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

[Tiger789]

Glad to hear you're going to let it rest, but don't suggest that any of us who see dubious benefit belong to a group of people with no imagination of the future.

Any of us? Are you a official spokesperson on behalf of the entire community? So far nobody else but you seems to take this personally. I have just politely answered the questions that arose, while you jumps to hasty conclusions and rude comments before you even know what I am talking about. Anyone who reads the different post in order will see that. Also, I know it's off topic, and therefore I tried to make it as short as possible. But I had to clear up the misunderstandig that took place earlier when it first had happened.

Peace.


Tiger

Guitarist / Classical pianist
Oslo, Norway

 

[lsabina]

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...

Got one as an Xmas present. I've got to say that so far, it seems wonderful for what I'll be using it for (3 piece jazz combo playing restaurant gigs, with me being the only wireless user). It seems to be dead quiet, recognizes signal strongly (and from decent distance), and has a small footprint. I'll know more after a gig situation...

 

[Akami]

...don't suggest that any of us who see dubious benefit...

Any of us? Are you a official spokesperson on behalf of the entire community? So far nobody else but you seems to take this personally. I have just politely answered the questions that arose, while you jumps to hasty conclusions and rude comments before you even know what I am talking about.

There you go - I simplified the part of my post that you had trouble understanding and it should now be obvious that my statement meant 'any of us who see dubious benefit', which is obviously not you.
All I've done is to politely inform you that you're concerns seems to have little connection with the reality of how wireless systems are used in general with your highly illogical system of, and here comes that word again, dubious benefit.

If you want to run your system that way, you've got our blessing, and at this time I believe I am speaking for the whole community.

Anyway, let's get back to what the thread's about and talk about the best systems on the market for typical stage setups, meaning a single wireless per user.

 

[C130AVN]

I bought a Line 6 G30, total crap. mobile phones and WiFi interfere with it. My general experience with Line 6 is not positive at all. But come to think of it, I've never had anything made by Line6 that I was actually happy with.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I bought a Line 6 G30, total crap. mobile phones and WiFi interfere with it. My general experience with Line 6 is not positive at all. But come to think of it, I've never had anything made by Line6 that I was actually happy with.

Typical reported problems with the G30 focus around the battery compartment door, flimsy transmitter clip, and the unit interfering with nearby wi-fi networks. Problems with Line 6 in general seem to be about slow turnaround on repairs and development of needed firmware updates.

Reception problems are NOT common.

I suspect you had a defective unit, or a bad connecting cable.

 

[synaesthesia]

All I've done is to politely inform you that you're concerns seems to have little connection with the reality of how wireless systems are used in general with your highly illogical system of, and here comes that word again, dubious benefit.



If you want to run your system that way, you've got our blessing, and at this time I believe I am speaking for the whole community.
.

Oh let it go. What anyone want's to do doesn't need your or my blessing.

 

[Tiger789]

All I've done is to politely inform you that you're concerns seems to have little connection with the reality of how wireless systems are used in general with your highly illogical system of, and here comes that word again, dubious benefit

Although english is not my first language, the word polite obviously means two very different things to our understandig. I prefer my definition. I have stated several times that I was only talking about a possible future all-in-one system. Not the current systems with its shortcomings in this context. That said, being able to know with 110 % certainty what the future holds and what's possible or not in the years to come, is a gift I really envy you.

The sentence "reality of how wireless systems are used in general" is funny, in lack of a better word. I have used wireless systems ever since they were available for guitars in the late 70's and early 80's, and while many people back then (maybe you as well) was not even born or used diapers. Yep, I believe that makes me pretty qualified. Geez.

If you want to run your system that way, you've got our blessing

That is very generous of you. I thank you all, whoever have co-signed your kindly permission.

Anyway, let's get back to what the thread's about and talk about the best systems on the market for typical stage setups, meaning a single wireless per user.

110 % agree.


Tiger

Guitarist / Classical pianist
Oslo, Norway

 

[Tiger789]

Oh let it go. What anyone want's to do doesn't need your or my blessing.

Exactly


Tiger

Guitarist / Classical pianist
Oslo, Norway

 

[FretNoMore]

Come on guys ... enough of this please, start a separate thread or let it go.

 

[Tiger789]

I bought a Line 6 G30, total crap. mobile phones and WiFi interfere with it. My general experience with Line 6 is not positive at all. But come to think of it, I've never had anything made by Line6 that I was actually happy with.

Typical reported problems with the G30 focus around the battery compartment door, flimsy transmitter clip, and the unit interfering with nearby wi-fi networks. Problems with Line 6 in general seem to be about slow turnaround on repairs and development of needed firmware updates.

Reception problems are NOT common.

I suspect you had a defective unit, or a bad connecting cable.

I bought the G30 as soon as it came out some years ago, and I have only good things to say about it. I have not experienced any of the well known issues above so far, or any drop outs. Most likely you have a defective unit.


Tiger

Guitarist / Classical pianist
Oslo, Norway

 

[FretNoMore]

There are mostly positive reports about the Line 6 units, I've not had any problem with mine either I must say. I can imagine there could be problems if you're in an area with very intense wireless communication, but I've not come across one yet. And if that were to happen, or if the battery gives up, I have my old cable ln a bag next to the amp as a spare.

 

[Akami]

Oh let it go. What anyone want's to do doesn't need your or my blessing.

Well, then let it go and there was no suggestion my offering a blessing.

That said, being able to know with 110 % certainty what the future holds and what's possible or not in the years to come, is a gift I really envy you.

The sentence "reality of how wireless systems are used in general" is funny, in lack of a better word. I have used wireless systems ever since they were available for guitars in the late 70's and early 80's, and while many people back then (maybe you as well) was not even born or used diapers. Yep, I believe that makes me pretty qualified. Geez.

You're still making suppositions about what I've said, and now also about who I am.

Let it go guy and let's just talk about the systems available now.

Typical reported problems with the G30 focus around the battery compartment door, flimsy transmitter clip, and the unit interfering with nearby wi-fi networks. Problems with Line 6 in general seem to be about slow turnaround on repairs and development of needed firmware updates.

Reception problems are NOT common.

I suspect you had a defective unit, or a bad connecting cable.

+1

I've been using a G50 for a couple years now and had pretty good luck with it and got around using a clip at all by putting transmitter pouches on all my straps.

Reception has been good for me too, and the only one of my systems I've had any trouble with in that department has been the older XDR-95.

My bigger complaint has been the non-quick change battery harness and door on their systems. My older Audio Technica systems allowed me to do one-handed battery changes while I was able to keep talking on the mic between songs, or a few times even during a song, rather than having to actually stop playing.

 

[walterw]

...anyway, here's a more likely bar band scenario that introduces serial latency:

i'm sure we're gonna see nice digital IEM systems soon enough, so what happens when i have my digital wireless instrument going into a PA with a digital mixing board, then sent back to my ears through digital IEMs?

it sure would be cool in that case if there was some kind of universal standard so that the digital board could send out its aux monitor IEM signals still digital, skipping at least one conversion step.

 

[Tiger789]

i'm sure we're gonna see nice digital IEM systems soon enough, so what happens when i have my digital wireless instrument going into a PA with a digital mixing board, then sent back to my ears through digital IEMs?

it sure would be cool in that case if there was some kind of universal standard so that the digital board could send out its aux monitor IEM signals still digital, skipping at least one conversion step.

This is both a interesting, justified and intellectually challenging question in my view. But you probably don't wanna go there, unless you wanna risk being subject to virtual stalking and condemnation over the next days. It's recommended to only focus on extremely simple and easy understandable subjects like the Relay G30 and Shure GLXD, which doesn't require a Ph.d. in electronics


Tiger

Guitarist / Classical pianist
Oslo, Norway

 

[Akami]

...anyway, here's a more likely bar band scenario that introduces serial latency:

i'm sure we're gonna see nice digital IEM systems soon enough, so what happens when i have my digital wireless instrument going into a PA with a digital mixing board, then sent back to my ears through digital IEMs?

it sure would be cool in that case if there was some kind of universal standard so that the digital board could send out its aux monitor IEM signals still digital, skipping at least one conversion step.

Never had an IEM system myself, and right now have no need for one, but this is a much more realistic scenario and I like the idea of having a matched system that would allow for one less set of conversions going on.

 

[Clouz]

has anyone ever taken a transmitter's guts and installed it into a guitar's guts? would be nice to not have a transmitter hanging off of a belt or strap. just curious. you could make the usb port to recharge the batteries accessible.

 

[pinz]

Great idea !
keen to hear why this is not every day practice,everything else seems to be wireless these days.

btw I use a Line 6 G50,have done for tons of gigs by now and had no issues,touch wood..

 

[Akami]

has anyone ever taken a transmitter's guts and installed it into a guitar's guts? would be nice to not have a transmitter hanging off of a belt or strap. just curious. you could make the usb port to recharge the batteries accessible.

I did once a long time ago.

After routing out the back of the body and disassembling the transmitter I ran all the wiring in permanently and put a switch with LED indicator next to it on the front next to the output jack.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

It's an attractive idea, and anything is possible if you want it badly enough.

IMO, it's more likely to happen at the OEM level than in a home workshop. It's an engineering job, rather than a simple woodworking task, and more complicated than dropping a preamp into a passive bass. Things to consider:

Most transmitters are moulded in plastic or metal, and not made in such a way that switches, LCD displays, etc are easily convertible for installation in a bass.

The control cavity has to be considerably enlarged.

There are a number of parts that need to be accessible from outside the instrument, depending on the brand:
- infrared port for pairing frequencies to the base unit, at least with some brands
- antenna (the pcb cavity needs to be shielded, the antenna needs to be in free air and out of the way)
- charging jack (or battery dock, in the case of the Shure GLXD, with its interchangeable battery pack)
- display window and/or power/status LED
- power switch
- an emergency bypass jack for use in passive, wired mode

Other parts need to be at least accessible inside, like the sensitivity control and the battery box. Tool-less access would be preferable.

There are other factors:
- Expense. Most techs would charge at least 3 or 4 hours for a job of this scope. Also, you're buying a rugged housing, belt clip, miniature jack, etc., when all you really need is a tiny PCB and an antenna.
- Most basses last for decades, whereas wireless technologies are evolving, and the hardware changes every few years.
- Interchangeability is low in the wireless industry. If you install a G30 transmitter in your bass, what happens when you want to move up to a G50? Or a Shure/Sony/AKG/whatever?
- If your wireless fails, that bass is out of commission while you seek repairs.
- Extra transmitters are required for each bass, at a cost that's higher than some preamps (even before you account for the labour to butcher the bass and transmitter).
- Resale, especially if the buyer wants/needs a different brand or model of transmitter.

 

[Akami]

I agree with your whole post, but since I actually did this years ago I'll go through point by point how I handled some of the issues.

The control cavity has to be considerably enlarged.

I routed a separate cavity in the back with its own cover.

antenna (the pcb cavity needs to be shielded, the antenna needs to be in free air and out of the way)

Routed a channel for the antenna and had no problems with dropouts.

power/status LED, power switch

Soldered wires running to a new switch and LED on the front of the instrument.

an emergency bypass jack for use in passive, wired mode

Since the transmitter was internally wired, the output jack was still functional.

Other parts need to be at least accessible inside, like the sensitivity control and the battery box. Tool-less access would be preferable.

I'll have to think about what I did for the battery, since I had to change batteries either once or twice a night, sometimes during songs.

Expense. Most techs would charge at least 3 or 4 hours for a job of this scope.

Did it myself but it cost a bit years later to have all the routed areas filled with fitted pieces of wood.