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Best digital wireless- Line 6, Sony, AT, ???
- Thread starter steve_rolfeca
- Start date
The extra range on the higher end rigs seems like overkill at first- acoustic propagation delay keeps me from going much further than 20-30' or so from the stage anyway.
All that will change in a heartbeat, if you ever get in a venue where other factors reduce RF performance. Even something as simple as a metal railing across the front of the stage, can be enough to make you thankful you paid the big bucks for a higher performance radio like the G50 or G55.
All that will change in a heartbeat, if you ever get in a venue where other factors reduce RF performance. Even something as simple as a metal railing across the front of the stage, can be enough to make you thankful you paid the big bucks for a higher performance radio like the G50 or G55.
Although I often wander mush further than 30', and am able to deal with that acoustically, I couldn't be more in agreement with the rest... IME, the additional LOS range seems to contribute to preventing dropouts overall...
- georgestrings
Regarding Duracell 9-volts.
MM recommends them but they are an incredibly tight fit into the early style cover plate style or the new plastic slide in housings.
I measured a number of 9-volt batteries with a vernier caliper.
The Duracells are noticeably bigger; something like .040" (can't remember the exact number). The rest were nearly exactly the same OD.
One other item I have not noticed until recently:
I've had Fluke meter, a bike flashing light, and an Brinkman flashlight destroyed by leaking Duracells.
I had to drive the AA's out of the flashlight with a center punch and hammer. They are noticeably cheaper both in stores and online than Energizers but I'm going back to the Bunny.
MM recommends them but they are an incredibly tight fit into the early style cover plate style or the new plastic slide in housings.
I measured a number of 9-volt batteries with a vernier caliper.
The Duracells are noticeably bigger; something like .040" (can't remember the exact number). The rest were nearly exactly the same OD.
One other item I have not noticed until recently:
I've had Fluke meter, a bike flashing light, and an Brinkman flashlight destroyed by leaking Duracells.
I had to drive the AA's out of the flashlight with a center punch and hammer. They are noticeably cheaper both in stores and online than Energizers but I'm going back to the Bunny.
Yup. It's not even in the same league as the digital wireless systems we're talking about on this thread.
First off, the XSW72 is an old-school UHF analog radio. Like all analog wireless systems, even good ones like the Sennheiser G3, it has to use a squelch circuit and a compander to compensate for the limitations of the RF section. Companders are bad news when it comes to bass guitar. This is not like talking about tube vs transistor, or CD vs vinyl. There's no "analog advantage" when it comes to wireless.
Even really good analog radios are better suited to guitar and voice. This is why everybody on TB has been making such a big fuss about digital wireless in recent years- finally we have access to affordable wireless systems that literally sound as good as a decent cable, and can handle aggressive playing and down-tuned or extended-range basses.
Secondly, the XSW is not a good analog wireless. It's a budget system, with half the transmitter power of the G3, and a S/N ratio that's 7dB worse. When you add in the fact that it's more expensive than entry-level digital systems like the Line 6 G30, it would be a very, very poor choice for bass.
Well I feel like a douche then...there are some eBay ads in Australia calling this digital.
Pretty sure that's a snow job. Sennheiser's web site says that it's wideband FM. They quote 60-16KHz frequency response for the transmitter, which is a typical analog spec.
As far as I know, the only digital wireless that Sennheier currently offers is the Digital 9000, which is a big-bucks multi channel system.
I'm a long time X2 user - I have both the XDS Plus and the XDR-95, and my intention was always to get a G55 when I moved into the newer range of Line 6/X2 gear.
HOWEVER - the Shure stuff looks like it is well thought out, and well put together, as Steve has outlined more than once on this thread. Is there any justifable reason to spend a bit more on the GLXD, or is it not worth it, and the PLXD is the better option?
HOWEVER - the Shure stuff looks like it is well thought out, and well put together, as Steve has outlined more than once on this thread. Is there any justifable reason to spend a bit more on the GLXD, or is it not worth it, and the PLXD is the better option?
Has anyone here got any experience with the Alesis GuitarLink wireless? It's a tiny digital (i.e. uses wifi like the Line 6) pack and about half the price of the other digital models on the market... I need a new wireless but this one is so much cheaper than the others I'm wondering what the catch is... anyone?
I can't find any reviews of it online. You would've thought something that cheap would be flying off the shelves...
I can't find any reviews of it online. You would've thought something that cheap would be flying off the shelves...
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At around $100, it sounds like it might be worth the risk of being an early buyer.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Alesis doing what they do best- bringing new technologies to casual users, at an attractive price.
The Guitar Link Wireless isn't really competing with Line 6, Shure, etc., for these reasons:
- Receiver and transmitter powered by AAA batteries
- External power jack for receiver is only 5V.
- Single receiving antenna, no diversity.
- Instrument cable is attached to transmitter.
- No specs for digital conversion, probably 16-bit/44.1KHz, like their Guitar Link USB adapter.
- No specifications for range.
I can't see using it on big stages, in an act where you absolutely have to be able roam the venue freely, or in a megachurch with a crowded wi-fi network. The specs (and the lack of them) don't bode well for bulletproof reception and durability, killer audio quality, or long battery life.
But it will probably be a great low-cost way to unplug for casual use, at home or rehearsals.
The Guitar Link Wireless isn't really competing with Line 6, Shure, etc., for these reasons:
- Receiver and transmitter powered by AAA batteries
- External power jack for receiver is only 5V.
- Single receiving antenna, no diversity.
- Instrument cable is attached to transmitter.
- No specs for digital conversion, probably 16-bit/44.1KHz, like their Guitar Link USB adapter.
- No specifications for range.
I can't see using it on big stages, in an act where you absolutely have to be able roam the venue freely, or in a megachurch with a crowded wi-fi network. The specs (and the lack of them) don't bode well for bulletproof reception and durability, killer audio quality, or long battery life.
But it will probably be a great low-cost way to unplug for casual use, at home or rehearsals.
I use the Line 6 G30. I really like it cause it the transmittor uses regular AA batteries, It accepts my rechargables nice, it uses a standard 1/4" cable so it's easy to replace if needed. Also the receiver is the size of a stomp box and goes on my pedalboard.
You can get them for $250-$300, so a pretty good value.
You can get them for $250-$300, so a pretty good value.
From what I'm seeing these days, the best entry-level solutions are the GC blowout on the Sony DWZ (if there are any left), or a G30 at regular price.
Maybe the Alesis for casual use, and definitely the Shures or the L6 G55 for more serious applications.
Maybe the Alesis for casual use, and definitely the Shures or the L6 G55 for more serious applications.
I got a G55 on sale a few months back and no complaints so far other than a few rechargeable AA's destroyed by pilot error...
I can't figure out why I waited so long.
Wireless ears are next...
I can't figure out why I waited so long.
Wireless ears are next...
According to this blog that I found on the Shure website, it's extremely accurate.
Quote: "Then, we took the extra step to build in a tuner, and it’s really the only tuner a guitarist would need. It’s extremely accurate, thoroughly tested by performers, and fully customizable, so people can adjust the reference pitch and tune in different methods unlike with a strobe tuner or a needle tuner. Literally half the people on the pedal design team are guitarists themselves. The engineer who did most of the work on the tuner is an awesome guitarist and performer, and he really went the extra mile in designing and testing that aspect of the pedal receiver and making sure it would meet customers’ needs. In fact, the entire team really put their hearts into this product, and it really shows" Quote end.
The Making of GLX-D Digital Wireless: An Interview
Link Removed
Also, it can be detuned up to 5 steps (sharp) or 6 steps (flat) which is not mentioned in any of the videos that I have seen so far anyway, and which is the reason that I will let it replace my TU-3 tuner. The reference pitch can also be adjusted anywhere from 432 to 447 Hz while A440 is the default/standard value.
See pdf User Manual, page 18:
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I have used both wireless and cable since the early/mid 80's, while only the Line 6 G30 for the last 4 years, and I am very happy with it. No issues or dropouts whatsoever, and top notch sound. After all, that's what matters. But the battery solution the GLXD16 offers, seems to be far superior than anything else on the market. I have already ordered a extra SB902 Shure battery from the U.S. plus a solid/high quality TA4F cable, as I assume the stock cable are not necceserly among the very best. And even if it is, a angled 1/4" jack is more practical on a Gibson, while the stock cable is suitable for a Strat.
There are many reasons why I would choose the GLXD16 over the G50 as an upgrade. The GLXD16 only needs 9Vdc 250mA = either output 5 or 6 from the Voodoo Lab PP2+ while the other one requires at least 300 mA. Meaning, you would have to use a current doubler cable and both output 5 and 6 from the PP2+. Also, the new GLXD16 comes with a USB port on the receiver for uploading firmware updates. The same procedure is far more complicated with the Line 6 as it requires a separate unit (XD-V75) Or, if the firmware is old enough, you would even have to send the whole thing back to Line 6 to get it updated. Besides, the built-in antennas on the GLXD16 are much less likely to get ruined on a pedalboard than outboard antennas who are sticking out and could accidentally break off. And if RF interference should occur, the way I see it, it must be 10 x better with a system that continuously monitors RF interference in the area and automatically switches to a new clear freq. by itself without the musician even knowing or hearing it, instead of searching trough the channels manually after experiencing maybe a dropout. It goes without saying.
The GLXD16 are not available in Norway before february 2014 according to my local dealer. That's like 1 year and one month (!!) after it was showcased at NAMM 2013. What's up with that.
Tiger
Guitarist / Classical pianist
Oslo, Norway
One question with the glx16 wireless tuner pedal. If your battery goes flat or you are just at rehearsal and don't want to use wireless, can you just plug a lead into it and use as a tuner, or is it wireless or nothing?
