PA Problem

[motelicemachine]

I hosted my first open mic last night and of course my pa started going wonky. I have a 500w fender passport portable deal. I had a mic and a guitar plugged into it. when i started playing it would be fine, if i sing it was fine. When i did both, the guitar went out. Luckily there was another head there that i got to use to get through the night.
could it be dirty power? or is maybe something else?

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by motelicemachine

I hosted my first open mic last night and of course my pa started going wonky. I have a 500w fender passport portable deal. I had a mic and a guitar plugged into it. when i started playing it would be fine, if i sing it was fine. When i did both, the guitar went out. Luckily there was another head there that i got to use to get through the night.
could it be dirty power? or is maybe something else?

You mean that that guitar was fine but as soon as you started singing, the guitar disappeared completely from the mix?

Riis

[motelicemachine]

ya. it would drop out when i started singing

[WardEarth]

Yeah, thats really weird. You sure you didn't just have the vocals much higher than the guitar? (volume wise).

[motelicemachine]

no. they were both reasonable levels

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by motelicemachine

ya. it would drop out when i started singing

Okay, I glanced at the manual but only briefly.

http://support.fender.com/manuals/pr...250_manual.pdf

First off, it appears that Mic Channel #1 has some sort of "Vocal Priority" function which automatically attenuates / cuts other mic channels so as not to overwhelm the vocals. I'll assume you're using channel #1's XLR for the microphone and channel #2 for guitar? Here's the easy way out: repeat your set-up but use channel #2 for vocal and channel #3 for guitar. If this solves the problem, we're on the right track.

Please re-read the manual regarding the "VIP " function. Apparently, a little bit goes a loooong way and may be the source of the problem.

Riis

[motelicemachine]

thanks alot. ill look into it

[Zooberwerx]

Here's the blurb from the manual and may explain the mystery!

Riis


"VIP (channel 1 only): The VIP or
Vocal Input Priority control
adjusts the threshold at which
the level of all other channels are
automatically reduced in favor of
the microphone attached to the
Mic 1 input. This unique feature
permits a user to speak while
other inputs (such as background music) continue at
temporarily reduced levels. Adjust this control while
speaking into a microphone on channel 1, with other
program material input through another channel.
Depending on the duration and level of the signal
being input to Mic 1 and the position of the threshold
control, the VIP circuit will trigger a reduction in level
of all the other channels. The original levels will be
automatically restored when there is no signal
present on channel 1. The duration of the reduction
in level will depend on how strong a signal is input to
the VIP circuit. Adjust for the amount of this effect
desired for your application. In typical use the circuit
will return normal levels in about 4 seconds. With the
threshold higher or a stronger signal normal levels
will be restored after approximately 6 seconds. The
VIP circuit has an intentionally slow release time. The
slow release prevents interruptions through the
momentary restoration of music when a talker
pauses for thought. With a hand held microphone
and normal speech the VIP will operate properly set
to approximately the two o’clock position, if the user
is further from the microphone, a higher setting will be
needed. Care should be taken to avoid the VIP
triggering on sound from the main speakers. At high
threshold settings the microphone may “hear” the
main system speakers and trigger a reduction in
level. Note: The VIP Threshold is sensed Pre-
Fader. When not in use, turn this control to the
Off position. See the section referring to speaker
placement and mounting and avoid setting the VIP
threshold unnecessarily high."

[motelicemachine]

ya i am sure that is what is going on. thank you so much.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by motelicemachine

ya i am sure that is what is going on. thank you so much.

You're welcome. BTW, if you're anywhere near Vestavia Hills, look up Joe & Krista Slane. She's my cousin and he's a semi-retired Presbyterian minister.

Riis