Feedback suppression processors

The Behringer Shark DSP110 is a unique multi-fx and anti-feedback unit that is designed to be used with live PA systems. It features an ultra low-noise Mic/Line input stage with Gain control (and +48 V phantom power), automatic feedback destroyer with an auto-learn function, a delay line adjustable by time or distance, adjustable noise gate, super-musical compressor with controllable density, conversions from line level to mic level, subsonic filter and cutoff, and more. The Behringer Sharp DSP110 has both 1/4 inch and XLR inputs and outputs, so it can be used in a variety of setups and applications. You can insert it directly into a mic signal to reduce feedback from that single mic, or put the unit through the line-level PA system, to use some of the other features on the overall PA sound. The box is nice and small, but for some applications, it would be nice to have the unit in a standard one-space rack mount. Clearly, you can rack-mount this unit with additional hardware, however. The main reason I bought this unit was for the feedback elimination, and overall, feedback eliminating units are just not as good as you may think. The DSP100 has 12 available narrow-band filters that can be activated to reduce feedback, and the unit automatically detects what frequencies are problem frequencies. You can even set up the unit to produce an inputs sound through your PA, and it will detect the problem frequencies before you even begin to use the microphones. However, in many cases, the unit will detect too many frequencies, and it will affect the overall sound greatly. It is not transparent whatsoever, and it was a bit disappointing to hear some of the results. Overall, this is a multi-functional unit that can be useful in the right lights, especially if you need the compressor, low-cut, and delay. But don't expect the feedback eliminator to perform miracles.

Many people use this great device to hunt down feedback on the PA systems. Back in 2002, I looked up the features of the 1124P's Parametric Eq capabilities and decided to use it to to work on the frequencies that my two 31 band Graphic Eq's didn't handle. After I adjusted the Parametric Eq's, my guitar sounds were further enhanced for the better. It's not hard to program, but it's slightly difficult, so you're definitely going to need to go thru the owners manual to get this device to do its magic to yours sounds. The device has only 10 programs for the user to use for different Eq curve settings. I have the different Eq curves to handle an Acoustic/ Electic guitar sound, one for clean electric guitar sounds, one for my acoustic guitar simulator/ Modeler, one for Classic Rock, 80's Hair Metal and one for Thrash sounds . If you really want or need a Parametric Eq, this is an excellent device to help you zero in on your sound .

I needed a Feedback eliminator with as many filters as possible, as my Roland AF-70's only have 12. I paid £354.00. The unit was acquired from an online music website. I had hoped that the 32 filters would solve my feedback problems, I needed the unit to stop electric guitar pickup, which has flucuating feedback frequencies. However, the Ferret produces significant sound quality deterioration, and doesn't actually have 32 filters. Having looked at various websites, it became clear that the Peavey Feedback Ferrett II was the one with the most filters, as it had 32. As the description on all the websites I visited was a bit ambiguous (it mentioned "32 filters in Dual Mono Mode"), I rang Peavey and spoke to their Tech department, and I asked the question " Is it possible to use all 32 filters on the Feedback Ferret II on one channel". I was told that the answer was yes. Having aquired this information, I then ordered the Ferret, only to discover when I received it that: a)The box had been opened prior to the dealer receiving it b)The manual was the wrong manual - it was for the ordinary 1-chanel Ferret, not the Ferret II c)It was not possible to use all 32 filters on one channel. So I returned the Ferret to the dealer and asked for my money back. As the Ferret had to be insured for £354, this cost me £18.95. The dealer has refunded the £354 I paid for the Ferret, but not the return postage, as they say that this is Peavey's responsiblity, since they gave me the wrong information. So I have tried to reclam the return postage from Peavey. I was given approx 25mins of excuses by Peavey, so the dealer then tried contacting the MD of Peavey - who does not ring them back. The dealer hasalso spoken to their Peavey rep, and the General Manager of Peavey, but still no refund. In fact, Peavey refuse to admit that they gave out the wrong information, and are now telling the dealer that they will not accept the Ferret back. So don't bother dealing with Peavey, they give out wrong information and then deny it when you complain! I will never buy any of their products again! The construction is very good. The unit itself it not that bad as long as you don't want excellent sound quality. But £354 is a lot to pay for something that is not as good as a unit discontinued 4 yrs ago, and Peavey's Tech support are useless! Don't bother buying the Ferret. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com