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Best digital wireless- Line 6, Sony, AT, ???

#21
alembicguy said:
Ditto
Click to expand...

Sorry if I sound cranky this morning. I really don't mean to, but me-too responses about existing gear (Line 6 or otherwise) aren't helpful in a thread that's supposed to be about NEW developments in digital wireless.

This is also not a slam on Line 6. Everybody knows that the G30/50/90 series revolutionized wireless, especially for bassists who couldn't afford megabuck touring wireless systems with big antenna arrays.

But it's also well-known that there are problems with Line 6's composite TA-4 connectors, and with oddball wifi interference problems. These affect a significant proportion of users, and the evidence is all over Talkbass, as well as their forums.

Line 6 has tacitly admitted this, by switching to metal jacks in recent production, and by publishing a large section on receiver placement and other interference-related issues in the new G55 user manual.
 
#22
wabbit said:
If you want the best, this is what I would recommend. I have one and it's flawless. It's the broadcast standard for a reason. Check it out. :)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Wow. $1,500 street price, 24-bit 88.1KHz sampling, proprietary digital encoding over the UHF band, proper detailed audio specs published, over 50mW transmitter output for killer range. Sweet...

Still comes locked to a specific UHF band upon purchase, and requires some tech knowledge about choosing the correct band, especially when using multiple units in a crowded stage/venue.

I think of this as a pro audio solution, and less suitable for weekend warriors. It's going to work in all sorts of venues where semi-pro gear will crap out, but when you do hit an interference problem, you'd better have a tech with an RF spectrum analyzer, and/or backup units set to other colours.

EDIT: According to Lectrosonics' documentation, only TV stations and movie production companies can legally operate an IS400, because of the 50mw limitation on wireless without an FCC601 license. I suspect that you could probably fly below the radar on this for casuals, but it's certainly a consideration for permanent installations.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#23
On the lighter side, we bring you the Joyo JW-01.

Pro:
Built-in rechargeable batteries, chargeable over USB.
Still more-or-less CD quality.
Strat-friendly 1/4" plug built in, no flimsy adapter cables
Simple to use.
1/8" mic input w/separate volume.

Con:
Half the range of a Line 6 G30
Significantly less signal-noise and headroom.
Transmitter possibly too large for rear-access output jacks on some basses.

Doesn't look gig-worthy, but for under $100, it might be cool for playing and singing around the house, annoying the cat, etc...
 
#26
Units shipping from the warehouse now have V2.0 FW. Not sure how long that takes to filter into the retail channel but run rates on G30 and G50 are high enough that it should be very soon.

The box art is noticeably different for V2.0 versions (whole new artwork) so it should be easy to tell.

Steve
 
#28
Just wanted to add that when I went to pick up the IS400 from 'PA+' (my local distributor), the president of the company came out of his office to say, "Congratulations on buying the only wireless unit that actually works."

Apparently he doesn't do that often. Just FYI, I am a weekend warrior that plays some large summer-fest gigs as well and this was the first wireless I had ever bought and I'll never need anything else. Life is too short for cheap gear/beer. ;)
 
#29
That Shure system looks HAWT!!! But now I'm greatly disturbed. Line 6 coming clean about the line of sight issues with their digital wirelesses makes me wonder if they all have those issues. I have two of the first little cheap X2's, and they can drop out as close as 10 feet away if the line of sight is blocked. I do a couple gigs where there's a railing around the stage, and I occasionally get dropouts if I go off the stage. Not often an issue but sometimes it is. Is it this way with all digital wirelesses? Is this Shure going to do it, too? Before I go drop money on new wirelesses, I want to make sure this doesn't happen, especially since I have to have two. I'll use these X2's till they fall apart if that's the case ;)
 
#30
I've been completely happy with my Shure PGDX14. So if the newer version is smaller and better, I bet I'd be just as happy with that one too. I've had no issues with my Shure system in the 5 months I've owned/used it. I use it during practice as well. I walk around a lot because of a back issue. Wireless was the only way to go for me.
 
#33
After much research I purchased the Line 6 G90 unit. Use it heavily in a number of playing situations. I am of the opinion that these uints will endure with any direction I may take with my playing. Well built, sturdy rack mountable units, no "line of sight" issues with or without wifi signals in the area. As a matter of fact one gig that I use to play was right around the corner from the major cable/wifi provider for the area.

Now having said that. If you purchase one make sure you get the most up-to-date firmware because upgrading the firmware on any of the units is a nightmare. It requires either sending them back to line 6 (for a fee) or finding an authorized dealer that can do it (for a fee). All they needed to do was add a USB port to the unit to make upgrades painless. That was a bad move on their part. The instrument cable they send with it had many reviews that it was flimsy. I replaced them within a week of receiving the units just to be on the safe side, so I have not really used the original cables that come with it.
 
#35
JimmyM said:
That Shure system looks HAWT!!! But now I'm greatly disturbed. Line 6 coming clean about the line of sight issues with their digital wirelesses makes me wonder if they all have those issues. I have two of the first little cheap X2's, and they can drop out as close as 10 feet away if the line of sight is blocked. I do a couple gigs where there's a railing around the stage, and I occasionally get dropouts if I go off the stage. Not often an issue but sometimes it is. Is it this way with all digital wirelesses? Is this Shure going to do it, too? Before I go drop money on new wirelesses, I want to make sure this doesn't happen, especially since I have to have two. I'll use these X2's till they fall apart if that's the case ;)
Click to expand...

Anecdotal evidence I've read elsewhere says that current products are a step up from the original X2's. Especially the original bottom of the line model- IIRC, that didn't even have space diversity.

That said the only certainty with wireless, is that just like with cables, issues will crop up from time to time. It's not going to happen often, and it's not going to happen at all in places with good wiring. Still, the best wireless rig in the world won't punch through the interference caused by a furnace motor with an electrical fault.

An extra 15' patchcord doesn't take up a lot of room in the bottom of your gigbag, and it's the perfect backup for anything that happens on the job.
 
#37
steve_rolfeca said:
On the lighter side, we bring you the Joyo JW-01.

Pro:
Built-in rechargeable batteries, chargeable over USB.
Still more-or-less CD quality.
Strat-friendly 1/4" plug built in, no flimsy adapter cables
Simple to use.
1/8" mic input w/separate volume.

Con:
Half the range of a Line 6 G30
Significantly less signal-noise and headroom.
Transmitter possibly too large for rear-access output jacks on some basses.

Doesn't look gig-worthy, but for under $100, it might be cool for playing and singing around the house, annoying the cat, etc...
Click to expand...

Can't believe I missed this. NOW you're thinking like a rock star. :smug:
 
#39
steve_rolfeca said:
Anecdotal evidence I've read elsewhere says that current products are a step up from the original X2's. Especially the original bottom of the line model- IIRC, that didn't even have space diversity.

That said the only certainty with wireless, is that just like with cables, issues will crop up from time to time. It's not going to happen often, and it's not going to happen at all in places with good wiring. Still, the best wireless rig in the world won't punch through the interference caused by a furnace motor with an electrical fault.

An extra 15' patchcord doesn't take up a lot of room in the bottom of your gigbag, and it's the perfect backup for anything that happens on the job.
Click to expand...

very wise assumption if its man made it can break
Have a Cable backup in reach!
 
#40
steve_rolfeca said:
Only with the V2.0 firmware. I'd like to nail down if/when units started shipping with it.

Did you do the upgrade through Line 6 Monkey, or do you have a newer one that came with V2.0 installed?
Click to expand...

I actually do not have one yet, I'll be making a purchase when my tax return gets deposited, hopefully today. The only reason I was aware of this was from posts in the Line 6 forums, and then I found a video demonstrating such.
 

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