Stage size and wireless

bassman515 · #1 02-16-2009, 05:39 AM

This might not be the right forum for this one but i will try anyway.

So i just bought a X2 wireless system, it sounds great, but i was wondering, all of you other wireless users, how big are the stages you play on when you are using yours?
The reason i ask is, i dp not play on all that big of stages, nothing any bigger than i can't get to anyplace i need to be with my 20' cable. Just wondering what the perception is of someone using a wireless on a small stage...
It might just be a little buyers remorse too, i could use the cash elsewhere too :-)
I do not have another gig scheduled before the 30 trial is up, so i do not get a chance to try it out live either...
Thoughts, experience???

Jeremy

slyjoe · #2 02-16-2009, 06:37 AM

I gave it up for the same reason - no real need. Plus, at least the old ones, ate batteries pretty fast - and I got tired of supporting Duracell stock to the extent I was.

The new ones are better, but I used to get a lot of interference/static, so at the time it definitely was not worth it.

bassman515 · #3 02-16-2009, 06:57 AM

IC...i am pretty sure, from what i have read, that interference won't be a problem, but i know battery life sucks...like you said, i really don't have the need so i am wondering if it is worth having...hmmmmmm

akaTRENT · #4 02-16-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman515

This might not be the right forum for this one but i will try anyway.

So i just bought a X2 wireless system, it sounds great, but i was wondering, all of you other wireless users, how big are the stages you play on when you are using yours?
The reason i ask is, i dp not play on all that big of stages, nothing any bigger than i can't get to anyplace i need to be with my 20' cable. Just wondering what the perception is of someone using a wireless on a small stage...
It might just be a little buyers remorse too, i could use the cash elsewhere too :-)
I do not have another gig scheduled before the 30 trial is up, so i do not get a chance to try it out live either...
Thoughts, experience???

Jeremy

I play all size stages. I prefer the wireless more on small stages actually. There are no wires to trip on. I always trip on wires and mess up my input jacks.

The problem is when you a running a chain of pedals the wireless can cut your signal. But all I used is a sansamp as a pre so im fine.

Hope this helps!

bassman515 · #5 02-16-2009, 08:09 AM

yeah, i use a pretty long chain before i get to the amp...not sure...i think i am trying to talk myself out of keeping it...man you have to hate GAS run amuck..

73jbass · #6 02-16-2009, 08:17 AM

I use my X2 at every gig. No cords to trip over,great battery life,and you can walk out on the floor during soundchecks. My batteries typically last 3 gigs at 4 sets each.

WalterBush · #7 02-16-2009, 08:38 AM

I use mine regardless of stage size (not an X2, though, a Shure ULX.) Heck, I use it around the house so I can chase after small children when necessary without having to stop practicing.

On stages large or small, I can walk out front of the PA, behind the sound booth, along the back wall, etc, and really hear how the audience hears the bass. Is my bass rig really making the room boom? Are the singer's highs piercing or just nice and clear? etc. Of course, I also work as a soundman in at least one band I play in, so it's kind of necessary.

Oh yeah, one less cable to trip on is always nice.

bassman515 · #8 02-16-2009, 09:05 AM

lol...that makes sense...I wish that i had a gig set up so that i could test this thing out in a real world situation. It was nice a practice lol

HogieWan · #9 02-16-2009, 09:47 AM

rechargeable batteries would make a good investment

JimmyM · #10 02-16-2009, 12:27 PM

Wirelesses are great for any size stage. Having said that, if I know I'm just going to be standing by my amp and not be permitted to venture out front (a lot of these oldies acts are touchy about that), I'll use a cable just because the X2 I have (the cheaper pedal version) uses batteries a lot quicker than they claim.

bassman515 · #11 02-16-2009, 12:33 PM

I am pretty sure that i will not ever venture out into the crowd, but i would go from one side to the other to jam with the guitarist or dummer.

ga_edwards · #12 02-16-2009, 04:58 PM

I use one regarless of stage size, something less to trip over when I get animated. I use a couple of high capacity 9v batteries that I charge up the night before, and a cable during soundcheck so I don't waste any juice. Although I've never ran of of juice from a single battery yet, so I could easily soundcheck with wireless.

Curiously, the biggest stage I've ever played on, an outdoor 24 metre one last summer, wireless was prohibited, so I had to invest in an extra long cable. It was a huge scout and guide jamboree, and the staff were all using radios (about 2000 staff too!), so the airwaves had to be kept clear. It wasn't a music festival anyway, so wireless performances weren't their main concern

Lastly, if you're worried that you might look daft going wireless on a small stage standing a metre in front of your amp, don't be. Unless the audience are all musicians, no-one is going to notice, even care, whether you're wireless or not.

bassman515 · #13 02-16-2009, 05:05 PM

GA...that is a good point, most dont notice...one of the funniest things to me is seeing a live act on tv or a parade and they do not have anything plugged in...most do not notice that either lol

ga_edwards · #14 02-17-2009, 09:20 AM

Heck, a lot of people don't even realise you have to use an amplifier, or indeed, what an amplifier actually is or does.

I remember years ago at school, I brought my old electric guitar in. Some one in my class asked if is was electric.
I replied 'yes'.
So they said, 'go on then, plug it in and give us a tune'.
'Into what exactly?'
'The socket on the wall'

....true story!

bassman515 · #15 02-17-2009, 09:49 AM

Nice...

ransombass · #16 02-17-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

I use my X2 at every gig. No cords to trip over,great battery life,and you can walk out on the floor during soundchecks. My batteries typically last 3 gigs at 4 sets each.

+1

We play all sizes of stages and I always use mt wireless now, because I got tired of having to replace input jacks every six months. It was either me or the fiddle player that kept stepping on my cables. I haven't noticed any signal degradation with my X2 either.

Vakmere · #17 02-17-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransombass

+1

We play all sizes of stages and I always use mt wireless now, because I got tired of having to replace input jacks every six months. It was either me or the fiddle player that kept stepping on my cables. I haven't noticed any signal degradation with my X2 either.

I have an X2 also, comes in handy when I want to dance with the ladies without a cord in the way. Helps with sound checks to.....

Vakmere · #18 02-17-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

I use my X2 at every gig. No cords to trip over,great battery life,and you can walk out on the floor during soundchecks. My batteries typically last 3 gigs at 4 sets each.

Im lucky if I get 3 sets (3 or 4 hours) out of a 9 volt alkaline battery. Drains fast in my X2.

optikhog · #19 02-17-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

I use my X2 at every gig. No cords to trip over,great battery life,and you can walk out on the floor during soundchecks. My batteries typically last 3 gigs at 4 sets each.

+1000 - I'm ridiculously clumsy so stepping on/tripping over my cable is one less thing I have to worry about live when I use my X2. Plus, our guitarist and I can walk around even on small stages to improve the "show".

crapusername · #20 02-17-2009, 06:03 PM

i use my wireless for every show regardless of size for two reasons:
firstly, there are absolutely no risks of any injury from an electrical malfunction from a dodgy earth anywhere, and secondly because of the tripping issue. I'm very active when i play, so any hazard that is removed is a bonus!