Cheap mic cables = feedback?

[jtc_hunter]

In our band there is a problem w/ 2 of our mics always causing feedback thru the monitors. Heres the thing, all the mics are shure beta 58's, the two that are feeding back have cheap mic cables . My beta 58 is connected thru a good braided $45 cable. I can crank my mic to high heavens and never get feedback. The eq's are adjusted the same on all 3 mics. I have tried moving the other two monitors farther away from the two mics and they still feed back. But still, they cant get the volume that my mic gets and I cant turn them up as far as mine, evev though they are all beta 58's and all eq'd the same. Is it the damn mic cords?

[Phalex]

I really doubt it. A cheap cord may have less sheilding, and therefore lower capacitance, but I have never had any problems with a good cable regardless of cost.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by jtc_hunter

Is it the damn mic cords?

Some mike cables are indeed microphonic. This usually manifests itself in handling noise rather than in feedback, IME. But it should take you maybe 20-30 seconds to swap the "problematic" ones with the known good ones and see if that's the cause of your problems here, no?

[anderbass]

Originally Posted by jtc_hunter

Is it the damn mic cords?

As the previous poster stated, you could easily test your theory by simply swapping mic cords with one of the two others.
(and/or just try moving your mic to their stage location)
Sometimes certain stage locations are much more prone to feedback...

Maybe their feedback problems are stemming from the location of the mains or side fills, not their monitors.

Do those two other mic channels have more reverb (or other effects) or mixer-channel gain dialed in on their channels knobs by any chance?

Are all stage monitors and their power amps the same brand/models?

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

...But it should take you maybe 20-30 seconds to swap the "problematic" ones with the known good ones and see if that's the cause of your problems here, no?

Yep, that's the way to find out what the problem is . . .


BTW, be careful of where the various monitor speakers are placed . . . remember, that model has a hypercardiod pattern . . . the the monitor shoudn't be placed directly behind the mic, but at about a 60 degree angle, off to the side a bit.

Good luck!