What is the "Start" Beep and Why?

In gymnastics, the "beep" serves as a critical signaling tool for both the gymnast and the judges. 

Women’s Artistic & Rhythmic (The "Start" Beep)

For women and rhythmic gymnasts, the beep is often part of the digital music file itself rather than an external buzzer.

• Placement: It is placed at the very beginning of the track, followed by 1 to 2 seconds of silence before the actual music starts.

• Length: A brief, consistent tone (approx. 0.5 seconds).

• Purpose: * The Judge’s Cue: It alerts the judges to look up and prepare to time the routine.

  • The Gymnast’s Cue: It tells the gymnast that the file has successfully triggered. They usually have up to 4 seconds after the music starts to make their first movement without penalty.

  • Consistency: It ensures the sound engineer has the volume set correctly before the "real" music begins.

Professional Standards

When music is professionally edited for gymnastics:

• Volume: The beep is normalized to the same peak volume as the music so it doesn't "pop" or distort the speakers.

• Frequency: It is typically a high-pitched sine wave (around 1000Hz) because that frequency cuts through the ambient noise of a crowded, echoing gym.