Feedback frenzy - WTF?

[daveyh]

So, tonight, in a building I've used loads of times before, every single piece of gear fed back like a bitch. Different guitars, different cables, through PA and in amp. All the stuff was used last night with no problems at all.

Seriously, WTF? Never seen this happen before. Any ideas?

[maltingsaudio]

Check your settings and give us more info. There is only one thing which causes feedback and that is volume.

[daveyh]

Check your settings and give us more info. There is only one thing which causes feedback and that is volume.

I would have thought so but in this case no, was getting feedback at quiet, talking volume levels.

[*Noodles*]

Sometimes it just happens.

What about a microphonic tube?
Or did you have a long cable coiled up in a circle?

There are a million things that can just cause one facet to kick off and all hell breaks loose. One of the joys in doing live performances!

[daveyh]

Sometimes it just happens.

What about a microphonic tube?
Or did you have a long cable coiled up in a circle?

There are a million things that can just cause one facet to kick off and all hell breaks loose. One of the joys in doing live performances!

Tubes fine, cables fine, used the gear in a different building on Saturday, no problems whatsoever!

I've noticed there is something weird in this building though, if someone is in another room with the electrics on, you can hear them speak through the amps and pa in the other room! doesn't cause a problem with electronic drums by the looks of it though.

I'm concluding there is something well weird going on with the mains.

[ICBM]

I've noticed there is something weird in this building though, if someone is in another room with the electrics on, you can hear them speak through the amps and pa in the other room! doesn't cause a problem with electronic drums by the looks of it though.

I'm concluding there is something well weird going on with the mains.

Yes, well weird... sounds like microphonic power wiring. It may be a loose connection in a wall socket or something that can pick up vibration, maybe just a screw not quite tight, and somehow it's modulating the supply to your equipment and causing a feedback loop. The electronic drums won't be affected because they aren't an audio amplifying device, they're totally synthesised.

I would definitely suggest to the venue owner that they get the electrics checked - it's not likely to be a shock hazard, but a loose connection can be a fire risk because it will generate a lot of heat if current is drawn through it.