Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

[Marc Dobson]

Need to upgrade my personal wireless system. Update is over due. Almost sure I'm going to go with Shure SLX systems because of my needs, parameters and desire to be cost effective. Other choices are AKG, Audio Technica and Shure ULX. I'm knocking out Sennheiser, which has served me great wireless for over 10 years.

My show is a standing, real One Man Band, like Dick Van Dyke plays in the opening of Mary Poppins, except on steroids.

A pic:

If you really wanna see:
- The biggest pile of pics is here: https://www.facebook.com/TheOneManBandMarcDobson
- Pile o video (and pics) here: Marc Dobson - YouTube

Current wireless set up:
1. Vocal & Harp via Crown 311ae with old Sennheiser Wireless. * I get drop outs and it's been driving me nuts.
2. Guitar with old Sennheiser Wireless.
3. Overhead for snare and cymbals via and held Audio Technica old hand held.
4. Bass Drum via Audix D6 with Sennheiser plug on transmitter and old Sennheiser receiver in 500 band

All I'm keeping from current is the Crown 311 mic (I have two cause they are fragile) and the wireless Bass Drum mic system which works great.

I don't wanna try the new Sennheiser G3 with the Crown 311 because the mic will just work better with Shure, AKG or Audio Technica with out modification, drop out and or high noise floor.
Also do not want to switch headset mics. I'm already invested into the Crown mics, will buy more and in research have not come across a better mic for my application of male vocal and harp. Plus I'm completely used to the distance of mic to mouth, harp on a rack, technique for trying to avoid breath noise, using compressor to my advantage and more.

What I need to upgrade to is 4 new wireless systems (5 total with Bass Drum on Sennheiser) and leave room for at least 2 more wireless units in the future.
1. New guitar wireless. Brand don't matter.
2. New wireless system for Crown 311ae.
3. New wireless system and mic dedicated to snare.
4. New wireless system and mic for cymbals of HiHats, 14" crash and 10" splash.

*5. would be 2nd mic on cymbals
*6. would be 2nd wireless on 2nd output from guitar OR sharing 2 wireless units between guitar and my chapman stick which I've yet to add to act.

Guess this boils down to opinions on what brand of wireless systems will work best with the mics...

Wireless system for Crown 311ae?

Snare mic?
1st choice Shure Beta 98H Horn (drum) mic
or Sennheiser E908BEW Wind (drum) mic
or AV-JEFE for AKG mic

Shure Beta 98H has the best reviews for my snare mic options... which are cost effective.

Last thing to think about. How to you wireless mic over head or in my case "behind the head" cymbals?

I think my safe easy bet is to go with another Shure Beta 98Hfor cymbals. I get bleed through all my mics as is because everything is so close. I'm positive a mic on my snare will pick up my crash and some of the hi hats. I don't like using gates with my set up, but that could change. I run compressors/limiters on every instrument. You'll have to look at some pictures of my rig, the cymbals are really close together. I think a carefully placed directional instrument mic would pick up the sound, not perfectly BUT WITH OUT feedback. I do play in front of my PA. I got QSC K12's and use one KSub most of the time which I place on a custom built wagon... 3,000 watts I use to cover a fairground or fill a bar. I'm constantly listening for feedback and re position myself if I get to close.

Two mics on my cymbals will be great for a stereo image when live recording, but I wanna hold on to my money for now.

Any opinions on what mics and wireless system appreciated. Also keep in mind, I'm near other entertainment acts all the time.

Thanks
Marc

 

[Jason Lavoie]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

with that much gear already strapped to you, I can't help but wonder if you'd be better off with a small battery powered mixer and one really good wireless?

Jason

 

[Frederik Rosenkjær]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

I would also think Jason's suggestion might be worth a long, hard look...

But if you want to go with the original plan, my most important input would be: do NOT (!!!!) go with SLX. It sounds like ass (my opinion). Oh, the hours I've spent trying to EQ out unpleasantness in SLX wireless mics even when I know it's not a matter of EQ - the signal is just bad, but still during a long evening of talking and singing, my EQ-fingers just itch nonstop. Unbearable.

My personal advice on wireless is: Mipro. Best sounding system in my personal taste and experience regardless of price, and it's not even expensive. Ok - with all the new digital systems coming out, sure there are many sounding as good now, but in my opinion it sounds better than both Sennheiser 2-3000 series and Shure UHF-R.

 

[Marc Dobson]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Thanks for replies Jason Frederik...

I thought about a small battery powered mixer when I started this show 2 years ago and it's a really bad option. Many reasons...
- Adds weight
- Finding a battery mixer, that I could trust in build quality and battery life equals headache.
- Most important it would work against my mission "to sound like a band" because of lost effects.
-- Vocal & Harp via headset needs a compressor, plus reverb and slap delay.
-- Guitar I run effects on plus in parallel a Subharmomic Synth via a DBX DriveRack to mimic bass and it works.
-- Kick, needs compressor. I am way to dynamic.
-- Snare needs compressor. I play it like the kick.
-- Hihhat needs compressor in my situation.

Currently I run a Mackie mixer, DBX 4 channel comp, TC effects, DriveRack on guitar and another DriveRack on the master.
Once I sell off a set of powered EV speakers, I'm getting a Presonus Studio One mixer to replace all that except one DriveRack.

Running a single mixer would mean losing an insturment (Sub Harmonic Guitar) and attempting to compress, make wet and add delay's to that entire single would sound horrible and negatively effect my performance capabilities on many of the instruments.

So, I ain't F'n around I can not wimp out on processing the instruments I play in front of 1,000's of people sometimes and use a sound man.

Part of reason the reason I am upgrading my wireless (and gear) is for a live DVD with audio products release, I'm planning (with a major music manager) for next year sometime. Three to five video cameras and multi tracked audio with who knows how many wireless units attached.

I don't wanna come off the wrong way, I'm used to "this". Before people see my show there is a huge tendency to think it's a funny gimmick and in part it is. After about 30 secs into a show with a set of new eyes though, gimmick and funny starts to go away and I like to put as "audience see's and hears my niche" which is I am one musician who sounds like a band. Not trying to shoot an ego (but I am a singer/guitar player) but I do rival the sound of a band.

OK back to topic...

I've read reviews like yours Frederik, about bad signal in SLX which sounds like a bad EQ and I've also read good about SLX. But now that I'm thinking about it, I bet the sets of ears that compared SLX to others were the bad reviews and the good reviews were from persons who owned just one wireless system.

Thanks for heads up n Mipro. Can not quickly find a major retailer carrying the wireless units though. I'm not a fan a buying an un known product.

Maybe I should try to stick with Sennheiser, ask how the new G3 units work with Crown 311 (I've read but not verified they work) and modify the transmitter if needed.

AKG? Audio Technica?

Also, I'm staying away from digital, especially in the 2.4 Ghz frequency. From what I've read and how I've gotten answers back from manufactures (AKG) if the wireless mic component is not shielded for 2.4Ghz then interference is possible. If I'm switching up mics, I could run into problems.

The new 4 channel Shure Digital wireless is attractive but the price is looking to be over $6,000 ouch.

And I got to go, drive 10 hrs to North Carolina today so I can make the money to buy these new wireless units. I'm at fairs in Goldsboro, Greenville and Raleigh for the next month.

Marc

 

[John Halliburton]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Thanks for replies Jason Frederik...


Currently I run a Mackie mixer, DBX 4 channel comp, TC effects, DriveRack on guitar and another DriveRack on the master.
Once I sell off a set of powered EV speakers, I'm getting a Presonus Studio One mixer to replace all that except one DriveRack.

A good move that I'm sure others here would agree with.

Part of reason the reason I am upgrading my wireless (and gear) is for a live DVD with audio products release, I'm planning (with a major music manager) for
next year sometime. Three to five video cameras and multi tracked audio with who knows how many wireless units attached.

So why not let the video production crew handle the wireless when they shoot? Then they or you could just rent a top shelf rf rig for the shoots.

The new 4 channel Shure Digital wireless is attractive but the price is looking to be over $6,000 ouch.

I like Shure ULX-D a lot so far. That four channel rig would be a great improvement, and in spite of your statements, better quality most times equals more money. Perhaps start with one ULX-D for your vocal/harp mic, ie., the "money channel".

Best regards,

John

 

[TJ Cornish]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Another choice would be Line6 XD-V. The packs are Shure compatible, and being digital, sound A LOT better than low-end analog wireless. The usual downside of a little bit of latency would likely not be an issue in your situation. Cost is competitive with SLX for a lot better (in this situation) product.

 

[Eric Cagle]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Hi Marc and welcome to the forum. I wasn't expecting what I saw and heard in your video. Very nice! I will add a recommendation for Mipro as well. Get the condensor capsules and the AA battery powered units and you will be pleased. Great gain before feedback as well which you will need considering you will be in front of the speakers alot of the time. You can get them in blocks of four that take up one rack space. If you go that route there are some good deals to be had on them right now. I am sure there are a few people on this forum who are dealers. I have personally bought some Mipro items from Mike Pyle, who is on this forum, and I highly recommend doing business with him. Good luck with your act!
-Eric

PS I have heard good things about TJ's Line6 digital recommendation but have not personally used them.

 

[Marc Dobson]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Thanks for all the replies with useful suggestions.

So why not let the video production crew handle the wireless when they shoot? Then they or you could just rent a top shelf rf rig for the shoots.

John, I've developed a nervous twitch when it comes to video crews Twice now I've filmed for national TV, neither made air time and I'm signed a "no talk about it" contract. But I can say, you would think a multi million dollar TV production, carrying to the limit number of both top end Shure and Sennhieser wireless systems and mics, should be able to wireless mic anything, right... NOPE. I got bamboolezed in more ways than one by "them".

Also every time I've worked with an audio production company, they do not have enough of the correct wireless systems and mics to cover me.

Nervous twitching = I buy my own.

AND leading up to recording this live performance I have a pile of to do tasks which require these wireless mics:
- Reduce or eliminate mechanical noise and bleed from my back pack drums. Live they sound fine, but I've custom built the drum rig. I need to test record and then play process of elimination correcting the mechanics of my drum rig to reduce mechanical noise, and I need to have all the mics in place to get that done. Moving a mic on my rig sometimes requires a drill, nuts and bolts and another piece of aluminum pipe
- "Producing the performance" I monitor what I play as a play it and I play a lot at once. I need the ability to record at will, play back and analyse the performance. The single thing that improves and changes my performance the most is when I get good video and decent audio recordings of my performance to study. This part is a process.
- My goal is to sound like a band. That's my true niche. When I'm playing infront of a 1,000 or more people mics on everything count. My mixing guideline is "every instrument counts", kind of like a real even mix typical from The Eagles, where every voice (and instrument) is equal. If one thing is not heard then it detracts from the goal and make me feel like I'm wasting a hole pile of energy to hit that one of nine instruments I am playing at once.

Back to topic...


Eric, thanks for 2nd suggestion for the Mipro. I'm looking serious at those now.

TJ (and Eric) Line 6 XD-V... cool! I spoke with my local music dealer about this wireless purchase and he went off on Line6 VS Shure with warranty claims. He says Shure is easy to deal with but Line6 is full of issue's, take way to long on warranty claims and they do not have a human answer the telephone line, it's all prompt with paths to BS answers! Because of that, I've not looked at Line6 BUT wow, I can't find a bad review. They don't suffer from 2.4Ghz interference like others and if the vicinity is clear of other 2.4 signals you can run up to 14 systems. Latency is at <4ms, I run 20ms delay on my vocal as is and go a good 60 feet from speakers, that latency won't mess up my head any more than it already is. Plus they look to be solidly built and I love that nub for an antenna as opposed to what I've used, broke and re-rigged for years.

Think I'm sold on Line6 wireless, love the POD's have owned 4 of them
As long as I do not see a better option, I just got to count my money, make sure I don't dip in to far to my marketing budget or XMas budget for my Kids and buy.

Thanks and I'm still open to suggestions or comments.
Marc

 

[TJ Cornish]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Hi Marc. I'm up to 4 Line6 channels - one XD-V70 and 3 XD-V75 systems. I've had two encounters with Line6 support - the first I ended up bricking the bootloader on my XD-V70 handheld while trying to upgrade it to V2.0. It took a while to wait for a real person in tech support, but you will talk to a live person. They had it turned around and back to me in a couple weeks.

The second is a bodypack that seemed a little more sensitive to interference than my other one when testing at my house. The live person referred me to a local guy who couldn't reproduce my problem, and it seems there's something funny about my house. Haven't had problems at a gig with it.

Audio quality is great and I've had no other issues.

 

[brian maddox]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Hi Marc. I'm up to 4 Line6 channels - one XD-V70 and 3 XD-V75 systems. I've had two encounters with Line6 support - the first I ended up bricking the bootloader on my XD-V70 handheld while trying to upgrade it to V2.0. ...

...
Audio quality is great and I've had no other issues.

yeah, i've had good success with the line 6 XD stuff. quick note. so long as you have one XD-V75 receiver, you can upgrade older XD-V70 transmitters and receivers as well as the DX-V55 and the relay series and they will essentially be identical to the newer stuff. This is a great way to save some money on eBay and still get all the functionality of the new stuff.

HOWEVER....

the upgrade methodology is weird. you have to follow the directions exactly and carefully or you risk bricking your gear. that being said, i've done about a dozen upgrades of older transmitters and receivers and so long as i followed the directions exactly i had no problems whatsoever...

 

[Marc Dobson]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Thanks for additional comment TJ and Brian.

Goes to show you... never trust the opinion of one person. There is always a little more weight to an opinion when you here it 1st hand, plus who knows if my local sales guy was trying to swing me to the more expensive purchase of Shure ULX or less expensive PGXD.

Speaking of Shure again, PGX Digital system is limited to 5 systems, looks to be a cheap build and I've not looked at it. Any body have any opinion on those?

BTW current eBay pricing on Line6 XD-V70 and XD-V75 systems is only a small spread of wild guess average $50. Also there are very few used XD-70 systems and even less used XD-75 systems for sale on eBay, which is either a good sign that most buyers are keeping them OR eBay's policy changes and craigslist are keeping sellers off eBay.

One more question for you all. It would seem like a bad idea BUT worth a try to see how a lavalier mic would do micing up my cymbals. Considering the cost some wireless systems with a lav mic are priced about same as systems without lav mic. I could kind of "try for free" and worst case sell off the lav if not needed like I've done previously with Sennhieser lav mics. A lav will miss the highs above 17,000 Hz (depending on the mic). Omni directional, sound pressure and other factors could be issues. The placement of the mic on my cymbals though is not normal.

See picture below, mic will go where the handheld is. My "overhead cymbal mic" will not be going overhead. It'll be going under the cymbals, which I've turned upside down and hit from the bottom. There is only a 16" or so spread between cymbal centers. Micing from the top is not really an option and I will want to keep the snare as much out of the cymbal mic as possible. The snare is so close, it's going to bleed unless I got a really, really tight directional mic which would not be great for multiple cymbals.

My other choices for cymbal mic are wireless mics typically use for horns (and drums) OR to use a real purpose Cymbal Condenser mic. I'd have to rig another plug on transmitter or rig up a wireless transmitter and carefully choose a mic that'll work or work with a rigging of phantom power.

Thanks

 

[TJ Cornish]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

I would try the Lav - why not? GBF will likely be better in your case than trying to use a lav stuck halfway down someone's shirt talking quietly, so it may work just fine.

In all the ways that would matter to you, the XD-V70 is fully the equal of the V75 assuming the V70 is upgraded to version 2 software, which as Brian noted, must be done through a V75 receiver with a USB cable to a computer. The other changes of more mic models and encryption won't matter.

Though I did brick my first try at the update, I helped a friend update 2 more systems successfully. It's up to you if avoiding the software update is worth $50/system to you or not.

I would assume the main reasons there aren't too many units on EBay are: 1. they're new - especially the V75 - that's been out less than 9 months, and 2. Line6 wireless is a lot less mainstream than the usual suspects.

Give Mike Pyle a call for a good price: Audiopyle Sound Linecard He's a friend of the forum.

P.S. - My family had fun watching some of your videos. My 3-year old liked it, but was wondering if you could play the trumpet too.

 

[Marc Dobson]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Thanks TJ,

You can tell your 3 year old, yes I can play the trumpet, just not great. BUT my 1st instrument was the Tuba (played for 8 years thru high school) and sadly I could neither play the Trumpet or Tuba with my one man band because my hands are busy doing other things.

 

[Tim Perry]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Marc, the PGX-D handheld has a 2 position attenuator assessable by unscrewing the capsule. it can be set for 0 or -10 dB. With the -10 setting a loud (screaming) vocalist will push it into distortion. The unit I encountered had a SM58 capsule. It may work just fine for less demanding applications.

There are several technical issues to consider in your situation. One is proximity to the receivers: it is possible to be too close. with multiple units on you may experience fundamental overload and/or inter-modulation problems.
Another issue is frequency bands and external interference. As you move from city to city there might be a TV station transmitting on the band you are occupying.

Do you employ an antenna combiner or do you have a "forest" of antennas at the receiver location?
A 'good' antenna combiner may significantly improve operational reliability in your case. This is NOT a bunch of T connectors or even cable TC splitter/combiners.
Take a look at the Shure UA844 (it only does 4 but it a start)

Personally I favor the Shure ULX as the best comprise between what I can afford and the quality I seek.

Another factor to consider is the 'compnadering' (compression / expansion ) scheme each system uses. This is used to get FM like sound from a narrow band frequency channel. Not so great usually for percussion. I have had a guitarist who could hear the delay and /or artifacts after rewiring a LAV to an instrument 1/4" connector.

My strongest recommendation is to discuss you needs with an applications engineer of whichever company you settle on.

In addition to the other brands mentioned I would draw your attention to Audix wireless products.

In addtion be sure to use diversity type receivers (2 antennas each)

 

[Marc Dobson]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Today I ordered new from Sweetwater:


Two, Line 6 XD-V75TR wireless systems, Receiver plus Bodypack only.
AND
One Shure WB98H/C mic.


Sales guy knew if I did not get a deal price I would not buy. He knocked advertised total price from $1,239 down to $1149 out the door.


Again, my current set up of 4 wireless systems is:
1. Vocal & Harp via Crown 311ae with old Sennheiser Wireless. * I get drop outs and it's been driving me nuts.
2. Guitar with old Sennheiser Wireless.
3. Overhead for snare and cymbals via and held Audio Technica old hand held.
4. Bass Drum via Audix D6 with Sennheiser plug on transmitter and old Sennheiser receiver in 500 band


With the two new wireless systems I'm gonna:
1. Replace the old Sennheiser Wireless with new Line 6 on Vocal & Harp via Crown 311. As is, outside 20 to 30 feet I sometimes get drop outs and this is my "money channel"
2. Dedicate new Line 6 and Shure WB98H/C to my snare.
3. Move Audio Technica hand held into a position for my Hi Hat's and Cymbals only. Gonna get some snare bleed but oh well.


Hopefully I won't hear out of phase snare hits as the digital wireless has 4ms delay over analog. As is, I pump the snare through my QSC K series speakers and stand an average of 20 to 40 feet in front of the speakers while I play this snare drum located behind my head. Adding a mic probably won't effect phase or comb effect I've already grown used to. Being able to compress, EQ and mix the snare with out considering cymbals is going to be a huge improvement to my ears position.


If I'm happy with the Line 6 XD-V75 systems, in a few months I'll get two more for guitar and a cymbal mic. In the mean time IF something happens, I can run a cord to the guitar and move the Shure WB98H/C into a position to try and capture snare and cymbals like the Audio Technica handheld has been doing for over a year now.


Happy, happy, joy, joy.

 

[Marc Dobson]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

I got the two Line 6 XD-V75TR wireless systems and have ran them almost a month now.

The system on my vocal, via a Crown 311 works great except for the rare drop out. When I get a drop out it's a line of sight issue, every time I'm a good 50 feet away from receiver, there is something between me and receiver plus I have my body turned so that transmitter is on the far side of my body. The same thing but much worse happened for years with my Sennheiser. The Line 6 however picks up single again really quick and I don't have to physically turn around.

My solution plans for drop out is get antenna extensions for receivers and mount them on the handles of my speakers which are always on poles and/or mount the antennas on the front of my rack once I get room on front of rack (still waiting to buy new Presonus 16.0.2 and dump 4 rack mount items in rack) and/or figure out a place higher on my body to mount the belt pack, but where I don't know yet.

The system on my snare drum on a Shure Beta 98H wireless mic was very problematic with the battery running out of power way to early. Sometimes I would get a day or two, sometimes I would get 2 sets and sometimes way before I'd expect the battery to die, it would shut off mid set Now remember I play a back pack drum kick, I have a real bass drum mounted on my back...

I learned that the Line 6 transmitters are not shock proof I experienced the battery problem when I have the pack mounted directly to outside of my bass drum. Once I placed the pack on my shoulder strap, it worked fine. The bass drum hits and maybe even snare hits through the Line 6 transmitter battery meter into a crazy state.

Eventually I plan to try and build a shock proof mount or pocket for the transmitter but that's gonna wait a while as I work through other projects.

Other than these two issues I am thrilled with the Line 6 unit's. Set up is easy. Scanning free channels is easy.

I noticed the 4ms delay on my vocal, but I hear and have settled with "distance from speaker delay" on my vocal and guitar for years.

OMG the full frequency range I noticed straight away. I had to pull the highs down on my mic, I've never heard those frequencies come out of my Crown 311 before.

The only thing that truly bothered me was installing the 2 receivers side by side. There is a "dove tail key" used to attach two units together before mounting in rack. The directions say "use a hammer or a mallet" with a moderate amount of force and they are not kidding. In fact they are lying, an extreme amount of force was needed with mine and in posts I read about others installing dove tail key. I found a post online that helped.... if you ever have to install the dove tail key it's best to use some lubricant and butt the other dove tail key (every system comes with one) against the one being jammed in between the units, so you only hit the 2nd dove tail key and not the side of a brand new wireless receiver. One of my receivers has a small dent

And I will be buying at least two more of these units.

 

[TJ Cornish]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

I got the two Line 6 XD-V75TR wireless systems and have ran them almost a month now.

The system on my vocal, via a Crown 311 works great except for the rare drop out. When I get a drop out it's a line of sight issue, every time I'm a good 50 feet away from receiver, there is something between me and receiver plus I have my body turned so that transmitter is on the far side of my body. The same thing but much worse happened for years with my Sennheiser. The Line 6 however picks up single again really quick and I don't have to physically turn around.

My solution plans for drop out is get antenna extensions for receivers and mount them on the handles of my speakers which are always on poles and/or mount the antennas on the front of my rack once I get room on front of rack (still waiting to buy new Presonus 16.0.2 and dump 4 rack mount items in rack) and/or figure out a place higher on my body to mount the belt pack, but where I don't know yet.

The system on my snare drum on a Shure Beta 98H wireless mic was very problematic with the battery running out of power way to early. Sometimes I would get a day or two, sometimes I would get 2 sets and sometimes way before I'd expect the battery to die, it would shut off mid set Now remember I play a back pack drum kick, I have a real bass drum mounted on my back...

I learned that the Line 6 transmitters are not shock proof I experienced the battery problem when I have the pack mounted directly to outside of my bass drum. Once I placed the pack on my shoulder strap, it worked fine. The bass drum hits and maybe even snare hits through the Line 6 transmitter battery meter into a crazy state.

Eventually I plan to try and build a shock proof mount or pocket for the transmitter but that's gonna wait a while as I work through other projects.

Other than these two issues I am thrilled with the Line 6 unit's. Set up is easy. Scanning free channels is easy.

I noticed the 4ms delay on my vocal, but I hear and have settled with "distance from speaker delay" on my vocal and guitar for years.

OMG the full frequency range I noticed straight away. I had to pull the highs down on my mic, I've never heard those frequencies come out of my Crown 311 before.

The only thing that truly bothered me was installing the 2 receivers side by side. There is a "dove tail key" used to attach two units together before mounting in rack. The directions say "use a hammer or a mallet" with a moderate amount of force and they are not kidding. In fact they are lying, an extreme amount of force was needed with mine and in posts I read about others installing dove tail key. I found a post online that helped.... if you ever have to install the dove tail key it's best to use some lubricant and butt the other dove tail key (every system comes with one) against the one being jammed in between the units, so you only hit the 2nd dove tail key and not the side of a brand new wireless receiver. One of my receivers has a small dent

And I will be buying at least two more of these units.

Hi Marc - glad they're working out pretty well for the most part. A couple thoughts: With the V75 units, you should be running "RF2", which I believe is the default. In this mode your latency is 2.4ms, not the 4ms of RF1. Also, the RF2 channels have been reworked so that channels 1-5 (in Line6 numbering) should pretty much always be clear, ASSuming that the wifi in the location was setup correctly using only channels 1, 6, 11 (WiFi numbering).

I've also noticed that battery life isn't amazing, but as the general rule for productions is to replace for every show, I haven't had too much trouble. That being said, 4 - 6 hours seems more realistic than 8. The battery meter on the device isn't very accurate until the mic has been on for a couple minutes - it is sensitive to "ghost voltage", and can overestimate the battery life a little.

I don't remember all the details of the side by side mounting, but I agree with you - they're not likely to accidentally come apart once connected! I think I ended up using a screwdriver to pound on the actual dovetail piece so as to not have to hit the receivers.

For RF dropouts - I think you'll benefit from Line6's remote paddles - especially when you chain 4 receivers together. I don't think they're super expensive, and should help a lot.

 

[Marc Dobson]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Thanks TG, I never read that info about RF1 vs RF2 mode latency. Maybe my ears are playing tricks with the additional digital frequency response and high end room reflections, that I'm hearing more latency with the line 6 vs my old sennheiser. Latency is a really hard thing to judge without having both units set up to AB. When I'm on stage listening to side protection of speakers (i don't run monitors) I can't hear latency.

And yeah the battery meter is not accurate until unit has been powered up a few minutes. I have found though I can go more than one job before battery change. The meter drops accurately enough that I can judge when to change batteries. Have not lost my vocal mic yet even running it down to 20 minutes remaining once at a non crucial gig. I've not figured out average battery life, lol... Typically I got so many things going on when gigging that is one task to many.

How ever, the battery meter when I had transmitter attached directly to bass drum was wackadoodle. Moving the transmitter off the bass drum fixed this, but it would:

- on fresh batteries after 30 minutes drop to 6 hours remaining ( from 8:40)
- on 2nd, 3rd or 4th 30 minute set, remain time could go 8:40, 6, 3 then back up to 5 or 6... Then nose dive to powering off.
- at 1st I was not able to monitor time remaining. Couple times I turned it back on for next set and it made it to end.

This is the 1st time I mounted any transmitter directly to bass drum without mic clip shock mount in play.

I can say 100% these transmitters can not operate while take heavy vibration, like a kick drum and I doubt line 6 would have tested for that.

 

[Sean Verwey]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

Hey folks, I thought I'd throw in my 2 penny’s worth. We currently have a few Shure VHF systems, some lavalier, but mostly handheld, running them with an antennae distro. They have worked well, but as you can imagine, they are really getting long-in-the-tooth, and bits are breaking, starting to get fuzziness etc. So we have started to upgrade them.

Like most countries (I am in New Zealand), digital TV is elbowing out the available UHF frequencies that we can use, and the entertainment industry is suffering from this, having to change wireless systems due to frequency changes. BTW, the VHF units I have are not affected by these changes! It’s a bit ironic, really.

So when I looked around for what to upgrade to, I considered Shure PGX and Sennheiser EW300. These were mainstream and we also had good experience with Sennheiser EW-100. I felt the Shures were still very plastic, and rack mounting was an issue. But at the back of my mind, I was always concerned with the frequency band availability that we can use, as the New Zealand government had not yet legislated on what unlicensed band was to be set aside for wireless mics systems. And I didn't want to rush out and get 6 units, to find that I can’t use them two years down the track.

So I looked at the Line6 XD-V75, since they use 2.4GHz. Long story short, I now have two of them (handhelds), and they have performed very well. I have them rack mounted in amongst other rack gear, and turned away from the stage and quite low down. The stage is about 20m away, and when the congregation stands up, they are between the mic and receiver. No worries, never had a dropout.

Some comments about the XD-V75.
1. Since each units’ antennae can loop to the next (up to 4 loops, but I dare say, it will probably work with 6 or 8 loops in less demanding applications), there is no distro needed. I do not know of another receiver that can do this, so this saves heaps on distros. The Shure/Sennheiser distro costs more than a wireless system, so I guess it is a good money-spinner for them.
2. Sound clarity is excellent. No question. Modelling can be used in the transmitters, so I use the Sennheiser 945 option.
3. Build quality is good (the handheld mic is steel, the battery cap is plastic) so it feels good to hold with a comfortable weight.
4. The receivers' build is good albeit a little too quirky with small rubberised buttons, indented rotary selector and rounded bezel. I would have preferred a simple clean design, sometimes I think Line6 tries to use too much artistry in the design of the systems,
5. Up to 14 available channels, more than what we need.
6. Receiver's LCD screen is a little too small, I would have happily paid an extra $20 to get a nice, big clear screen.
7. Eight hours on the battery is VERY optimistic, we might get four or five hours. I dare say that if we switch to low power on the transmitter, it might get close to eight hours. Not sure. Initially I used a cheap battery, the brand of which we use successfully in our VHF mics, but that ran flat in an hour or so. So now we use Energiser or Duracell.
8. Because the power button on the handheld doubles as a mute, for a non-technical (often older!) vocalist, it is sometimes difficult for them to grasp how to navigate the power/mute functions. It comes down to the length of time that the button is pressed for. I think an extra button would have been better. I personally do not want the vocalist to mute the mic (in any case, the power-down of the mic is quiet anyway, no thump), I will do that from the desk, so it will be good if there was an option to disable the mute function, just On-Off.
9. There was mention in this post about the difficulty with fitting the dovetail. BTW, I think that this concept is PRIMO, very classy and it works very well. However, in my version, the path of the dovetail part was obstructed by the head of a screw. Initially I removed the screw until I could get replacement screws that I shaved the heads off, and I could replace the existing screws with the lower profile ones. I could have left them out, but I admit I am a bit pedantic, so I like to make sure it is just right. This might have been an oversight on the part of Line6?
10. I would just love it if Line6 would produce a power distribution unit, as those wall-warts are a real pain.
11. Just as an aside, I was a little worried about using the 2.4Ghz for these mics, so when I tested the demo unit, I waved a wireless mouse and keyboard right over the antennae’s, then a wireless router, then my Samsung Galaxy with WiFi enabled. No issues or dropouts. Very impressive.

I think these are all the comments that I have, I'll edit this post (if I can) if I think of anything more.

We will be looking at getting another XD-V75 shortly, and adding one every few months.

Comments are welcome....

 

[Brent Handy]

Re: Upgrading Wireless System, choices...

I would also think Jason's suggestion might be worth a long, hard look...

But if you want to go with the original plan, my most important input would be: do NOT (!!!!) go with SLX. It sounds like ass (my opinion). Oh, the hours I've spent trying to EQ out unpleasantness in SLX wireless mics even when I know it's not a matter of EQ - the signal is just bad, but still during a long evening of talking and singing, my EQ-fingers just itch nonstop. Unbearable.

My personal advice on wireless is: Mipro. Best sounding system in my personal taste and experience regardless of price, and it's not even expensive. Ok - with all the new digital systems coming out, sure there are many sounding as good now, but in my opinion it sounds better than both Sennheiser 2-3000 series and Shure UHF-R.

There are some new Shure wireless systems coming in the SLX price range and below that are on par with the ULXD and UHFR. If you can wait, I would recommend it. Most of the existing Shure line is changing dramatically, and all of their "low end" is REALLY good now where it counts, in the audio. I would recommend the ULXD first. If you cannot swing that, then go for the BLX. It really is going to kick but and take names.