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Bassists and Wireless Systems

mjolnir

mjolnir

Thor's Hammer 2.1.3beta
Jun 15, 2006
4,535
17
Houston, TX
#1
Ok, so I went to a free show at the pit at Sam Houston and got the chance to see a band called Shortbus Superheros, probably the best band out of the six to perform there that night. What I want to share with you here is the bassist had a wireless system... and he USED it.

Throughout the entire set, he was literally running around the crowd, dodging in and out of people, going from top to bottom and back again, and just generally going nuts in the audience while still keeping a fairly solid bass line going.

At one point even, the guy dived into one of his techs and started a mosh... and he never missed a beat. It was bloody awesome...
 
#2
High end wireless systems are cool. The cheaper sets diminish the sound a bit and you'd have to eq it back on your amp! For rock situations, I don't think it's such a big deal since the bass is more in the mix and grunged up a bit but in situations where you need definition and projection, a higher end system is much more desired!
 
#3
I use a Telex Pro on 170 Mhz. It's pretty cool but picky about input level. If you over drive it, which is easy to do with an active bass, it will distort. The first time you use a wireles system you fell so free :D
 
#7
RWP said:
I use a Telex Pro on 170 Mhz. It's pretty cool but picky about input level. If you over drive it, which is easy to do with an active bass, it will distort. The first time you use a wireles system you fell so free :D
Click to expand...
He certainly looked free... the concert was in an open pit about twenty feet below ground. At one point I lost him, couldn't see him at all, then I realized he'd climbed to the top of the pit and was playing twenty feet above his bandmates! It was a very music video-esque moment...
 
#12
B-NoteCowboy said:
I've used several wireless systems and I'm just never satisfied that I can get my tone eq'd exactly the way I have it when plugged in.

That said, I can't do our show without one. Active stage show and all that.
Click to expand...

Try the Lectrosonics IS400 Hybrid Digital system. That system is so clean and transparent, that you can use it as a channel for Real Time Analyzer mics and not see a difference . . . . . I have one, and can veryify same - cable or wireless, can't tell - same tone, same about of noise, just no leash!

- Tim
 
#13
I just got a wireless from a fellow TB'er, and I'm waiting for it to arrive. I don't think it'll change my sound that much, since I'll be running it through my processor. Besides, I'm tired of tripping over wires all the time. If I need to dial in some more bass, so be it. I have plenty of power to use.
 
#15
Most wireless systems, even the really cheap ones, work relatively well now. Of course, the higher end you go the better (or at least more unaffected) the system works.

In terms of ease of movement, it is liberating. It's very cool to be able to get out in the front among the crowd and see how balanced things are.

The real problem with the el-cheapo's is the construction of the things .... thin crummy connection wires, really poor belt clips, that kind of stuff. If you amp is even halfway decent, you can correct most of the tone drop-offs.

For sure, the higher end stuff is worth the money, but even if you can only afford the low end, try it ... you'll like it .... :cool:
 
#16
I have been to the toilet twice during sets this year. its great sitting on the "throne" while still playing. have to time it right to pull up though. I can really only do it when playing Marquees as the sound of the band is still very loud in the toilet.
I use a AKG guitarbug system with my Lakland 55-01 and although it does change my sound as i use it all the time it has sort of become part of my sound. just need a bit of loew end boost on the amp and its fine. even the B sounds "ok".
 
#17
dave_bass5 said:
I have been to the toilet twice during sets this year. its great sitting on the "throne" while still playing. have to time it right to pull up though. I can really only do it when playing Marquees as the sound of the band is still very loud in the toilet.
I use a AKG guitarbug system with my Lakland 55-01 and although it does change my sound as i use it all the time it has sort of become part of my sound. just need a bit of loew end boost on the amp and its fine. even the B sounds "ok".
Click to expand...
That, my friend... is bloody awesome. I salute you, man. :D
 
#20
dave_bass5 said:
I have been to the toilet twice during sets this year. its great sitting on the "throne" while still playing. have to time it right to pull up though. I can really only do it when playing Marquees as the sound of the band is still very loud in the toilet.
I use a AKG guitarbug system with my Lakland 55-01 and although it does change my sound as i use it all the time it has sort of become part of my sound. just need a bit of loew end boost on the amp and its fine. even the B sounds "ok".
Click to expand...
That is hilarious!! "Taking a dump and still keeping the thump." :D
 

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