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Wireless system or not?

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by mikedirntwannab, Dec 11, 2001.

  1. Dec 11, 2001 #1
    mikedirntwannab

    mikedirntwannab

    Oct 22, 2000
    ok, i need some oppinions. Are wireless systems worth buying? i heard they alway cut out or loose range. is this true. send me some oppinions on if i should get it or not and if so, what kind do u recomend?
     
  2. Dec 12, 2001 #2
    brewer9

    brewer9

    Jul 5, 2000
    I have an Audio-Technica and think its great. If you need the freedom that a wireless offers then go for it. If its not an issue then dont bother.
     
  3. Dec 12, 2001 #3
    Joe Nerve

    Joe Nerve Supporting Member

    Oct 7, 2000
    New York City
    Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
    The guys in my cover band wanted us to be wireless so one of them (who has lots o money), bought me a fairly expensive one - over $300 I'm pretty sure. Don't know what kind cuz I only used it three or four times, and it's packed a way somewhere. Even though it was a decent one I had a few problems with it cutting out, interfering with the cordless mike and other cordless guitar, and for me - it seemed like just too much to hassle with. It was another thing for me to plug in, another thing for me to take off, turn on, shut off, keep my eye on, make sure I don't drop, etc. I like keeping it simple. The fact that I wanted to be safe and replaced the $5 Duracell every gig was also a great deterrent. A couple of gigs a week, plus new strings once a month was more than I'm happy spending.
     
  4. Dec 12, 2001 #4
    MrFortuneCookie

    MrFortuneCookie

    Aug 23, 2000
    New York, NY
    I think this is better suited in effects, and so i'm going to send it that way.
     
  5. Dec 21, 2001 #5
    Ryan L.

    Ryan L. Moderator Staff Member Supporting Member

    Aug 7, 2000
    West Fargo, ND
    I have been wireless for a couple of years now, and I now hate being "tied down" with a cord. It all depends on whether or not you need/want the freedom that a wireless unit provides.

    Yes, they do get expensive to run. I replace my battery usually every gig, sometimes every other one. And using cheap batteries doesn't cut it, so be prepared to kick out the cash for Duracells or Energizers. It does add up after awhile.

    If you decide to get one, spend the extra bucks and get a UHF unit. I had a SHure VHF unit, and I had to get rid of it because the dimmer packs from the stage lights were causing some serious humming and distorting from it. Went to a Sennheiser UHF unit and have never had a problem since, and have a much clearer signal all around.

    So, it is up to you. If you want one, go for it.;)
     
  6. Dec 22, 2001 #6
    Sound Guy Paul

    Sound Guy Paul

    Mar 25, 2001
    Dayton, Ohio, home of a new br
    Ditto, I have had one for about four months now, have never encountered any problems with it at all. Never any interference or what not. The only problem is wearing out batteries, and you dont want to start a show with a partially discharged battery. But I have gotten into the habit of using it when I practice:D, so when I practice, I just use the batterys I was using the night before at the gig.
     
  7. Dec 23, 2001 #7
    Ryan L.

    Ryan L. Moderator Staff Member Supporting Member

    Aug 7, 2000
    West Fargo, ND
    Glad to see I am not the only one who is wireless at practice too. I have gotten so used to the convenience of not tripping over a cord that I use mine pretty much all the time.
     
  8. Dec 23, 2001 #8
    mthoople

    mthoople

    Nov 1, 2001
    Denver, CO
    I also use my wireless at practice about half the time. I enjoy the freedom so much that I really only use a cord if I'm going to be sitting.

    I have to use the wireless for one of my bands. Our stage setup requires the keyboard to be on the far side of the stage.

    My UHF Telex unit would drop out at about 30 yards. I only go out that far for soundchecks.

    The Sony units use AA batteries (WRT-820's use two each). Awhile back I bought Energizers on sale at a grocery store: 2 10-packs for $5. Thats about 80-90 hours of use for $5. Cheaper than strings at $25 per 80 hours.
     
  9. Dec 23, 2001 #9
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    Yeah, wireless rules. Get UHF, and one that goes down below 30 hz in frequency response. $300 is actually a cheap one, but you can get a good Shure UHF in that range (UT or Access series). Your interference problems with the other wireless units may be because someone didn't pay attention to operating frequencies when they bought the various units. They all have to be on a different frequency. We use a Shure wireless mic for our lead singer, and when I bought it, I made sure it was on a different frequency. The Shure units run in the 600 Mhz range. I think my brother's unit (a different brand) runs in the 800 Mhz range. We've never had any problems with them. You will, however get more interference with VHF units, as Ryan pointed out. I too got rid of my Shure VHF unit.