Wireless options

[themetallikid]

Sorry for cross posting, please delete if its out of line...but I posed on the Relay forum for wireless and after 53 views....no responses.

 

I'm having a custom pedalboard built to finish up my live rig.  It'll consist of Helix, Digitech Drop, Digitech Freqout, Mission Engineering L6 expression pedal, MXR Talkbox and ultimately a pedal version wireless.  

 

I'm looking for wireless options...as the wireless I'm coming from has been rock solid for about 10 years.  I like to wander in the clubs we play, and when we play outside I'll go out walking around as well.  I've never had a drop out with my Sennheiser....so I'm spoiled in how well it works, but its clearly overkill for the clubs we play (50-300ish most times).  It is nice during some outdoor festivals to have the range to go out about 60+ feet and play in front of people though...and Id like to not lose those.  

 

So I know L6 makes one, Shure, even Sennheiser....but reviews always leave me questioning my purchase regarding battery life and range. 

 

ideas? recommendations?

[GeeTah]

I have both the G90 and G30 and have used each with my Helix rig. But - without a doubt - my favorite is my Shure GLXD 16-Z2. No close second. Not only does the system have great range, but the onboard tuner can be left on at all times when playing. Great form factor and functionality. Battery life is great and the factory lithium-ion battery can be recharged in the body pack with a standard mini-USB cable (ie non Apple phone charger). I can play two 3 hour shows in the same weekend and not recharge the body  pack (although I usually do...).  

 

The G90 is "OK" but I've had the power switch fail twice. Tone is fine, just not made as well as the Shure. Range is the same. 

 

Hope this helps!!!

[themetallikid]

yeah that's a great endorsement and detail for what I'm looking for.  I'll look into that one.  Not sure if that model is the same one I was looking at. 

 

What kind of range do you see with it, realistically?    When I got my Sennheiser I currently have (again, its overkill) I set it up in my dads basement, went out side, walked down the street about 4 houses and when I got back, was told it never dropped out.   

[chasingMango]

FWIW... I have the G10S and it works great.  There are a lot of complaints about the G10 and G10S... maybe there is bad quality control but mine has always worked great.  If you try it out and don't have any problems in the first few sessions, then it probably won't give you any issues after that either.

[GeeTah]

3 hours ago, themetallikid said:

What kind of range do you see with it, realistically?    When I got my Sennheiser I currently have (again, its overkill) I set it up in my dads basement, went out side, walked down the street about 4 houses and when I got back, was told it never dropped out.   

 

I play on multiple stages, both via my church and in the day-job band. Both put me on pretty sizeable stages. Our church venue seats a little over 3,000 and the band is on the road and plays multiple larger casino rooms. I do move around during a show quite a bit and I've never had a single drop-out from either the G90 or the Shure. I have had numerous drop-outs in the G30.

 

I have never tested the Shure to see just how far it would reach, but in all the rooms I've played with it (quite a few), there's never been a single issue. I don't use the G90 much anymore - it's in a rack with my Axe FX which I have semi-retired in favor of Helix. I feel like I could go to a show without a hard-wired (physical) back-up and not be worried about anything with the Shure. Can't say that about the G90 since the power switch is delicate and has failed more than once. 

[codamedia]

4 hours ago, GeeTah said:

without a doubt - my favorite is my Shure GLXD 16-Z2.

 

I know a few people with that model and they love it. 

 

@themetallikid  My worry of most compact rechargeable lithium battery wireless units is what happens when the battery does die? Eventually it will. IMO, I prefer having something that runs on AA or AAA batteries. 

 

My choice when I bought a compact (pedal) Wireless was a BOSS WL-60. 

• Typical Boss Pedal size and build quality.
• 14 channels
• Beltpack transmitter uses a standard guitar cable (one is included), not proprietary. 
• less than 3ms latency
• 20 hours+ on 2 AA alkaline batteries. (receiver can also use AA or Boss Power Supply).
  I use rechargeable and never have an issue... a spare 4 pack of Duracell's gives me peace of mind. 
• Range only claims to be "20 meters/65 feet", but I think that is extremely cautious. My first test when I received it was much further than that.... at least 120'.
  I've never had any issues on any concert/festival stages, but admittedly, I do not wander around a concert hall or festival site. 

Just providing another option.... :) 

[talwilkins]

I have recently purchased a BOSS WL-T.

Very low latency and works great til now.

No problems whatsoever

[themetallikid]

3 hours ago, codamedia said:

 

I know a few people with that model and they love it. 

 

@themetallikid  My worry of most compact rechargeable lithium battery wireless units is what happens when the battery does die? Eventually it will. IMO, I prefer having something that runs on AA or AAA batteries. 

 

My choice when I bought a compact (pedal) Wireless was a BOSS WL-60. 

• Typical Boss Pedal size and build quality.
• 14 channels
• Beltpack transmitter uses a standard guitar cable (one is included), not proprietary. 
• less than 3ms latency
• 20 hours+ on 2 AA alkaline batteries. (receiver can also use AA or Boss Power Supply).
  I use rechargeable and never have an issue... a spare 4 pack of Duracell's gives me peace of mind. 
• Range only claims to be "20 meters/65 feet", but I think that is extremely cautious. My first test when I received it was much further than that.... at least 120'.
  I've never had any issues on any concert/festival stages, but admittedly, I do not wander around a concert hall or festival site. 

Just providing another option.... :) 

Thanks Coda (& Talwilkins....thats a good point on the battery issue.  I've never had any problems with anything ion...but your right.  I do have some fantastic rechargeables I've been using in sennheiser that get me about 2 shows on a charge over a weekend....so that makes me wanna lean that way as well. I'll look into it.  

 

I appreciate the extra info and do some more research.  Thanks, cheers!

[caledoneus]

Line6 G30 (and up) are all great options for you.  I've got the 30, and if I ever have to replace it, I'll probably go with the 50 just for the sturdier casing on the transmitter.  No issues.

 

[DarthHollis]

My G10S has been great. It's powered like a normal pedal (needs 300mA) and I don't have to buy batteries.  The internal battery lasts a long time and usually can recharge fully between sets anyway.  It comes with a right angle adapter so it will work with many different guitar inputs.  It's just been very reliable.  Also, you can always buy another transmitter for $100.  I like not having anything hanging off of my guitar strap or in my back pocket.  I've been using either the G10 or G10S for 5 years without problems except for drop outs from wi=fi routers.

 

Iif your receiver (the part on the pedal board) is within 10 feet of a wireless router, you will probably have drop outs.  It's just the nature of digital wireless and the spectrum that it uses.  I seemed to have more problems with the old expensive Shure wireless.  

[themetallikid]

Yeah with me running the sound usually our mixer setup is within 10feet easy...however, we do hardwire it to the laptop, cause my other guitar players wireless was causing an interruption between mixer/laptop.  So that part shouldn't be a problem.  

 

 

[themetallikid]

One thing I read that is beyond my knowledge comprehension with wireless units...I have EMG's in my guitars, I've read some wireless plugs don't play well with those types of input jacks?

 

[gunpointmetal]

2 hours ago, themetallikid said:

One thing I read that is beyond my knowledge comprehension with wireless units...I have EMG's in my guitars, I've read some wireless plugs don't play well with those types of input jacks?

 

A lot of the self-charging ones have a TRS plug for the charger to pass power and EMGs (and most active pickups, AFAIK) use a TRS jack that grounds with a TS (instrument) cable connected to "turn on" the pickups. So a TRS jack won't connect the battery to the pickups. 

[rd2rk]

2 hours ago, themetallikid said:

One thing I read that is beyond my knowledge comprehension with wireless units...I have EMG's in my guitars, I've read some wireless plugs don't play well with those types of input jacks?

 

 

I had a LP with an active boost circuit. My G10 made horrible noises until I added an extension cable and attached the transmitter to the strap.

Something about the batteries messing with the transmitters. 

[themetallikid]

Yeah I've never had any issues with my Sennheiser in this regards, but the question was raised I think when the G10s came out and its got me thinking and confused, lol

[codamedia]

On 2/11/2020 at 4:26 PM, themetallikid said:

Yeah I've never had any issues with my Sennheiser in this regards, but the question was raised I think when the G10s came out and its got me thinking and confused, lol

 

Many wireless units with TRS jacks will cause problems, but not all. It is a confusing gray area, thankfully most company's do list limitations like this.

 

FWIW... I need to change my answer from earlier. I had bought the BOSS WL-60 but while under the return period the store I bought it from had a used Line 6 G50 with 1 year warranty for $125 (CAD). That was a deal I couldn't turn up so I returned the boss. They are comparable units for features and durability, no real change there. Range is suppose to be greater on the G50 (200' vs 65') but this was strictly a cost thing for me (I'm cheap - LOL)

 

I did a gig with the G50 over the weekend and it worked great. 

[themetallikid]

Ok, the G50 was one that I had been eyeing up, as my other guitar player upgraded to the 90 I believe and he still has his 50 I could get from him if I wanted.  His battery compartment door is the only issue really.   but that seems to be the biggest issue with those....and to replace just the wireless transmitter, id be better off  buying a new one with warranty.  But I may just see what he wants to dump it for then and go that route.  if I need to tape it shut or something, wouldn't be the first time in my life. 

 

 

[codamedia]

31 minutes ago, themetallikid said:

His battery compartment door is the only issue really.   but that seems to be the biggest issue with those....

..... But I may just see what he wants to dump it for then and go that route.  if I need to tape it shut or something, wouldn't be the first time in my life. 

 

The door on those transmitters is pretty rugged compared to most... especially compared to the G30 transmitters. 

 

FWIW... I used rechargeable AA batteries and after my 3 x 50 minute sets the transmitter still indicated I had over 4 hours of life left. My point is... if you had to go the elastic route (I'd use a strong elastic rather than tape), it would just be a "start of night" thing, not something to worry about mid show. If my door ever dies, I'd have no worries about using an elastic. 

[themetallikid]

sweet. I think that will work then....My other guitar player said I could have it....I was like, your not 'giving' it to me......which now seems to make my decision easier, lol.  

[sleewell]

i really love my shure glxd 16

[themetallikid]

bringing this back for discussion.  

 

I've been using my buddie's G50 he gave me.  No issues tone/distance wise....however....few things cause its used that I'm concerned about.  

 

I had the thread about a longer cable, and I have no issues with getting one of those..however....I usually have always had my pack on my belt, and the short cable doesnt allow that.  THe longer cable should fix that...but putting it on my strap has given way to another potential issue....the cable comes out of the transmitter rather easily.  and because of the 3 pin type of jack it uses its not easy to get it back in without a significant drop in play time.    Do these fail often? Is it an issue of the cable or the transmitter jack?  I dont want to invest in a new cable if I need a new transmitter.  The cost of a new transmitter almost justifies me buying a brand new unit all together to get a warranty and new battery door (the battery door isnt a deal breaker for me)

 

 

[DarthHollis]

Get this: https://www.americanmusical.com/daddario-pw-wg-02-wireless-transmitter-instrument-cable/p/DAD-PWWG02?src=Y0802G00SRCHCAPN&adpos=&scid=scplpDAD+PWWG02&sc_intid=DAD+PWWG02&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_j1BRDkARIsAJcfmTH5FlP4IaxW5h5vP-LZ9DFyW9xtvr91oTIMgTrjva0XaRXAuie8IwkaAs6TEALw_wcB

Should last a long time.You can make it however long you want.  Also, there is a lock on the 3-pin so that should not come out easily like you describe.

[codamedia]

On 5/14/2020 at 12:35 PM, themetallikid said:

the cable comes out of the transmitter rather easily. 

 

Mine locks in very solidly! There is no way it is coming out without damaging something. 

 

It's in storage right now (no gigs for obvious lockdown reasons) so I can't take a look at how it secures. I'm pretty sure the cable is the lock mechanism.... take a really close look at that to see if it's working. Sometimes these things just need an adjustment/cleaning, sometimes they need to be replaced. 

 

As stated above... there are replacement cable options, and I'm sure Line 6 has one as well. 

[themetallikid]

yeah I ordered the cable with a longer length.  I figure I can get the cable to solve the length issue for me...if it doesnt lock into the receive still then I can get a new transmitter and I"ll have a backup cable and transmitter (although shorter) if I ever need it.  

 

On a side note, this sparked a question in my head.....if I have 2 transmitters and a single receiver, could I use both transmitters, set to different frequency channels and just attach to my straps then?  so guitar changes would just be taking guitar off/on and not having to disconnect the plug?  It'd be nothing to adjust the channel on the receiver...or if I just mute each transmitter as I switch can they both be on the same channel?  if it is just the cable, then maybe I'll get a 2nd one and go this route as it'd make it even easier at gigs...

 

 

all about the easy lately...lol

[codamedia]

On 5/16/2020 at 9:36 AM, themetallikid said:

On a side note, this sparked a question in my head.....if I have 2 transmitters and a single receiver, could I use both transmitters, set to different frequency channels and just attach to my straps then?  so guitar changes would just be taking guitar off/on and not having to disconnect the plug?  It'd be nothing to adjust the channel on the receiver...or if I just mute each transmitter as I switch can they both be on the same channel?  if it is just the cable, then maybe I'll get a 2nd one and go this route as it'd make it even easier at gigs...

 

I have no personal experience with this... I keep my transmitter on my belt and swap guitars just like I would if I had a single cable. Using mute/engage with multiple receivers should work fine... changing channels also, but then you have to reserve two channels from other band members.