Feedback Techniques

[NationalSandwic]

Hello. I am trying to work out how to control feedback. I want to know if there are techniques to generate feedback noise at certain pitches etc and how to change it. I like the sound of feedback, and want to learn how to use it! any suggestions?

 

[Major Tom]

If you are using a solid body: For feedback at a specific pitch, use a parametric E.Q. (like what's built into a multi-effects unit), boost the midrange section up a bunch, then sweep thru the frequency parameter while playing your note until you find the frequency that will produce feedback. You will need to have the amp cranked at least a little bit. In general to control feedback the amp needs to be cranked to that "magic" volume where when you move close to the amp it will feed back and a couple feet away, it won't. Another way to sustain a particular note is to pluck it, and then hold the headstock of the guitar against the speaker board of your amp. Turning up the midrange control of your amp will help a lot with any of the methods above. Compressing your signal in front of the amp will probably help a little too.
If you are using an acoustic electric, good luck, your feedback freqencies are already predetermined by the construction of the guitar.

 

[Tom Hicks]

Feedback is cool.The amp has to be really cranked.That means little bitty amps are not suited.Your basic Marshall stack will do fine.You turn around and face the amp real close and the feedback loop gets going.Listen to Hendrix , Santana and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons for tasty uses of feedback.Whammy bar use will help you control the volume and adds a nice vibrato.Double stops make cool harmonies when fed back.Bends will pull the note in and out of the feedback node,another cool effect.
Using feedback with taste gives the impression of being on the edge of chaos with control and gets an audience excited.

Tom

 

[jrlemonz]

You might want to check out the Korg AX100G. I know it's modeling and stuff sounds like shiat, but it has a cool feature. Virtual Feedback thingy or something? It lets you select a note that you're playing (in realtime)and it will feed it back and you can play over the feedback. Very cool effect. You control the volume (i think it's the volume, maybe the pitch or feedback sound, don't really remember) of the fedback note using the expression pedal. Korg has an audio clip of it on their website. You have to find the AX100g under products.
Jake

 

[foo]

Check out Peter Green on John Mayall's 'A Hard Road'

One tune has a basic primer into the musical use of feedback - it's called 'The Supernatural' and is muy cool.

foo