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Wireless Systems

J

JT_Copy9

Nov 24, 2010
32
1
Menifee, CA
www.reverbnation.com
#1
I am considering a wireless system for my bass. Last gig I was tethered to my equipment via a 12' cable.:atoz: I use only rackmount gear so I had no pedals to lengthen my connection.
I found this Nady U-33B system for $179. Any experiences? Any other systems out there that people recommend? I am not sure I need one for vocals. The places I have played at so far supply mics and house PA, so this should be strictly bass. BUT, if you have any info to share on vocals, go ahead.

Thanks in advance.
JT
 
#3
Whatever you do, make sure you buy a digital unit. The UHF ones are prone to interference by radio signals, 2 way radios and dogs peeing on hydrants within a 1000 yard radius.

I have a Line 6 XDS plus system and I love it. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but for me 5 channels has never been a problem. I've been at friends houses where I can walk 200 feet away and not lose the signal.
 
#4
BassNeo said:
Whatever you do, make sure you buy a digital unit. The UHF ones are prone to interference by radio signals, 2 way radios and dogs peeing on hydrants within a 1000 yard radius.

I have a Line 6 XDS plus system and I love it. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but for me 5 channels has never been a problem. I've been at friends houses where I can walk 200 feet away and not lose the signal.
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I have had a Sennheiser UHF unit for several years and have never experienced anything like what you described. However, I know several people who bought less expensive units such as Nady and Line 6 who have had problems with interference. In my opinion, it's worth saving until you can afford a higher quality wireless. I don't think I would ever consider anything other than a Sennheiser or a Shure.
 
#5
I use these, and so does my guitarist. Inexpensive, effective, easy on batteries, light, digital, portable beyond belief...even the receiver can run off batteries. I've done gigs just by chucking the two cig-pack sized reciever and transmitter in my bag, and it's off to the races.

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The clarity of these units is unbelievable, and the price (<$200 USD) can't be beat.
 
#7
Make sure not to consider cheap analog systems as their sound quality is poor even if their RF signal is stable.

You need to look at the specs and then you'll see that the cheaper analog systems will not let frequencies below 50Hz go through. Not ideal for bass to say the least. Bad for bass if tone is more important than being able to move around.
 
#8
Rockmusician said:
I have had a Sennheiser UHF unit for several years and have never experienced anything like what you described. However, I know several people who bought less expensive units such as Nady and Line 6 who have had problems with interference. In my opinion, it's worth saving until you can afford a higher quality wireless. I don't think I would ever consider anything other than a Sennheiser or a Shure.
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Quality is always a factor. I won't dispute that higher quality systems are less prone to interference, and having never used UHF myself I can only go with what I have been told by others that have had bad experiences.

Personally, I'd get a digital system. But as always IMHO, YMMV, YYY...
 
#9
Line 6 G50 and a good set of Eneloop AA's. This replaced a much more expensive Sennheiser when the FCC outlawed my frequency.
Interference one time(hotel with a Muzak system on a close frequency to the Channel I was on). I changed to the next channel, no problems.
 
#11
JT_Copy9 said:
I am considering a wireless system for my bass. Last gig I was tethered to my equipment via a 12' cable.:atoz: I use only rackmount gear so I had no pedals to lengthen my connection.
I found this Nady U-33B system for $179. Any experiences? Any other systems out there that people recommend? I am not sure I need one for vocals. The places I have played at so far supply mics and house PA, so this should be strictly bass. BUT, if you have any info to share on vocals, go ahead.

Thanks in advance.
JT
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The line six g 50 g 90 are best i have ever had for the money
i have owned others and they were all hard to use. this is like pushing the easy button and they are crystal clear!!
 
#12
I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure that NADY stands for Nady's Audio Destroys Yours :hiding:

Honestly, I've never heard anything but horror stories about Nady stuff. There's a reason why it's so inexpensive.

I'd also say go for the Line6 stuff. It's simple, works great and sounds fantastic. I've had an XDS-Plus system for the past couple years (currently FS in the classifieds, BTW), which I just replaced with the G50 system. Both are excellent... I was just gassing for something new, had a gift certificate, and my connection at Guitar Center hooked me up with a good deal. :)

The Brace stuff looks interesting too... thought I read somewhere that it was developed by some of the former X2 guys... not sure if it's true.
---
c
 
#13
Line 6 - G50 or G90 if you want new, or XDS-PLUS or XDR-95 on the used market to save money - there are no better...

I have an XDR-95 that's done close to 300 gigs, and it's been flawless - the only complaint was battery life, which I cured by buying some 9v LI-ION rechargeables by HiTech, thru batterymart.com...

I plan to by a G90 if/when my X2 stuff craps out, but not until then - and it doesn't appear that's going to be any time soon...


- georgestrings
 
#14
For vocals I use an EV RE-2 with a 767a handheld. It performs better than the Shure Beta58 plus it is lighter.
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I'll probably get one for my bass as well and get a kit to have them mount in a single rack space. Not sure though because at one gig we ran out of good channels on the snake and the sound engineer just put my receiver next to the board. EZ fix. :)
 
#15
I've owned Nady way in the past...garbage and eats batteries.

Had an AKG for awhile. Used 2 AA. Lasted much longer. Not too bad until the frequency was overtaken.

I own a Shure now. Pretty happy with it. About 200 channels though I've never had to leave channel 1 yet.

I hear the digital stuff is pretty nice but haven't tried it yet as I am satisfied with what I have. (how anti-G.A.S.)
 
#16
georgestrings said:
Line 6 - G50 or G90 if you want new, or XDS-PLUS or XDR-95 on the used market to save money - there are no better...

I have an XDR-95 that's done close to 300 gigs, and it's been flawless - the only complaint was battery life, which I cured by buying some 9v LI-ION rechargeables by HiTech, thru batterymart.com...

I plan to by a G90 if/when my X2 stuff craps out, but not until then - and it doesn't appear that's going to be any time soon...


- georgestrings
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I second georgestrings' vote. X2 XDS has been flawless for almost a year.

I use an Energizer in my transmitter, and a 1-Spot (Boss-type connector) for my receiver. Receiver sits on my M13 nicely with just a patch cable. I get six 1-hour sets out of one 9v Energizer, and I get the batteries for less than two bucks, so it's less than a buck per gig. And "it's still going" when I replace it (not going to push it).

My guitar player uses a Grace Audio, and his batteries are always giving him trouble, whether he uses rechargeables or not (AA's). Plus he had to have a special adaptor from RadShak for his receiver, to not have to use four AA's per night.

I've had no problems with the cable, but I am looking a spare, just in case. And you can find deals on the X2's, since they won't work in Europe, and Line 6 closed them out to replace them with worldwide useable units.
 

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