Best cost efficient wireless system for active pickups

[DWBass]

I've been using a dongle system lately on the last few gigs I've had. Worked great for me so far. I wouldn't count them out. They are getting better and better. I own the NUX 2.4ghZ version and that's my least favorite. My others are UHF based and work great. I briefly had a Line 6 unit and had dropouts right out the box. No sir! Back it went.

I forgot I also have an AKG mini UHF system that works great too.

 

[NickyTango]

Then I'd suggest the NUX system. Picked one up from Gollihur Music this summer, using exclusively on my NS WAV5. Oddly enough, it gets along fine with the piezo output, and why they carry this "entry level" unit. I like their "won't sell it if we wouldn't use it ourselves" mantra. Although piezo output is not the issue of concern with your instrument, at least you have the option to return for incompatibility reasons if you buy from a reputable dealer and test promptly upon receipt. Heck, call or message them - they are highly experienced and knowledgeable with all things NS, and can likely tell you if it's good to go for your instrument.

The NUX unit is just so handy- no batteries, storage case doubles as a reserve power/charging station and includes charging cable. For $150, it's a great value for testing the waters, as you say. Internal battery life is likely going to be what sinks this set eventually. However, I've used the heck out of it and cycled it through lots of crazy (impromptu, portable stage/generator in a field) gigs all summer, it's been pretty much flawless in any environment I've put it through live. While the range is never tested beyond a couple dozen feet (hey- I'm not running around the audience with an EUB!), for dumping a cable for the sheer convenience of relocating around the room or jam session, I think this device would hit the spot for you. Just don't sign on a world tour before upgrading!

I was actually looking at the NUX, funny enough. Or going slightly used for a more expensive product at a lower price point.

 

[KohanMike]

I've been using the Lekato 5.8GHz pods for about five years on my active and passive bass ukes/mini bass guitars, works great and pretty much no interference from all the 2.4GHz stuff out there. About $60 on Amazon US. In this case you get a lot more than what you paid for.

 

[TheReceder]

It also matters if the transmitter and receiver are EMC compliant. Just because it has an FCC or CE mark doesn't mean it's actually compliant, and from what I deal with troubleshooting with customers, there's a ton of counterfeit/fake compliance marks and statements of certification. Ali Express appears to be one of the biggest sources (if not the biggest). The symptoms are interference of all kinds when the transmitter is powered up.

I used some "good units" and had some junk that my guitarists swore by (and since it was free I figured what the heck). Never had much luck. Have you got a recommendation? The only time I ever had any luck with the better units is when I ran an extension and hooked the transmitter on the back of my belt.

 

[s0c9]

I used some "good units" and had some junk that my guitarists swore by (and since it was free I figured what the heck). Never had much luck. Have you got a recommendation? The only time I ever had any luck with the better units is when I ran an extension and hooked the transmitter on the back of my belt.

That’s what I do.. xmitter is up on bass strap under right shoulder and IEM receiver is attached to belt on my left. No problems in 10+ yrs and 100’s of gigs. But, they are Senn and Mipro units, NOT the “cheap” dongle style devices. My last Senn digital wireless lasted 7 yrs before a recent upgrade to another Senn in 450-508Mhz range. No more 2.4G.
NOT “cost-effective” but very reliable for gigging.

 

[Old Blastard]

Being a small time player in a couple of bands playing tiny restaurants to 20 people, Indidnt go wireless until our drummer stumbled upon some entry-level AKG equipment on close-out. I was hooked.

unfortunately the weak spot was the cable from Jack to transmitter, a flimsy joke of a wire designed and destined to fail, which it did at a small winery gig. I hooked up the cord and we continued.

while searching g for a replacement cord for the AKG I grabbed an Xvive U2 from sugarwater for $150. It's worked fine for a few gigs but I treat it like gold, as I did the AKG.

I agree with what everyone has said. Buy the best you can afford. If you play big gigs for a living, spend more money for pro gear.

Also, Treat your gear well but Keep the cords around for backup.

 

[MCF]

I have a Line 6 G30 that I'm using for the last 4 years with my active and passive basses and guitars without problems. I'm using it at home mainly but I didn't experience dropouts when playing with the band, YMMV.
Bought it used for $150 and very happy with it. I still carry a cable just in case.

I prefer having a transmitter with a cable instead of one directly plugged in the instrument. AA batteries are also a plus as I'm using rechargeable and always have a fresh set available.

If you are playing bigger venues, or rely on it for a living, I would follow @s0c9 recommandations.

I have a couple of the G30 sets and like them. The only caveat is that the transmitter battery compartment door latch can pop open. Easily rectified by using a Neotech transmitter pouch (size medium). I like them. If you’re on a budget, but want a system from a reputable company, they’re great.

 

[agedhorse]

I used some "good units" and had some junk that my guitarists swore by (and since it was free I figured what the heck). Never had much luck. Have you got a recommendation? The only time I ever had any luck with the better units is when I ran an extension and hooked the transmitter on the back of my belt.

Audio Technica 3000 (UHF) series is pretty bulletproof, so is the Audio Technica System 10-PRO (2.4GHz spread spectrum/frequency agile), but there are equivalent products by Shure and Sennheiser too.

 

[TheReceder]

Audio Technica 3000 (UHF) series is pretty bulletproof, so is the Audio Technica System 10-PRO (2.4GHz spread spectrum/frequency agile), but there are equivalent products by Shure and Sennheiser too.

Thanks. I tried some of the better shure and Sennheisser stuff and ran into some issues with a couple basses. Sad thing is when I contacted the manufacturers with this question the only recommendation I ever got was the pigtail going to the belt. Worst instance with a budget system brought back memories of spinal tap.

 

[s0c9]

Thanks. I tried some of the better shure and Sennheisser stuff and ran into some issues with a couple basses. Sad thing is when I contacted the manufacturers with this question the only recommendation I ever got was the pigtail going to the belt. Worst instance with a budget system brought back memories of spinal tap.

What kinds of issues? I’m curious. Which systems did you try? What part of the country?

 

[TheReceder]

On the mid level, the boss WL20 and Nady U-1100 (?).. seemed better if I didn't plug direct. For the most part it was almost like fm radio noise on no station in the background. For the more expensive I had an earlier version of a qlxd14 (?) (It's been a little while, I've given up on wireless)seemed to have issues with blocking. I don't think that was a proximity issue, more of a gain malfunction. That could have been a bad unit, as I couldn't ever get the gain right with the actives. At the time there was a senheser unit that I spent in the neighborhood of about 400 bucks. at the time it was "the unit to buy" but this was before the the FCC frequency requirement change so it's been a while. This was all primarily central US some time in southeast asia.... that's where it was the worst. Curious what the corralation of the location could be. I do wish a company would come out and say that there work well with active basses.

 

[s0c9]

On the mid level, the boss WL20 and Nady U-1100 (?).. seemed better if I didn't plug direct. For the most part it was almost like fm radio noise on no station in the background. For the more expensive I had an earlier version of a qlxd14 (?) (It's been a little while, I've given up on wireless)seemed to have issues with blocking. I don't think that was a proximity issue, more of a gain malfunction. That could have been a bad unit, as I couldn't ever get the gain right with the actives. At the time there was a senheser unit that I spent in the neighborhood of about 400 bucks. at the time it was "the unit to buy" but this was before the the FCC frequency requirement change so it's been a while. This was all primarily central US some time in southeast asia.... that's where it was the worst. Curious what the corralation of the location could be. I do wish a company would come out and say that there work well with active basses.

While I can’t speak to Southeast Asia, location in the US makes all the difference.
The same open frequencies (other than 2.4G, 5.8G, 900Mhx and ISM bands) we get to use unlicensed are SHARED with local TV stations.
Getting the correct unit/band is CRITICAL to effective use of wireless, so you don’t get blocks, dropouts and other artifacts.
Check the doc in my sig..it goes into all that and explains how to choose.
I have IEM, bass and mic all wireless and picked the units with frequencies that work best in my area… no issues at all.
PM if you need additional help..

 

[TheReceder]

While I can’t speak to Southeast Asia, location in the US makes all the difference.
The same open frequencies (other than 2.4G, 5.8G, 900Mhx and ISM bands) we get to use unlicensed are SHARED with local TV stations.
Getting the correct unit/band is CRITICAL to effective use of wireless, so you don’t get blocks, dropouts and other artifacts.
Check the doc in my sig..it goes into all that and explains how to choose.
I have IEM, bass and mic all wireless and picked the units with frequencies that work best in my area… no issues at all.
PM if you need additional help..

Not an issue anymore... I pretty much retired a couple weeks back, and am content going old school. But thanks for the offer. At the time I'd tried to eliminate any rf bands that were in use , and made sure that the frequency band I was operating in was both optimum and legal... I'm just one of those guys that had bad luck.

 

[DonaldR]

The only caveat is that the transmitter battery compartment door latch can pop open. Easily rectified by using a Neotech transmitter pouch (size medium).

I'm using a cheap elastic band around the transmitter and it's working perfectly.

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks. I tried some of the better shure and Sennheisser stuff and ran into some issues with a couple basses. Sad thing is when I contacted the manufacturers with this question the only recommendation I ever got was the pigtail going to the belt. Worst instance with a budget system brought back memories of spinal tap.

All of the systems I recommended use a cable between the instrument and the body pack. It’s the defacto standard.

 

[MCF]

I'm using a cheap elastic band around the transmitter and it's working perfectly.

That will work too! But for twenty bucks, the extra protection against breaking the plastic housing in case I drop it is well worth it to me. And it keeps the battery door shut.

 

[DonaldR]

That will work too! But for twenty bucks, the extra protection against breaking the plastic housing in case I drop it is well worth it to me. And it keeps the battery door shut.

Only problem is that I also play guitar . So too much guitar/bass straps that I would have to fit a neoprene pouch. I may get a spare transmitter and that will solve the problem. Do you have a link for your neoprene pouch?

I saw that Billy Sheehan used a G30 in the past, I think he upgraded to a G50. Richie Kotzen is also using a G50 but I think he upgraded to a G70 (according to Line 6 website).

 

[dave64o]

While I was waiting for Shure to replace the GLXD16 system (they recently did that), I bought a few different dongle type of wireless systems just to try them out. I know you get what you pay for with wireless systems and I am planning to get the new GLXD16+ system, which also operates on the 5GHz band. However, I used those dongle systems for the past year and they’ve worked very well with all of my basses, most of which are active, and all have had enough battery capacity to last for four hour gigs with at least 25% of capacity remaining.

The ones I bought are:
- Lekato 5.8 GHz
- Lekato UHF - the least expensive of these, but has worked flawlessly
- Getarria 5.8 GHz
- NUX C-5RC 5.8 GHz - the most expensive of these, but has worked flawlessly and the combination case/charger is a nice touch.

That being said, I still plan on getting the new Shure system. But I may be getting a new bass first, so the wireless might have to wait.

 

[s0c9]

While I was waiting for Shure to replace the GLXD16 system (they recently did that), I bought a few different dongle type of wireless systems just to try them out. I know you get what you pay for with wireless systems and I am planning to get the new GLXD16+ system, which also operates on the 5GHz band. However, I used those dongle systems for the past year and they’ve worked very well with all of my basses, most of which are active, and all have had enough battery capacity to last for four hour gigs with at least 25% of capacity remaining.

The ones I bought are:
- Lekato 5.8 GHz
- Lekato UHF - the least expensive of these, but has worked flawlessly
- Getarria 5.8 GHz
- NUX C-5RC 5.8 GHz - the most expensive of these, but has worked flawlessly and the combination case/charger is a nice touch.

That being said, I still plan on getting the new Shure system. But I may be getting a new bass first, so the wireless might have to wait.

Does your upgrade need to be pedal board mountable?
I'm not sure going to as 2.4/5G combo will be flawless...

 

[MCF]

Only problem is that I also play guitar . So too much guitar/bass straps that I would have to fit a neoprene pouch. I may get a spare transmitter and that will solve the problem. Do you have a link for your neoprene pouch?

I saw that Billy Sheehan used a G30 in the past, I think he upgraded to a G50. Richie Kotzen is also using a G50 but I think he upgraded to a G70 (according to Line 6 website).

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