Do you lose sound quality when using a wireless system?

[Damani311]

Correct my if I'm wrong, but isn't a direct line to the amp an analog signal, and when you use a wireless system it converts to digital?

And again, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't analog sound quality waaaaaaaaaay higher than digital? I heard something about it being broken down into numbers, blah blah blah, am I even close?

[niftydog]

Do you lose sound quality when using a wireless system?

Yes, part of the spectrum can be lost, but it's usually limited to extreme high and low frequencies. The 'quality' of the bulk of the signal is not necessarily any worse compared to the same signal on a cable.

when you use a wireless system it converts to digital?

Not necessarily. Some are still analogue. But, IMO the better ones are digital.

isn't analog sound quality waaaaaaaaaay higher than digital?

Not necessarily - But I'm not buying into this debate.

I heard something about it being broken down into numbers, blah blah blah, am I even close?

Yes.

[JimmyM]

If you get a crappy wireless, yes. If you get a good one, no. I highly recommend the X2 line of wirelesses.

[dirtybass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If you get a crappy wireless, yes. If you get a good one, no. I highly recommend the X2 line of wirelesses.

I second that.

Please believe me...I tried the cheaper one..(some name brand) the chick at GC said...get the x2 its the best....blah, blah, somethin digital,,whatever..blah, blah..

I said , shut up, im gettin the cheaper one..its a name brand.

Needless to say..the 1st one barely got a signal at the practice space.

Next day...got the X2. ($300)

Never looked back.

[CrashClint]

I am with Jimmy and Dirty, the X2 Wireless is the way to go. I have the stompbox version, but thinking of upgrading to the Rack Unit so I can keep it all in one place.

[EASonBass]

Originally Posted by Damani311

Correct my if I'm wrong, but isn't a direct line to the amp an analog signal, and when you use a wireless system it converts to digital?

And again, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't analog sound quality waaaaaaaaaay higher than digital? I heard something about it being broken down into numbers, blah blah blah, am I even close?

Some wireless are analog some are digital. Here's some ramble on your question on digital:

With a digital wireless (and other digital things in the signal path like digital effects, et al) the analog signal is converted to digital then reconverted at the other end to analog. You'll often see this process represented as D/A and A/D. Generally speaking, the sound quality will be based on a number of factors such as the number of bits represented for each "word"; 16 (CD audio playback), 32, 64, 96, 128, etc. Then there is the frequency of the conversion; 44.1Khz (CD audio playback), 48Khz, 96Khz, etc. And there is the method of conversion, generally pulse code modulation. Then there is the quality of the components that need to do all the heavy lifting and associated artifacts they can introduce like jitter which messes with the timing of the flow of bits.

Because digital takes samples of the analog signal (at very fast intervals depending on the frequency above) there are parts of the analog signal that do not get encoded. Taking samples like this works if the the audio signal does not have any frequencies above half the lowest sampling rate used (In the case of CDs 44Khz sample rate means the max high frequencies encoded are 22.05 kHz).

In general, the more bits in a word and the faster the frequency of conversion the more data you end up with representing the original analog waveform and the better it's going to sound. That's why most digital recordings are using equipment beyond the CD spec, then it's converted "down" to meet the CD specification.

The chips available today to do the A/D and D/A work are fairly inexpensive and generally of very high quality making very hi-fi conversion cost effective.

IMO significantly less harm occurs to the audio signal through quality A/D - wireless RF signal - D/A (a la X2) then in all the junk that happens to the audio signal when analog is put on an RF signal. Not saying you can't make a good sounding analog wireless but at a given price point of say $300 or less, I believe the digital wireless will excel over an analog system.

[Jazzdogg]

I'm another proponent of X2 Wireless. I use the so-called stomp-box version (I keep the receiver on top of my rig to improve line-of-sight reception) with 5-string basses, and it sounds terriffic. In my experience, the X2 sounds better than all but the shortest unbalanced instrument cables, and sounds better than cables that are more than 20' long.

[JMDT]

Low impedance active pickups should have less loss through a wireless adapter than through high impedance passive pickups. IIRC, a powered preamp will also convert the signal to low impedance. Then again maybe this only applys to cables and not wireless systems. Anyone?

[biff malibu]

i prefer a cable but i did use to use wireless for guitar in a band. i had Two receivers and two transmitters, one for each guitar. i liked that set-up but i just prefer a cable these days, and i personnaly feel i get a more wide range and dynamic sound from a cable, IME. nor do i jump around like a hooligan the way i use too.

[butchblack]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If you get a crappy wireless, yes. If you get a good one, no. I highly recommend the X2 line of wirelesses.

+1

Also, get Butch from Bayou cables to make you a cable connecting the transmitter to the bass. If you read X2's instructions they actually wire it to lose a little highs to more closely emulate using a cable. By swapping the connection of the tip and the ring you'll get the full spectrum of sound. Butch wires that way automatically. The difference is subtle, but noticeable, and the cable is their usual top notch quality. Just plan on waiting about a month for delivery, He's usually quite backed up. Well worth the wait though.

[JEDI BASS]

Any problems with transmitting the open low B of 5 and 6 string basses, while using wireless systems??

[AnTz0r]

you bastards! we can't use x2 here

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by JEDI BASS

Any problems with transmitting the open low B of 5 and 6 string basses, while using wireless systems??

Absolutely no problem with a low "B" when using my X2.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by Damani311

And again, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't analog sound quality waaaaaaaaaay higher than digital? I heard something about it being broken down into numbers, blah blah blah, am I even close?

Do CD's sound bad to you?

Digital is high quality, unless the A/D converters are crap.

Even most cheap CD players are capable of giving a perfect reproduction of the recording.

You have a greater chance of losing tone to a cheap cable between the bass and amp.

I never liked wireless setups because they compress the tone, but, I haven't tried any of the new ones. last time I tried one was like 20 years ago...

[JEDI BASS]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Absolutely no problem with a low "B" when using my X2.

YIPPY!! I'm gonna have to check one out. I'm tired of getting twisted up in my chord, I need freedom!!!

[Webtroll]

Originally Posted by AnTz0r

you bastards! we can't use x2 here

Why? Does it set off some kind of defensive missle system we should know about? I'm sending some guys over to look for WMDs.

[AnTz0r]

our GSM system operates in the same frequency range

[bassbrock]

+1 on the X2 wireless system.

I owned an XDS95 and I had to sell it because of some bills. Man I wish I could get that back.

Anyhow, I recorded a comparison a while back of wired vs wireless. Any differences in sound were due to finger technique, at least in my opinion.

http://macpulse.com/bass/wireless.mp3
http://macpulse.com/bass/wired.mp3

Pardon my poor playing, was just a quick and dirty test. The signal chain was SX Bass -> SansAmp RBI -> MOTU 24io Recording Interface -> Power Mac G5 with Logic Pro 7 and then bounced to mp3

[dcr]

I'll do a big +1 on the X2.

I've got a rackmount version with a Bayou cables connector cable. I don't think I'd ever go back to wired now. Not only does it sound better to my ears, I play nd practice regularly in quite a noisy environment. Cuts down on the noise interference, too, and is much quieter than cable.

IME, that is.



dcr

[GeneralElectric]

Originally Posted by DavidRavenMoon

Do CD's sound bad to you?

Even most cheap CD players are capable of giving a perfect reproduction of the recording.

I don't like the sound of CDs. I think the brass sound thin and anemic, as well as several other gripes with the format.

You don't hear of hi-fi CD players very often do you?