Volume rises as the room fills, not on a clock. Read the room. Pre-shift: 3 of 11 across all zones (background only). First seating: stay at 3. As tables fill past 50%: 4. Past 75%: 5. Past 90%: 6 front, 4 back. After 10pm with full bar: 6-7 front, 4-5 back. Transitions are 0.5 increments, never jumps. The music should never make a guest say 'can you turn that down' — read it and move first.