Community: Message List

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:51:23 GMT

RonMarton wrote:

To my mind, this leaves us with consideration of the P180 paddles and the distribution of their RF to your three receivers.

(You've probably done all of this, but I'd rather risk offending you by telling you what you already know than omit a possible cause.)

Only short LMR195 BNC jumpers (as supllied with Line 6 receivers) can be used to "daisy chain" RF to multiple receivers,
It's essential that "A Out" to "A In", "B Out" to "B In" order be observed and
XD-V70's must have their supplied terminators plugged on to the un-used "A Out" & "B Out" antenna BNC's of the last receiver in the "daisy chain".

That leaves only the antennae themselves.

Eureka!! Mystery Solved!!! ... I hope.

BTW - Great Call RonMarton!!

So I checked my daisy chaining, and wa la ... only the 1st receiver (in the chain) was wired correctly.

It was the one used for my handheld, which coinicendentally never had any drop out issues ... duh!!

The two lav receivers were not daisy chained/terminated properly.

I had forgotten that when I got my P180s, I transferred my ceremony setup to a new SKB case. I gave the task of wiring my new case to my assistant. Which explains where the mistake happened.

When issues arose, I only checked for loose wires, but never to verify that it (wiring job) was done correctly. I "assumed" my assistant had simply duplicated my prior (correct) daisy chained wiring layout (when transferring my gear to the new case). And given that I got strong signal readings, I was none the wiser.

But alas, since all my test were done with no one around (e.g. no pesky human beings blocking my RF) the "weak" signal flaw was masked, and thus not apparent. I credit that to the powerful strength of Line 6 quad-channel RF1. But once all the guest showed up, blocking the signal with their bodies, the incorrect wiring no longer could overcome the weak signal. Bam .. the dreaded dropouts.

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 21:16:27 GMT

FROM PRIOR POST ABOVE.....

************************************************

So when you get a dropout ... the RF LED ladder goes off?

Yes, for a split second, then "climbs" back up to full strength, back down to nothing ... repeat.

************************************************

Thus, NOT mic, cable, or connector problem ... Right?

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:40:03 GMT

dboomer wrote:

Is it always the same unit that drops out or is it just that one of the two drops?

It had been just the groom's, but this past weekend's ceremony, had issue with the officiant's lav instead.

dboomer wrote:

Getting full RF readings isn't the same as getting maximum antenna placement. If you are having issues you should use the onboard tools to actually measure as there is some improvement to the system possible.

This weekend's ceremony was right on the beach, at least 200 ft from closest house. I used onboard tools and they confirmed that all channels were indeed free and clear of any interference. Also, both (ch. A & B) RF signal strength measurements showed full power.

dboomer wrote:

If you are out of range due to local conditions them moving at least one of your antennas closer to the groom in this case) could also do the trick.

The other thing you could look at is your near/far situation. It sometimes looks the the receivers like you were listening to one person inches from your ear while trying to listen to another person 20 feet away from you.

Just to clarify, I typically only use two lavs for ceremony. One for groom, and second for officiant. Handheld is used only on occasion. But when it is used, it is at relatively same distance (from receivers ... at loc A or loc B.. see below) as the lavs. Thus, near-far shouldn't be the issue.

Here where I'm usually set up:

Officiant

Handheld-Loc-A Bride - Groom Handheld-Loc-B

Guest-Chairs Guest-Chairs

P-180 P-180

" "

ME-HERE-------P-180 P-180------or ME HERE

Lastly, haven't gotten around to bucket test, or check battery cover. But given that issue has now happened on 2nd (officiant) lav transmitter,

I don't think those test wouldn't be neccessary any more.

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:05:52 GMT

RonMarton wrote:

On reflection, I'd just like to confirm that when you say "...I had changed all systems to lower channel..." this means that the entire "Groom chain" ended up on a different channel number to the one that gave trouble, but the fault recurred.

Whatever happens, there's nothing to be lost by comparing the signal from individual beltpacks via the crude "bucket/microwave" marginal RF test we've already discussed.

One other possibility: Is there any looseness whatsoever in the battery contacts or battery loading door of the offending beltpack?

When "problem" 1st occurred, I was RF2 on all systems. Groom was channel 14, Officiant was channel 13.

Most recently, I switched all back to RF1. Put Officiant on channel 1 & groom channel 2.

Will try bucket (wheel barrel in my case) test soon since I have another ceremony this coming Sat.

Lastly, will verify battery connection/compartment as well.

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:09:52 GMT

So when you get a dropout ... the RF LED ladder goes off?

Yes, for a split second, then "climbs" back up to full strength, back down to nothing ... repeat.

Do you scan for channels prior to use?

Yes. Although all potential sources of RF interference (e.g. guest's bluetooh phones, etc) are not present

at that time.

Do you check the RF performance in the setup mode to insure the best posible antenna placement?

No. But all my pre-event checks typically yeild full strength readings from all receivers.

But same as above, all potential RF interferences sources are usually not present.

How far apart are your paddles?

Varies. But my cables are only 25' long, thus paddles are never more than 50' apart.

Never closer than 6' apart.

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:20:24 GMT

Hopefully issue is NOT firmware related (since I don't have easy access to an XD-V75 anymore).

But I would have hoped that, simliar to other firmware updates, some sort of verification is done (to ensure

there is no corruption).

Can someone at Line 6 confirm/deny that there is some sort of post-flash error check done?

The "bucket" test sounds like a good test, but finding a metal bucket nowadays (at least here in Northeastern US) will be the challenge

since they all seem to be plastic these days.

I have access to a metal wheel barrel, which I assume should suffice.

The fact that issue has happened two weeks in a row, with same (dropout) results, on the same system (transmitter/receiver) but different groom/venue would

lead me to think that problem lies with the system. Since those are the only two constants (all other "variables" having been changed).

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:08:42 GMT

No, it is NOT placed in pocket. But clipped on the belt.

And to reiterate, I've had the same issue (with dropouts) two weeks in a row.

Obviously two different grooms (one would hope ..... LOL), and two different venues.

In both instances, problem only occurs with the same (groom) system (transmitter/receiver).

Officiant's systems (who is obviously standing next to groom), at same distance/venue does

NOT experience ANY dropouts/issues.

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:32:33 GMT

Just completed another weekend, and implemented all the suggestions:

1) I switched back to RF1

2) Repositioned my P180 so the each faced my receivers, but from different angles

3) Double windscreen wrapped my lavs

4) Used "talk" filter setting on receiver

5) Also tried various SF settings on body pack.

The wind noise was totaly under control, thanks RonMarton.

After playing with the different filter setting, I ended up using the "no filter" on my transmitters, but did

keep the "talk" filter on my receivers.

Unfortunately though, my dropout problem (on the groom mic) returned .. UGH!!

Given that I had changed all systems to lower channel & back to RF1 and only the same one system (the groom's)

is experience the dropout, I'm starting to think it the transmitter.

Any ideas?

BTW - I make sure to always have fresh Energizer Lithium batteries in all my transmitters. I even bought a stand alone ZTS

pulse load battery tester awhile back (to ensure batteries were good).

I just opened a support ticket, and I'm awaiting a reply.

Luckily I have a Relay G50 w/ body pack that I can use for my lav (in case I need to ship it back to Line 6).

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:55:16 GMT

Thanks dboomer & RonMarton for the tips & clarifications.

But can either of you answer the remaining portion of my original question/post?

Also, while I'm familiar with low-pass & high-pass filtering, not sure
what the various "cut" filters do (e.g. high-cut, etc). Can someone explain
(in realtively simple terms)?

Would any of the other SF settings be useable for my situtation?

What would be pros/cons of the other (SF1-SF5 vs SF6) available?

Re: Recommended Speech Filter to eliminate wind noise? Also - XD-V70L dropout issue

support@line6.com — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:24:20 GMT

All sounds good.

I just ordered the windscreens you mentioned (via the Amazon link).

Althought the size (of just 1/8" diameter) seems kinda small, but I

assume your using them successfully, so that's good enoguh for me.

RonMarton wrote:

You're probably doing all of what I'm about to suggest anyway, but it's best if you can have both P180 paddles "seeing" the transmitters' "performance area" from different angles. In other words one from "in front" or "behind" the performers, with its "mate" picking up from one or other "side", ...one also being handspan or so higher than the other. This helps maintain RF "line of sight" around human bodies and other RF absorbers or reflectors.

BTW - While I'll be able to spread the placement of my P180 a bit wider, I doubt I'll ever have option to be able to place them both in front of & behind (groom/officiant), since I only have approx. 25 ft of cable per antenna, and am usually 50-100 ft away from cermony location. Plus, isn't the whole purpose of going wireless to eliminate/reduce cable runs ?!

Lastly, I'm a bit suprised to hear that RF2 reception is actually LESS robust that RF1. I'll defintely try the RF1 setting for this weekend's ceremony.

Thanks again,

Ron