setting levels with pre's: feedback

[roostmusic]

hey i have a simple question...i'm using a mackie 1202 vlz pro mixer and am rehearsing for a gig coming up soon...all 4 of my pre amp tracks are mic'd from conga drums and cymbals.

i am correctly setting the levels by soloing each track and turning up the pre as needed.

the problem is that i'm getting feedback when the gain is barely up at all (you can hardly even hear the congas in the mix)...is this because the pres are up too much? should i turn the pre's down a bit and turn the gain up more?

granted its on a pa system with an 2000 watts so it is very loud.

any advise is appreciated!

cory

 

[scottboyher]

What kind of mic's are you using?

 

[roostmusic]

3 dynamic close range....phantom powered

1 overhead mic to capture the cymbals as well as the ambience of everything

 

[scottboyher]

I would recommend using condenser mic's for recording something like that. The feedback is prolly coming from having to turn it up just to pick up the sounds..

 

[TexRoadkill]

Is this for a recording or live gig? If it's a recording why are you monitoring through the PA while tracking? If it's a live gig you need to place the monitors in a way so they aren't hitting the mics and causing feedback.

 

[roostmusic]

this is for a live gig, and we've tried positioning the speakers away...but they are still pretty close due to limited space.

i guess my question is if i turn down the pre's a bit and turn up the gain am i less likly to get the feedback?

 

[scottboyher]

I would recommend using condenser mic's for recording something like that. The feedback is prolly coming from having to turn it up just to pick up the sounds..

What the hell is this guy talking about. It is a live performance.

 

[muttley]

3 dynamic close range....phantom powered

1 overhead mic to capture the cymbals as well as the ambience of everything

What brand would this be?????



da MUTT

 

[roostmusic]

sorry i think i have my mic's confused (im a newbie to mic'ing/live sound)

there are 3 phantom powered mics (tom 1, tom 2, and 1 for the two small toms)...and then one non-phantom powered mic above everything that is really sensitive for the cymbals.

so is that 3 condensers and one dynamic?

sorry for my lack of mic knowledge...they're the drummer's mics so i dont know what brand they are. i do know that they are all good mics.

 

[muttley]

The one overhead should also be a condenser, although you can get satisfactory results w/ Dynamic.


da MUTT

 

[muttley]

If your room space is tight, You may have to use dynamics to prevent feedback, espeacily with 2000watts of sound!!!

Electrovoice makes some really good N/DYN's that give really good results for "live" reccording, these are dynamics too. they are a little more sensitive than a regular dynamic mic.



da MUTT

 

[pipelineaudio]

As you turn the mic pre up into its "magical " range, it does in fact become non linear. once it gets there it becomes a compressor limiter and then yes is VERY likely to cause feedback.

You will have to turn down the mic pre gain lower than you would during recording, when doing this live. But like they say mic placement for nulling out the PA speakers is the best place to start.

 

[roostmusic]

thanks for the advice, but i'm gunna have to stick with what i've got 4 now...i dont think that the event will be as much of a problem as his basement.

 

[roostmusic]

thanks pipeline...i'll try turning down the pre's a bit next time...i had a feeling that it was just amplifying the feedback causing the loop. I'll try setting the gains at unity first and then turning up the pre's.

 

[TexRoadkill]

I've usually found that when there are severe feedback problems it is either cheap mics or horrible room acoustics. Is this in your rehearsal space? What is the room like? If you guys can spend a few bucks on room treatment it could help alot.

The question is really why do you need to amplify a drum kit in a small rehearsal room?

EDIT-
I just noticed the 'getting ready for the gig' part. Don't sweat it too much. As long as you know everything works and how to set it up you should be okay. There really isn't much you can do to setup before hand in terms of setting levels or EQ because it will change completely when you get to the venue.

 

[roostmusic]

well last night we rehearsed again and turning the Pre's down and the gains up helped quit a bit...the congas stood out better in the mix too. thanks for the help all!