Bass & Wireless

[ptidwell]

I am curious as to how many TBer's use wireless.
I am considering purchasing a system, however I don't know which system to get, so I thought I would ask my fellow TB brothern their thoughts. Also I don't see any of the prevelent players using wireless. Reliable unreliable, whats up with this technology for bass?

[JayAmel]

I use one. This is actually my second system.

First one was an AKG, but the frequency was unique and thus non-adjustable.

Now I have a Sennheiser Freeport, and I have the choice among 4 distinct frequencies.

BTW, both are UHF.

[clockworkwar]

Unless your a big band working on large stages i always use Whirlwind Leader Cables, cheaper and sounds better

[Sundogue]

I had a cheap Nady at one time. While it gave me some freedom, it also allowed snowmobiles, motorcycles and French Canadian radio stations to accompany me onstage.

[The BurgerMeister]

get a shure pgx, sennheiser ew172, or a higher-end audio technica system. all about 4oo-5oo bucks... but well worth it. you get multiple channels and auto frequency scans, and your tone stays the same (unless you're REALLYREALLYREALLY picky about tone.).

[ric stave]

I use a Shure PGX - very happy with it.

(The stages aren't always so big, but I can do without other people tripping on my cord.....)

[agreatheight]

One of the bands I played with in the early 90s demanded that I use a wireless. The freedom was nice but I could hear / feel the short delay of pluck to note that the system caused. I don't know if manufacturers have gotten that latency down (was a while back), but it drove me NUTS! I have stayed away from wireless systems ever since...

[Thomcat]

Originally Posted by agreatheight

One of the bands I played with in the early 90s demanded that I use a wireless. The freedom was nice but I could hear / feel the short delay of pluck to note that the system caused. I don't know if manufacturers have gotten that latency down (was a while back), but it drove me NUTS! I have stayed away from wireless systems ever since...

Trust me, that problem is long since gone from any product costing more than $100. Hell, probably from anything above the level of 'Mr. Microphone'. God I'm getting old.

Anyway, all of the modern wirelesses, particularly the UHF variety, will have essentially no perceptible delay versus using a cable. I think the actual latency can be measures at something like 1-2 ms, so not a concern even for highly scripted/sequenced performances.

Be sure to check on Frequency Response though, a surprising number of wirelesses give up at 50-90 Hz. You really want down to 40 Hz for a 4 stringer, and 30 Hz for a 5er.

Thomcat

[perfdavid]

I am a shure pgx user. I love it. No delay, no interference, etc.... and no tripping on cables!!!!

[teedub]

I've got a Sennheiser Digital Wireless 1000, and it sounds perfect. No latency, distortion, or issues with frequency limitations. Just a solid piece of gear that I'd surely be sad without. Little bit of a pig on 9 volts, but not horrible. I usually have to change it every 6 sets.

Never understood why they stopped making these digital wireless systems (XWire and Sennheiser) in the first place. They work great!

[detracti]

I researched wireless back a few months ago when my latest round of GAS started.

Found positive comments on the Sennheiser ew172 (g2), and so ordered one.... and it works great!

It does make my instrument sound slightly more "active". The only other diff is that it is not as quiet as running a cord.

But my feet never get accidentally tangled up during a gig now. One less thing to worry about.

[srxplayer]

I have a couple of Shure PGX Wireless units in my rental inventory. I have used them myself and they work great. No delays, no interference, and dropped signal.

Good product.

[Munjibunga]

There are tons of threads regarding this subject. My input is always get one that goes down to 25 hz on the audio frequency response, and make sure it's UHF dual diverstiy. That narrows the field considerably. The Shure PGX is a good unit, but only goes down to 45 hz, so you may (or may not) have an issue on five-string basses. Bang for buck, it's one of the best deals out there due to its frequency agility on the RF end.

My current unit is a Shure ULXS which meets all of the above criteria. Under $600 at Northern Sound and Light, who offer the best prices (no affiliation).

Do a search on "wireless", and read up on this for the rest of the night.

[Bard2dbone]

I had a craptacular Nady unit back in the ancient days when dinosaurs ruled the Earth and I actually got to gig. I don't think mine was typical of their usual quality, or the company would have disappeared into bankruptcy long ago.

If the company HAS gone bankrupt, them I claim no credit. But there were a few times I cursed them back in the early 90's. I would be wandering the club between verses, trying to work the crowd up...and my bass would drop out randomly, or I would pick up a Mexican radio station. (Once that happened while we were playing 'Mexican Radio' as a request. The guy came back up and tipped us extra for the special effects.)

I am considering getting a small modern wireless. I figure the technology has to have come a long way since I sold mine in 1993. At the folk festival I attend, I am forced to play guitar, because all my basses are electric and I have not yet found a good enough ABG.

This year a guy came with a Tacoma Thunderchief...and a stealth amplifier. He had put a UPS battery, a car power amp and a converter in a soft-side ice chest with a small speaker and a wireless unit. When he wanted to be really stealthy, he would put a couple of beers in there as well. Nobody picked up on it till the last day of the festival when he cranked it up too much to be believable.Until then, everybody kept saying "That Tacoma really projects well. It's almost as loud as an upright."

I want to build a stealth amp like that. So I will need a decent quality, small, wireless unit.

[dave_bass5]

I use a AKG GuitarBug system and am happy with it but more so for the fact im wireless. i can hear a difference in sound from using a lead, even though the spec is 40hz (i think) i can hear a slight roll off in the lows and more boost in the highs.
Ive done around 20 gigs now and its not given me any trouble but im now looking for something with better tone
It took a while for me to get used to being wireless but now i can see the benifits of not having trailing cables

[Big Cadillac]

The Sennheiser ew172 (g2) works really well for me. Clear, no noise and good range (I could walk to the other side of the bar with no problem at the last gig, although I think the range is even longer).

[DB5]

I use a Shure ULXS with no issues. Excellent unit.

[pocket_groover]

Originally Posted by teedub

Never understood why they stopped making these digital wireless systems (XWire and Sennheiser) in the first place. They work great!

+1!

I've one of each (Sennheiser and X-wire) and they sound great! No problems at all. REALLY hard pops tend to clip the Senn, but the X-wire handles them ok. I've used both in live situations.

[SBassman]

I have contemplated it often, but I still haven't taken the plunge.

Lord knows I could benefit from one - I am Constantly tripping over my own cord or kicking it out of my way.

I am definitely a loser when it comes to on stage
cord management.

I also like to be mobile whenever possible.
I just played a park gig, and I had lots of fun horsing around
with the kids who sat down near me on stage. It would have been much better to be untethered at the time.

Another factor for me: I'm often attracted to Bargains, and, well, getting a wireless doesn't seem to be a good category for searching for bargains. i.e. you're probably gonna get what you pay for / deserve.

[teedub]

Originally Posted by SBassman

...you're probably gonna get what you pay for / deserve.

Absolutely correct. A cheap wireless is worse than ANY 50' cable.