I am currently using a 15" 550w Behringer active speaker and Xenyx 1202FX mixer. Despite looking at a bunch of EQ suggestions, I can't seem to get that loud, punchy, and clear audio that cuts through the mix when my band is practicing. Instead, I get a really muddy tone with too much distortion that starts getting feedback way too quickly. I can't even run half volume without feedback, and at that level, I can barely hear myself despite the fact that the speaker is set up like a monitor at my feet. Is there anything I should know about EQ settings, speaker positioning, or other stuff that will help make my PA louder and clearer?
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Better PA sound
- Thread starter apkbass
- Start date
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
You need a 15 or 31 band EQ to cut the specific frequencies that are feeding back. It also helps to cut the lowest frequencies (40-50 Hz and below) on everything but bass and kick.
let's pretend the world ended tomorrow, but you and your band were stuck in a bunker, and survived unscathed...remember Night of the Comet?
Now, somehow I survived, too...but I have no way of knowing room dimensions, what other instruments are running too loud (how are you getting power, postapocalypse bassist?), other positions in relation to yours, nor your current settings...because my bunker is buried under rubble. So, our time is limited...
First, let's get that thing off the floor, maybe stand it on some milkcrates if you don't have a stand for it. Angle it toward you, but not right at your mic. Near head height, but definitely don't aim that speaker's horn (don't) at the microphone. Or aim the mic at it. Let's not tempt fate.
But give yourself some room...maybe 4'-6'-8', depending upon your bomb shelter dimensions. Don't get too far away, you won't hear it well, at all.
Get everyone to turn down a lil bit, if they are really, really loud. Just because society as we know it has crumbled, does not mean we can't be civil.
Start with the master fader-far right. Bring it up towards that -0- mark, the sweet spot near the top of the fader throw.
Next, take your vocal channel, roll up the Gain (black knob, top of the channel strip)...let's for argument's sake, put it around 12'oclock.
Then, bring the channel fader up...while inching this up, If you don't like BOOOMy low, hit that Low Cut (cuts 75hz and lower)...unless you like BOOOM tone.
Are you getting MMMMMMM sounding feedback, roll off more low (maybe from 12 to 9oclock).
Sounding mucky? Clean water will be scarce in the outlands...
But try rolling the mid to the right a lil bit...
feeding back? No? sound better? yes? I can't tell from here.
if not, try the other way.
The High(12000hz) should be used to add sibilance (Ess sounds). If you get that EEEEEE squeal, turn down the High knob, or move away from the horn.
The Mid(2500hz) should add definition...like the fine tenor of your voice.
Low (80hz), should add thud. And Low Cut button can cut down on big bad boomy sounds.
You have 3 tone controls, a Gain, and a fader to fine tune your gain level.
Leave that master fader (right side) at the happy outline spot. Make your big level changes via Gain, lil changes via fader. Most people won't even have a pot to piss in, after the collapse, but you have a small PA unit.
If you are using this for more than just Vocals, or just bass...go get another freakin' speaker already. I'd suggest Bartertown...
I got this from the Thunderdome, you do not want to know what I had to do to get it...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Now, somehow I survived, too...but I have no way of knowing room dimensions, what other instruments are running too loud (how are you getting power, postapocalypse bassist?), other positions in relation to yours, nor your current settings...because my bunker is buried under rubble. So, our time is limited...
First, let's get that thing off the floor, maybe stand it on some milkcrates if you don't have a stand for it. Angle it toward you, but not right at your mic. Near head height, but definitely don't aim that speaker's horn (don't) at the microphone. Or aim the mic at it. Let's not tempt fate.
But give yourself some room...maybe 4'-6'-8', depending upon your bomb shelter dimensions. Don't get too far away, you won't hear it well, at all.
Get everyone to turn down a lil bit, if they are really, really loud. Just because society as we know it has crumbled, does not mean we can't be civil.
Start with the master fader-far right. Bring it up towards that -0- mark, the sweet spot near the top of the fader throw.
Next, take your vocal channel, roll up the Gain (black knob, top of the channel strip)...let's for argument's sake, put it around 12'oclock.
Then, bring the channel fader up...while inching this up, If you don't like BOOOMy low, hit that Low Cut (cuts 75hz and lower)...unless you like BOOOM tone.
Are you getting MMMMMMM sounding feedback, roll off more low (maybe from 12 to 9oclock).
Sounding mucky? Clean water will be scarce in the outlands...
But try rolling the mid to the right a lil bit...
feeding back? No? sound better? yes? I can't tell from here.
if not, try the other way.
The High(12000hz) should be used to add sibilance (Ess sounds). If you get that EEEEEE squeal, turn down the High knob, or move away from the horn.
The Mid(2500hz) should add definition...like the fine tenor of your voice.
Low (80hz), should add thud. And Low Cut button can cut down on big bad boomy sounds.
You have 3 tone controls, a Gain, and a fader to fine tune your gain level.
Leave that master fader (right side) at the happy outline spot. Make your big level changes via Gain, lil changes via fader. Most people won't even have a pot to piss in, after the collapse, but you have a small PA unit.
If you are using this for more than just Vocals, or just bass...go get another freakin' speaker already. I'd suggest Bartertown...
I got this from the Thunderdome, you do not want to know what I had to do to get it...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
15 band is useless (except as a comp or gate sidechain, or an insert on a channel that can't be 'made to work' with the channel EQ).
The mics we use live have a large boost centered at about 200Hz. Fixing that with EQ is the first place to start.
The mics we use live have a large boost centered at about 200Hz. Fixing that with EQ is the first place to start.
I'm assuming vocal only. Nothing wrong with wedge placement....what kind of vocal mic? Hopefully something decent. 31 band eq to notch out the feedback...wring out the system properly (the aforementioed process is fine, but use a 31, or you'll find yourself hearing CR@P out of your wedge. A channel strip EQ is not usually a very good tool for taming feedback. A 15 band is a little better, but a 31 band or a fully parametric EQ is a much more suitable tool.
"Cuts through the mix"?
Is that your bass rig, your personal vocal monitor, your bass+vocal, or the whole band's practice PA?
Start with everything flat, and start by backing off the mid-range. Over the years I've found mid-range is often the culprit when you're loking for clarity.
