Rack Wireless Guitar Unit Help

RLeahey14 · Post by **RLeahey14** » Monday Nov 26, 2007

Im looking into getting a rack wireless unit for my guitar and i have no knowlege on the subject of Hz or anything like that so if people could give me some personal experience with different brands or units id greatly appreciate it...thanks in advance

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Nov 26, 2007

Here's a previous thread on the subject.

http://rockpage.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1650

I will receive an AKG Flexx diversity system in a few days. I'll post my impressions after I try it out. The specs look good, I just hope it sounds good.

The low end Shure stuff works good for microphones, but I don't recommend it for guitar. I have 2 Shure UT (identical circuit as PG) systems that I hadn't used for a few years. When I decided to start using them again, one of them died onstage during sound check. For the next gig, I replaced it with the other one and it compressed the guitar sound so that I got more unwanted buzziness on my hi-gain tones-I went back to a wire. I think this happened because I use a compressor now and didn't a few years back. It might actually be a good thing if you don't use a compressor.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Monday Nov 26, 2007

I've got a Carvin uhf up for grabs if you are interested. Its got a rackmount kit also. Always worked good for me. Still in great shape. With my new job I don't see me using it anymore.

stratobastard27 · Post by **stratobastard27** » Monday Nov 26, 2007

I used the Samson Airline series for years and had no problems until I plugged in a reverse polarity adapter. So it was MY fuckup. I loved that wireless. Now I'm using the AKG Guitarbug with the flexi-jack. I don't dig it quite as much as the Samson, but I can use 1 transmitter on the strat and the paul.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Dec 03, 2007

I had a chance to try out the AKG WMS40 Pro Flexx Diversity system with my guitar. It works great! There is very little difference, if any, between the system and a wire. This is not to be confused with the non-diversity versions or the bug systems that AKG makes.

I didn't try it at any great distance, but it worked thru a 3' thick brick wall (between rooms) at 40 feet with no problem.

A single AA battery produces 10mW output and is supposed to last 30 hours. That's better than a "bug" and beats the hell out of the Shure UT/PG systems (and many others) that need a more expensive 9V battery every 2 gigs. The transmitter is small and light and securely clips to the guitar strap without any problem. The system can also switch between 3 UHF channels to avoid interference. Bug transmitters can't.

The system has a frequency response of 35hz to 20Khz, making it superior to most other systems for both bass & guitar.

The only downside I found so far is that you have to buy rack mount hardware separately--good luck finding it at your regular stops.

nighthawk · Post by **nighthawk** » Monday Dec 03, 2007

after 2008 when the government starts selling the radio frequencies that tv and such is using now, will it effect wirless? i am holding out on one because of this. im sure wireless technology will improve when it does. phone companies are already looking to grab a bunch of those frequencies. if phone moves up i bet wireless will.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Dec 03, 2007

nighthawk wrote:after 2008 when the government starts selling the radio frequencies that tv and such is using now, will it effect wirless? i am holding out on one because of this. im sure wireless technology will improve when it does. phone companies are already looking to grab a bunch of those frequencies. if phone moves up i bet wireless will.

Thats in the 700Mhz range.

1. It might be a good idea to avoid wireless in the 700-800Mhz frequency range.
2. All the more reason to get a system with more than one switchable frequencies.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Monday Dec 03, 2007

I've heard that newer wireless units will be in the 5.8gHz range, but I wouldn't swear to it. I worked for a broadcast engineering firm this summer, and other than your rabbit ears-fed TV set, they said it won't have much overall impact. The bandwidth is going to digital-signal, if there is an interference problem, it'll sound ugly, but they're very narrow frequencies, so it won't happen much, and it'll be easy to just switch to another frequency on the frequency-agile stuff.
Of course as always, my tech advice and the correct coupon'll get you a cup of coffee.--------->JMS

djlotus51 · Post by **djlotus51** » Tuesday Dec 04, 2007

I have limited experience with wireless systems, but I do have one for sale if your interested in trying it out. It's a Samson Concert 77...by no means top of the line, but it's doing me no good, so I'll let it go cheap! Check out my post in the Items for Sale section for more info.