Behringer FBQ2496 Feedback Destroyer Pro Feedback Suppressor/Parametric EQ

We have a very general-purpose system, ranging from quiet singers running just on the edge of feedback (hence the FBQ on a channel or group insert) to movies and full-on concerts. The FBQ is nearly useless for the quiet singers that I bought it for because the levels are so low throughout the entire system that it simply can't find the feedback that's so obvious to a human ear. According to Behringer support, it's working exactly as designed and the only recourse is to increase the level going through the FBQ. I do that (cranked here, almost off there, really nervous about a singer's sudden confidence or realization of bad mic technique), and the clip lights come on about halfway up the meter. (???) I returned one, thinking it was defective, but then the second did the same thing, which is when I called support. If it would work at ANY level, as if it had a noise-floor-level limiter feeding its detector, then it would probably work wonderfully, but I have yet to see it apply even one filter automatically. And yes, I've been through the full manual that's only available online and double-checked myself. So, it looks great on paper, but I would not recommend it unless preceded by a low-threshold, brick-wall limiter with make-up gain.

I was worried by reading on internet before I bought. Revews said hard to operate, and some said cheaply built. I found the unit to be FABULOUS. At first did not seem to work real well until I increased gain of mixer from where signal was originating. It needs a good strong input. Found easy to use in learn mode, or manually programing parametric filters. Remembers all settings on power off from plug strip. Can separate channel one and two and reset them and edit them totally separately. Got good feedback suppression on church monitor speakers witin hours of first hooking up. Played around setting filters manually for fine tuning. Volume is significantly louder with no feedback.

It does work for my 1000 sq. ft practice space. If I had to do it again though I would have just purchased another E.Q. for my floor monitors. The Product does not come packaged very well(loose). Also the power button goes in too far and you have to play with it to get it out. I find that with all Behringer products that while they are good ideas and are engineered in Germany, they are Implemented and packaged in China.(very cheap)

I bought this to control feedback in the small rehearsal room my friends and I use to get together and play about once a week. Out of the box, the Behringer did NOTHING to help. The english manual is kind of sketchy and the unit did not perform as the manual stated. HOWEVER - one email to Tech support and they taught me how to erase presets that come out of the factory which prevent the unit from acting like a feedback surpressor. (All parametrics were configured) From that moment on, the unit behaved just as the manual states and works BEAUTIFULLY. The manual is NOT complete, but Tech support is excellent. The only problem I had with that is that you have to wait for the reply from (Germany?) which took about 3 days in my case.