anyone else have problems with their X2 wireless

Oh! Henry · #1 10-06-2008, 11:07 AM

I had a Gig this weekend and during sound check I was using my X2wireless unit to check sound around the room.

Every now and then I would get this static/buzz which would get progressively louder for about 5-10 seconds then stop abruptly and go back to normal. It happend about 4-5 times. I wasn't having any line of sight issues, and was never more than 30 feet from my unit. Can it be interferance caused by some power source in the bar? Or is the unit defective? I've used it 4-5 other times without issues.

Any one else have a similar problem?

JanusZarate · #2 10-06-2008, 11:30 AM

I would guess that it's interference from the bar. Were you running it on batteries or a wall wart?

Anybody using a 900MHz cordless phone in there?

Seriously, though... it operates in that frequency. Great for avoiding radio signals, though!

Oh! Henry · #3 10-06-2008, 12:12 PM

I was using an adapter.

I have an old 900MHz cordless phone at home I could try doing some tests at home. Is there any way around this problem? Can using a different channel solve the problem?

JanusZarate · #4 10-06-2008, 01:10 PM

It can help to a degree. In fact, that's usually the first thing you want to try.

Oh! Henry · #5 10-06-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

It can help to a degree. In fact, that's usually the first thing you want to try.

Yeah! I should have tried a different channel!!! I guess between my blown spaeker, and a PA Sub that wasn't working, I was a little distracted!!!

JanusZarate · #6 10-06-2008, 02:14 PM

You serious?

Ouch.

Oh! Henry · #7 10-06-2008, 07:24 PM

Yeah, **it happens!!

I just put on some light overdrive from my bassdrive to camouflage to distorting speaker, and put the working sub on the other side of the stage and covered my side with my amp.

It was far from ideal, but it's rock & roll.

JanusZarate · #8 10-06-2008, 07:37 PM

Wait, then how do you know it wasn't your blown speaker causing the noise issue?

AndyLES · #9 10-06-2008, 07:43 PM

As nice an idea as they are, X2s are junk. The one I used kept dropping out intermitently for no reason. Also, LOTs of guys over on Hugeracksinc.com have issues with theirs.

Great concept (an inexpensive, small, digital wireless that sounds great).

Crap execution (drop outs no matter what frequency, cheesy and easily breakable construction, to start)

JanusZarate · #10 10-06-2008, 07:58 PM

Hmm... mine hasn't failed at all (I have the basic "stomp box" version), but I'm keeping an eye out for such issues should they ever occur.

JimmyM · #11 10-06-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyLES

As nice an idea as they are, X2s are junk. The one I used kept dropping out intermitently for no reason. Also, LOTs of guys over on Hugeracksinc.com have issues with theirs.

Great concept (an inexpensive, small, digital wireless that sounds great).

Crap execution (drop outs no matter what frequency, cheesy and easily breakable construction, to start)

While you do have to keep a good line of sight, they're far from junk. Mine sounds absolutely wonderful, and it's no cheesier than any other wireless I've owned. My two have been working great for the past 9 months.

mimaz · #12 10-06-2008, 08:35 PM

I'm still puzzled by some of the X2 threads that I read. I got the XDS Plus around 4 months ago, and I've never had any problems at all, except for the cheap stock cable that went out on the 2nd or 3rd gig..........a quick call to Butch at Bayou Cables solved that problem, and it's been smooth sailing ever since.

One thing that I have noticed......the body pack will eat a 9V Energizer every single gig if you let it, but a Duracell lasts much longer..........I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with any 9V rechargeables that work well with the unit.

I will also say that I'm not impressed with the construction of the (plastic) body pack, but the new (metal) receiver of the XDS Plus is real solid.

Oh! Henry · #13 10-06-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Wait, then how do you know it wasn't your blown speaker causing the noise issue?

It was a completely different sound, sort of like a staticky buzz, not a distortion. And the problem stoped when I switched to using a cable. The telephone theory sounds plausible, if it happens next time, I'll try and change chanels and see if the problem goes away.

I'll reserve the total junk conclusion till later

right now I'm in trouble shooting mode

JanusZarate · #14 10-06-2008, 10:01 PM

Heh.

I'll complain about the X2 when I have a problem with it. If I ever have a problem with it.

I might change out the cable for a right-angle equivalent though. Nothing wrong with the stock one, but me and straight plugs don't get along well... I've been known to destroy a few.

anyonefortennis · #15 10-06-2008, 10:09 PM

Any fluorescent tubes or CRT TVs around by chance?

seanm · #16 10-06-2008, 10:21 PM

When I first got my X2 I plugged it in, and got lots of static

But I didn't panic since I have a very electronically noisy bassment(sic).

So I switched it to channel 3.... and have never had a problem since.

mimaz: How do you like the Pro version? I am seriously thinking of upgrading. I like the full diversity and the extra range.

And I *really* like the idea of having the TX battery reading on the RX unit. I put the unit on my strap and cannot see it. We sometimes do very long sets and it would be nice to see how the battery is doing. This is paranoia I know, since I have never had a problem, but it would make me feel more comfortable.

mimaz · #17 10-06-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

mimaz: How do you like the Pro version? I am seriously thinking of upgrading. I like the full diversity and the extra range.

And I *really* like the idea of having the TX battery reading on the RX unit. I put the unit on my strap and cannot see it. We sometimes do very long sets and it would be nice to see how the battery is doing. This is paranoia I know, since I have never had a problem, but it would make me feel more comfortable.

Other than the cheap stock cable, I've had no problems. I love having the battery strenght LED array on the unit, I can just glance down at my pedalboard and see what I've got left. I am a bit worried about the construction of the transmitter pack, as I feel like I'm going to break something every time I change batteries, but so far, so good.

synaesthesia · #18 10-06-2008, 10:27 PM

The only grief I got with my X2 was when i used a spare computer swtichmode power supply I had. I had static, I had buzz, I had wheeze...this was at rehearsal so I took the rig home and diagnosed the issue to the power supply. Used a onespot, no issues, used my large power brick, no issues... it just did not work with that particular switchmode power supply. I now use a onespot.

Otherwise as others, no issues except the odd line of sight issue when I am soundchecking out in the audience area and I am dancing with my wireless bass behind a gargantuan column like in a bollywood dance sequence.

Akami · #19 10-06-2008, 10:32 PM

Only problems I've had with mine have had to do with line of sight and I've taken to putting the receiver up higher behind me which seems to have solved the issue.

As others have mentioned, I'd like to see them built a bit nicer, and especially like to have a quick change battery pocket as opposed to having the cheesy little connector they have now.

mimaz · #20 10-06-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthesia

The only grief I got with my X2 was when i used a spare computer swtichmode power supply I had. I had static, I had buzz, I had wheeze...this was at rehearsal so I took the rig home and diagnosed the issue to the power supply. Used a onespot, no issues, used my large power brick, no issues... it just did not work with that particular switchmode power supply. I now use a onespot.

Otherwise as others, no issues except the odd line of sight issue when I am soundchecking out in the audience area and I am dancing with my wireless bass behind a gargantuan column like in a bollywood dance sequence.

There was some discussion about this in another X2 thread. If you use a power supply other than the one that's provided with the unit, be sure that it can provide the necessary amperage. The requirement is relatively high (250-300 mA, depending on the model), and some power supplies just don't supply that kind of amperage. I am currently using a OneSpot also, but I'm looking for a good regulated/isolated power supply for my board, one that can provide at least 300mA on one of the circuits, to power the XDS Plus.