Karaoke Forums

We started our karaoke gig about 2 months ago, and things have gone reasonably well. But last week we started to experience an issue with the mics. I can only describe it as a 'thumping' . It sounds like somebody is hitting the mic with their hand, but this occurs during songs and consistently, and it clearly happens with the mic is not being hit it any way at all. I wish I could describe it better. It also seemed like we were getting more feedback than usual. Does anybody have the slightest clue what could be the cause of all this? Or could it be an issue with the speakers, and how they were set up? I'm just trying to figure this all out because there is no way we can go through another week like this, it's terribly annoying to both the singers and, especially, us KJ's.

The "thumping" might be caused by a less than solid connection between the cable and the mic (at the mic). Check to see if there is any movement (give) at the cable/mic connection. A little tape at this connection will often take care of the thumping (if this is where the problem is) I use colored tape on the mic cable connection as well as on the other end of the cable (at the mixer) A different color for each mic/cable. Then if you need to make a quick adjustment (at the mixer) you can tell at a glance which channel to go to.
Hope this helps.

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What type of mics are you using? Could be a simple case of handling noise, but if you weren't having problems before and they crept up suddenly, it could be nearly anything, including the connection issue mentioned above.

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hi-voxentertainment

or if they are cordless then the batteries could need replacing...my mic makes a thump noise when the battery is going flat

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If you have low cut filters on your mic channels they should be on. It is a loose connection and is similar to the pop when you turn an amp or speaker on. Is it coming out of both speakers?

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Yes they are wireless mics. I'm not sure if it was coming out of both speakers but I'm pretty sure it was. Where would a low cut filter setting be, on the mic box? I'm no audio expert and I've been learning everything as we go so the more knowledge I can get from these forums the better.

On the mixer the mic channels have a push button switch by the preamp adjust. They should all be pushed in. Remote trouble shooting is hard unless you give a description of your system brands etc and routing between units. Rarely respond to a tech question unless you give the necessary info which I need to TS. I would rather give phone support which I have done for many years..

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What is the make and model number of the wireless mics in question ?

Sounds like low batteries in your wireless mics.

The mics are both wireless Audio Technica mics, one is a ATW-T202, the other is a T68. We use a Yamana MG166cx mixer that with XLR's to our 2 JBL EON Speakers. Its a pretty nice setup and we've gotten a lot of compliments about how we sound better than most karaoke outfits. We've had about 6 weeks with little problem but this week we had a lot more feedback than usual and the thumping issue. I suppose it could be as simple as batteries, but we did put new ones in both . We couldnt really determine which mic it was since it started happening in the last hour or so and it seemed like every time people went up they used both mics.

We do have wired mics as well, and I'm sure those wouldnt pose the same problem. But everyone likes to use the wireless mics, and its just a pain in the (@$%&#!) having a big chord draped over our setup to the floor where its prone to the whims of drunk people.

Hope those details help, we're back at the bar on Thursday so I'm hoping we at least have a direction to go in by then about a possible solution. We'll definitely put new batteries in immediately in case that's an issue at all.

Thanks for the advice everyone, and by all means keep it comin!

my thoughts too Jay

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I suggest using alkaline and not rechargable batteries if you are having problems.

I like the AKG WMS40 for several reasons, but one is great battery life. You get a no-kidding 30 hours from a single alkaline AA, which means it costs about 4 cents an hour. There then becomes no reason not to shove in a new battery the moment problems start appearing.

Our mics use 9 volts, btw.

I'm getting a maximum of 10 hours battery life from a 9 volt in my new Shure PG58. I don't think I have to tell you how much that sucks.

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hi-voxentertainment

If it is rapid thumping (sounds like machine gun fire), it could be cell phones nearby. With certain mics, and certain cell phones, if the cell phone rings, it causes rapid thumping in the mic.

This is with UHF wireless. I'm assuming your mics are UHF. I've never personally experienced it with VHF.

I have experienced this with wireless mics before as well. If your cell phone is placed close to the Wireless receiver try moving it away or turning it off completely and see if this ends your mystery thumping.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I had a feedback problem with one of my wireless mics when one particular woman would sing. I figured it out when it happened with a second woman. Huge metal bracelets caused the problem. Problem was solved by having them remove the jewlery or hold the mic with the other hand.

Funny you should say that. I had a woman who, though she would sing with the mic at a proper distance from the mic, would choke up on her grip. I found out that she would unconciously keep time by tapping her finger- against the mic!

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