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2 - Ringing Out Monitors
The object is to achieve maximum gain before feedback, with the most natural tone. In general, the less EQ you use, the more natural the monitors will sound. Too often folks are just setting a "smile" curve without even listening. Remember, the human voice is right in the middle of that midrange you're pulling out. Be gentle and conservative with EQ.
This explaination assumes that you already know where to place monitors. Clear the stage of humans and warn everyone to plug their ears... things are gonna get noisy for a few minutes. Ring out one mic at a time, then add them all and repeat.
1) Turn off the main output and all channel monitor sends. Set the graphic EQ to flat, (find the detents). Set the monitor master gain to at least normal stage sound level so it will be high enough to achieve feedback.
2) Verrrrry slowly, and cautiously, raise one channel monitor send until you hear feedback, usually one clear note. Find the corresponding frequency on the EQ and pull it down just until the feedback of that particular note stops. (If the note occurs between two frequencies you'll have to pull the surrounding two frequencies down.)
3) After you remove the first feedback note, cautiously raise the channel monitor send again... usually, the next worst offender will take its place as the new prominent ringing tone. Locate it on the EQ and pull it out, again, no more than is necessary.
Do this up to 3 times.. Usually, after eliminating 1- 3 isolated notes, upon raising the gain you will hear several notes ringing at once... stop there, you are done! At the point where you are hearing three feedback notes, things are usually too loud and you should reduce the monitor gain until all feedback stops.
The point here is that you'll rarely have to pull more than 3 ringing frequencies on your EQ. Sometimes you can even leave the EQ flat! Stop and listen. If it sounds good, it is good. Other times you will have to cut something drastically.
When the ringing is gone, you can fine tune the EQ to taste. Once you've brought up all the mics, you can then ring out the whole monitor mix to check it. Every room and situation is different; EQ settings will vary radically from space to space. Trust your ears, and try not to hurt anybody.
NOTE 1: Though no substitute for a Real Time Analyzer, in a pinch, I have used this routine to ring out the front end of a PA as well.
NOTE 2: If you have a compressor, patch it in and set the Ratio to infinity with a low Threshold. This allows you to find the ringing notes at a safer, more comfortable volume. As you pull out the ringing note with the EQ, the next will instantly surface on its own. Again, when you hear three notes ringing, you're probably done. Turn down, (bypass the compressor) and see how it sounds
Pete Heitzman tech@alcoverecords.com |
