Feedback destroyer

[spin mobile disco]

Was having problems at some gigs with feedback when using mic over the top of music for announcements etc. Normally only happened when in a smalish room from bounceback. Only happened when using the mic but its become a bit of a bugbear. So went out and bought a behringer feedback destroyer pro. In the hope of eliminating this problem.
Was wondering if anyone else on here has on or similar and can help me in its setup. I know about harware connections etc but the manual seems to think you are either a live band or voice only and its examples are based on that rather than on a disco playing music and talking over the top of it.
Any suggestions on its use or if you have one and would like to tell me how useful you found it (if at all) it would be helpful.
Im afraid that if I dont set it right I may lose frequencies I want rather than just the problem one.

[colint]

I gotta be truthful here! why are you relying on a machine to do what you can do yourself by setting up your mic properly?

assuming you have a reasonable quality mic it should only be a matter of ajusting the eq/level!

in nearly 30 years in sound (Dj, live, & installation) I have never used or wanted to use a feedback destroyer!

remember: everything you put in the chain is more noise!

[spin mobile disco]

your assuming im not in a room which is full of kids wanting it louder and louder with a wall opposit and a glass roof. Which is where it has been in the past.
The problem isnt mic either I use a very nice set of senheisser 835's and do not as a rule have problems. The problem is I only use a 5 channel EQ and the mic only has treble and bass tone controls. Lower the treble so it doesnt feedback and then you cant hear it over the music.
Also the feedback detroyer adds a 20 band eq to the system so I just use eq bypass from mixer so i am not adding anything to the chain.
I want it so when i need it in a hurry I have it.

[colint]

matthew I'm not having a dig so please don't take it that way,
what I mean by adding to the chain is the more equipment you add into the signal the more noise you'll get!

I use three types of mic for general use I use a E.V nd200 mic, for large rooms I use an SM58, and when I have problems with feedback i use a Shure SM 57 which is much the same as a 58 (and normaly used for drum kits) but with a much tighter pattern so it doesn't pick up so much noise from the p.a.

this is why I don't have so many problems with feedback and at my biggest gigs I use a 12k JBL loaded system thats why I questioned what mic you used, the senheisser is a wonderful mic for lead vocals but will pick up just about everything including the stuff you don't want

why not hire a SM 57 for a night and try it out? it'd worth the £10 hire fee to find out?

[sleah]

Unfortunately the feedback destroyer probably won't work.
It is only really designed for use with a fixed mic. As a mic is moved the feedback can occur at different frequencies and different levels depending on it's proximity to the speakers plus many other variables, also as the music changes, it will also have an impact on the mic.

I'm afraid the only real answer to your issue is to turn down the music further when you speak. You will always be fighting a loosing battle if you try to talk over music without turning down either manually or using auto talk over.

[DMX Will]

I haven't read this thread properly....however feedback destroyers just seem to be a bad idea, ive only heard stories from other techs, all they do is knock out the frequencies feedingback - you can do this yourself with a less-complex/annoying device called an EQ.

[colinm345]

If feedback destoyers were that good there would not be so many second hand ones for sale:)

[spin mobile disco]

As said though will i only have a 5 band eq and are unable to get mic over and still be clear.
Remember this only happens at small venues where they want it very loud. I just got the feedback destroyer to help out on those occasions. Also you can use it as a 40 band eq (20 per side) which will probably help anyway.
I also liked the idea of the panic button you press it when getting feedback and then it finds it stops it. And then you press it again to turn the filters off (i.e finished talking on mic) and the its suppost to rememeber for next time.
Just wondering if anyone has used this feature and does it do what it says on the box.