Hey there, brand new to this forum and still learning the SQ-7. Our church hosts a yearly living tree service and this year I’m facing something I wasn’t last year which is odd. I’ll attach a photo of the tree so you guys can imagine my issue better. Behind our giant tree we have 4 huge fans to cool down our singers from the heat of the lights/spots. The fans point upwards so my lower tree singers have no interference, but my top 2 singers (3rd from top and very top) I have fan noise leaking into the mics. Odd I didn’t last year but this year it’s very noticeable. Anyways as I said I’m still getting used to the SQ-7 and a few friends have told me to find the frequency of the fans and pull it out of the mix with the EQs. I have gaits on the mics and that keeps it shut until the singers start to sing and then it leaks in plenty. I tried searching issues close to this and YouTube videos but nothing that really goes after this issue specific. I’m open to any and all help and suggestions. Opening night is tomorrow so I’ll record the noise the best I can, but it’s mostly to the live ear you hear it more.
Unfortunately, the console is in focus, but the tree isn’t.
But you probably wouldn’t be able to see anything from that distance anyway.
When it comes to air noise, I immediately think of windscreens (foam or, if possible, even fur) that you would need to attach to each affected microphone - regardless of whether it’s on a stand or attached to your head or clothing.
Trying to filter out any specific “frequencies” (apart from setting the high-pass filter, of course) will likely be of little use.
The best approach is always to eliminate the source of the noise before it’s picked up by the microphone.
I have a similar problem with our congregation microphones that can pickup the fans on some of our LED lighting fixtures.
I have fed the congregation microphones through a group. I can then switch the gate OFF on the microphone channels and use the PEQ on the input congregation microphone channels and the GEQ and PEQ on the congregation group to get rid of the fan noise.
The GEQ of the group provides for a narrow notch filter.
When the noise has been filtered out, I can switch the gates back ON.
A similar thing should work on vocal microphones.
Dave
I’m much more inclined to think he’s not referring to the fan noises, but rather the very broadband and inconsistent noises caused by the airflow (similar to wind) hitting the microphones.
In my experience, this kind of noise can’t be satisfactorily filtered out with EQs in a live setting - at least not without drastically altering the sound.
In your multi-track recordings, you could potentially remove the noises before or during post-production using now quite effective tools available.
I would focus on moving the fans so that they are not blowing directly on the mics. I suspect the position of the fans has changed (perhaps just slightly) this year leading to the problems.
This is definitely one of those, “it’s easier to fix it at the source” situations IMHO.
The OP has the benefit of choice to suit their circumstances.
Dave
Evening everyone. Thank you for all your tips and kindness and taking it easy on a newbie to this board. So to answer some of the responses all together. The fans cannot be moved, the tree is a metal structure 40 feet high and has holes under it so air can move to the singers to keep them cool. The one fan is in the baptistery behind the tree and it was pointed a bit higher than last year so I pushed it down a tad. Tonight was opening night so I got there early and thankfully the mic/singer of issue was there too. I asked her to climb up real quick and I turned on the fans and had her sing a few measures. I am aware of EQ and high/low pass but still learning this board makes it tricky to toy with those settings while live. I pushed the high pass to where I lost most of the fan but didn’t make her to high/thin vocally. I added a tad compression to her and pulled down some of the highs in her mix. Sure enough it worked! I’d say it’s 90% better. Still some hum, but as one of you said you risk losing quality and too much of the vocals . Now that the bugs are mostly out I’ll record her solo tomorrow to share. Again thanks to all of you for your kindness
As for gating vocal mics, that can cause more issues than the one your trying to solve. In your case…as you found they do not really help.
What are the mics that are being used?
How long are they in the tree?
Maybe find compromise on the number of fans and speed they run at.
Good news that you sorted most of your issues out in time (just).
Perhaps (for next year) the audio issues need to be addressed along with the cooling. Perhaps invest in LED lighting fixtures so minimal (if any) noisy cooling is required?
That is a pretty impressive structure! I wonder what the Risk Assessment looked like for that 
!
We have our Nativity Service coming up. Yes, we have live farm animals! Never work with children or animals, and I am doing both… I will commission “donkey cam” tonight!
Have fun.
Dave