Acoustic guitars & feedback buzz

[DarKy_1]

Hi!
I`ve got this "unppluged" rock band (we use only electroacustic guitars instead of the electric ones for our shows); here`s the problem:
We got a Yamaha EMX-5000-20 powered mixer and we plug the guitars directly to the console. During rehersals and in the shows an annoying feedback starts to appear randomly, it`s quite constant and a bit out of control, since i`m a newbie "self-taught audio engineer" i really don't know what to do to control this. is it just a matter of adjusting certain frequencies from the mixer`s channels/equalizer? or do i have to add some sort of compressor/noise gate for this particular issue?

The other question is, since sometimes, due to the nature of a given place, vocal mic's feedback occurs once in a while and that's also quite annoying for the vocals do i have to use a compressor or a noise gate for this also?

What's the secret?

cheers.

 

[acidrock]

Well there are ways of EQ'ing out feedback,but IMO you are losing something.
You can try covering your soundholes or filling the guitar with foam or something.

I played out in an acoustic duet for years and our solution was simple,we used Ovations with the multi-hole pattern,they are relatively feedback proof with the added advantage of having necks that are easy on the hands over the course of a four hour gig.

 

[AdrianFly]

Acidrock, what brand of Ovations did you guys use? I'm considering buying one of them because of the nice fluid necks to record with. (Al Dimeola style of material)

At the moment I'm using an old Epiphone Jeff Baxter model and it's become quite the misery to play.


Side note - I heard they got a contract agreement with Mike Mckenzie. Will he be playing Sunday? What are your thoughts on the game tomorrow against the Bears? I live in Upper Michigan (The part of Michigan 100 miles North of GreenBay) and there are TONS of Packer fans up here. (Even though this is Steve Mariucci's hometown.. Lions don't seem to make much of a dent here)

 

[acidrock]

Acidrock, what brand of Ovations did you guys use?

Well this was 15-20 years ago ,and I've had five different Ovations,ranging from the Celebrity to the anniversary edition.
I'm not a great fan of the Ovation for recording,I'd much rather mic a regular soundhole,but as always anything goes it's just a matter of preference.
Playing live is a different matter altogether though,you can get crazy good necks on Ovations that can easily keep up with most electrics and are great for playing leads on.

OT
McKenzie might see limited playing time on Sunday,I'm just hoping he'll be ready for the Colts game,we'll need him.
I vacationed in Eagle river this year and stopped in the UP a few times,once in Bond falls.That is a magnificently beautiful area to live in...in the summer at least.
I'm from the Milwaukee area BTW.

 

[DarKy_1]

That was my guessing about the EQ'ing; but a compressor/noise gate will help me with this problem ? Or it is some kind of device that prevents most of the feedbacks from happening?