The Oppressive Buzz of Charlotte Coliseum

May 16, 1993 - The early to mid-90's served as the pinnacle for manufactured in-arena soundwaves. Believe it or not, the Charlotte Hornets playing a sustained buzzing noise during key defensive stands or the Indiana Pacers playing revving motor engine sound effects while opponents attempted to set up their offense were legislated out of the game in 1995. The NBA arena sound wars came to a head when the league instituted a handful of new guidelines prior to the start of the 1995-96 regular season.
Among them:
1. The NBA capped manufactured sound levels at 85 decibels. According to reports, some teams had previously pumped their in-arena sound effects to more than 100 decibels.
2. Music or sound effects could only be played while the home team had the ball (successfully neutering the Hornets buzz shown above).
3. Pre-recorded chants were still allowed, but expected to be played evenly for both teams (ex: "CHARGE!")
4. Sound effects following a missed free throw were still fair game but must conclude before the shooter touches the ball for their next shot
Source: www.spokesman....

[@rashidumar3093]

That buzz was everything. Annoying for the opposition and non-fans of the team but that was the point.

[@maalmade]

This and the Indiana Pacers race car sounds in Market Square arena were hell on opposing teams

[@davidj.9432]

Crazy to see the crowd experience 30 years ago to now. I grew up in Charlotte, and the Hornets were everything to the entire city. These days, the arena is dead, and nobody cares. That's what decades of continual losing will do to a team, I guess.

[@ramuelcruzada3207]

I wish they will gonna bring this back

[@mangrove]

We actually thought our TV speakers were going to hell, back in the day.

[@Curtchrisdagod]

That's my cousin Kendall Gill! Chi town represent!

[@biggsweaty]

Incredible post. I forgot about this. I hated the Hornets for this.

[@MWayne-zz1cr]

I wonder if any of the children of the Hornets players back then grew up to amount to anything?

[@mt.2237]

Why are you worried about other people's kids? Werido 😂

[@JoshuaLopez37143]

Steph Curry

[@TW0man4RMY]

Sounds like a vuvuzela concert.

[@rampaget8437]

HORNETS FANS WITH VUVUZELAS?!

[@thechairwithjamesgonzales]

That's so cool.

[@jamesmastrobuono1774]

So..LJ...Mugs..Gill.....plus the colors...a lot of people were hoping they gonna a good team for a few years...I def got a hat lol

[@midsummernightsdream60]

you forgot Alonzo Morning too. Too bad they couldn't keep that team together

[@marzilyas]

Did they change the rules again after 95? Cuz they play “defense” chants at arenas all the time when the away team has the ball

[@Swove2204]

I imagine the rules have been tweaked in the years since, though I also imagine the “DE-FENSE” sound likely fell under the generic category that was still allowed, so long as any recording of it abided by the decibel limit.