Wireless bass transmitters

[Grand Wazoo]

In the late 90's I got myself a Samson Bass transmitter and returned it to the shop in less than 2 days because whilst playing in a pub this damn thing was picking up all kinds of weird noises from the beer pumps and even cabs CB's passing by.

That was over 10 years ago and I have never bothered to investigate again if a new more modern product is available which can be truly reliable and be completely noise free except of course for the noise you want which are the ones coming from the bass to the amp.

Have you got one which you can recommend?

Thanks in advance.

Fran

 

[INMT]

Check your PM's.

 

[nicjimbass]

I used to have an original X-wire X905 that was amazing. Everything you hear about them is true- it's like playing with a cable, only with wireless freedom. Never had one instance of unwanted noise. I think Line 6 recently bought X2, which used the same technology as the original X-wire. It'd be worth checking out.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Thanks to you both, I'll check them out.

 

[mynan]

I've got the X2.
Line 6 X2 XDS95 24-Bit Digital Instrument Wireless System and more Instrument Wireless Systems at GuitarCenter.com.

The price is right and I've never had a problem with it. The range is good and you don't have to rack the receiver.

 

[oddjob]

Shure SLX - never had an issue and has great response

 

[jlepre]

AKG Bug has been good to me over the years.

 

[AnthonyD]

Shure SLX here too - love it.

 

[Ed x TWWK]

Line 6 X2 XDR95 Digital Instrument Wireless System and more Instrument Wireless Systems at GuitarCenter.com.

I've had this, and toured extensively with it for ~8 months. I've never had a problem with interference, cutting out, or anything else. I highly recommend it.

 

[hankSRay]

Shure SLX - never had an issue and has great response

Shure SLX here too - love it.

+1 my Shure SLX has been great ever since I bought it last year.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

You know what? I can't find any dealers here in UK that stock either Line6 or Shure systems. All the listings I can find are from a place called the USA, (where is that?) if I can't try before I buy I am in a lot of bother, if it goes wrong the warranty might be an issue in this country.

 

[Jimmyb]

You know what? I can't find any dealers here in UK that stock either Line6 or Shure systems. All the listings I can find are from a place called the USA, (where is that?) if I can't try before I buy I am in a lot of bother, if it goes wrong the warranty might be an issue in this country.

You also need to be careful with the selection of frequencies, as some that are used in the US may be restricted over here. Also, given the big frequency sell-off that's coming this way pretty soon, you'd need to make sure that it wasn't going to be obsolete in a couple of years.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Thank you pal, however I have just contacted a few companies by email and learnt of a major setback: all wireless systems currently on sale have been designed for passive instruments, therefore if you use them with any active instrument you are compelled to keep the volume as down as half way to prevent the sound clipping into distortion. People have also told me of a loss of colour and tonal presence has been experienced with all the wireless system tested.

Cord it is for me now and forever.

Thanks to all.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Thank you pal, however I have just contacted a few companies by email and learnt of a major setback: all wireless systems currently on sale have been designed for passive instruments, therefore if you use them with any active instrument you are compelled to keep the volume as down as half way to prevent the sound clipping into distortion. People have also told me of a loss of colour and tonal presence has been experienced with all the wireless system tested.

The Samson Airline transmitter that I used for 6 years without any issues at all had a 15dB attenuation switch on it for use with active instruments. I used it at tons of gigs with Stingrays and Bongos with no loss of tonal quality. I'd be very surprised if none of the wireless systems currently on the market have something similar.

Edit: I just checked, and the Samson transmitters still have this feature.

X2 doesn't have an input attentuation pad, but their website claims "There is no need for a CLIP indicator as the system has greater than 118 dB dynamic range and can accommodate input/output signals up to ~6V peak-to-peak."

The Shure beltpack transmitters have a rotary gain control that is used to set up the input signal so it doesn't clip.

So, your fears about active basses and currently available wireless systems are unfounded.

 

[AnthonyD]

Re: the Shure SLX - there is a rotary gain on the receiver AND an attenuation selection on the transmitter.

No issues...

 

[thunder]

it doesn't matter what you get. as long as it handles UHF or digital. try to get one that ethier on the high end or lowest tranmitter frequency. vhf transmitters are very affordable but, everyone from the police to cabs uses them. that my story and i'm sticking to it.