Karaoke Forums

Got some new equipment 2 days ago and now I'm having issues with random feedback. Not really sure what's causing it but I will list what I was using and what I'm using now. I have a feeling it's either the powered speakers or the compression settings on my mixer.

Old Equipment

Mixer - Behringer UB1622 FX Pro
Speakers - EV Forcei 15" Mains
Microphones - Crappy Pyle Pro UHF Stuff

New Equipment

Mixer - Yamaha MG124CX
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... 24CX--P-On
Speakers - Tapco Thump 15" 400W Powered Mains
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... -PAK--P-On
Microphones - VocoPro UHF5800 Wireless Handheld Microphone System
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... 5800--P-On

If anyone has any ideas on what might be causing the feedback I would appreciate it. I have checked all the gains and what not so the only thing I could imagine it being would be the compressors or powered speakers interfering with the mics. I'm not use to having a compressor or powered speakers and those Pyles that I had could be held right in front of a speaker and wouldn't feedback.

Compression decreases gain-before-feedback. The one-knob compression in Yamaha mixers gives you no indication of how much gain reduction is happening, so you won't know if over-use of compression is the cause without just turning the knob.

I would get some EQ. Those speakers are probably not as flat as your EV cabinets were. Frequency response peaks will turn into feedback, but you can eliminate those peaks with an equalizer and a little time. I suggest the Behringer FBQ2496 "feedback destroyer," which gives you 2x20 bands of parametric EQ. If you are not comfortable with that kind of EQ (it is a bit of a learning curve) then get a 31-band graphic equalizer. If you run stereo, be sure to get a channel of EQ for each signal, left and right (which is why the FBQ2496 is 2x20.)

Those Vocopro mics are okay. They do not react well to inexperienced singers cupping them, but no microphones do really. At some point, feedback is the fault of the user, and you just have to turn them down and tell them to use the mic correctly if they wish to be heard. When I was real new at this, I was afraid to blame the singer for things. Now I am totally comfortable telling someone, hey, don't hold the mic like that.

_________________
Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I am running a ART 351 Single Channel 31-Band Equalizer http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=180584 and a Behringer Super X Pro CX2310 Crossover http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-CX2310-LIST.

So do I want to turn the compressors down or up to help elimate the feedback? I have the mic gains set at 12 o'clock on both the mixer and the mic receiver. Compressors are set at about 11 o'clock. Can effects be a contributing factor also?

I don't know what an 11 o'clock setting on the one-knob compression is, but reducing the amount of compression will improve gain-before-feedback ("GBF.")

It's good that you already have an equalizer. If you are able to do so, turn the system on in your venue when customers aren't present, cause feedback by raising mic gain, placing the mic in different positions, etc. Then reduce the level of the offending feedback frequency using your graphic equalizer. This will be a learning experience or a guessing game as you figure out what frequency each feedback tone really is, but it is a tried-and-true method called "ringing out" your system. The room, speaker, and mic positioning all matter; so different EQ settings may be required in different venues.

Effects are usually not a big contributor to feedback, contrary to popular belief. The biggest offenders in karaoke shows are bad singers that don't know how to use microphones! You can only do so much to help them. Don't keep turning up the mic for that person who holds it further than 3" - 6" away from their mouth. If they complain that no one can hear them, show them how to use the mic.

Do you have monitors for your singers? If not, that would be a big upgrade to your show and to your ability to get a good front-of-house sound out of shy vocalists. If you add monitors (or have them already) you will want EQ for them as well.

_________________
Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Start by-passing each piece of equipment one at at time. See when it quits and once you find the one causing the problem make the needed adjustments.

Forget what equipment you are using.
Feedback from mikes on any system happen in the lower mid.
Reduce it.

I turned the compressors half way down from where they were and now I'm not getting any feedback so far tonight.