Happy Line 6 G50 owner here. Great sound quality and easy to use. First thing you'll need to do with any of the wireless systems though is grab good replacement cables. I got mine from Link Removed. I hope this helps!
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Best digital wireless- Line 6, Sony, AT, ???
- Thread starter steve_rolfeca
- Start date
I'm still very happy with my Shure PGXD setup.
No interference problems, even in venues where our big-buck Sennheiser IEM system craps out. The metal latching cable connector has been problem-free. Battery life has been great, using 2 pair of Duracell NiMH's and the clamshell quick-charger.
The carry case turned out to be an unexpected bonus, too. The foam is easy to carve, and it neatly organizes the following:
- a spare set of NiMH rechargeables
- a spare set of alkalines
- the charger
- my Zoom MS-60B multi-FX/tuner
- a Boss PSA 120S for the Zoom
No interference problems, even in venues where our big-buck Sennheiser IEM system craps out. The metal latching cable connector has been problem-free. Battery life has been great, using 2 pair of Duracell NiMH's and the clamshell quick-charger.
The carry case turned out to be an unexpected bonus, too. The foam is easy to carve, and it neatly organizes the following:
- a spare set of NiMH rechargeables
- a spare set of alkalines
- the charger
- my Zoom MS-60B multi-FX/tuner
- a Boss PSA 120S for the Zoom
I'm leaning towards getting the Sony at the moment - I have a service award coming from work this fall that I can use to help finance it.
another ditto here. absolutely awesome.
if there is anything newer ..better whatev...id never know, cuz i have no reason to switch. if this unit goes down, im stickin with Line 6 ..ive MORE than gotten my moneys worth outa this thing.
I wouldn't worry about it until you're ready to purchase the unit, but when I last checked, Sony didn't have any replacement cables available in North America.
Worth checking b4 you buy...
Sony update: Spare GC-07BMP guitar cables are now in stock at B&H, and Best-Tronics does an epoxy-reinforced heavy-duty replacement. A little pricey at $33 and $39 dollars. This compares to under $20 for the excellent Shure cables, and the Audio Technica cable, which is of similar plastic construction to the Sony.
Still, the availability of spare cables for the Sony puts it back in contention as a viable alternative to the Line 6 and Shure digital rigs.
Some Sony users are reporting RF noise problems when using the DWZ with high-gain amps and pedals, but it apparently clears up if you run the base station at 12V. A downer if you are set on running the base station on your pedalboard off a common 9V supply, but I personally wouldn't have chosen that option anyway.
Still, the availability of spare cables for the Sony puts it back in contention as a viable alternative to the Line 6 and Shure digital rigs.
Some Sony users are reporting RF noise problems when using the DWZ with high-gain amps and pedals, but it apparently clears up if you run the base station at 12V. A downer if you are set on running the base station on your pedalboard off a common 9V supply, but I personally wouldn't have chosen that option anyway.
Audio Technica update: The AT-1101/G is pretty much looking like vapourware at this point.
Spare cables are in stock at Sweetwater, but still no user reviews to speak of, except one on Musician's Friend which reports astonishingly short battery life (1.3 hours!) on alkalines.
None of the local AT dealers are stocking it. I wonder if dealers feel that Audio Technica is simply too late to the party, given the dominance of the Line 6 G30 at the lower price points (the AT is $249).
Spare cables are in stock at Sweetwater, but still no user reviews to speak of, except one on Musician's Friend which reports astonishingly short battery life (1.3 hours!) on alkalines.
None of the local AT dealers are stocking it. I wonder if dealers feel that Audio Technica is simply too late to the party, given the dominance of the Line 6 G30 at the lower price points (the AT is $249).
Shure update: The GLX-D system which looked so interesting at NAMM (receiver is built into a rugged-looking metal tuner pedal) still hasn't been released. A friend who works for the Canadian distributor was under the impression that it would probably be released somewhere in the early summer, so I'm wondering what the holdup is.
Meanwhile, I'm still very happy with my PGXD system. I've been gigging it steadily since April, no problems with broken strap clips, battery doors or guitar cables.
Thanks to 900 MHz transmission, it doesn't interfere with nearby wi-fi installations. This is a big bonus for me, as these days the stages I play on are crowded with iPads and iPhones running chord charts and Presonus Q-Mix software.
Meanwhile, I'm still very happy with my PGXD system. I've been gigging it steadily since April, no problems with broken strap clips, battery doors or guitar cables.
Thanks to 900 MHz transmission, it doesn't interfere with nearby wi-fi installations. This is a big bonus for me, as these days the stages I play on are crowded with iPads and iPhones running chord charts and Presonus Q-Mix software.
Line 6 update: the in-stock G50's in local stores are still the "mid-period" models. They have the updated firmware that reduces interference with nearby wi-fi systems (and makes them incompatible with older Relay systems). But they STILL have the original transmitter jacks, with flimsy plastic internals.
You don't even have to open the box to tell which is which. The new packages have updated graphics. Wondering if this is Canadian-market issue. It's possible that they are still flushing out a backlog of older G50's at the Canadian distributor.
Any US users bought a G50 recently, that came with the new all-metal jack?
On a side-note, at one dealer I noticed a G30 waiting to go out for warranty repair. Still having battery door and clip issues?
You don't even have to open the box to tell which is which. The new packages have updated graphics. Wondering if this is Canadian-market issue. It's possible that they are still flushing out a backlog of older G50's at the Canadian distributor.
Any US users bought a G50 recently, that came with the new all-metal jack?
On a side-note, at one dealer I noticed a G30 waiting to go out for warranty repair. Still having battery door and clip issues?
The Shure GLXD Digital wireless is finally shipping. Rechargeable lithium pack, receiver is built into a solid-looking tuner pedal. Uses wi-fi, rather than the first-gen 900MHz system in the first gen PGXD...
Have you checked inside the jack?
The G50's have always had an external metal sleeve, but the on the first-generation units, the shiny part was just cosmetic. The body of the connector and internal parts were relatively soft plastic.
The revised product has a pro-quality metal-bodied connector, where the only plastic parts are the small insulators inside the connector.
Figures. As usual, there is a certain amount of suckage to being on the wrong side of the US/Canada border...
Alto Music appears to be shipping the GLXD-16 now, at least according to Amazon.com. I hope to order one...umm...soon.
the GLXD looks promising; we've already gotten the "16" with the tuner pedal receiver in at the store. a very rugged and "pro"-feeling unit compared to the G50, and the cable actually screws into the beltpack. it has one big drawback, which is you can only charge the special li-ion battery with it in the beltpack, using a USB cellphone charger. if you don't remember to dig out your wireless and charge it up fully well before the show, you're screwed.
supposedly there's a little external charger you can get to charge up a second battery while using the first one, but that's a separate thing to buy, rig up at gigs and keep track of.
i'm looking hard at the 14, which is the same system at around the same price with a half-rack receiver that has a battery charging port right on it. this means one battery can be charging while another is being used, so you're never stuck at the gig, and you always end the night with one fully-charged battery ready for the next show. also, since they are lithium-ion batteries, they're way stronger and charge way faster than other stuff. (there are no li-ion rechargeable AAs for the relay G50, something about the smallest li-ion cell being in the 3-4 volt range.)
that, plus the fact i don't need another tuner, makes it look pretty good. it has the same 4ms latency as the relay, which i guess is an inherent 2.4GHz wi-fi thing.
the other question i have is about the cable simulation thing the relay has, i don't know if the GLXD does any of that.
supposedly there's a little external charger you can get to charge up a second battery while using the first one, but that's a separate thing to buy, rig up at gigs and keep track of.
i'm looking hard at the 14, which is the same system at around the same price with a half-rack receiver that has a battery charging port right on it. this means one battery can be charging while another is being used, so you're never stuck at the gig, and you always end the night with one fully-charged battery ready for the next show. also, since they are lithium-ion batteries, they're way stronger and charge way faster than other stuff. (there are no li-ion rechargeable AAs for the relay G50, something about the smallest li-ion cell being in the 3-4 volt range.)
that, plus the fact i don't need another tuner, makes it look pretty good. it has the same 4ms latency as the relay, which i guess is an inherent 2.4GHz wi-fi thing.
the other question i have is about the cable simulation thing the relay has, i don't know if the GLXD does any of that.
Cool. I am torn between the Shure GLXD and the Sony DWZ. Do I need a tuner? No but it is one less thing to carry. And I like the strobe tuner. I currently use a Snark pedal but it is not accurate enough for me, I have to tune notes up the neck to make sure it is finer than just open strings.
Also I do like the USB thing, but it is getting a bit cluttered in my USB charge up schedule... LOL.... on my way to gigs I find myself (these days) charging the iPad in the car (I use iRealB on my gigs - and I never know what tunes the pianist will call out), making sure my Pedaltrain Volto is charged up - and if not I have to charge that too, and I carry a portable USB battery (which needs charging up too). Some of these devices won't work whilst you are charging them, but a USB cable is a must for me now, as is charged up portable USB battery.
Also I do like the USB thing, but it is getting a bit cluttered in my USB charge up schedule... LOL.... on my way to gigs I find myself (these days) charging the iPad in the car (I use iRealB on my gigs - and I never know what tunes the pianist will call out), making sure my Pedaltrain Volto is charged up - and if not I have to charge that too, and I carry a portable USB battery (which needs charging up too). Some of these devices won't work whilst you are charging them, but a USB cable is a must for me now, as is charged up portable USB battery.
For my non-heavy use I feel the Line 6 G30 is the best bang for the buck. Sound wise I don't believe there is much, if any, difference between all the new digital systems. What sets them apart are build, size, cable type and some arguably useful extra functions. Some have more channels which I suggest most non-pros don't really need. For me the G30 has the right size, price, standard batteries, and standard tele cable.
I've been using a Stageclix Jack for a year now and haven't had any negative experiences with it. It's a bit more expensive (around 470 euros), but it's tiny, hassle-free and can take a beating. I've actually forgotten it plugged in and transmitting on my bass overnight multiple times because it's so small.
The receiver is the size of an average effects pedal and also works as a recharger for the transmitter. It has a nicely minimalistic design: the only button is on the transmitter; multiple receivers are synced automatically by plugging their transmitters in them for a few seconds. Haven't had any problems with the signal strength either. It's definitely not the cheapest solution, especially if you want to equip the whole band in one go, but for its ease of use and durability, I'd say it's worth it for everyday use.
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The receiver is the size of an average effects pedal and also works as a recharger for the transmitter. It has a nicely minimalistic design: the only button is on the transmitter; multiple receivers are synced automatically by plugging their transmitters in them for a few seconds. Haven't had any problems with the signal strength either. It's definitely not the cheapest solution, especially if you want to equip the whole band in one go, but for its ease of use and durability, I'd say it's worth it for everyday use.
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