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I Hate Wires Under My Feet!

#2
Line6 X2 is popular with many folks around here. I use a Shure ULXS. You want a system whose audio frequency range goes at least as low as your lowest string, so 40 hz for 4-string and 31 hz for 5-string. Most of the less expensive units stop at about 50 hz, but the two I listed got to 25 hz or lower. Any wireless that works well with bass will work well with guitar, but not necessarily vice-versa, for the reason stated above.
 
#4
i'm with the Line6 X2. with a 6 string i can't notice any loss. i've tried it through two walls at our practice place to about 40 or so feet with no problems. and the X2 is s'posed to be all good with the frequencies available since the Digital TV Bandwidth Grab.

but, Munjbunga's a man with knowldege...... dangerous, dangerous knowledge...... so pay attention to his tidbits.

-0behn desu0-
 
#5
Look for X2s at closeout prices... Line 6's new line is the "Relay" line... Most likey, just repackaged X2 technology.

I use an X2 system... Works great. No more tripping over wires @ gigs.

Also, not all the X2 systems will be branded by Line 6... Line 6 bought the X2 technology and brand name, and started selling it a year or two ago.
 
#6
I have an AKG WMS40 Pro and it works well on a 4-string but you hear the frequency drop off with a 5-string. I like the small "guitar bug" transmiter. Nice and small. No belt clip or or small cable attaching to your bass. I have also used a friends Line-6 / X2 unit. He has the rack mount one and it's very good. Highly recommend it.

Be carefull when buying anything wireless. The FCC recently sold off some of the frequency bands that wireless units operated in to HD TV, cell phone companies and other wireless products to use. My AKG WMS40 Pro wireless that I purchased 2 1/2 years ago will be worthless in June of this year.

Do not buy anything that operates in the 700MHz through 800MHz range. Any current Sure/Sennheiser/AKG/Line-6 or other well known professional brand should be fine. But you have to be carefull about used gear and gear sold in small mom and pop stores that have been on the shelf for a while. There is a local music store near me that is selling new AKG units that have been on their shelves for a long time that operate in 746MHz. They just want to move the product and don't care that the gear will have interference problem down the line. The guy is clueless so beware.

You can check the frequency by looking at the bottom of the receiver and the inside the batter compatment or on the back of the transmitter.
 
#10
No argument against the wireless option here. Just don't get a crappy one or your story (and maybe your gig) will end in tears.

What I learned from having a cheezy wireless rig poop out on me was that it's really smart to have an instrument cable handy and ready to go in case it's needed. After my first wireless failure, I kept the cable "on deck" and when I needed it at another show a month or two later, I only missed about four bars of the tune while swapping over to my cable.

I'm no fan of having those big clunky wires underfoot, but I've used a George L's cable and the smaller diameter of their product is terrific. I didn't know how spoiled I was with my first George L's until I broke it (after years of wear 'n tear) and had to use a big fat Monster that I had in the bag. Hated it! Felt like there were a bunch of pencils on the stage under my feet. George L's is my civilized alternative.
 
#12
JimmyM said:
sort of it is. but the relay line also uses frequencies that aren't illegal to use in other countries besides the usa and canada.
Click to expand...

Yep X2 XDR and XDS was in the 900Mhz ISM area, the Relay is 2.4Ghz ISM. 900Mhz ISM is region 2 only so you can't use it outside of the "Americas, Greenland and some of the eastern Pacific Islands".

Probably some other under-the-hood changes to the 'brains' because of the LCD display, but the A/D - D/A looks like its identical to the X2, just the radio is changing.


Edit: Just be VERY careful if you plan on buying a used unit (do your research on the unit as far as what freqs it uses).. there are TONS of the ones that will be illegal to use in June on ebay cheap. It is currently illegal to knowingly sell one of these 'outdated' products on the NEW market, so if you're buying new, you've got a lot less to worry about.
 
#13
JackANSI said:
Yep X2 XDR and XDS was in the 900Mhz ISM area, the Relay is 2.4Ghz ISM. 900Mhz ISM is region 2 only so you can't use it outside of the "Americas, Greenland and some of the eastern Pacific Islands".

Probably some other under-the-hood changes to the 'brains' because of the LCD display, but the A/D - D/A looks like its identical to the X2, just the radio is changing.


Edit: Just be VERY careful if you plan on buying a used unit.. there are TONS of them on ebay cheap that will be illegal to use in the US in Jun. It is currently illegal to knowingly sell one of these outdated products on the NEW market, so if you're buying new, you've got a lot less to worry about.
Click to expand...

Damned it all! And I so-o-o want to play in New Zealand and Tijuana too!

BTW: Question-type, isn't 2.4GHz about the same as my microwave and wireless telephone? I know my CPU is there and it makes a lot of complaining if the microwave gets turned on and I'm spooling info over the internet.
 
#14
Yes, 2.4Ghz ISM is:

Cordless Phones
WiFi
Bluetooth
Some microwave ovens (if the oven is leaking enough to cause bad interference, you need a new one, you're food isn't getting cooked as fast)
Some newer Radio Controlled cars and other kids toys

Basically if it says 2.4ghz, its in the exact same band as all the other 2.4Ghz stuff

There are rules involved to keep interference to a minimum, but generally you will have a good experience with devices in 2.4G ISM. 2.4G isn't a freq that propigates far. Thats not to say the Relay wireless is going to have sucky range. It should easily do 100ft LOS in pretty crowded (freq wise) areas.

Most current cell phones are in the 1.8-1.9Ghz area and thats why the FCC sold the lower 700Mhz band freed up by the DTV switch mainly to mobile communication companies (including cell providers). 700Mhz goes further, means less towers required to cover an area, means more profit. The higher you go up in freq (to put it simply) the more opaque the air is to the signal.
 

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