Author Topic: Go wireless? (Read 471 times)

gregduboc · « **on:** April 07, 2009, 01:27:24 PM »

Hey everyone...

I'm considering a wireless system for my Alembic. I'm one of those that can't stand still while playing, as I believe it makes for an awesome stage presence.

I haven't started looking at the systems available yet, I decided to come here first and have you guys as advisors.

Every input here will be really appreciated! Thanks for the attention and help!

Greg

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2009, 01:31:41 PM »

Greg..I am looking too so you beat me to it but since I am in the UK I guess frequency specs will be totally different.
I did have a really cheap one years ago but it kept picking the taxis up outside the venue and it coloured the sound so it went attic along with all the other usless musical stuff I have bought and never used.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2009, 02:15:52 PM »

I know they are generally known for cheap crap, but I've been using an old NADY 201 true diversity system on and off for over 20 years. It doesn't pick up police radio calls, or air traffic controllers, etc. It doesn't seem to change my tone, and it has always worked. I know there are much better systems out there, but this old NADY has never given me any problems and you can find them on Ebay quite often for relatively little $. YMMV.

Bill, tgo

gregduboc · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2009, 02:19:50 PM »

Terry, I was afraid of such things... Picking other frequencies is something I'm quite scared off. That is why I've convinced myself of spending as much money as needed on the wireless system. After all, we spend a whole bunch on our basses, so our equipment should be on the same scale, right?
Have you got any models in mind already?

Greg

gregduboc · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2009, 02:24:08 PM »

Bill, I've seen those, and actually, you are not the first one to tell me that they are reliable.... I've put them in my list of at least give it a try, it will probably be worth it now.

Greg

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2009, 02:29:54 PM »

I've used several wireless systems.
I had a Nady 201 that worked fine but I noticed a big change in my tone on my bass but hardly any tone change on my guitar.
I had Boss that I like real well but it used AA batteries and they didn't last very long.
I also had a Sure that cost me over a grand. It had the truest signal and sounded good with my bass but it was very expensive.

Now I stick with a cable. If I were playing full time again I would probably go back to wireless but most of my playing now is in the Studio or a more subdued venue that the old clubs and concerts we used to play.

OO

wideload · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2009, 03:36:23 PM »

My band likes me to play wireless because then they can't hear me...

dnburgess · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2009, 03:59:11 PM »

For bass applications we recommend X2 Digital Wireless System. Frequency response is down to 10Hz.

ajdover · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2009, 04:52:59 PM »

I have the X2 rackmount wireless. Othan the fact that it tends to eat batteries, it works perfectly. I notice no difference in tone.

Alan

briant · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2009, 06:41:07 PM »

+1 on the X2 wireless.

Unless you want to get into the Shure systems (or comparable) that are $2000+ the X2 is the best wireless solution for bass. Period.

X2 frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz. It doesn't do anything to your tone. It sounds like a high quality cable - I've A/B'd my Mogami Gold cables and you cannot hear a difference.

edit: also wanted to point out that I've never had problems with interference of any sort with my X2. They have 5 channels available to them and I've only ever used one.

(Message edited by briant on April 07, 2009)

terryc · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2009, 04:30:24 AM »

Looks like plenty to choose from but as olieoliver says a high quality cable beats all unless you are prepared to pay an lot of monet for a professional radio system.
I don't think guitars are tonally affected as much as basses, guess it boils down to the frequency

gregduboc · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2009, 09:01:29 AM »

Well, thanks for all the info! I suppose the X2 is apparently the best choice then... If it works just as fine as the Shure, but for less money, that must be the way to go!
But do you guys think it is worth the extra buck to get the Shure system?
I understand cables are still the best solution, but I just hate the fact of being tied to something... something that usually makes me trip...

Greg

deburgh · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2009, 12:20:01 PM »

I use the Shure wireless system and it sounds great.. It definitely wasn't cheap, but the tone is great and I've never had any problems with interference at all.

briant · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2009, 03:04:12 PM »

The X2 is what you should buy unless you have a lot of disposable income and/or are a touring musician playing lots of different places on very large stages.

Buy this:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line6-X2-Digital-Wireless-XDR95-Instrument-Wireless-System?sku=271198

And this at the same time:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line6-X2-Digital-Wireless-XC3R-14-to-18-RightAngle-Locking-Cable?sku=271196

The cable that comes with the wireless system is a cheap POS. It only took a few months for mine to start failing and I typically only gig 3 or 4 times a month. So it lasted less than 40 hours of use and that's being generous. The replacement cable has lasted for well over a year and is still going strong.

For under $400 you'll have a wireless solution that sounds just as good as a high quality cable.

The X2 uses the same technology as the X-Wire. I owned an X-Wire when the X2 was released. I bought an X2 immediately and did and A/B comparison between the original recipe and the new hotness. THEY SOUNDED THE SAME. I put my X-Wire on eBay the next day and it sold for $300 more than I paid for it when I bought it off eBay many years prior.

Looks like plenty to choose from but as olieoliver says a high quality cable beats all unless you are prepared to pay an lot of monet for a professional radio system.
I don't think guitars are tonally affected as much as basses, guess it boils down to the frequency

Did you not read any of the responses about the X2? Mine most notably since I very specifically stated that I've done A/B comparisons with the X2 and a high quality cable: there is no difference in tone. I would not consider $390 for the system plus the upgraded cable to be a lot of money for a wireless system. There are plenty which cost a lot more that don't do as good a job with bass guitars (due to frequency roll off).

briant · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2009, 03:11:24 PM »

Oh yeah. I also can't say enough good things about having a few of these for quick changes between instruments:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Neotech-Wireless-Pouch?sku=367509

Way cheaper than buying another transmitter and it is safer than clipping the transmitter directly onto the strap. The transmitter isn't going to fall out of this pouch. I do a lot of jumping/running around/etc... on stage and I never think or worry about the transmitter coming loose.