I do 4 sound guy gigs for every gig I get to play out with my accordions, so what the heck - more opinions!

David is right on about the hypercardiod: monitor should be off to one side. I've used Beta 58a's for vocals for dozens of shows and the offset really works.

Kirk is using the "pro" and expensive approach: use a separate EQ for your monitor so you can suppress the hot, problem frequencies that are occuring on stage with your instrument and your mic without coloring the house EQ. Usually a minor adjustment will make a touchy frequency safe: no need to kill the sound; a problem Dana (I think it was Dana) called out.

Jude's approach gives him control at the player's position, so he may be affecting the sound in the house, but Jude - if I understand - you are also balancing the sound to suit your ear.

I'm (maybe?) agreeing with Larry that a feedback killer isn't such a great investment. Every combination of monitor, microphone and room is going to have its over-sensitive frequencies, and judicious use of an EQ can actually tame the combination into sounding more natural.

And there's always the question of whether a) the gain needs to be so hot on the accordion mic [they are a pretty strong sound source], and b) do you need the monitor to be so freaking loud?

Steve Blais