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Joined: Feb 2006
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Hi all,
Thinking that my next investments might be going wireless - at least for guitar and voice, possibly more instruments (for when I jam with my friends).
Anybody do this already - and can share some things to look out for ? Particular product suggestions also welcome.
Best,
Joe V.
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Yeah, I'd like to know as well. Exactly my own sentiments.
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VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
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. Take care buying any used wireless system. The Fcc sold the 600Mhz band and that effectively bans wireless mics for that band. There are tons of useless wireless equipment being dumped into the used market. Wireless Microphones 600Mhz FCC Ban . Cost pretty much reflects a difference in quality in audio wireless. There will always be something noticeable between a $49 wireless mic and $349 wireless mic. . Good, quality devices will work extremely well. Do some research and buy new from a reputable dealer and you will have something you'll love immediately and will enjoy it for many years.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Lots of experience over the decades. Unless you have to go wireless, I say avoid wireless.
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HI
MY OWN PERSONAL VIEW is don’t do it unless you really have to.
It just adding more links in the chain . First you have to modulate the signal onto radio wave then you have to transmit it then demodulate it at its destination.
There are various forms of modulation FM etc and various frequency bands all of which are crowded and subject to interference and strict regulations.
As for gigging with others what happens if two or three of you finish up on the same channel.
Trust me use a cable its yours alone, and should not be full of rf interference spoiling your music,
Just my thoughts
Mike
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Joe V.... My experience....I love the wireless option. I got my first wireless guitar unit (Nady 201) back in 1994 for guitar only I wore it out, had it repaired and purchased another one as back up during the repair time. I've never had any issues or reservations as noted by other contributors. NOTE: I only use it in my studio area environment and never had any issues. I've always used wireless to record my guitar on originals and play along with my personal set list of cover songs. I haven't tripped over a guitar cord in 25 years.  I've never had a microphone wireless unit so I can't comment on that route. I've never used it playing live and know nothing of frequency saturation/conflicts in that context that others have experienced. Hope that helps. Back to it.....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 12/13/19 04:12 AM.
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Digital wireless systems such as the newer XVive products have around 6 milliseconds latency. That's not necessarily a problem but, if you combine that with a digital FX pedal such as a TC Helicon Play Acoustic/Electric you might get annoyed and frustrated by a quite noticeable lag from the time you pluck a note and when you actually hear it. So, check the specs on products and keep that in mind. You might get a digital wireless gadget now and connect it to your analog equipment and have no noticeable latency. Then later you add a digital FX gadget and think the problem is solely with the newer gadget since you didn't notice it before. I am speaking from both; seeing someone else have this problem and I myself must be really susceptible to noticing latency while playing live even if its someone else with the latency problem.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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I've been using the Xvive system for about 3 years on acoustic guitar, banjo and mandolin, with no major issues except when I forget to recharge it. Two guys I play with have recently bought similar systems, but from another manufacturer, and we have had no interference issues between the three.
We have not used these with digital FX, so I can't comment on that, however they can be affected by active pick-ups. Passive P/Us are no problem, but some on board pre-amps can create a high frequency "whine". I have 1 guitar that doesn't and 2 that do. Generally the noise is low volume and is lost in the mix, but it's something to be aware of.
Xvive have also introduced a similar system for standard mics, you replace the cable with the transmitter, but I have not used this, so can't comment.
Hope this info is of use.
Vintage
Last edited by VintageGibson; 12/13/19 03:18 PM.
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When I was gigging, I experimented with wireless.... that was a few decades back but, the gear never quite worked like I wanted.
I got lots of unexpected static crashes that really were show stoppers. Nothing like static coming through and couple thousand watts worth of stage and PA gear. We reinforced everything on stage into the PA.... and as a 3 piece band.... it was noticeable.
I took the gear back to the store and it would not replicate at the store (of course) they gave me a new wireless setup..... back to the second night of the show...same thing happened. From that point I stuck with cords. In a studio or small stage setup, the big question is Why? Cords are more reliable.
I'm sure the new gear is so much more stable so I'd try it again if I was still playing large stages and live shows.
Yes.... be aware that the frequency spectrum has changed and you don't want to be using the old frequency gear. Get educated before you dish out the jing.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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The standard for wireless changed a few years ago. If you have an old unit or are thinking of buying a used one make sure it's new enough to be using the new standards. The old frequency bands were taken over by the FCC and auctioned off for other uses. Personal experiences from using the old standards mean nothing now.
Bob
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Joe,
Still wondering why you think Wireless is a good solution for home practice use. A jamhub or similar is much better suited for the task.
-Scott
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Ahhhh....always looking for a new toy that doesn't reproduce what I already have, and can potentially be used on a gig (even though I doubt I will ever gig lol).
Thanks all for sharing your experience - I think I'll just forget about wireless unless I actually have a strong need.
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We use an older AKG wireless mic system for a campground pastor we support. Probably 25 years old or so. It's in the old 600 range but we've never had interference and no complaints. I'm thinking this could be due to most of the campgrounds being somewhat remote so there are no dedicated users of the bands we are on in those areas. But, one of those campgrounds is Palm Springs Thousand Trails (actually in Palm Desert CA) which is very close to a lot of city, industry, emergency services, and even an airport. Still no issues. Maybe it simply doesn't transmit or receive from/to much distance at all. I also have a quite old small AKG guitar BUG and used it in the YMCA building close to the Palm Desert Police station every Sunday morning for around 2 years or so with no issues. But, I know for fact the guitar bug only reaches around 20 - 30 feet in line of site. Stage to pedal board is about it's limit. Plus it would devour one AAA battery every Sunday morning.
There is a way to find the frequencies in use in your area and who they are licensed to on the FCC website. If your frequencies are not in use then use your older stuff at your own discretion.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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Before we upgraded, my church broadcasted a funeral to the elementary school next door. The kids got most of the service before someone figured out how to turn off the school's av system.
...Deb
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I'm interested in this topic, too, but never learn about the frequency/band thing. Thanks OP and all members who answered. Will definitely learn about wireless devices.
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I think Shure, Senheiser and Electro-Voice all have links to what the rules are. I think I found the frequency bands in use list somewhere on the FCC website but don't recall for certain. It was a list of areas, radio and TV stations and emergency services and which frequencies they were licensed to use. That's how I figured out it was worth the risk to run my "outlawed" wireless units in specific locations.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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