Keep Getting Feedback

[Billy Rigby]

I've had my kit for about eighteen months now and I keep getting the same old problem: feedback.

 

I'm using a Yamaha EMX312SC integrated mixer amp with two Peavey Pro 15 speakers and a Yamaha floor monitor (sorry, don't know the specifics of the monitor offhand). Anytime I turn the main volume on the amp up to at least the halfway mark, I get howling feedback and it's getting to be a real drag, especially when I have to compete with people talking in the audience. I've tried to combat it by turning the main volume down and the channel volume up and that does seem to go some way to solving the problem (although I do still get feedback whenever I move the mike away from me - in between songs, for example, when I'm changing the minidisc over).

 

The problem is, the manual for the amp seems to rely on having a working knowledge of how an amp works...and I don't. I just see all these dials and knobs and can't help but wonder what it all means. The channels have dials with "high", "med" and "low" for example. But I don't have the foggiest what it is exactly that I'm doing when I turn them up or down. Similarly, there's a graphic equaliser for the main speakers and the monitor, but I'm lost as to how to use it to its fullest. The amp itself looks impressive enough - built in compression for vocals and it seems to be powerful enough for what I'm doing - but, because of my own ignorance, I can't seem to get it to produce the sound that I want. And, as I say, I keep getting that damned feedback.

 

It's no use practising with it at home, either, because I find when I get to the gig I have to tweak everything again because the size of the room will be different and, obviously, it's full of people too.

 

What I really need is an online idiot's guide to how to get the best out of my set-up. Anyone know if one exists...?

[mervaka]

silly, obvious question that needs to be asked: how far ahead is your PA system from the foremost mic? can you see the HF horns from there?

[johndenim]

Where abouts in the world are you OP?

It does sound to me that you need to know a bit more about live sound, You could get answers on here about how to solve your feedback problem,

but you need to know what every knob on your mixer does, and why.

 

Put your location in your profile, someone may be close enough to physically come and help you.

 

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To add.

A quick search on 'gain structure' and here is some useful info.

linky.

 

I'm sure Rob Beech or other clever blue roomers will come along soon.

[Killyp]

What microphone are we talking about here?

[berry120]

Using graphic eq's to ring out mics and get rid of feedback can be effective, but you need to know what frequency to knock out - google for something called simple feedback trainer and this will help, but it won't be an overnight thing. That said, if your eq's are the sort that light up per frequency you're job's generally quite easy - when howling feedback comes it'll usually be the brightest. That's a bit of a cop out though - I'd definitely recomend training your ear up to hear frequencies rather than relying on lights or trial and error.

 

More generally the yamaha sound reinforcement handbook is a pretty standard text, most of the sound guys I know have one. Some of it's a bit dated now (it was written a while back) but it's an invaluable resource and a great reference manual.

[Billy Rigby]

What microphone are we talking about here?

 

 

Shure SM58.

 

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silly, obvious question that needs to be asked: how far ahead is your PA system from the foremost mic? can you see the HF horns from there?

 

Erm...HF horns being what?

[berry120]

Shure SM58.

That's about as standard as you can get, so I wouldn't worry about the mic being the cause of the problem.

 

Erm...HF horns being what?

Generally speaking, the ones at the top of the speakers.

[Billy Rigby]

Shure SM58.

That's about as standard as you can get, so I wouldn't worry about the mic being the cause of the problem.

 

Erm...HF horns being what?

Generally speaking, the ones at the top of the speakers.

 

Sorry, I don't understand. Horns at the top of the speakers?

[AndyL]

What microphone are we talking about here?

 

...took the words right out of my mouth!

 

I think the mention of "built in compression for vocals" could be a clue as well. Depending on the settings, a compressor could turn up the volume (gain) when things go quiet, I.e when you stop singing - result, feedback. But really there are too many things which together could contribute to this problem and there is no substitute for understanding what all the knobs do, the relationship between the microphone and speaker positions, etc. It seems to me that an hour or so spent with someone who really understands the basic principals of sound reinforcement will make a world of difference.

[Billy Rigby]

What microphone are we talking about here?

 

...took the words right out of my mouth!

 

I think the mention of "built in compression for vocals" could be a clue as well. Depending on the settings, a compressor could turn up the volume (gain) when things go quiet, I.e when you stop singing - result, feedback. But really there are too many things which together could contribute to this problem and there is no substitute for understanding what all the knobs do, the relationship between the microphone and speaker positions, etc. It seems to me that an hour or so spent with someone who really understands the basic principals of sound reinforcement will make a world of difference.

 

 

I agree. I've been flying blind too long now and, as my workload is increasing, I feel a righteous pressure to get this sorted once and for all. After all, if the first couple of songs in my set are being ruined by howling and peaking, then it's not setting a good example and could easily cost me work in the future.

[Jivemaster]

Strongly reccommend that you admit to a location and ask and pay for an experienced sound engineer to assist you at a rehearsal and a gig, even pick a specialist from the forum in your style of music rap MC to swing crooner.

[Big Dave]

What signal are you sending to the floor monitor? Is it the same as the main speakers or is there a monitor send from the mixer amp?

[Billy Rigby]

Strongly reccommend that you admit to a location and ask and pay for an experienced sound engineer to assist you at a rehearsal and a gig, even pick a specialist from the forum in your style of music rap MC to swing crooner.

 

"Admit to a location"?! No worries, chief, already updated my location. I'm a swing crooner.

 

It's all quite embarassing, really. I mean, I started with quite a bit of dosh, enough to afford me some top-end equipment, and I haven't put in the hours to learn how to use it. That I've got so much work since I started must mean that I'm doing something half right but, ultimately, if I'm not happy and I know it can sound better, then it needs to be sorted.

 

I'll certainly take on your advice and bring someone along to see what's what.

 

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What signal are you sending to the floor monitor? Is it the same as the main speakers or is there a monitor send from the mixer amp?

 

 

Che? There's a monitor send from the amp...I think. There's an equaliser and volume control for both main speakers and the monitor, so...

[Big Dave]

Try reducing the level of the floor monitor and see if that gets you a bit more level

[Billy Rigby]

Try reducing the level of the floor monitor and see if that gets you a bit more level

 

 

Cheers, Dave. Unfortunately, the gig I played on Saturday was done without a monitor and I had the usual problems but I'm back there again in about three weeks so I'll try that out then.