Wireless = necessary, or silly indulgence?

AndyLES · #1 10-17-2012, 10:37 AM

Before I begin, lemme state that this isn't a "what kind of wireless should I get, OMG!!!!111!!!" thread.

I'm toying with the idea of a wireless mainly for romantic, "rock star" reasons - running around stage, jumping into the audience, etc.

But the punk covers band I play in doesn't play big venues. Also, I sing backup on a lot of songs and kick in a fuzzbox here and there, necessitating that I stay close to my mic/pedals.

So, what's your take? Stick with cable or spend $400 on a G50 or other quality wireless? Again, I'm not asking for brand suggestions, but advice as to whether or not I'd just be throwing money away.

map34157 · #2 10-17-2012, 10:52 AM

I have a wireless and I love it. My band doesn't play big venues either. Usually a bar or some sort of party. Most of the time the bar or parties we play have a very small footprint for the band. So you have possibility of tangling cords with the other members in your band. Without a cord, the wireless allows me to mix in with the crowd

As far as price goes, I'm sure you can find a good quality wireless without having to spend alot of money.

MingusBass · #3 10-17-2012, 11:01 AM

Necessary for me. I use wireless in-ears and a Line 6 RelayG90 wireless system. I can't tell a difference from a cable, I can get two four-hour gigs out of a couple AA batteries, and it's such a freeing experience being able to go wherever you want on stage, in the crowd, on top of stuff. I'll never go back.

MNAirHead · #4 10-17-2012, 11:02 AM

OPINION...

save some cash... X95...

I use a 30+ foot long cord 90% of the time... the wireless is to verify mix etc.

Johnny Crab · #5 10-17-2012, 11:04 AM

Wireless & Eneloop AA's unless you never step on your cord.....

DWBass · #6 10-17-2012, 11:14 AM

I prefer to use my wireless because I hate stepping on cords! I always seem to yank mine out at least once every gig! Sick of it. So I use my wireless. It also frees me up to roam the stage if I please! Mine uses AA batteries and I can get 2-3 gigs out of a set. If I use Lithium batteries, I can get 5-6 gigs.

Luke19Boarder · #7 10-17-2012, 11:23 AM

It really depends on how much 400$ is to you. To me? I'll use a long cable. If you've got a wad of cash just looking to be spent ... why not get a wireless? I think it would a great thing to have in the long run.

eraserhead · #8 10-17-2012, 11:32 AM

I'm in the same boat. Punk covers. Small clubs. I got mine because I tend to be accident prone and will trip over a cord on every available chance. Since I got the wireless I don't hit the floor half as much as I used to.

Caca de Kick · #9 10-17-2012, 11:57 AM

I've put it off for too long now. My guitarist and I have been playing together for 12 years now, and we're both finally getting sick and tired of cables strung across stage. Even though most clubs aren't large places, we just move around too much. But we've also played some big outdoor stages.
We've been looking at the G30 or G50's too, as that's what several other bands in the area are using and seem happy with them.

Phantasm · #10 10-17-2012, 12:02 PM

I have a Line 6 G30 and I can't tell the difference from a cable. This is coming from a guy who had a wireless back in the 90s and gave it away because of the sound.

I only use it for shows, at practice I use a cable. I don't necessarily do a lot of running and jumping but it is nice to not have to be aware of the cable on any level, regardless of how mobile I choose to be. I've ended up liking it more than I expected.

flatfender · #11 10-17-2012, 12:02 PM

I use a wireless to keep an ear on the FOH mix since we don't usually have a sound guy. When I played keys in past bands I had a wireless on a Roland AX that I could go out front to hear the mix too.

It's a handy tool for me anyway. Besides I hate being stuck in one spot the whole night for 4 sets or more.

Tunaman · #12 10-17-2012, 12:21 PM

Could never play without a wireless again for rock n roll

BBox Bass · #13 10-17-2012, 12:23 PM

Necessary because I have a tendency to trip on cables. Useful for checking FOH sound in large venues, especially since my band's guitarist runs sound and is usually tethered to his pedal board. Fun for being able to run all over the place.

QweziRider · #14 10-17-2012, 12:27 PM

Necessary or silly indulgence? Somewhere in between for me. No, I don't need it, but it sure is nice to not think about a cable under foot.

HolmeBass · #15 10-17-2012, 12:29 PM

I personally don't need one, but a guitarist I play with always uses one on big stages or small. It's a definite crowd pleaser when he goes out into the audience, climbs up on the bar or a table, all while soloing. He'll also fret a chord and let people in the audience strum his guitar- he holds it up to them. People really, really love being brought into the performance like that. The elimination of the so-called 4th wall is fun for everyone. So if that's what you want to do, I say go for it.

Corevalay · #16 10-17-2012, 12:31 PM

I think it's worth it. I just feel better without the cable there. I'm pretty active on stage so the wire gets in the way at least a few times each night. It is a chunk of money to spend on something you don't "need" though. I just picked up a G50 for $250 off ebay, so you don't HAVE to spend the $400. There are other, cheaper options too if you'd like.

My vote... it's worth it.

georgestrings · #17 10-17-2012, 02:17 PM

Well worth it to me - for verifying what's coming out of the FOH, and being able to cross the stage without getting tangled up... I went wireless years ago, and won't be going back to being plugged in again...

- georgestrings

punisher911 · #18 10-17-2012, 03:24 PM

I walk around a lot. It's a must have for me.. Could I get by with a cable? Sure, but screw that... I know I'd step on it, trip me, trip the singer, or have some other tragic event. lol

bassmeknik · #19 10-17-2012, 03:42 PM

I bought a G50 last spring and I was having second thoughts due to the price and most of my venues are small. I agree with every post about finding more reasons to have it. I now have freedom to go out front and critique the guitarists FOH mix, don't get tangled in one of the 2 guitarists cables, can run all over the club and involve customers... It is now a no brainer for me even in small clubs, the more guitarists you have the more you need one just to un-clutter the stage and prevent tangling. If you are a tree on stage and never move you don't need it but if you aren't a tree then I highly recommend it...

jaywa · #20 10-17-2012, 03:48 PM

Necessary if you run your own sound from the stage as my band does.

Otherwise, not necessary but really really nice.

The only time I don't use my wireless anymore is on really small stages and/or situations where I don't have to worry about a big FOH mix -- for example, restaurant and small private party gigs with my jazz combo. On those gigs it's a lot simpler to just plug a cable into my combo and save the wireless gear (and batteries) for another job.

At minimum I'd recommend a wireless setup for whomever in your band serves as the "front person". When you can get out into the crowd and engage them up close vs. just standing tethered to the stage all night it can really help get the party going.

And... though the OP didn't ask for it... here's another plug for the Line6 stuff. All the instrumentalists in my band use G30 setups and they're amazing.