Where do I put vocalist's amp during rehersal?

[mtizzle]

My band can't afford a PA system, so we've been using my old home practice amp (a kustom 16 watt amp) for lead vocals, and our guitarist's practice guitar amp for backing vocals. My problem is, when used as a monitor, the feedback from both of them is awful, but when we turn them down, they can't keep up with the drum set or other amps. (I know we could turn our amps down, but we have to keep up with the set too. We don't really want our drummer to play any quieter, because we want her to play like she would at a show.) We will be getting a PA soon, I know that much, but I don't know where to place these amps until then. Would placing them in the back of the room with our amps let them still hear, but reduce the feedback, or is what we're doing the best possible choice?

[anderbass]

You may find lowering certain tone knob (or EQ) settings on the vocalists amps helps a bit too, but try experimenting with placing both your vocalists/mic and vocal amps in every conceivable location throughout your whole jam room.

Most mics have a certain spot in relation to the mics position that their the least sensitive to picking up feedback. That spot is usually directly behind the mic, or behind it and off to either side from just a little to possibly fully to the side.

I'd try leaning the mic amps up towards the vocalist like regular vocal monitors first, and also try them as side fills too.

With a Jerry-rigged PA like this, your main goal should be letting your vocalist hear him/her self first, and only then, work on the rest of the band hearing the vocalist well too if at all possible...

[mtizzle]

Originally Posted by anderbass

You may find lowering certain tone knob (or EQ) settings on the vocalists amps helps a bit too, but try experimenting with placing both your vocalists/mic and vocal amps in every conceivable location throughout your whole jam room.

Most mics have a certain spot in relation to the mics position that their the least sensitive to picking up feedback. That spot is usually directly behind the mic, or behind it and off to either side from just a little to possibly fully to the side.

I'd try leaning the mic amps up towards the vocalist like regular vocal monitors first, and also try them as side fills too.

With a Jerry-rigged PA like this, your main goal should be letting your vocalist hear him/her self first, and only then, work on the rest of the band hearing the vocalist well too if at all possible...

Thank you. Yeah, he's never been able to hear himself. I placed his amp on top of my amp and got my dad to play bass while I sang a little bit, and for the first time since we've been together, I could actually hear something out of that amp. Even when it was a 'monitor' it could hardly be heard. This is much better.