Menu
Carvin Audio
0
  • Audio
    • TRC Column Array Systems
    • Subwoofers
    • Loudspeakers
    • Power Amplifiers
    • In-Ear Monitor Systems
    • Wireless Guitar/Bass Systems
    • Wireless Microphone Systems
    • Power Conditioners
    • Microphones / Direct Box
    • Speaker Parts
  • Guitar
    • KOA Acoustic Guitar Preamp
    • X1
    • Legacy Drive- VLD1
    • MACH100 100W Pedal Amplifier
    • WG5 Wireless Guitar System
    • V112E Extension Cab
  • Bass
  • Blog
    • Audio Info & Education
    • Guitar/Bass Amp Info & Education
    • News and Events
  • SALE
    • On Sale Now
    • Gift Cards
    • Newsletter
  • Rewards
  • Financing
  • Support
  • SINCE 1946
  • Sign in
  • Your Cart is Empty
Carvin Audio
Carvin Audio
  • Audio
    • TRC Column Array Systems
    • Subwoofers
    • Loudspeakers
    • Power Amplifiers
    • In-Ear Monitor Systems
    • Wireless Guitar/Bass Systems
    • Wireless Microphone Systems
    • Power Conditioners
    • Microphones / Direct Box
    • Speaker Parts
  • Guitar
    • KOA Acoustic Guitar Preamp
    • X1
    • Legacy Drive- VLD1
    • MACH100 100W Pedal Amplifier
    • WG5 Wireless Guitar System
    • V112E Extension Cab
  • Bass
  • Blog
    • Audio Info & Education
    • Guitar/Bass Amp Info & Education
    • News and Events
  • SALE
    • On Sale Now
    • Gift Cards
    • Newsletter
  • Rewards
  • Financing
  • Support
  • SINCE 1946
  • 0 0

Common Mistakes That Cause Feedback

October 13, 2021

Let’s face it, feedback is a nightmare. No one likes a squealing mic stealing the show in the middle of an intimate ballad or a heart-felt anthem. When you first start out on stage, feedback can seem mysterious, but once you’ve got a handle on what causes it, it’s not rocket science to prevent it.

Here we’ll go over a few basic, common-sense mistakes that cause feedback on stage.

Bad House Speaker Placement

In case it’s not obvious, feedback is simply what happens when a loop is created between an audio input and output. AKA when a mic captures the output of the speaker it’s already outputting to. We’ve all heard the resultant squeal.

The number one way this happens may seem obvious to experienced musicians and engineers: the mic is pointed at the speaker and the speaker is pointed at the mic!

This means you should never place house speakers behind mics. Instead, make sure they’re out front.

Holding the Mic Wrong

Some singers like to hold the mic by its capsule – aka they cup the mic. This causes a change to the acoustic space around a mic which can amplify residual signal from the stage –aka it can cause feedback.

Similarly, placing a hand over the microphone - say if you’re resting a palm on the mic while a solo is played for example - creates the same kind of feedback.

Bad Monitor Placement

Sometimes monitors cause feedback because they’re placed in a bad place. This isn’t always obvious before it happens because feedback from monitors can depend on the polar pattern of the microphone. If your vocal mic has great side rejection, then you can probably get away with having a monitor placed at an angle in front of you.

However, if your mic still picks up sound at the sides of the capsule, you probably want your monitor directly in front of you.

Stage Volume Too Loud

If you haven’t managed your stage volume correctly - starting with the drums – you’re likely to have to crank vocal monitors so the singer can hear. At some point, you’ll crank them so loud that it doesn’t matter where they’re pointed, they’ll feedback. This problem may be the most common cause of feedback with full bands.

Compression

Finally, overuse of compression can be a problem when it comes to feedback. Compression can be a great tool on stage, especially for vocals, but if a signal is on the verge of feeding back, compression might very well put it over the top when make up gain is applied. As a rule of thumb, be careful with compression on stage, especially if you’re already treading the feedback line.

 

Feedback is no fun (unless used intentionally ala The Beatles “I Feel Fine”), but as you can see, it’s not necessarily that hard to prevent – even without resorting to drastic EQ adjustments or using automatic feedback removers. Even if you do end up needing to twist a knob or two, make sure you eliminate the commonsense errors first.

  • Share:


Also in Audio Info & Education

Compression 101
Compression 101

September 29, 2023

Compression is one of the most important tools in any producer or audio engineer’s playbook, but it’s often misunderstood. It’s often thought of as mysterious and hard to get, but in truth, it’s not that complicated. Here, we’ll start you off with a basic overview – compression 101, if you will. If you’re brand new, this should help you lay a solid foundation, and if you’re a salty old veteran, this review may clear a few things up or just remind you of the basics.

Read More

Groove Mastery: Building a Solid Foundation for Bassists
Groove Mastery: Building a Solid Foundation for Bassists

August 07, 2023

There’s nothing more important than groove in a solid tune, and groove is job number one for bassists – even when they’re going wild with virtuosic amazingness. That’s why the combo of bassist and drummer is called the rhythm section.

Read More

Innovative Audio Processing Techniques for Live Performances
Innovative Audio Processing Techniques for Live Performances

August 04, 2023

Live music performance has come a long way in the past thousand years, and modern performance has come even further in the past couple of decades. Amazing, innovative use of tech has let performers pull off fantastic feats – from aural experiences that just don’t exist in nature to epic, multi-part works presented by just one or two people.

Read More

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more…

Contact Us    858-751-4884
support@carvinaudio.com

International Sales

Warranty and Trial Period

Shipping

Manuals

NoFraud Frequently Asked Questions

Thiele/Small Parameters

Schematics

Firmware Download

Become a Dealer

About Us

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all of the earth; make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp and the voice of the psalm." - Psalm 98:4-5

© 2023 Carvin Audio. Carvin Corp.
POS and Ecommerce by Shopify

American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa