I haven't found a tiny plug in unit that didn't offer tonal compromises.
For me the G-50 is the starting point for quality.
For me the G-50 is the starting point for quality.
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When playing live, do you use wireless to connect your instrument?
- Thread starter ThinCrappyTone2
- Start date
The lag in a system is to do with the AD/DA conversions, once the signal is moving between units it's moving at the speed of light, meaning that the latency doesn't (appreciably) change with distance.
I used to use a Sony DWZ B30 rig, but the 2.4GHz had interference problems at times, then I discovered the Lekato 5.8GHz pods that are much more compact, much lower cost and have not had any interference problems since.
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The latency at that distance is acoustic due to the relatively slow speed of sound. You’ll have that with any system, sorry if I assumed everyone would understand that.
One of our guitarists uses one. It's a Boss WL-20 series. It works well for him.
I thought about it briefly, given that I am the most physically mobile person on stage, but I just haven't had any issues with cables. I use Dimarzio leads and patches and never had a failure.
I thought about it briefly, given that I am the most physically mobile person on stage, but I just haven't had any issues with cables. I use Dimarzio leads and patches and never had a failure.
You are of course correct but misattributing that delay to the latency of the wireless system is a somewhat common misconception. I've seen a few people make comments online about it. Not you though!
No worries. I just assumed people would know why there's latency at that sort of distance but I forget that people don't always know that much about it
After recently tangling & tripping over 18' cables on a crowded & poorly lit outdoor stage, I started considering the wireless leap, filled with dread after reading many horror stories. I have basses with both 18v and 9v preamps, some better suited for straight and others right angle 1/4 outputs, use a pedal board, and switch back and forth between instruments many times in a set. Did some research about a year ago & came to conclusion if I ever went wireless, I'd get a Shure GLXD16... Which are now discontinued, and rapidly disappeared out of inventory. Digging deeper now, the 2.4Ghz alternatives seem risky due to crowded spectrum, I'm not sure what's viable. The Line6 G10S all-in-one straight plug design looks problematic for some of my basses, and the posts about TRS charging design not playing nice with some preamps has me more concerned. I'm unlikely to pull the trigger unless a new model designed for pedalboards similar to the GLXD16 comes out.
As I continue to research, thought I would share this for anyone considering wireless: check out Scott Uhl's reviews and recommendations on YouTube- lot of good information about the full range of options from pro-level outdoor arena gigs down to "dabble for dirt cheap".
Major consideration is how many other band members will have wireless instruments and/or microphones.
Major consideration is how many other band members will have wireless instruments and/or microphones.
I used a Line6 G70 that I really liked. I started getting some bigger shows as a fill-in for bands playing regional fairs. Early on, I had a couple dropouts that appeared to be tied to line-of-sight issues. I figure both my playing and my gear had to measure up if I wanted to get call-backs, so I upgraded to a Shure QLXD14 and have a flawless track record with it.
I also use a Sennheiser G4 system for my ears. The whole thing amounts to an extra 3-space rack to carry around. I added a rear panel to the rack so that I have easily accessible stereo XLR inputs for the G4 and a 1/4 output for the Shure on the back side. It is an extra rack to carry, but the rest of my rig is a gig bag and a briefcase, so it isn’t a big deal.
I’ve gotten some funny looks for not using an amp, but I’ve got my tone dialed in. Those kinds of looks stop once they hear it - nobody is ever really wowed by a bass tone, but when it sounds like it is “supposed to” nobody cares how you get there.
I also use a Sennheiser G4 system for my ears. The whole thing amounts to an extra 3-space rack to carry around. I added a rear panel to the rack so that I have easily accessible stereo XLR inputs for the G4 and a 1/4 output for the Shure on the back side. It is an extra rack to carry, but the rest of my rig is a gig bag and a briefcase, so it isn’t a big deal.
I’ve gotten some funny looks for not using an amp, but I’ve got my tone dialed in. Those kinds of looks stop once they hear it - nobody is ever really wowed by a bass tone, but when it sounds like it is “supposed to” nobody cares how you get there.
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I use a Shure PGXD14 wireless system. I've had it for about 4 or 5 years now and have always been happy with it. No drop out issues like I had on the Line 6 system that I had first purchased. Common Ray-o-Vac batteries will get up to 7 hours of playing time. Power it up, run a scan for a clear channel, sync the transmitter to the reciever and good to go. Maybe not as easy some of the newer and smaller plug/play units but the reliability has been great.
Shure PGXD14 Digital Wireless Guitar System
Shure PGXD14 Digital Wireless Guitar System
I use this, zero issues over last 6 months or so of use.
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-X...t&qid=1660422797&sprefix=XSW-D+,aps,98&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-X...t&qid=1660422797&sprefix=XSW-D+,aps,98&sr=8-3
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I use a PRA system, now called Audality. Had one issue with the transmitter, they replaced it. No problems since.
I bought the Sennheiser XSW-D instrument set a few years ago. I really liked it a lot and have given it positive reviews in several posts since then.
However, I've noticed lately that one or the other unit will shutdown after I start using it. It will usually stabilize after cycling power them a few times, but that's just not a viable solution. The only times I use it now (at home only, never at a gig or even at a rehearsral) are to see if it still does it, which it does.
Just to answer the obvious question, yes, this happens even after fully charging the units.
I ending buying a Lakato set and a Getaria set a few months ago to try them out and, after using them both for a while, including on a few gigs, I've been really happy with them. I realize that for <$50 they won't last forever, but I've been using them pretty regularly at a weekly basement jam I play in, at band rehearsals, and any other time when I don't bring my pedalboard, which has a Shure GLXD-16 unit on it. They seem to charge quickly, have given me no trouble lasting an entire four hour gig, and have had no dropouts (these are both 5.8 GHz units, but I've also never experienced dropouts with my Shure wireless, which is 2.4 GHz).
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I have come to generally hate wireless units. I've seen too many singers, guitarists & techs hold up a show while they scratch their heads & try to figure out what's going wrong. (And the irony to me is, they often never roam more than 3 feet from their mic stand or pedalboard.)
But that's usually the fault of the user. If you can not be "that guy", if you can invest in a solid system, learn how to use it & have your battery topped up every time, then by all means go for it! Even hater me has to admit, it can be cool when a musician gets to roam around, physically untethered.
Most of my stage settings are mellow and/or confined, so for the time being I am not inclined to make that particular leap.
But that's usually the fault of the user. If you can not be "that guy", if you can invest in a solid system, learn how to use it & have your battery topped up every time, then by all means go for it! Even hater me has to admit, it can be cool when a musician gets to roam around, physically untethered.
Most of my stage settings are mellow and/or confined, so for the time being I am not inclined to make that particular leap.
For the first time in over two years, I had drop outs using my 5.8ghz system a couple of nights ago. It's never happened before. I unplugged them, plugged in my backup cable, and away we went. No head scratching, no troubleshooting, I knew what it was when it happened even though I've never experienced it before.
Gotta say it was a little disappointing but the track record for this system has been so good, I'm not complaining.
Gotta say it was a little disappointing but the track record for this system has been so good, I'm not complaining.
Was this your Gitaria system? I bought one a few months ago and use it mostly for a weekly basement jam session I play in and for rehearsal, although I have gigged with it on a few occasions when I didn’t use my pedalboard (which has the receiver for my Shure GLXD16 on it). So far, I haven’t had any issues but it is something I wondered about given that it’s a relatively cheap system.
FWIW, at gigs I always run a cable so that it’s ready in case I do have a wireless issue. I don’t want to waste time troubleshooting and would rather just give up the wireless for the night and go for the s(h)ure thing - the cable. Hasn’t happened yet, though, with any wireless unit (I also have a 5.8 GHz Lekato system as well).
FWIW, at gigs I always run a cable so that it’s ready in case I do have a wireless issue. I don’t want to waste time troubleshooting and would rather just give up the wireless for the night and go for the s(h)ure thing - the cable. Hasn’t happened yet, though, with any wireless unit (I also have a 5.8 GHz Lekato system as well).
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