Wireless units..

VonBonfire said:
How far it goes?

I borrowed an expensive Shure unit a few years ago and it was dropping out 40 feet from the stage. If I can't get at least 150 feet through walls and other obstructions it's not worth the dough IMO.
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It's line of sight. I played a venue in Lansing, MI called The Avenue where they had a big balcony around the venue. I took a walk mid set during a jam part and made it to the back of the room upstairs no problem. It didn't cut out until I came down the main stairs back through the crowd to the stage. Line of sight was fine, but people made it sketchy.
 
VonBonfire said:
How far it goes?

I borrowed an expensive Shure unit a few years ago and it was dropping out 40 feet from the stage. If I can't get at least 150 feet through walls and other obstructions it's not worth the dough IMO.
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I cranked my amp, which is 50.feet from my front door. Then i walked down the street and played. Through four walls and brick. I had to be 250 ft away, and could still hear it
 
The thing is, i really want yo be within 30 feet. Because the latency bothers me if i get too far away and in other rooms.
 
Smash said:
The thing is, i really want yo be within 30 feet. Because the latency bothers me if i get too far away and in other rooms.
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The Sennheiser ones claim 300 feet max but I have serious doubts about that in actuality. I think some of the better bands they used to be allotted have changed and the new bands assigned for the units aren't as good for long range.
 
I don't require long lead lines and don't enjoy listening to or playing my amp from really far away.
As long as I can roam around the room within 20-30-40ft of the amp then I'm good. Going wireless was done purely so I can finally be untethered from the amp...not so I can play my amp from down street or while in the shitter upstairs.
 
Bash_Man said:
So last night at a show my old wireless unit of close to 20 years (X2 Digital wireless) just cut on me near end of a song during our first set.

I put new batteries in there but need to go back and do some testing on it.

I wanted to see what everyone else was using by the off chance that I will need to buy and new wireless setup. Ideally I'd like a unit that I can purchase multiple transmitters for so I can plug both or all 3 guitars in and simply swap between them.

Budget currently undecided, but most likely stick around the $300/$400 mark.

Please keep your "I use a cable only cause it's the best" comments to your self. Let's try to stick to the ask.

Thanks
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I been using a AKG SR40 Mini Pro receiver and a AKG PT40 Mini Pro transmitter for about 20 years now. It has served me flawlessly and I feel confident on stage because before every show I change the transmitter's battery to a new, fresh AA battery.

I also tried using one of the newer small folding Carvin WG5 wirelesses and they're fine at home, but aren't as good for longer distances, or obstructions between the transmitter and the receiver. And after a couple years the batteries lose their ability to hold a charge for as long.

My experience is that the UHF band wireless units (400-900MHz) like the AKG have a longer range and a robust and reliable signal in challenging environments with obstructions. Whereas the range is shorter on the new smaller 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz micro-mini wirelesses like the Carvin WG5 and they don't do as well on a crowded stage with obstructions. Also the rechargeable batteries lose their ability to hold a long charge after a couple years.

So I use UHF wireless systems for performances and the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz micro-mini wirelesses at home.

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Another one for the Shure glxd 16, used on Reverb for around $450 and new around $550.

To be fair I just use it around the house, I like to move around and still play, it has good distance.
I really didn’t need it but I went down the rabbit hole and ended up saying fuckit and spent the extra money for the Shure.

This guy has a ton of wireless videos, I went through a bunch at the time and thought he does a good job reviewing and telling real world user experience.

 
I used the L6 G50 for about a decade, but at some point our local venues moved all their mixing shit to wireless, and I started having drop outs. I switched to the Shure unit, and it has been flawless. But it was $400 when I bought it new, about 8 years ago or something. I've seen some used ones in the $300-$400 range. I also have a couple of cheaper wireless units that I will sometimes use for practice or around the house. They all seem to work fine, but not sure I'd take one on stage.
 
I have a pair of Line 6 G75: one lives in my rack for when I'm gigging the half stack, and the other one is in the floorboard of my smaller rig. Last time I checked, the G70/G75 generation were still the lowest latency of any consumer wireless.

The thing about the 2.4GHz-based systems is making sure other 2.4GHz gear isn't stepping on it. I use the G75's built-in frequency scanner at setup/sound check, and then again when the gig starts, and in 6-7 years of use I've never had any problems.

It needs a pair of AA batteries. I use the Eneloop rechargeables, bought two 4-packs years ago, and still using the same ones.
 
MusicIsLife said:
I have a pair of Line 6 G75: one lives in my rack for when I'm gigging the half stack, and the other one is in the floorboard of my smaller rig. Last time I checked, the G70/G75 generation were still the lowest latency of any consumer wireless.

The thing about the 2.4GHz-based systems is making sure other 2.4GHz gear isn't stepping on it. I use the G75's built-in frequency scanner at setup/sound check, and then again when the gig starts, and in 6-7 years of use I've never had any problems.

It needs a pair of AA batteries. I use the Eneloop rechargeables, bought two 4-packs years ago, and still using the same ones.
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Agree. At home, 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz might be fine. But that is the only “public” free range to use, so Bluetooth, wireless home phones, just about everything consumer wireless use those bands. I can imagine a show where everyone has a cell phone with Bluetooth makes it harder to connect.
 
I used to use the Shure GLXD 14 and was pretty happy with it, but I recent went to the Sennheiser EW-D CI1 and have been very impressed. Def a step up from the Shure.

Low latency, rock solid signal, high dynamic range, and no change in tone.

Used it last weekend in a bar with lots of cell phones, lighting, and another wireless and it was flawless.
 
If you play live regularly, it's not a bad idea to spend just a bit more for something that is quality and is going to last. The boss units are just lousy when using live in a crowded place or larger stage. I had so much interference issues with them and the Sennheiser XSW units have lousy battery life and equal interference issues. I had 2 transmitters replaced under warranty in under a year. Maybe some have luck with these but between myself and 2 other band members, we have all had issues with them. My bandmates both got a higher end Sennheiser and those work very well.

Myself, I picked up a Shure GLXD 16+ a few years back with a pair of transmitters and they have been nothing but outstanding. I've had no issues with them and they just work in all situations. The transmitters have a really long battery life as well. Everything works as it should and the built in tuner is a nice bonus.
 
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D-Rock said:
I don't require long lead lines and don't enjoy listening to or playing my amp from really far away.
As long as I can roam around the room within 20-30-40ft of the amp then I'm good. Going wireless was done purely so I can finally be untethered from the amp...not so I can play my amp from down street or while in the shitter upstairs.
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If I was buying today it would be that Shure GLXD.
 
Thanks everyone who put in their suggestions.

I wanted to ask you folks this.. on my wireless system, it says to use 9V Alkaline batteries, but I think I made the mistake of not using Alkaline batteries at the show.

Do you guys think that could be the culprit?

Thank you
 
Bash_Man said:
Thanks everyone who put in their suggestions.

I wanted to ask you folks this.. on my wireless system, it says to use 9V Alkaline batteries, but I think I made the mistake of not using Alkaline batteries at the show.

Do you guys think that could be the culprit?

Thank you
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Could it be the show just had too many competing frequencies? Does it work fine at home or at the rehearsal space?
 
stratjacket said:
Could it be the show just had too many competing frequencies? Does it work fine at home or at the rehearsal space?
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That was my thinking as well. I should've used the channel scanning feature on the unit. Never had to for past gigs, but there's always a 1st time.

I am gonna test it out next week during rehearsal and see if it works without an issue.

Was just curious about Alkaline batteries.
 
Bash_Man said:
Thanks everyone who put in their suggestions.

I wanted to ask you folks this.. on my wireless system, it says to use 9V Alkaline batteries, but I think I made the mistake of not using Alkaline batteries at the show.

Do you guys think that could be the culprit?

Thank you
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anyone else with input regarding the battery ?
 
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