Anybody use a wireless transmitter system on their DB?—‘no cables attached’. If so does it work well? As good as using the cable? Your experiences welcome.
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Double Bass Wireless System
- Thread starter gypsydjango
- Start date
i'm using a Nady MGT-16 wireless in my rockabilly band and it works just fine. it's the pedal format with the 90 degree angled transmitter that works for bass guitar as well. i bought mine used off craigslist here locally for $75 a couple of years ago. it's a UHF system but it's worked just fine for me doing local gigs. no issues for the last few years i've had it. also, it is pretty much the exact same system as the Samson Airline from the same era.
I have used a couple of wireless products on DB. Both worked fine. Some may say that you get better results with wires, and that may be so ... if so, any difference is not apparent to me.
Many thanks for your replies. What pickups did you use? I will want to try a magnetic—end of fingerboard—and contact mic pickup. Either as single’s or perhaps blend the two.
I have used two bridge-wing-mounted piezo pickups - the K&K Bass Max and the KNA DB-1. No preamp.
If you're going to blend two pickups, I suggest that you blend them using a preamp, whose output would then go the wireless transmitter.
I use some of the inexpensive Getaria GWS-8 2.4GHz TX/RC dongles (from Amazon) all the time with my DB. They've been very reliable.
I have purchased two of these TX/RC sets so that when the batteries in one are exhausted I can use the other set, although realistically I've never had the batteries become exhausted, even with 3+ hour gigs. But for the first time this year, I've also used both sets at the same time, providing a separate pickup signal and a separate mic signal to FOH operators.
My installed pickup system is a Vic's Model C (bridge wing and fingerboard piezos) feeding into a mounted K&K Dual Channel Pro ST preamp.
My mounted mic is a Sennheiser e604 (clear-out).
Going wireless with a double bass tremendously simplifies movement and gets rid of cables on the floor to trip over. I highly recommend it!
I have purchased two of these TX/RC sets so that when the batteries in one are exhausted I can use the other set, although realistically I've never had the batteries become exhausted, even with 3+ hour gigs. But for the first time this year, I've also used both sets at the same time, providing a separate pickup signal and a separate mic signal to FOH operators.
My installed pickup system is a Vic's Model C (bridge wing and fingerboard piezos) feeding into a mounted K&K Dual Channel Pro ST preamp.
My mounted mic is a Sennheiser e604 (clear-out).
Going wireless with a double bass tremendously simplifies movement and gets rid of cables on the floor to trip over. I highly recommend it!
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Don’t forget to use a high impedance preamp/buffer between a passive piezo pickup and a wireless transmitter.
The input impedance of a wireless transmitter is not optimal for a piezo.
The input impedance of a wireless transmitter is not optimal for a piezo.
Check out Golihur’s website, they sell a wireless that has high enough impedance for a DB. As for end of fingerboard pickup, I’ve used the Kirov and it works well. It’s also a magnetic pickup so no issues about impedance. You do have to be careful about string choice with a mag pickup though (can’t use synthetic core strings).
One thing that I am not sure of is your plan to use both a pickup and a mic, not sure how you’d manage both signals wirelessly, unless its just the pickup that you want wireless.
Sennheiser XSW-D INSTRUMENT BASE SET – Wireless Instrument System
I have used the X-vive U2, that gollihur recommend. Sounds good, but is too unreliable for gigging. Limited transmitter freq, plastic housing is not durable, receiver runs out of power in about 1.5hrs. The sennheiser are more expensive but worth it. 5hr battery life, more solid construction. Made by a company with much experience making high end wireless rack units.
I have used the X-vive U2, that gollihur recommend. Sounds good, but is too unreliable for gigging. Limited transmitter freq, plastic housing is not durable, receiver runs out of power in about 1.5hrs. The sennheiser are more expensive but worth it. 5hr battery life, more solid construction. Made by a company with much experience making high end wireless rack units.
Using two wireless TX/RC sets on a single instrument works, assuming you have two separate 1/4" sockets for them to plug into. At least with the ones I'm using, the TX/RC devices will seek out and "train" themselves to different wireless channels. This happens automatically as long as the pairs are programmed serially, meaning one pair at a time.
Once programmed, they are simplistically advertised to work just like a cable, and this has been my experience with them. Typically with an FOH I simply hand the receive dongles to the sound guy and he plugs them in where he wants them. With amps I just plug them in where I want them.
Regarding piezo impedance, it's important to note though, I do use a DB-mounted preamp; I have to use a 2-channel blending preamp since I'm using a stereo piezo pickup system. So my piezo impedance isn't a problem with the wireless dongles.
On the other hand, my mounted mic works wirelessly as is with either an FOH or an impedance-matched amp.
I have no experience with them, but Krivo has been highly reviewed here by a number of users, however I don't know how its impedance is regarding wireless dongles. A preamp may be required anyway, whether using wireless or not.
Also, it seems to be common that Krivo is favored by folks who are moving into the higher volume ranges, to avoid feedback. Those are volume ranges where a mounted mic would probably cause feedback if used at the same time -- perhaps not so much with a contact mic, but still this seems like a situation that would need some experimentation and testing to be sure. Geometry of the venue and size of the audience would very likely also come into play.
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Been using a Line-6 G10 for years. After 3 years with absolutely no problems, the lights on the receiver started blinking ( the unit still worked). I called Line-6(now Yamaha) and the guy at their end said “send us the whole package and we’ll send you a new one “
How many companies will replace a unit after three years?
The guitar player in my band has the Line-6 one step above mine, I’d buy that one as the power input jack on the G10 is scary flimsy.
I use mine with a Krivo magnetic pickup. It has been flawless.
How many companies will replace a unit after three years?
The guitar player in my band has the Line-6 one step above mine, I’d buy that one as the power input jack on the G10 is scary flimsy.
I use mine with a Krivo magnetic pickup. It has been flawless.
Magnetic pickups have a much lower impedance than piezos. The wireless devices are constructed to work with a magnetic pickup.
But if you add a piezo, you might want to mix both and need a mixing preamp with at least one high impedance input in front of the wireless transmitter.
If I need to buy a Sennheiser to get something reliable, I will think twice if I need a wireless line.
Typically I hardly can move where I play so a short cable works equally well.
But if you add a piezo, you might want to mix both and need a mixing preamp with at least one high impedance input in front of the wireless transmitter.
If I need to buy a Sennheiser to get something reliable, I will think twice if I need a wireless line.
Typically I hardly can move where I play so a short cable works equally well.
I have been using a Boss WL-20 system for about four years and I love it. I use it on my DB and EUB(Yamaha SLB 200) and go into an amp(AI or Traynor) or PA (Bose) with only a Schatten Design Mini Pre that has a volume control only or just run it directly into the amp for practice at home and rehearsals.
It holds a charge for a long gig or rehearsal and I have had no problems at all with the unit and I love that fact that I don't have cables under my feet and can move around easily.
On my DB I currently have a Realist Lifeline but I have used the wireless with a KNA and other bridge mounted pickups.
Simple to use and reliable, works for me!
It holds a charge for a long gig or rehearsal and I have had no problems at all with the unit and I love that fact that I don't have cables under my feet and can move around easily.
On my DB I currently have a Realist Lifeline but I have used the wireless with a KNA and other bridge mounted pickups.
Simple to use and reliable, works for me!
I've used my el-cheapo Xvive wireless for several years, done heaps of gigs with both piezo (no preamp) and magnetic pickups, and it works perfectly for both. So well in fact that I will buy another if this set ever dies.
Any issues with using a KRIVO and the wireless setup? We do a lot of semi coordinated moving around the stage and I'd like to be cable free, especially on the nights when the rest of the band uses a single mic, but the house still likes the bass to be plugged in.
The one thing that stands out with this pickup (in my use) is that it is extremely quiet when used alone. I pretty much always use it into a preamp to boost the signal enough to get everything up to a good level. Once there, it is fantastic at high volumes. The FOH sound guy commented on it this evening, how low the signal was until I boosted it all the way with an old Baggs para acoustic DI....
The one thing that stands out with this pickup (in my use) is that it is extremely quiet when used alone. I pretty much always use it into a preamp to boost the signal enough to get everything up to a good level. Once there, it is fantastic at high volumes. The FOH sound guy commented on it this evening, how low the signal was until I boosted it all the way with an old Baggs para acoustic DI....
I use the relatively cheap AKG pt40 system with Shadow sh 965 nanoflex pickups (with built in pre). The freedom of movement is really nice. The system is reliable and easy to use. I do hear a difference with the bass solo in a quiet room: there is a trade off between a little noise or some distortion in the high frequencies that’s influenced by the gain settings. In live use both are undetectable to my ears.
With different pickups I’d probably velcro my fdeck to the back of the tailpiece as a buffer. I doubt the AKG has an impedance to match piezo’s
With different pickups I’d probably velcro my fdeck to the back of the tailpiece as a buffer. I doubt the AKG has an impedance to match piezo’s
Been using the Line-6 G10 with a Krivo for years. Flawless performance, never had an issue. Yamaha is a great company for service. If you ever have a problem, they will solve it.
Just be sure to plug it into the charger before you plug it into your bass. It will remain on its last frequency choice until it gets a chance to listen around and choose a new one. If the kazoo player is already live, you won’t get a peep out of your amp if you don’t.
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I use a cheap wireless in my rig. It doesn't sound as good as a cable but you can't really tell at the gog anyway.
I rarely get a good monitor mix and the FOH mix is typically bloated, so I've found chasing a perfect tone to not really matter in love situations
I rarely get a good monitor mix and the FOH mix is typically bloated, so I've found chasing a perfect tone to not really matter in love situations
KRIVO direct into the Line 6 with no preamp needed? When I run it traditional, I find the KRIVO incredibly quiet if I don't use a short cable and go straight into a preamp to boost the signal at the front of my pedalboard. After that, it works fantastic.
Earl
Supporting Member
When I used the Krivo I never needed a preamp, there was always plenty of volume.
