Feedback aaauuuhhh!!!

[Natural Gass]

OK this is probably a stupid question, but I trust you guys & gals in your infinite wisdom can provide some advice.

When I'm just jammin along in my little studio, I want to be able to have a mic to sing in that's loud enough to hear over a guitar at a comfortably loud volume.

For years I have just been running a SM57 into a Peavey power mixer and going to a fender stage monitor for getting some vocals going. I got a JoeMeek MQ3 a couple months ago and I want to use it when I'm just jammin around and singing cuz it gives the vocals a nice sound (pre-amp, alittle Comp & EQ).

Problem is I can't turn it up hardly at all with out getting a vomit inducing feedback mostly in the upper mid-range, a real squealing sound. The room is pretty small (about 10' X 10') and I have my stage monitor sitting up on a table cuz I like to get it closer to ear level.

I suspect its that its a small room and the monitor is up near the mic height, but before I go rearranging the room, does anybody have any tips or tricks that might help reduce or eliminate the feedback?

 

[Sennheiser]

You can try a high end Super or Hyper-cardioid dynamic mic and use the off-axis points to your advantage in this situation.

I do this all the time to set up a vocal track and listen to the monitors at the same time. I've never had a problem with feedback.

You need to look at your mic's polar pattern diagram at various frequencies and decide where the best placement for the mic is in relation to its off axis points and the monitor you are using.

 

[SS454]

Sennheisers idea is a good one. try facing the mic in the opposite direction to the amp, or just try moving it until it stops. You could buy an RTA and find the feedback and cut it. But thats expensive. First I'd move the mic around, and if that doesn't work then, I'd try different mics.

 

[TexRoadkill]

The problem is most likely the compressor. It's pretty tough to use compression on a live mic/PA in a small room and not get feedback.

 

[LEADGTRPLAYR]

FEEDBAK

Has anyone mentioned try cutting some bands in the eg section of your mixer??That may help

 

[Cave Dweller]

if moving the mic/monitor placement isn't helping alot, then definately use the EQ to notch out the offending frequency. i dont remember, but does the meek have full parametric eq? even semi parametric eq can make a big difference

 

[Roker1]

eq is a good idea....and let me guess.....it's the 4 or 8k that cause the feedback