Feedback Wizard

TouchMix Training : Feedback Wizard

1 ) TouchMix Introduction

2m 3s

2 ) Mixer Navigation

3m 16s

3 ) Simple vs. Advanced Mode

2m 37s

4 ) Preset Libraries

5m 39s

5 ) FX Wizard

5m 59s

6 ) Advanced Effects

4m 16s

7 ) Gain Wizard

3m 8s

8 ) Recording Functions

7m 15s

9 ) Adv. Recording & Playback

7m 15s

10 ) Updating Firmware

4m 20s

11 ) TouchMix 8/16 Firmware v3.0

4m 25s

12 ) RTAs

5m 46s

13 ) Connecting to Wi-Fi

3m 34s

14 ) Feedback Wizard

5m 11s

15 ) Copy & Paste

3m 0s

16 ) TM-30 Pro: Overview

5m 42s

17 ) TM-30 Pro: DAW

4m 44s

18 ) TM-30 Pro: Patch Matrix

5m 37s

19 ) TM-30 Pro: Custom Fader Banks

1m 58s

20 ) TM-30 Pro: External Control

7m 31s

21 ) TM-30 Pro: Auto Mixer

9m 2s

22 ) TouchMix-30 Pro: Scenes, Snapshots and Cue Lists

14m 23s

23 ) TouchMix-30 Pro Control App: Offline Editing

6m 37s

24 ) Assessment

Video Transcript

Feedback Wizard 5m 11s
0:07
Let’s face it. Feedback is annoying – for you, AND your audience.
0:11
But if you’ve got a loudspeaker, a microphone, an acoustic path between the two and enough gain, eventually you’re going to get feedback.
0:21
The trick is to set up your system so the gain you need for the performance is below the "threshold of feedback".
0:27
We refer to this as a “stable” system.
0:29
The TouchMix-30 has a remarkable Feedback Wizard that can help manage any feedback …
0:33
… but before we look at that, let’s review some best practice ideas to mitigate feedback in your setup.
0:39
Selection and placement of loudspeakers and microphones, room acoustics, and the performer’s microphone handling technique …
0:46
… can all contribute to how likely it is that feedback will happen.
0:49
Here are a few tips to deal with these factors:
0:52
First, the Main PA loudspeakers should be forward of the microphones.
0:57
The vocal stage monitors should usually have low-frequencies below 100 Hz rolled off, and should be aimed at the performer’s ear level.
1:06
As for the microphones, try to keep the microphone pointed away from monitors.
1:11
And try to avoid cupping the head of the microphone with your hands, as this can cause feedback as well.
1:16
When EQing the mics, use a high-pass filters on everything that doesn’t actually have desirable low-frequency content.
1:24
Finally, be aware that if the stage has a rear wall with a hard, reflective surface, this might contribute to feedback.
1:31
Also, avoid using excessive EQ boost on input channels or outputs.
1:37
Let’s say you’ve done all these things right but you’ve still got a feedback problem.
1:41
That’s where the TouchMix-30’s Feedback Wizard can help.
1:43
You see, Feedback doesn’t happen all at once and at all frequencies.
1:48
It occurs at frequencies where there is a narrow peak in the response of the total system.
1:52
If we can find these frequencies and use very narrow filters, then we can get lots more gain before feedback.
1:59
In other words, our system will be stable.
2:01
So let’s take a look at how the TouchMix-30 manages feedback.
2:04
First we’ll select an output channel – it could be the Main L/R or one of the Auxiliaries.
2:09
Now let’s press the “Anti-Feedback” button.
2:13
Every output of the TouchMix-30 has a 12-band Anti-Feedback filter system.
2:18
These filters are very narrow so they don’t have much effect on the overall tonal balance.
2:23
Their purpose is to eliminate feedback. You could adjust these manually, or you could start the Feedback Wizard.
2:30
If you want to zero out all the filters before you begin, touch the “Reset” button.
2:35
Also make sure the Filters switch is set to “In”.
2:39
In order to kill feedback you actually have to cause a little bit of feedback.
2:43
Many professional engineers refer to this as “ringing out the system.”
2:47
This process will result in some brief instances of feedback that could be annoying to some, …
2:52
… which is why you should be sure to do this before the audience has entered the venue.
2:55
With that in mind, it’s time to let the Wizard work its magic.
2:59
Touch the “Feedback Wizard” button and you’ll see some instructions on preparing your system.
3:04
The Feedback Wizard automates the very same process an experienced operator would use to get maximum gain before feedback.
3:12
Read and follow these instructions, then press Start.
3:16
You’ll notice the fader will begin creeping up on its own. As the gain increases, the first feedback frequency rears its ugly head.
3:24
This window will display the frequency of the feedback and the wizard will apply a filter.
3:30
If the frequency starts “taking off” too much, the wizard will bring the fader down – just like an experienced sound engineer would.
3:37
Then the wizard will start looking for the next frequency.
3:41
For most situations you won’t need to apply all twelve filters, so feel free to exit the wizard before it uses them all.
3:48
When you do, the main fader will return to its starting position. Then you can repeat this process for the other outputs.
3:55
The Feedback Wizard will only use filters that have a cut of 0.0 dB, so the Wizard can’t change any filters that you have already set.
4:03
These filters are live and editable – so you can adjust them after they’ve been created.
4:09
You can quickly toggle a particular filter on or off by tapping its label, or you can adjust its frequency and cut individually using these knobs.
4:18
You can also increase and decrease all of the filters at once by adjusting the “Filter Depth” control, or widen the filters with the “Filter Q” control.
4:28
Here’s one more thing to know. The mixer keeps looking for feedback frequencies all the time, even after you’ve stopped the Wizard.
4:35
If it detects new feedback, it will still display the trouble frequency here, but it won’t apply a new filter unless you touch the “Manual Kill” button.
4:45
Certain sounds like a synthesizer that’s holding a single note or a sustained, feedback guitar note seem like feedback to the wizard.
4:53
So the Manual Kill button keeps you in control without notching out any of your music.
4:49
The Feedback Wizard. Just another way the TouchMix-30 Pro goes beyond mixing to give you great results.

Lesson Description

Feedback Wizard 5m 11s

Learn how the Feedback Wizard can help manage any feedback.