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More cables, less wireless...

Do you prefer using cables or wireless?

  • Total voters
    68
  • Poll closed .
#24
I gig both cables and wireless (including in-ear monitor) depending on the gig. As much as I like the freedom of the wireless/in-ear setup (I am sometimes quite animated and mobile on stage), and in some cases, it really is a necessity for the larger shows, I truly enjoy playing with cables, on-stage amps and floor-monitors best. There is something visceral about being connected to and hearing the room, audience and your band mates in the same sound space that gets the energy flowing. But, I digress, as that has more to do with in-ear monitor vs. standard monitors. So back on subject, my opinion on sound quality, cables vs. wireless, is mixed. Some cables sound like crap. Some wireless systems do too. Others sound good to great. Depends on dollars spent and your willingness for more complexity (and potential issues) in your setup. So to answer the question in a round-about way, I guess if given a choice and all things being equal, I like to keep things simple. I'd take cables. :bassist:
 
#28
Dave the Bass said:
I use a cable, mostly because I've never found a wireless that gave me the sound I wanted.......always sounds too squashed.
Click to expand...

... that was actually the secret behind Angus Young's AC/DC guitar sound...

Anyway, for the gigs I do, no need to run across a big stage so a cable is just fine. Only nice thing with a wireless is that you could go down from stage and check the sound balance if needed.
 
#31
Cables are cheaper, but I've had waaaaaay more cable failures(?n) than wireless failures (0). I am currently running an older X2 wireless, and I think it sounds as close to a cable as I can detect with my ears. So, as far as I am concerned, less cables on stage to trip over is better. I'd love to move to wireless in-ear monitors, wireless mics, and finally get our singer to ditch his guitar cable. The only cables we'd have onstage, would be the mic cables for whatever drums would need mic'ing. That would be great.
 
#34
One great benefit to going wireless is being able to hear the mix from different places in the venue during soundcheck, especially if its a smaller bar gig and there's no FOH sound. Also, as many have pointed out, it's very nice for stage presence mobility, I love to be without a leash if the moment strikes and you wanna get off stage while playing and get the crowd into it. But if I was a 50+ year old blues player then I'm sure a cable would suffice.

There is a little bit of signal degradation with less expensive wireless models, but with a full band, high gain, distorted heavy rock environement, the impact is insignificant to my ears.
 
#35
I use IEMs, so I put the wireless unit in a gigbag rack with the IEMs. I pop it on top of my big amp, or my combo.

If its a small gig, may just bring the combo and run a cord, leave the IEMs home.

Rechargeable 9v batteries to drive the wireless, rechargeable AA for the IEMs, no real extra cash for running wireless, regular batteries add up, so no reason not to go wireless.

Randy
 
#36
Wireless all the way for me - I switched over about 4 years ago, and won't be going back... I have experienced NONE of the drawbacks mentioned here, and I gig pretty much every weekend with either an XDR-95 or XDS-PLUS...


- georgestrings
 
#37
wireless all the way since i got my G30 and has a permanent spot on my pedalboard. i am quite aggressive on stage and wireless give me the freedom to run around a bit. i use it irregardless of big or small venue. i already gotten so used to it.

i use rechargeable batteries and swap them out for every show. and always have a spare cable or batteries nearby incase i need a fast swap. i have a emergency patch bay on my board in the instant the wireless died.
 
#38
As far as I'm concerned, sound transmission from current professional wireless especially the Line 6 Relay series is indistinguishable from cable. And I like all the things that people have mentioned that you can do if you're wireless, but the main reason I use wireless is because regardless of whether I was moving on a bigger stage or relatively motionless on a smaller one, I would ALWAYS end up stepping on my cable and jerking my bass several times a gig. Now I am so used to wireless I always use it, even at rehearsal. I don't necessarily move a lot, but if I do want to change location, I go where I want with no problem, no tripping, no tangles.

The downsides of wireless are batteries and securing the transmitter. I use rechargeable batteries and put a new set in before every gig. My Line 6 Relay G50 can easily go 5 - 6 hours on one set. Also if you don't secure your transmitter and it falls yanking on the instrument cable, you can easily screw up your mini-xlr connector on some wireless units and you'll have to repair or replace the cable. I finally found a little pouch that I can attach to my strap that fixed that problem. Setting up wireless at a gig is really simple too, especially if you already have a pedalboard to put your receiver on or use a rackmount unit.

If cable works for you cool, because good wireless costs a few bucks. But other than the expense, it can offer some nice advantages for relatively little hassle.
 

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