problem w/live looping using mic

[Chris D'Errico <clderrico@hotmail.com>]

Greetings all...

I'm new to this list, & to the world of looping, but I have already run 
into a problem that I'm hoping someone could help me with:

When looping vocals/harmonica in live performance-- through a PA, or 
guitar amp, or both-- the microphone picks up the sound of the PA/amp & 
starts to record itself recording loops-- sort of like a "mirror looking 
into a mirror" effect... At low volume it's not much of a problem, but at 
the higher volume necessary to push the sound out to an audience in a 
decent size room, I can't stop the sound from the PA/amp from bleeding 
into the mic. It gets worse the more layers I try to add to the loop, with 
the live mic rerecording the sound, it eventually causes a thin, tinny, 
high pitched feedback sound that destroys the process & performance. I 
never use monitors because that just makes it worse-- the mic picks that 
up also.

Other singers out there who create live loops must be familiar with this 
problem, it's got be very common. Is there any possible way to counter 
this? Any ideas on a workable set-up?

I use an old Shure mic into a few stompbox pedals into an Akai Headrush 
loop pedal & out to an old tube amp which has a line-out that I run into 
the PA system when needed. 

Thanks for your time & attention,

Chris D.
Las Vegas, Nevada 
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