by as always :)
The buzz is about Germany getting Klose and closer!!!
Sure is, quicksand - what a match!
Match??? T'was a mismatch!
LOL quicksand! You watching tennis too? Between the two, I'm sleepwalking :D
No Shal, I was referring to the 4 - 0 victory by the Germans!
I know quicksand - that was what the LOL was for! I agree with you - they really routed them!
Because of Droning sound I can't enjoy commentary. Yet, I could not learn about Vuvuzela, if FIFA did not plan to host 2010 world cup in SA.Salini, which is the most popular team in your country? thanks :)
Hi andromida - yes, it does affect the commentary but it's better now for us - with adjustments. If you mean popular game, it's cricket :) Thanks for reading.
Very well written hub. This explains well about Vuvuzela. I wonder what's the sound really like for players back there.
I wonder too! Must have been rather loud!
I love love love the vuvuzela. And when I turn on soccer - it was a constant buzz. I was amazed the people could keep it up. I desperately want one now and have feeling it is going to be a big hit here in NYC for the New Year's Eve celebration here in NYC. And I will be blowing - for sure!
I'm just amazed too that a nation of people who have been so brutally savaged can still find such joy - such happiness and reason to celebrate. It made me feel so good to see the smiling faces. Wow!
Thanks for a great hub! Rated way up and more.
Hi BkCreative - yes, it got better once we got used to it. In the beginning, though, it was quite hard to take!
Kiruba Harris de Unda 23 months ago
Thanks for that Shalini. What you describe is exactly what I too felt, like a bumble bee had got into the house and was buzzing away. I even went around with a fly swatter, looking for it the first time. I certainly hope they can ban it or get rid of the noise for transmission, if not I shall not be watching. Not worth a headache and nerves.