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Vocal Monitors for tonite's gig... feedback tips?

Discussion in 'Bass Humor & Gig Stories [BG]' started by Chad Michael, Jul 19, 2003.

  1. Jul 19, 2003 #1
    Chad Michael

    Chad Michael

    Sep 19, 2001
    Pacific Northwest USA
    Ok, here goes nothing.

    We used to have a nice 31 band EQ & a PM1.5 Carver with lots of power to run our vocal monitors. Plenty of power, plenty of discrete freq's to nail feedback, & having the rig pretty much dialed in before the gigs. It was nice.

    Since the eq and amp belonged to a former bandmember, we'll be piecing together some "not so convenient" gear for monitors. Including an old Sunn powered mixer with all 9 eq knobs broken off :mad: Tonite is going to be interesting with vox.

    Does anyone have experiences to share reagrding:

    1) common feedback freaquencies with Shure mics and JBL wedges (I've found 2k and 4k to be good places to start)

    2) Frequency bands that are commonly adjusted with vocals. Example - if the monitors sound "boxy" dump 200-400 hz a bit.

    Too bright---? (freq's)

    Too boomy---? (freq's)

    Anyway, it wouldn't be a big deal for me to dial in the system if the pathetic monitor eq wasn't such a pain to use, so any advice before around 4pm. (I'll be heading to the gig) would be severely appreciated.
    :)
     
  2. Jul 19, 2003 #2
    Chad Michael

    Chad Michael

    Sep 19, 2001
    Pacific Northwest USA
    Side note - after the gig, I'll post how things went so hopefully other bassist / soundmen like myself might learn something new.

    Any of you who sing while performing, know the value of a good sounding monitor (and how miserable any feedback can be).

    :meh:
     
  3. Jul 19, 2003 #3
    jondog

    jondog

    Mar 14, 2002
    NYC metro area
    I would try to fix as many of the eq knobs as possible. If they're just broken off, you can glue a bit of dowel or something to what's left of the shaft. Just be sure not to get any glue in the pot, superglue only requires one small drop. If you're going to be using this for awhile, you should probably get them replaced.
     
  4. Jul 20, 2003 #4
    Chad Michael

    Chad Michael

    Sep 19, 2001
    Pacific Northwest USA
    Thanx for the reply, jondog.

    Re: the EQ sliders:
    I forgot to mention that not only are the knobs gone, but so are the blades (shafts?) that go between the knob and the pot. There's nothing to glue a knob onto :mad:, but I really appreciate that you offered an idea.:)

    We hope to get by with it as-is for awhile.

    Oh, the gig went surprisingly well with regards to the vocal monitors. No feedback troubles, (dropped 4k about 6dB) but it would have been nice to adjust the eq for nicer tone in the monitor mix.

    BTW - if anyone has favorite frequencies for tuning up vocals (as I mentioned in the first post) let's hear them.:cool:

    -b
     
  5. Jul 21, 2003 #5
    fastplant

    fastplant

    Sep 26, 2002
    Connecticut
    EQing has more to do with the room than with anything else. It's hard to say which frequencies are best to use unless you're in the room already. I change my EQ settings at every show. Glad to hear the show went well!
     
  6. Jul 21, 2003 #6
    Chad Michael

    Chad Michael

    Sep 19, 2001
    Pacific Northwest USA
    I'm referring specifically to vocal monitors "floor wedge" style. The sound is only traveling about 5 feet from the wedge to the singer's ears, the room doesn't affect this much really.


    Thanks!!!:)
     
  7. Jul 21, 2003 #7
    fastplant

    fastplant

    Sep 26, 2002
    Connecticut
    Actually, in my experience it does, you still have the type of walls, size of the stage and room, things like that. The sound goes furher than 5 feet. It's the main reason we went to wireless ear monitors. But as long as the show goes well, that's all that matters!