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Are you planning a corporate event, conference, or high-stakes presentation? One of the most awkward, and unfortunately most common, technical issues is that high-pitched screech that occurs when the microphone feeds back through the speakers. This sound failure, known as acoustic feedback, doesn’t just interrupt the message, it can also make your event seem unprofessional.
Knowing how to prevent microphone feedback starts well before the event. It begins with solid technical planning and continues right through to the final live adjustments. In this article, you'll learn what causes microphone feedback and discover 6 practical tips to prevent it.
1. Plan your event layout carefully
The layout of your event space plays a crucial role in preventing microphone feedback. Ideally, microphones should always be placed behind the speakers, which must face outward toward the audience to avoid sound looping back into the mic. If you're using stage monitors, it's important to manage their sound pressure levels and reduce the gain of critical frequencies to avoid feedback.
To reduce the risk of feedback:
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Make sure that the speakers are aimed at the audience, not at the microphones.
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Never place microphones in front of stage monitors.
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Use the room’s architecture to your advantage — elements like curtains, panels or structural materials can help absorb sound and reduce unwanted reflections.
For corporate events, it’s especially important to conduct an AV site inspection beforehand. This allows technicians to assess the speaker’s exact position, movement paths on stage and sound-sensitive areas — and to design a sound system that performs smoothly without last-minute improvisation.
2. Choose the right microphone for the occasion
Not all microphones behave the same, and using the wrong one in the wrong context is one of the fastest ways to trigger feedback. Here are some general guidelines:
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Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from every direction and are more prone to feedback. These should be avoided in reverberant spaces or near monitors.
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Cardioid and hypercardioid microphones focus pickup in one direction and help isolate the speaker’s voice from ambient sound, reducing the chance of capturing speaker output.
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Handheld or headset microphones provide greater control and are positioned closer to the speaker’s mouth. Lavalier mics, while discreet, are often more sensitive and further from the source.
A skilled AV partner can help recommend the best microphone type based on your speaker’s voice, event format and venue acoustics.
3. Use equalization to control problematic frequencies
Even with ideal mic placement and the right equipment, feedback can still occur if your audio frequencies aren’t properly balanced. Here, equalization (EQ) plays a key role:
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Graphic and parametric EQs allow technicians to cut problematic frequencies — often those that trigger feedback — without compromising overall sound quality.
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During soundcheck, technicians will intentionally induce feedback to identify and mitigate specific frequencies.
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Since every human voice has a unique tonal range, it’s crucial to include all of the speakers in the soundcheck.
Thoughtful, precise equalization can make the difference between a polished, error-free experience and an event riddled with unexpected screeches.
4. Be cautious when using lavalier microphones
Lavalier (clip-on) microphones may be visually appealing and convenient for conferences, but they come with added feedback risks:
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They’re positioned farther from the speaker’s mouth, which requires higher gain.
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Most are omnidirectional, so they capture ambient noise along with the voice.
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Clothing can cover or muffle them, altering pickup and increasing feedback risks.
If you opt for lavaliers, it’s important to:
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Use professional-grade models.
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Conduct tests with the speaker’s actual outfit.
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Consider headset mics instead — they offer better signal-to-noise ratio and significantly lower the chances of feedback.
5. Keep your audio levels in check
Turning up the volume isn’t always the answer — in fact, pushing levels too high is one of the most common causes of microphone feedback. To keep things under control:
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Avoid increasing microphone gain unnecessarily. If more volume is needed, consider using more microphones or redistributing the speakers.
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Distribute the audio between front-of-house speakers and stage monitors. Don’t rely on a single output point.
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Use compressors and limiters.These allow technicians to keep levels stable and avoid peaks that can trigger feedback.
Striking the right balance between power, clarity and safety is critical for a smooth experience — and when integrated with lighting, the impact is even greater. Check out our article on sound and lighting for events to learn more.
6. Work with pro AV technicians and run full rehearsals
Even the most thoughtfully installed AV system can fall short if a full tech rehearsal isn’t done under real conditions. This is where experienced professionals shine since they:
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Conduct precise audio and room measurements.
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Detect and resolve feedback hotspots during rehearsal.
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Adjust the system based on factors like audience size, furniture absorption and even climate control, which can affect sound propagation.
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Simulate the actual event, using real microphones, speakers and live content, troubleshooting before problems ever happen.
A skilled AV production team does more than install gear. They anticipate, adapt, and stay invisible, so that your event shines.
What causes microphone feedback?
Even the most basic sound system — microphone, amplifier, speakers — can experience feedback if it’s not properly configured. This phenomenon, known as acoustic feedback, is responsible for the high-pitched squeal that disrupts your event.
Feedback happens when sound from the speakers loops back into the mic, gets amplified, and is sent back through the speakers — creating a continuous sound loop at a specific frequency.
This can occur when:
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The mic is too close to the speakers.
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The volume is too high.
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The mic isn’t properly aimed at the source.
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An omnidirectional pattern is used where it shouldn’t be.
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The system hasn’t been equalized or tested properly.
When several of these factors combine — especially in setups that include stage monitors — the feedback risk increases dramatically.
Want a flawless event? Start with expert AV production
In the corporate world, event experience has no room for technical errors. A single screech of microphone feedback can interrupt a crucial presentation, break your audience’s focus, and harm your brand’s reputation — something no global brand can afford.
That’s why working with an AV partner that brings international experience, top-tier equipment, and technical expertise is essential. You need a team that doesn’t just deliver gear, but that plans ahead, solves problems before they happen and makes your technology invisible.
At Novelty, we transform technical challenges into smooth operations. We anticipate acoustic risks, use cutting-edge equipment and work with a team of experts who follow the highest international standards.
If you want every word to be heard clearly — with power and professionalism — choose an AV partner who can anticipate, adapt, and deliver with surgical precision.
Because when the sound fails, your message is lost. But when everything works flawlessly, your brand shines.
