L1M2/B2 Feedback issues

[Geoff Stephens]

Hi Guys

I did a gig today in a very lively pub using my L1M2/B2 system and T1 Tonematch.

I set the column behind and to the side of me (there was about ten-feet between mic and speaker) a set-up I've used often without issue.

Today was a different story, the crowd were very lively and the more I got them rocking the livelier they became hence I was driving the system quite hard with the result that I kept getting feedback.

Of course I am aware the harder I push the system the more prone it is to feedback but when you're in full swing of a gig and it starts screaming there isn't much you can do especially when you're part way through a guitar break!

The pub have rebooked me so to prevent this problem in the future is there anything I can do to tweak things in the T1 prior to play in order to tame feedback without muddying the sound.

I had thought that maybe on this occasion in this venue it might be a good idea to pop the system in front and use a Compact or my S1 as a monitor but if there is anything I could do in the T1 settings to help combat feedback issues I'd be grateful for any pointers.

Cheers guys

Geoff

[ChetDude]

We usually set our L1M2 systems to the side -- just about at the microphone line (3 vocals, 2 acoustic guitars, bass and congas) and if necessary aimed slightly inward toward the band.

At one venue we have to crank it loud enough to cover 1/4 acre Farmer's Market...

These systems have an amazing amount of side-wash that accurately reflects the house mix.

[ST - Pro]

Hi, Geoff.

Here's an article with lots of tips including things you can do with the T1.

Microphone Feedback

ST

[ST - Pro]

Hi, Geoff,

Here are a few thoughts.

Geoff posted:

Hi Guys

I did a gig today in a very lively pub using my L1M2/B2 system and T1 Tonematch.

I set the column behind and to the side of me (there was about ten-feet between mic and speaker) a set-up I've used often without issue.

Me too.

Today was a different story, the crowd were very lively and the more I got them rocking the livelier they became hence I was driving the system quite hard with the result that I kept getting feedback.

Of course I am aware the harder I push the system the more prone it is to feedback but when you're in full swing of a gig and it starts screaming there isn't much you can do especially when you're part way through a guitar break!

If you get feedback when you move your head away from the microphone, (as you might during a guitar break), check out the article and note the section on using the Noise Gate.

Microphone Feedback

The pub have rebooked me so to prevent this problem in the future is there anything I can do to tweak things in the T1 prior to play in order to tame feedback without muddying the sound.

I had thought that maybe on this occasion in this venue it might be a good idea to pop the system in front and use a Compact or my S1 as a monitor but if there is anything I could do in the T1 settings to help combat feedback issues I'd be grateful for any pointers.

Changing things up might help, but I'd focus on microphone technique, gain-staging, and T1 settings first. All of those things are covered in the article about Microphone Feedback

Cheers guys

Geoff

Cheers Geoff,

ST

[Rob_Kenton]

It's taken us a while but using the noise gate, cutting out the offending frequencies and placing the L1 M2 to the side or in front has cut out some quite severe feedback problems. We use a Mackie speaker as a monitor and use an Aux out for a stage mix that gives us a bias towards vocals. Our only problem now is that in similar circumstances to the one that you mention , lively crowd etc, unless you have a safe area to play or stage, pushing the system in front or to the side can leave it worryingly exposed to 'enthusiastic' audience members.

[Geoff Stephens]

Thanks again guys, more helpful tips.

I did a gig last night in a village hall which had been completely fitted with a lowered ceiling and acoustic baffles, the acoustics in the room were superb so I was able to set my L1M2 behind and to the side as I usually do only this time taking advice from ST I went in to the T1 and found the Noise Gate which was set at 70, I tweaked it down to around 60 and had absolutely no feedback all night, it was excellent.

I'm sure the audience were probably wondering why I had a content smirk every time I stepped back for a guitar break!

It was nice to be able to do that without the system screaming at me.

Just goes to show that I was too keen to get out on the road with my new Bose gear that I didn't explore the T1 properly before gigging with it!

I think it might be a good idea to book myself in to a hall one day and set all my gear up and spend the day exploring the T1 settings.

I'll be using my Compact now for the next two days but I actually can't wait till Friday when I can use my L1M2 again.

Once again cheers guys, love this forum so much.

Geoff

[ST - Pro]

Hi, Geoff.

Thanks for coming back to tell us about your gig last night in the village hall.

Geoff posted:

Thanks again guys, more helpful tips.

I did a gig last night in a village hall which had been completely fitted with a lowered ceiling and acoustic baffles, the acoustics in the room were superb

It's always nice to play in the room that has been engineered for live sound.

so I was able to set my L1M2 behind and to the side as I usually do only this time taking advice from ST I went in to the T1 and found the Noise Gate which was set at 70, I tweaked it down to around 60 and had absolutely no feedback all night, it was excellent.

For those reading along here is a link to the information about the Noise Gate included in the larger article about Microphone Feedback.

I'm sure the audience were probably wondering why I had a content smirk every time I stepped back for a guitar break!

I know that smirk.

It was nice to be able to do that without the system screaming at me.

Just goes to show that I was too keen to get out on the road with my new Bose gear that I didn't explore the T1 properly before gigging with it!

I think it might be a good idea to book myself in to a hall one day and set all my gear up and spend the day exploring the T1 settings.

Excellent idea.

I'll be using my Compact now for the next two days but I actually can't wait till Friday when I can use my L1M2 again.

I know that feeling too.

Once again cheers guys, love this forum so much.

Me too.

Geoff

ST