why people dont use wireless....

[greasley]

hi, i am thinking about getting a shure wireless system for my bass for christmas.

i've heard many people say that they wouldnt use a wireless system with a bass and was just wondering why.
i dont disagree with it but cannot think why not.

i play in a metal band with alot of stage movement.

any advice welcome
thankyou

[greenboy]

A lot of people use wireless for bass, and some companies at either end of the cost spectrum have made designs that have taken lower frequencies into account. Probably the best cheaper design I've seen is the AKG Bug as far as specs/sound are concerned.

[greasley]

ah thankyou
i'll be spending about £200/ $350?
ive heard its a good'un.

i'll just buy it

[Eric Perry]

I use a wireless. I have for years with no problem or loss of signal.

I use a Sennheiser EW172 G2. It's a bit more pricey than an AKG unit, but it's substantially better, IMHO.

[KPJ]

The Shure PGX4 wireless set-up works great for bass, that's what I use. It retails for around $350 US. I have been using it every gig for over a year now (100+ shows) and it has never given me any problems. No noticeable frequency loss, I use it with both 5 and 4 string basses.

[muzikman7]

I use Sennheiser Ew172G2 it sells for $450, metal instead of plastic and good on batteries. I've used it on a lot of gigs with no problem.

[lug]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/x-wire-back-285787-post3497039/

XWire is back

Transmission Format: X2 proprietary digital audio transmission
Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 12 kHz
Audio Dynamic Range: Greater than 117 dB
Distortion: 0.03% THD
RF Carrier Frequency: 902 MHz to 928 MHz, FSK
Number of Selectable Frequencies: Five
RF Output Power: 10mw
Audio Output Level: Unity gain with transmitter input
Polarity: Positive voltage at input yeilds positive voltage at output
Transmission Range: >150 feet line-of-sight (may vary due to local conditions)
FCC Approval: Part 15 approved, no user-license required

[ihateusernames]

I'd suspect that people shy away from wireless for a few reasons. 1) They see no need/value/benefit in it. 2) What they have currently (cables) works just fine. 3) Musicians are a rare breed of tightwads...wireless systems are costly and add gear to worry about protecting. 4) Just too damned lazy to research what is good and buy it.

Personally I'm in group 4

[Spoiled Grape]

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

I'd suspect that people shy away from wireless for a few reasons. 1) They see no need/value/benefit in it. 2) What they have currently (cables) works just fine. 3) Musicians are a rare breed of tightwads...wireless systems are costly and add gear to worry about protecting. 4) Just too damned lazy to research what is good and buy it.

Personally I'm in group 4

I'd add that it's another thing I have to worry about. Sure my cables get messy, but they have been an old standby. I bought a wireless system about two years ago and have used it once in a live situation. I just feel too weird without a cable. It was also a hassle to set-up, considering I barely have time to set-up my bass properly and check my gear before gigs.

More power to people who use them though, as they do give alot of freedom.

[greenboy]

Gawwwwd. If guitar players can deal with wireless scenarios and still chat up all the barmaids, bass players should be able to! If they aren't setting up the PA all by themselves, that is ; }

[FL Knifemaker]

I use a wireless and I don't even play gigs. I find it just provides more freedom. I can sit outside where I can still hear my amp or walk to the fridge

[bikeplate]

HI

Wireless, no problem. Great if you are putting on a show

Rob

[lonote]

A lot of people say they negatively impact the tone and some may, I don't know. I sometimes use a Nady 3-D wireless dating from the late 80's that I bought new and I have never noticed a problem nor have my bandmates.

[incubus2432]

I love my wireless (Shure ULXP4)! I use it on any gig where I have room to roam.

My only advice is to try out as many units that you can before buying. I found some that eventhough they were somewhat expensive just killed the tone. One minor downside is battery life. I can maybe get two full shows out of mine (8-ish hours total) so I usually just replace it every night just to be safe. If you play out often it can be an annoying expense.

[embellisher]

Hrmm... That new unit from the makers of the original X-wire looks mighty interesting...

[tadawson]

Originally Posted by lonote

A lot of people say they negatively impact the tone and some may, I don't know. I sometimes use a Nady 3-D wireless dating from the late 80's that I bought new and I have never noticed a problem nor have my bandmates.

Low end wireless is noisy and death to your tone. As some others have suggested, there are systems out there that do fine. The X-Wire mentioned looks fine for bass, but frankly, the hi-freq response flat out sucks only going to 12K if you wanted to use it for anything else. Granted, it's not cheap, but the Lectrosonics IS400 series hybrid digital systems are second to nobody - they sell a variant of this system to run with audio analyzers - it's so clean that it won't color measurements any more than a cable . . . .

Frequency Response: 30 Hz - 20 kHz, +/- 1db
Audio Dynamic Range: Greater than 125 dB
Distortion: 0.2% THD
RF Carrier Frequency: 10 blocks available, from 537 to 951MHz.
Number of Selectable Frequencies: 256
RF Output Power: above 50mw
Audio Output Level: -50 to +5, both XLR and 1/4", independently adjustable.
Polarity: Either - can be phase inverted if need be.
Transmission Range: Not stated, but I have never run out of mine, and used it from FOH in a large hall - 200+ feet out, in a booth with concrete and rebar, still had 90% signal
Scanner in the RX - will tell you what is free and what is not channel-wise in about 30 seconds.
FCC Approval: Part 15 approved, no user-license required

The only hickey is the cost - about $1200 per system . . . .

(And no, I don't work for them, or have any personal interest in the company. I just own one, and in 15+ years of using various wireless systems in both instrument and pro-sound applications, have found very few other systems than can touch it . . . . )

- Tim

[Munjibunga]

If you're going to buy Shure, get a ULXS or ULXP system. Their frequency range goes down to 25 hz, perfect for bass, even 5-strings. The cheaper models go down to only 45 hz. Your E string is about 40 hz. Whatever you get, buy it from Northern Sound and Light. Their prices blow everyone else out of the water. Everyone.

[invader3k]

I have a cheaper Nady unit that I fell out of favor with...it didn't sound good with my Peavey combo amp, lost too much tone...tried it again with my brand new rig (Kustom head and two Dr. Bass cabs), and it actually worked pretty well in a live setting. I think these units work better with different types of equipment, in my experience at least.

The only other change to my rig is that I'm using a Boss Limiter/Enhancer bass pedal, which could help as well.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

My wireless is rated down to 100Hz, and there is no noticable bass loss.

And anything below 40hz is pretty pointless in having, especially seeing A) you wont hear it and B) the majority of cabinets dont reproduce below that frequnecy.

My wireless cost me £90 new (freeport), and i found out it sucks for guitar, but for bass, there is really honest to god no loss.

Another thing to take into consideration, if there are any losses, do you think you or anyone else will notice in a band situation? where that kick drum is whats dominating the 30-50Hz area?

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

My wireless is rated down to 100Hz, and there is no noticable bass loss.

And anything below 40hz is pretty pointless in having, especially seeing A) you wont hear it and B) the majority of cabinets dont reproduce below that frequnecy.

My wireless cost me £90 new (freeport), and i found out it sucks for guitar, but for bass, there is really honest to god no loss.

Another thing to take into consideration, if there are any losses, do you think you or anyone else will notice in a band situation? where that kick drum is whats dominating the 30-50Hz area?

That is just wrong on so many levels.