Pa Setting

[filthy]

Hey guys

new here so if this is in the wrong sections i am sorry,

i have been a metal singer for about 3 years now, i need a little help.

first questions,
what do you think to be the best mixer settings for roaring and screaming, also there are singing sections of the song. i always mange to get crazy feedback.

second question,
what is the best mic to use for this style, i currently have a shure wireless beta, think that's the name was expensive, but are there better ones for the job.

third question,
i live in the UK does anyone know of a good studio that records metal and can help us out with it as not many local studios have much of a clue.

hope you can help guys.

cheers

[kooz]

For feedback reduction (and I'm making a few assumptions here), don't cup the windscreen of the microphone when you're roaring or screaming. Even for effect.
Settings? whatever sounds the best...but if you're singing and screaming in the same mic, you'll need a way to even the level differences out: either a compressor or a second dedicated scream mic.

Got a webpage with some audio examples?

and yeah, this is nowhere near the right place for this query. I'll probably get heck from the moderator for even responding.

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by filthy

first questions,
what do you think to be the best mixer settings for roaring and screaming, also there are singing sections of the song. i always mange to get crazy feedback.

No solid answer on this one. It depends totally on the context: the rest of the mix, the room, etc.

Originally Posted by filthy

second question,
what is the best mic to use for this style, i currently have a shure wireless beta, think that's the name was expensive, but are there better ones for the job.

A good dynamic mic would typically the tool for this job. An SM58 is very common. I probably would not reach for a condenser mic (which is what you're using). Are you cupping the mic? If so, there's your feedback problem.

Originally Posted by filthy

third question,
i live in the UK does anyone know of a good studio that records metal and can help us out with it as not many local studios have much of a clue.

Can't help you there unfortunately. I love over on the other side of the pond.

Good luck,
Frank

[donsolo]

Ok, I was a live sound guy and here's how I dealt with pretty much everyone as a starting point

First off, don't use an SM58, it's cardioid and you need hypercardioid to avoid feedback better. AKG makes some stuff in that range that works great.

Secondly, start pulling out your low mids, that's where your gutiars and bass and things are sitting, you want your voice to have the meat down there I know but it's just not good for making it cut through the mix, cut until it gets too tinny sounding and then bring the gain reduction back up just a pinch.

Also, think about in-ear monitors. That's the best way to avoid feedback though you add more complexity to the rig. Be careful with all monitoring in all situations though, you need to be careful of your hearing if you want to do this for a long time. Keep the stage volume under control

Drop Line6 PodXTPros for the guitars and use those marshall amps as props. Same with bass. That's the best way to get control of the mix. Those guitar amps can get way louder than most house PAs.

[aussie_techie]

Originally Posted by Weasel9992

I probably would not reach for a condenser mic (which is what you're using).

why would you assume he has a condenser?

filthy, what model mic are you using?
if its a beta58a head and you go into a venue setup for an SM58 then just pull out a little 3 & 5K and foldback you should be fine. that said wireless mics can sound significantly different from their weird counterpart.

as to feedback, dont cup the mic, watch where your pointing the mic (be mindful of the pickup pattern in relation to the folbacks) and remember there is always a limit of how much foldback you can have so if you cant hear your self you need o find other solutions instead of always asking for more.

Originally Posted by donsolo

AKG makes some stuff in that range that works great.

AKG do make some nice stuff but when a venue is setup for a SM58 bringing in different mics doesnt usually play well. an SM58 or a Beta58 are still going to be the best options for most vocalists/bands.

never forget to talk to the sound guy as well, if bring in any mic make sure he knows what you have in advance and let him know what you want/need.

[filthy]

hey guys thanks for the feedback

i use a shure wireless pgx, and i did have a shure beta sm58, exsample is a demo we have just finished, MySpace.com - Echoes Fall - Ipswich, UK - Metal / Hardcore / Rock - www.myspace.com/echoesfall its a rough sound not the best we are going to record it again. I just need a very good all round mic thats not cordless, i do sometimes cup the mic but not all the time it does help for effect.