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Post subject: Wire.....less
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:12 pm
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Thinking about going wireless with my set up. Have my eyes on the line 6 G30. Anybody have any experience with running a wireless set up? Would love to hear your suggestions and experiences. Particularly as it pertains to tonal differences. For instance, is my strat still gonna sound like a strat? I'm curious as to how the input signal is processed and delivered to the receiver. Does the receiver also function as a buffer? Etc etc.

Thanks in advance.

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:39 pm
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I used a Nady system for a few years and I found that the rcvr/xmtr configuration compresses the signal which causes a loss of both tone and gain to a certain extent. This was some ten or fifteen years ago -- contemporary models may have successfully addressed the issue.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:40 pm
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Yeah, current systems seem to be more advanced now. I've read up and seems like even the top end analog systems can compete with the digital systems. My main concern with wireless was what it does with the integrity of the original signal. For instance, there are hot pick ups and there are not so hot pickups. Does wireless take the signal and reproduce it exactly from transmitter to receiver? I would hope that's the case. I don't want my single coils signal being "amplified" due to a weaker signal as compared to lets say a humbucker. And I wouldn't want my humbucker signal "clipped" because it's too hot. Hopefully someone can shed some light on this?
Thanks again.

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:06 pm
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I have a Line-6 Relay G90. It seems to be satisfactory however I have a friend who also has the same model and he feels it does not stand up under abuse although in the Line-6's defense his definition of abuse really is abuse. I have had no issues with mine. If I were you I'd wait a few months until Shure releases their guitar version of their GLX-D. It promises to be the new state of the art.

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 1:59 pm
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I've been using a Sennhieser Freeport (cheap unit - Amazon $162) on gigs for a little over 1 1/2 years. I haven't had any problems with it at all. I can't really tell any difference with tone or volume than when I use a cord.
One of the guitar players bought one at the same time. He hasn't had any problems with his either.
The other guitar player had been using a Shure system. I'm not sure how long he had it, but he noticed he couldn't get near the sustain he was getting at practice. Same amp, same guitar, but was using a cord. He put the Shure up and has been using a cord since.

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:28 am
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I have often wondered why Slash was running all over the stage wireless in 1989, but in 2013 we don't see much wireless being used.


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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 4:24 pm
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I used a bandmates Nady for a while just to be able to mix up with some of the people in our crowds. I did like the freedom of being wireless, but I have a rather extensive pedalboard, and really need to be on stage way more than not. I did however feel there was something missing from my tone with the wireless, but they may be better now. I still prefer to be plugged in. I also notice that most videos of performers I like are plugged in, got to be something to that.

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:24 pm
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Arnold Layne wrote:
... but they may be better now.

The new digital ones appear to be better at preserving dynamic response and have a better signal to noise ratio than the older analog units although I would assume there still may be some small amount of digital noise floor. Previous generation digital ones ran at 900 MHz. The new ones transmit at 2.4 GHz and typically have automatic channel selection to prevent interferance from other units. Most of the old concerns with wireless have been dealt with in a reasonably satisfactory fashion. You still don't want to get much further away from your reciever than about 50 feet even though many are good for 300 feet as you begin to notice a minute amount of delay starting at about 50 feet or so and it increases from there. So ... no following that pretty girl out into the Hotel lobby.
:lol:

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:34 pm
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I think if the OP (or anyone else for that matter) is seriously considering going wireless I think I would recommend renting one first for a gig and trying it in a live situation. Making sure to pack along a regular cord, just in case.

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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:48 pm
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The Line 6 Relay sounds better than some cables. I'm speaking of the G50 pedalboard and the G90 rack mount models specifically. I haven't tried out the Line 6 models in between or if there are any newer ones I haven't tried those either. But before rushing out to go wireless read on because I''m not suggesting to do that at all.

Time was that the Shure sounded best. They were unrivaled but were also the most expensive by far. Cheaper wireless units were never even close in sound quality or reliability. The Line 6 Relay system came along relatively recently and sounded a little better than the Shure line that was out at the time the Relay line came out. Shure recently answered back with a new higher end line called SLX that destroys any superiority the Line 6 may have briefly had in performance.

Historically the Shure wireless systems have always won on durability. On most wireless instrument systems the biggest trouble spot is the cable from the instrument to the transmitter pack. That is true of all makes no matter how costly. Even Shure ones require maintenance or replacement more frequently than you'd probably replace a standard instrument cable.

I toyed with the idea of wireless briefly about 2 years ago as the local Shure and Line 6 dealer were trying to push one or the other on me, but after trying out a few different units I decided to stay hardwired. It is more environmentally responsible. I've left enough 9-volt batteries in my wake in over 45 years of playing already and I'm still leaving a few here and there. I don't run around the stage enough to justify the considerable expense, added weight, extra hassle or the maintenance issues associated with even the very best wireless units.

No matter how good they sound (and I assure you that the Shure and Line 6 high end units are way better sounding than 3 years ago) they are not as reliable as a good hard wired cable. The budget wireless units honestly are not going to make me happy, but some of them do make me snicker.

If you are on world tour with someone to take care of moving and maintaining your gear or if you move around a lot on stage and maybe wade into the audience, then in those cases only going wireless makes sense. You should never do it for a reason of better audio. There is no point in it for a weekend warrior like me who already has enough to worry about. There are issues of one kind or another with all wireless units, but the new Shure SLX line seems to fare best with fewer complaints so far than the rest. If I did decide to go wireless I'd probably go with one of the new Shure models. But like I said, I'm not going there.

Whether the high cost of quality wireless is worth it is up to you to decide, but I am probably going to stick with my old MIT Ripcord cables for life. I've got lots better uses for $700 than a wireless setup just so I can totter around on stage like Tim Conway's elderly gent character on the old Carol Burnette Show. I could buy a Cabronita Bass for that pile of bread easy.



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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:24 am
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I use the Line 6 G30 and can recommend it highly. There is no loss of sound quality whatsoever and the signal is strong enough to get to wherever you might reasonably want to wander off to!

Going wireless is a very liberating experience. I previously had the Samson Airline which worked well with my Fenders but didn't agree at all with my Gibson, hence the change.

One thing about the G30 is that the transmitter unit clips onto your guitar strap. That takes a little bit of getting used to when you set up but is fine as long as you put it on the right way round. Also, if you want to switch guitars you're probably better off keeping the strap on and swapping the guitars in and out of it if that's practicable with your instruments.


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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:31 pm
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I've been using a Samson wireless system for about 8 years now, I love it at gigs since besides playing and singing I run the sound. I need the option to be able to walk in front of the mains and hear what's what and make adjustments.

I only use a cable at practice and don't notice any real degradation in signal quality or overall sound between the two things. I've read this discussion on compression and other things and that's deeper than I care to dig into this.

I get what I feel is a very comparable sound to the corded setup and have a ton of freedom so I'd never be without my wireless when gigging.


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Post subject: Re: Wire.....less
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:47 pm
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Tom De Ville wrote:
One thing about the G30 is that the transmitter unit clips onto your guitar strap. That takes a little bit of getting used to when you set up but is fine as long as you put it on the right way round. Also, if you want to switch guitars you're probably better off keeping the strap on and swapping the guitars in and out of it if that's practicable with your instruments.

I clip mine onto my belt, hit the mute switch on the transmitter, change guitars, plug back in and hit the mute again. Silent, fast, easy.

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