How many of you play wireless? I just bought one and just my luck during my first gig with it it crapped out! I think I just needed to re-sync it but I panicked and just unplugged it. I was also told that my sound was muddy while I was using it.
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Playing Wireless
- Thread starter Warwicknut6365
- Start date
i've used wirelesses for close to 30 years. some cheap ones will definitely muddy up the sound, but a good one will sound great and to my ears sounds as good as a cable. right now i'm using the x2's that line 6 sells for $200. they're portable, sound great, and other than occasional line of sight issues, they work pretty flawlessly.
I'm using the same one as JimmyM, I think. It's the "stompbox" X2. The only issues I've had is when I accidentally hit the channel button when trying to turn it off, then the next time I turn it on the receiver and transmitter are on different channels. Easy fix though, and it sounds great. I can't tell a difference between it and a cord, and I'd *much* rather be wireless on stage.
Next step is some wireless IEMs so I don't have any cables tethering me.
Next step is some wireless IEMs so I don't have any cables tethering me.
I also use the X2 and am generally very happy with it. I had some problems with the original cable, so I had to replace it with a custom made cable. From there, I got the pouch to fit the unit on my strap, as the clips didn't work for crap in my case. So, with the custom cable and the pouch, the X2 rules.
If it's a cheap one , it's normal.
You have to pay loads of money to have something reliable and that will sound good , not too much latency and that will not compress too much.
Also , if you have a passive bass , check the load of the input of the transmitter , can be a "tone sucker".
You have to pay loads of money to have something reliable and that will sound good , not too much latency and that will not compress too much.
Also , if you have a passive bass , check the load of the input of the transmitter , can be a "tone sucker".
+1 to what Jimmy says.
I started with the original NADY "NASTY" wireless unit(the blue one). Those units taught you to ALWAYS have a good 20 foot cable very handy in case the 9 volt battery, fragile antenna, or connector crapped out. Even now, a 20 foot cable is ALWAYS neatly wound and ready to plug in directly should the current Sennheiser 172 crater.
Our singer has the Line 6 that has been trouble-free.
The Sennheiser 172 doesn't have line-of sight issues.
My son used one in high school marching band to march in formations with a Steinberger(yes, it covers a football field).
Get a Line 6 one or better, use fresh alkalines(Duracell here) for each show, and keep a cable handy in case Murphy shows up....
I started with the original NADY "NASTY" wireless unit(the blue one). Those units taught you to ALWAYS have a good 20 foot cable very handy in case the 9 volt battery, fragile antenna, or connector crapped out. Even now, a 20 foot cable is ALWAYS neatly wound and ready to plug in directly should the current Sennheiser 172 crater.
Our singer has the Line 6 that has been trouble-free.
The Sennheiser 172 doesn't have line-of sight issues.
My son used one in high school marching band to march in formations with a Steinberger(yes, it covers a football field).
Get a Line 6 one or better, use fresh alkalines(Duracell here) for each show, and keep a cable handy in case Murphy shows up....
I currently use the older stomp box X2, and I had a rackmount X2. They've both worked great for me. The only issue you may find is the stock instrument cable that comes with it is crap, to put it bluntly. Go ahead and save yourself a headache and get the upgraded cable while you're at it.
I too keep a cable next to my cabinet "just in case". I've never had to use it, but just as soon as I don't pull it out something will happen to my wireless. I guarantee it.
I too keep a cable next to my cabinet "just in case". I've never had to use it, but just as soon as I don't pull it out something will happen to my wireless. I guarantee it.
I have went through Samson, Nady, X2 (stompbox) and now my current favorite a Sennheiser 300 series. You really do get what you pay for.
The Shure SLX is what i have also, I just got it and the first gig I was in a hurry setting up so I slapped it in with the DI box and all. I'm going to give it another try but first i'll play with it at home this time 
I was wireless years ago - after a while I couldn't be bothered. More crap to lug, set up, and worry about going wrong.
Let's face it; the average gig is a bar/club with the appropriate sized stage. If I was regularly playing on huge stages I'd probably go wireless again but the until then it's not worth it to me for just the occasional festival gig.
Let's face it; the average gig is a bar/club with the appropriate sized stage. If I was regularly playing on huge stages I'd probably go wireless again but the until then it's not worth it to me for just the occasional festival gig.
I use the X2 XDS-Plus, little more range and metal casing. I still need to get the upgraded cable, but the stock one is still holding for now.
speaking of the cheap x2 cable, i made a significant discovery a few weeks ago. i was getting shorts in my stock cables on a gig, so i was going to order a couple more. but before i did that, i took the 3 cables that i have and tried them out at home. when i plugged them in without screwing down the cable to the transmitter they worked fine. the second i screwed them down, they started shorting. so now i don't screw them down and they work fine.
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
On a whim I bought the cheapest Nady VHF wireless unit on sale at Guitar Center about 10 years ago and haven't had any trouble with it. I set the receiver on top of my amp & run a cable from it to my effects pedal, another cable back to the amp & I'm done. If anything were to die on me in-gig I can just unplug the out from the wireless & go into my bass.
Granted it's a cheap, plastic-cased transmitter & non-rackmountable receiver that I know wouldn't hold up to a serious gigging schedule, but I'm only a 1- 2x a month player and I always set up & tear down my own rig so I'm as careful with it as I am the rest of my equipment. I run sound when we play and it's nice to be able to step out front during soundcheck and hear the mix.
Granted it's a cheap, plastic-cased transmitter & non-rackmountable receiver that I know wouldn't hold up to a serious gigging schedule, but I'm only a 1- 2x a month player and I always set up & tear down my own rig so I'm as careful with it as I am the rest of my equipment. I run sound when we play and it's nice to be able to step out front during soundcheck and hear the mix.
Interesting. I'll see if I can find one of my old cables and see if that works for me. I like my upgraded cable but it would be nice to have extras.
Cool that this thread popped up this week!
A buddy just gave me his old Audio Technica wireless rig. I don't know the model but it looks pretty old. Works well so far just messing around at home, walking around the house, playing in the driveway, etc...
I notice some tone squash, but I actually welcome it since I'm using it with my G&L Trib L2500, which has mad output MFD pickups! My main fear is having a Spinal Tap moment and picking up the local Air Traffic Control!
I might give it a spin at this weekend's gig. The place we're playing has a very generous stage and we're only a trio. The guitar player sings so I'm the only member with freedom of movement.
I'll check back in after the gig Saturday!
A buddy just gave me his old Audio Technica wireless rig. I don't know the model but it looks pretty old. Works well so far just messing around at home, walking around the house, playing in the driveway, etc...
I notice some tone squash, but I actually welcome it since I'm using it with my G&L Trib L2500, which has mad output MFD pickups! My main fear is having a Spinal Tap moment and picking up the local Air Traffic Control!
I might give it a spin at this weekend's gig. The place we're playing has a very generous stage and we're only a trio. The guitar player sings so I'm the only member with freedom of movement.
I'll check back in after the gig Saturday!
I've been using an X2 XDR-95 for over 2 years, and couldn't be happier with it...
- georgestrings
- georgestrings
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
- 5,675
- 312
- Disclosures
- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
For you X2 users that can solder, Here is the recipe on how to build your upgraded transmitter to inst cable.
I get my supplies from markertek.com
1ea : 3.5mm locking:markertek pn 30-296-BK
2-3 ft of canare GS-6 instrument cable (IMO) the best you can get! Footage is up to you
n GS-6 BK for black and they have other cable colors
and last is 1/4 male connector of choice. Again I prefer Neutrik
and Markertek has all variety.
Imade mine with my X2 unit with the Neutrik 90 deg switching end
My latest with my senheiser wireless non switching 90'
I have a brand new 3.5mm locking extra that I had ordered but did not use if someone wants to paypal me $4 Ill mail it to them, just pm me. Save you a $1
Happy Soldering
Happy Soldering
I get my supplies from markertek.com
1ea : 3.5mm locking:markertek pn 30-296-BK
2-3 ft of canare GS-6 instrument cable (IMO) the best you can get! Footage is up to you
n GS-6 BK for black and they have other cable colorsand last is 1/4 male connector of choice. Again I prefer Neutrik
and Markertek has all variety.
Imade mine with my X2 unit with the Neutrik 90 deg switching end
My latest with my senheiser wireless non switching 90'
I have a brand new 3.5mm locking extra that I had ordered but did not use if someone wants to paypal me $4 Ill mail it to them, just pm me. Save you a $1
Happy Soldering
Happy Soldering
