Isn't it amazing that sound can work 20 minutes before a show, but then not at the starting time? I had that problem tonight. I have become a sound expert (from trial and error, not from sound judgment) so I hope to use you as a sounding board. Please echo back with additional input.

Sound problems:
I. Low or no volume: Is the mic receiver turned on? Sound board on? Amp on?
A. Check battery
B. Check the mute button on the sound board for that column.
C. Check the button that says Line/Mic on sound board. It takes a lot more umph to push a line than a mic.

II. Feedback
A. Angle speakers away from you, if possible
B. Talk louder so the sound people can give you less volume. (Interestingly we tend to talk softer when we get feedback, when we should do the opposite.)
C. Have them turn your mic off in the monitors. You know what you're saying!

III. Horrible feedback in the lower register.
A. If you shut your mic off, turn it back on and just mute it. Some wireless receivers will go bonkers if the transmitter is off.
B. If there is a hand held and a wireless lapel they may be using the same receiver and you should only have one on at a time.

IV. Loud children in audience.
A. Okay, so that's not a technical problem, but it is a problem. Just give them something physical to do. I like to have them take a deep breath and hold it, hold it, hold it...Now let it out slowly. Then I go on. OR you can say I'm looking for a volunteer. Someone who has their hands in their laps! Someone who is sitting with their back straight. Their eyes are not blinking! They get quiet VERY quickly!

V. CD is muffled
I. You may not be getting anything through the monitor, but hopefully they can hear it okay.
II. Ask them to turn the treble up and/or the bass down.

I just bought a Florida Magic Portable Sound System...

The feedback is terrible when you use the mic that it comes with...

If I use my Shure Headworn, there is no feedback.

Problem is there is only one jack/outlet for an extra mic or Ipod.

Any suggestions?

There are two possibilities.

On the transmitter (belt pack) of the Florida Magic mic you may see a hole with a small screw in it. This is a squelch control. Try turning that and seeing if it helps with the feedback. I'm assuming that the system has a built in receiver for that mic, which is why you only have one input.

If you can't get their mic to work the way you want then you should be able to go to radio shack and pick up a Y-adapter that will allow you to plug two things into the one outlet. It will actually be in the shape of a y if it is a 1/8" jack.

You can also try putting the Florida Magic unit in front of you during the show.

Wanlu I've owned a Florida Magic unit for a number of years and love it. The feedback always happens with new owners. Contact the owner who is Dan Christopher a magician in Florida.
Dan and Steve Axtell are well known to each other.
I also at the time purchased Dan's mini magician/vent mixer. It's a rectangular cube about a quarter of the size of a regular box of chocolate candies and I run a cord from my 767 into the mixer and then if necessary into a house sound system.
My 767 can fill a big school gymnasium.
Wanlu, may I please suggest you email Dan and tell him you are a working pro. I am so confident Dan will set you right.
sales@floridamagicandsound.com
ron

Good idea, to check with the owner. If it is a frequent problem then there might even be a line about it in the directions that come with the unit. I call myself a sound expert, much in the way that Cliff on "Cheers" is an expert on, well, just about anything. If the facts are made up they are difficult to dispute.

Thanks Tony and Ron

Ill email the owner now...

Il also ask im a few more stuff concerning the battery.

Thanks

Wanlu

Hi guys...Im getting Delivery Failure Notice concerning my emails to Dan...


Would you know where else I can email him?

Thanks

Wanlu

Try going through the contact section of www.floridasoundandmagic@com

I did go to his site and its the same email address...

Ill try again...

Finally got an email from Dan and he gave me great tips on how to use the sound system

Thanks Ron and Tony

Wanlu

Wanlu,

Please share the tips! I use this system all the time. Usually, I put the amp. stage right and I don't have any problems. A sound system really should be about five feet high (ear level)so I put mine on a stand for a while. To be honest, I stoped doing that just because I'm lazy.

Brett
KidsComedian.com

I just hope Dan wont mind me sharing this email of his...besides its for all FloridaMagic Sound System owners

Hi Wanlu,

Thanks for your email. I'll be happy to address your concerns:

1. I'm not sure which battery charger you have, but if it was purchased
from us in the last couple of years, it is`a 110V charger and a voltage
converter should be used for 220V (earlier models had a 110/220 switch
on the bottom and were large units (almost as big as the battery!) and
could charge at several different voltages. If you have this model,
simply switch to 220, if not this model, use a voltage converter)

2. The battery does not have a memory and does not need to be drained.
It uses the same principle as your car battery and can be recharged at
any time. If you have a show on Saturday, put it on the charger for a
couple of hours on Friday and you are topped up, good to go.

3. The unit has a high quality wireless mic system built in, so if you
are getting feedback, it is caused by one of these three things:

1. Do not stand in front of the speaker. Never set the unit up behind
you. Personally, I position my system approximately 10 feet away from
me, to my left (although it could be to the right if that suits you..)
and slightly in front of me.
2. Turning the volume up too loud for the size room. If you are in a
small room and crank up the volume, the sound will bounce off the back
wall and come back to the system causing feedback. Because the unit is
so small, many people feel that you have to crank up the volume - not
true with this system - its very powerful!
3. A weak 9V battery in the beltpack. Replace with a brand new alkaline
battery for every 2-3 hours of talk time (every 2 shows..)

So, if you are getting feedback, just ask yourself, "where am I
standing?", "How high is the volume?", "When was the last time I changed
the battery?". The Shure mic is a less efficient mic which uses much
more of the units power, thus giving you less feedback, but not as much
volume. If the Shure mic works with the pas767 transmitter, and you
prefer it, then feel free to use the Shure mic. You certainly won't hurt
anything, although you probably won't get as much volume from the system.

Best Regards,
Dan Christopher
Florida Magic
http://FloridaMagicandSound.com



My problem now is that the charger does not charge the battery because the previous owner said he used the charger using 220v despite the fact that it says 110v...what a dumb dumb He is even insisting that when he used it on 220v, there was no problem anyway, Im having the charger checked tomorow, hoping it can be fixed or maybe I can just get a new charger from Dan...

Thanks everyone.

Wanlu

Thanks Wanlu!

Brett

I set the FloridaMagic Portable Sound System up in my media romm and use it along with my Shure Headworn Mic...I like the sound quality better than the built in mic...

Now I can practise everyday with an actual mic without having to set up my Peavey Escort which really takes up a lot of space and time to assemble.


My only cooncern now is the charger...my pal is insisting something silly...Ill have it checked today.

Thanks everyone!!!

Wanlu

So...what are your thoughts on a nice lightweight portable but high fidelity sound system? Do you like the Florida Magic system best?

I have yet to try it an an actual gig...I have heard a lot of great things about this sound system...I'm confident it will do well.

Maybe I can try it this weekend

Thanks

Wanlu

I just used the Florida System in a gym with 300 kids. It did just fine. I use it for almost everything. It's always good in an auditorium or a cafatorium.

It's not very good outside or in some gyms.

I'd love to hear if anyone has found a system that they like better though. I'm always open to learn about something new.

Brett
KidsComedian.com

I have heard great things from my brother about the Mackie SRM150. Here are some features:
Frequency Response ( 3 dB): 100 Hz 17.5 kHz
Frequency Range ( 10 dB): 60 Hz 22 kHz
Maximum SPL Long-term @ 1m: 110 dB
Handle: top mounted
Grille: Perforated metal with weather-resistant coating
Dimensions (H x W x D): 8" x 11.2" x 6.8"
It has a 150 watt maximum with 3 a built in 3 channel mixer and a 3 band graphic equalizer.

I believe a person needs to consider the following when buying a portable pa.
A. Functionality across the board Will it work at a SMALL library as well as a school gym? Size matters. I have two sets. One is for small venues and one for larger, BUT I sometimes get surprised at a city library with 200 people showing up! Ooops!
B. Getting it from the car to the stage. If you have to make a second trip for JUST the sound system, keep looking. Look for something with built in luggage wheels or that is small enough to toss in with your other equipment. The Mackie has a handle on top.
C. Check that frequency response. The lower the number, the better your Bass. The higher the number the better your treble. Note: If you don't use much music this isn't as important.
D. I prefer a SEPARATE bass/treble control or graphic equalizer for each input. That way I can make my voice clear AND make a puppet song clear. I have a 5 band graphic equalizer and would not care to have less.
E. Microphone. You can get some with a built in microphone, which will save you LOTS of time and trouble over the long run. However, sound is the most important quality.

Mackie is known for it's innovation in compact P.A. systems. They use a new type of magnet in the SRM150 which gives the bass more sound even thought the speakers are small. Cost is around $300 U.S.

i use an alesis transcon. it is new this year and works both on 110/220 power aND BATTERY. when powered up it automaticly recharges the battery. luggae type handle and wheels. inputs for mic 1 either 1/4 inch or 3 pin. second mic, cd player and,... an ipod dock on the top! seperate controls for each on the front. it will also charge your ipod while running. it can work as a stand alone or can be tethered to a second unit if you want more sound. it can also be pole mounted if you need to. i have it paired up with a stage 5 headset mic as well as a sm58. both work fine. for the asthetics in all of you, it comes in either white or black. i got mine at guitar center. list is 499, guitar center is 299. i let it charge up overnight the first night and it has been running ever since. easy to use, no pile of equipment to haul. i can pull my sound and critter case (also on wheels) in at the same time. battery time is about 6 hours and it is listed at 45 watts output.