NWB - Community Blog

13 Sep 2009

Advice needed re: studiomaster vocal management system

Filed Under : Gear

Posted By : jeni | Comments : 8

If any of u guys/gals have one of these, how the hell do u control the feedback?

Bought the VMS and the sound is amazing, but....lol.....when I cranked up the volume at practice the squeal was horrific! I had no gain on the amp channel as there is gain on the vms (i set this according to the manual), and the EQ on the amp was also off. Basically the mic was going into the vms and an XLR was going from the back of the vms into the mic input on the amp channel. The manual states leave the eq on the vms level so how do u control the feedback? I ended up sacking the vms and just going through the amp in the end, but I really wanna be able to use the vms. Any ideas??

jeni x

Comments

# Posted by Big Drummer Boy - 14/09/2009, 00:58 (GMT)

What amp / desk did you plug it into? did you have the gain off on the amp/desk you plugged it into, it suggests you did above.

Also what Mic do you have plugged in? makes a big difference.

Sounds like the signal from the VMS goin to the amp is too high. 1st reduce the gain on the VMS using the vocal knob, turn it towards soft. Then reduce the output (use the output trim on the back to limit the output when you shout into the mic so the -5db light is lit up only, even though it will tell you 0db is OK in the manual.

Dont overdo the effects they can cause feedback more easily.

Also you can use the eq on the unit to control feedback a little. most higher pitch squealing is around 2kHz, although it does depend on the room and set-up
Keep the eq in and lower the 2khz slide a little, should help. Dont eq too much though you will loose some clarity if you go too far.

# Posted by jeni - 14/09/2009, 10:26 (GMT)

The amp is a studiomaster powerhouse 1000 watt powered amp, and yep the gain was off and the eq and all tones set to 0 on the channel. What output trim at the back? There is a noise gate knob which is surposed to be set at normal but i found it was clipping so turned it anti clockwise but now it is abit too sensitive as not closing hardly. The mic is a shure sm58. Am i right to have the eq off on the amp? Do u mean lower the eq on the vms eq?
So grateful u got back to me on this one, i have been tearing my hair out!!
jeni x

# Posted by Big Drummer Boy - 14/09/2009, 17:32 (GMT)

Hi Jeni

You are right to set the mixer/amp gain off initially, this should be all the way anticlockwise. You are also right to set the eq on the mixer/amp to flat (zero) as you are using the eq on the VMS to give you what you want.

We may have different models, the one i have used is like this.
http://www.studiomaster.com/products/VMS.htm

Is yours the same, if not what is the specific model ref

I believe the VMS is kicking out too high a signal. Try this.

1.Setup your VMS as before, but dont raise the amp volume significantly.

2. Does the Mixer amp have a 'solo' button or 'PFL' or 'Listen' button on the channel you have plugged it into?

3. If so select 'listen' (i think it is on the powerhouse) and use the mic. (shout)

4. What level are you getting on the mixer /amp, (the lights should not be going above 0) i.e.the green area.

5. If they are going into the red you have too much signal coming from the VMS.

are you using a XLR - XLR lead, or is it a jack?

6. The VMS unit I am familiar with has a knob on the back called 'output level trim' you can use this to lower the output signal to the mixer/amp. turn this unil the signal drops to the green area on the lights.

Do you have a gain knob on the input? as well.

by the way SM58 should be no problem.

You can respond here, but if you want to talk to me then PM me and I shall give you my mobile, if that would help.

# Posted by jeni - 14/09/2009, 17:40 (GMT)

Yep, exact same model. Cheers for all the help!!! I'm gonna set the gear up in the front room in the morning (when everyone is out including the neighbours lol!) and follow the above advice, I'll crank up the volume and see what happens. BTW what do u have your noise gate set to? Is it on normal or did u find u needed to tweek it? If after givin it a blast tomorrow I still have probs I will pm u for a chat.
Cheers again
U have been a god send!!!
jeni x

# Posted by Big Drummer Boy - 14/09/2009, 17:50 (GMT)

I have the gate usually set to around 12 oclock, (so lower than normal)

The gate shouldnt be effecting the feedback though, either your input gain is too high (the voice knob) or more likely the output trim is too high (on the back)

Try starting with the input knob (Voice) set to its mid point between quiet and loud as well.
You are best using an XLR - XLR balanced lead if you can not a jack

good luck

# Posted by jeni - 14/09/2009, 17:54 (GMT)

Cheers, i am using XLR-XLR and the voice knob was set at 12 o clock when squealing. Will try it lower, didn't even see an output trim at the back???? My gear is all racked up so it looks like I'll have to get the screwdriver out again to get at it pmsl!!

# Posted by Big Drummer Boy - 14/09/2009, 17:58 (GMT)

Different things the voice knob adnd the gate knob. The gate knob is also on the back (LOL) set this to 12 oclock,

The voice knob mid point is about 11 oclock I think.

My betting its the output trim, dont know why they put it on the back?

let me know how you get on

# Posted by jeni - 14/09/2009, 18:02 (GMT)

Will do lmao!! This is what I get for trying to keep up with technology lol, numpty's like me should stick to the old tried and tested way :-)

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