• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

wireless opinions

BassIsFun17

BassIsFun17

Jan 16, 2006
1,773
709
36
Atlanta
www.landtband.com
#1
hello everyone,

I'm looking into wireless systems. I've narrowed it down the 3 different units that i have interest in. I'm running a Pedaltrain nano board. Using a Strymon Ojai for power, so ideally i'd like something that can be powered with it. I'm very minimalistic in the sense that i dont like having to plug in alot of power cables. Meaning ideally id like to only have one plug coming from my pedals, in a perfect sitation. Ultimately I'm looking for input on what the best decision would be for my situation, and first hand experience with any of these devices.

Line 6 Relay G70 - (I would be downsizing my distortion pedal from DG B7K to COG 66, and eliminating my tuner to fit this on my board)
Pros:
Built in tuner, and instrument input to bypass wireless, can be powered by my Strymon Ojai
Cons:
Requires batteries, however i could always use rechargeable AA's

Line 6 Relay G10 - (This is my cheapest option, but less minimal for my situation. I would not have to downsize my distortion or tuner to have this device, however it can't be powered by my pedalboard.)
Pros:
Rechargeable transmitter, low price point
Cons:
Cannot be powered by my Strymon Ojai, would require bringing a power strip along just to have extra outlets to power this. (the less cables to plug in the better)

Shure GLX-D - (I would be downsizing my distortion pedal from DG B7K to COG 66, and eliminating my tuner to fit this on my board)
Pros:
Rechargeable transmitter, built in tuner, can be powered by Strymon Ojai
Cons:
No instrument input to bypass wireless system

I'm mostly leaning towards the the G70 system because it seems to be the most minimalistic option with the most flexibility, besides not having a rechargeable transmitter. Maybe if i wait another year or two, line 6 will release a G70 with a rechargable transmitter? or maybe i should just get used to keeping up with rechargable AA batteries on hand?
 
Last edited:
#5
I got to tell you guys, I have picked up on the flaws of wireless systems a lot more than I ever used to, and that's due to the band I recently started with a couple friends who are air tight with the beat. Through recording our practices, some where I used a wireless due to the convenience factor of playing in a very small room, some where I didn't, I am picking up a lot more on the latency issue than I ever have with the band I've been in for a long time, where we sound really good but some in the band are more tight with the beat than others. And even though my old reliable X2 SDS-95's only have a 5 ms latency, the recordings of rehearsals we've done in my new band where I've used it make me sound a little more behind the beat than the ones where I use a cable. It's subtle but I've picked up on it and so have they.

So now I've really soured on my wirelesses, and I've been looking for a new one with a low enough latency to where it won't matter, and the ones with the lowest latency that I can find (unfortunately, not everyone publishes latency specs, so I'm ruling any that don't out) are the Shure Axient, which has less than a millisecond latency, and the Line 6 G70 and G75, which have 1.5 ms latency. But the Axient is $5000 and the G70 and G75 are $400. And as much as I'd like to believe that I really need a $5000 wireless, I'd rather use a cable than ever spend that much money on a wireless, and I hate playing with a cable :D So I have a feeling that a G70 is in my future. Still undecided about it, and I may wait until Winter NAMM to see if anything else comes out in the meantime, but I'm really bumming out on my old wirelesses and I think it's time for a change.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#7
JimmyM said:
I got to tell you guys, I have picked up on the flaws of wireless systems a lot more than I ever used to, and that's due to the band I recently started with a couple friends who are air tight with the beat. Through recording our practices, some where I used a wireless due to the convenience factor of playing in a very small room, some where I didn't, I am picking up a lot more on the latency issue than I ever have with the band I've been in for a long time, where we sound really good but some in the band are more tight with the beat than others. And even though my old reliable X2 SDS-95's only have a 5 ms latency, the recordings of rehearsals we've done in my new band where I've used it make me sound a little more behind the beat than the ones where I use a cable. It's subtle but I've picked up on it and so have they.

So now I've really soured on my wirelesses, and I've been looking for a new one with a low enough latency to where it won't matter, and the ones with the lowest latency that I can find (unfortunately, not everyone publishes latency specs, so I'm ruling any that don't out) are the Shure Axient, which has less than a millisecond latency, and the Line 6 G70 and G75, which have 1.5 ms latency. But the Axient is $5000 and the G70 and G75 are $400. And as much as I'd like to believe that I really need a $5000 wireless, I'd rather use a cable than ever spend that much money on a wireless, and I hate playing with a cable :D So I have a feeling that a G70 is in my future. Still undecided about it, and I may wait until Winter NAMM to see if anything else comes out in the meantime, but I'm really bumming out on my old wirelesses and I think it's time for a change.
Click to expand...


I find it particularly interesting that you feel like 5ms makes a difference. I know with that "higher latency" one we both tried, it wasn't something I noticed, except when using it backwards as a poor man's iem rig. Then, it was very noticeable. We're also talking about 13ms. Dunno. My current chain, from my bass to "your ears" as the audience:

Line6 G30/G50(either or, most often the 30 transmitter, 50 reciever) through not one but two zoom MS pedals. One for swirly stuff, one for amp and dirt, then into a digital mixer. One of three, Yamaha 01V, Behringer XR18, presonus 32ch rack, then into either a dsp crossover into dumb amps, or into dsp enabled amps. That's five generations of conversion. The good news is that because of all that latency, my gigs end much earlier than yours. I'm usually packed up and driving home before my last note sounds. The bad news is that I have to start playing way early. Band starts at 9?? I need to start playing by 7:15
 
  • Like
Reactions: daaave, Zbysek, Johnny Crab and 3 others
#8
BassikLee said:
I find it particularly interesting that you feel like 5ms makes a difference. I know with that "higher latency" one we both tried, it wasn't something I noticed, except when using it backwards as a poor man's iem rig. Then, it was very noticeable. We're also talking about 13ms. Dunno. My current chain, from my bass to "your ears" as the audience:

Line6 G30/G50(either or, most often the 30 transmitter, 50 reciever) through not one but two zoom MS pedals. One for swirly stuff, one for amp and dirt, then into a digital mixer. One of three, Yamaha 01V, Behringer XR18, presonus 32ch rack, then into either a dsp crossover into dumb amps, or into dsp enabled amps. That's five generations of conversion. The good news is that because of all that latency, my gigs end much earlier than yours. I'm usually packed up and driving home before my last note sounds. The bad news is that I have to start playing way early. Band starts at 9?? I need to start playing by 7:15
Click to expand...
HAHAHA! Well what can I tell you? Let's saying I'm 5 or 6 ms off when playing...add another 5 to that and it becomes 11. Then it starts to get noticeable. I need the wiggle room :D
 
#12
I have a Shure GLX-D14. It's not the pedal model. I don't want/use any pedals. It is absolutely flawless. The battery charges very quickly right in the unit and lasts up to 16 hours!! Never had any noise, dropouts or interference. I bought two transmitters since I normally have two basses for shows. I just turn on the one I'm using and it immediately connects. Highly recommended.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#14
JimmyM said:
I got to tell you guys, I have picked up on the flaws of wireless systems a lot more than I ever used to, and that's due to the band I recently started with a couple friends who are air tight with the beat. Through recording our practices, some where I used a wireless due to the convenience factor of playing in a very small room, some where I didn't, I am picking up a lot more on the latency issue than I ever have with the band I've been in for a long time, where we sound really good but some in the band are more tight with the beat than others. And even though my old reliable X2 SDS-95's only have a 5 ms latency, the recordings of rehearsals we've done in my new band where I've used it make me sound a little more behind the beat than the ones where I use a cable. It's subtle but I've picked up on it and so have they.

So now I've really soured on my wirelesses, and I've been looking for a new one with a low enough latency to where it won't matter, and the ones with the lowest latency that I can find (unfortunately, not everyone publishes latency specs, so I'm ruling any that don't out) are the Shure Axient, which has less than a millisecond latency, and the Line 6 G70 and G75, which have 1.5 ms latency. But the Axient is $5000 and the G70 and G75 are $400. And as much as I'd like to believe that I really need a $5000 wireless, I'd rather use a cable than ever spend that much money on a wireless, and I hate playing with a cable :D So I have a feeling that a G70 is in my future. Still undecided about it, and I may wait until Winter NAMM to see if anything else comes out in the meantime, but I'm really bumming out on my old wirelesses and I think it's time for a change.
Click to expand...
Having also used an identical X2 unit (which sounded great) I too was able to notice the latency. Not really an issue, but I could discern it.

The Sennheiser ew100 G3 unit I had was excellent; the ULXS14 I just sold was good too (but didn't use it enough to discern any tonal issues). They aren't digital but I never noticed any companding artifacts with them ever.

That said, I'll probably go with a G50 used when I'm able; for now it's a cable.

Raz
 
#15
I've ordered the Xvive U2 from Amazon here in the Uk. No doubt these are available in the States.

Apparently there's no latency problems

The convenience of both the Trans and the Receiver being rechargeable in less than 4 hours is a treat. No cables, and they're real small. Full charge lasts 4 hours-ish, with constant playing. More than enough i'd say

There's plenty of vids on YT but this is just one of 'em

 
  • Like
Reactions: adamaarts
#17
Of the lot mentioned in this thread, I've used the Line 6 G30, G10, and G10S, and the Xvive. The G30 worked well, but the plastic construction didn't inspire confidence -- sold. The G10 unit was wonderful, instant linkup, no dropouts, but the 5v USB power for the receiver was a pain and the USB input is very flimsy -- sold. The G10S had all the advantages of the original G10, with much sturdier construction and 9v pedalboard power for the receiver. The option to dial in a fixed channel is a good last resort in case of conflicts with other wireless systems in use on the stage. The G10S has become my mainstay. I tried the Xvive rechargeable unit -- great for use around the house when practicing, but two other members of the band I play for use it, so there are always channel conflicts. I have noticed occasional dropouts, in one bar in particular where I often play -- maybe interference from their in-house internet wireless? I just use the Line 6 for gigs now, but as one other poster said, I keep a good cord handy, JIC.
 
#18
GLXD16 all the way! I previously had the G50 which was drop-out city, and the GLXD smokes it. Line 6 told me to place the receiver ontop of my amp which seemed absolutely pointless in 'pedal receiver'. I don't know if new Line 6's are chargeable units, but my G50 would have life of about 3-3.5 hours from the AA batteries. My GLXD uses the same charger as my phone which is super convenient, and it lasts 20 hours. Tone sounds clear and I don't hear latency on stage. Tuner is spot-on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#19
JimmyM said:
I got to tell you guys, I have picked up on the flaws of wireless systems a lot more than I ever used to, and that's due to the band I recently started with a couple friends who are air tight with the beat. Through recording our practices, some where I used a wireless due to the convenience factor of playing in a very small room, some where I didn't, I am picking up a lot more on the latency issue than I ever have with the band I've been in for a long time, where we sound really good but some in the band are more tight with the beat than others. And even though my old reliable X2 SDS-95's only have a 5 ms latency, the recordings of rehearsals we've done in my new band where I've used it make me sound a little more behind the beat than the ones where I use a cable. It's subtle but I've picked up on it and so have they.

So now I've really soured on my wirelesses, and I've been looking for a new one with a low enough latency to where it won't matter, and the ones with the lowest latency that I can find (unfortunately, not everyone publishes latency specs, so I'm ruling any that don't out) are the Shure Axient, which has less than a millisecond latency, and the Line 6 G70 and G75, which have 1.5 ms latency. But the Axient is $5000 and the G70 and G75 are $400. And as much as I'd like to believe that I really need a $5000 wireless, I'd rather use a cable than ever spend that much money on a wireless, and I hate playing with a cable :D So I have a feeling that a G70 is in my future. Still undecided about it, and I may wait until Winter NAMM to see if anything else comes out in the meantime, but I'm really bumming out on my old wirelesses and I think it's time for a change.
Click to expand...

I just picked up a used X2 SDS-95 for fear of interference in the 2.4 gHz. band; plus it was $45 used with a nice modern replacement cable! Haven't used it in a band setting yet.

Jimmy, 5 ms isn't much; could it be that you are standing farther from your amp than usual?
If the speed of sound is 1,130 feet per second, that roughly equates to .9 ms per foot.
The other possibility is that it doesn't meet the 5 ms spec.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyM
#20
Jim C said:
I just picked up a used X2 SDS-95 for fear of interference in the 2.4 gHz. band; plus it was $45 used with a nice modern replacement cable! Haven't used it in a band setting yet.

Jimmy, 5 ms isn't much; could it be that you are standing farther from your amp than usual?
If the speed of sound is 1,130 feet per second, that roughly equates to .9 ms per foot.
The other possibility is that it doesn't meet the 5 ms spec.
Click to expand...
That band was unusually tight, and with my oldies band, we were kinda sorta tight but not really so I was able to use it and not notice. But the experimental band I had going also recorded everything, and I always felt like I was behind the beat with them, but the room was so small that it really helped to have a wireless since I had a board already.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back