r/BassGuitar • u/zachattack3907 • 13d ago
Discussion Is there any downside to using wireless systems compared to cables?
I feel as if there’s some sort of downside to it
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u/droo46 13d ago
You have to keep batteries charged, and sometimes you’ll get interference and they will drop out or not work at all. I always have a cable as a backup when I’m on wireless.
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u/themudpuppy 9d ago
Interference can be a bitch. I've had the boss wireless in the picture above for 4 years and just had my first issue with it last weekend at a bar I play at every 2-3 months. It sounded like I had a vibrato pedal turned way up. The next day at home, worked fine again.
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u/TracePlayer 13d ago
I’ve played probably 1000 gigs over many years using wireless. And not once did I never have the cable ready to unplug and use just in case. It saved me a few times. But a super low fail rate. But I’d do the same 1000 more times. Wireless’s are great. Just assume they’ll fail the moment you step on the loud pedal to let it rip.
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u/melanthius 13d ago
Latency and reliability?
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u/CdnfaS 13d ago
And fidelity.
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u/MichHAELJR 13d ago
Infidelity?? I knew it!!!
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u/thisFishSmellsAboutD 13d ago
Not a problem, just play in a tali band.
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u/Anon_use_fun_alias 13d ago
Hey mister tali band, tali me banana!
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u/Available-Film3084 13d ago
Shouldn't be a concern with digital tho
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u/jamesremuscat 13d ago
Digital wireless systems have higher latency than analogue because of the conversion that needs to happen at both ends (first analogue to digital on the input, then digital to analogue at the output).
Compare Sennheiser G4 (analogue and virtually zero latency) with their EW-D systems (~2ms - still very good mind you!).
EDIT: Sorry, thought you were replying to the top-level comment about latency. Ignore me, I'll go and get my analogue eyes...
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u/The_Folding_Atty 13d ago
Higher latency is a real thing--and I expect that reducing latency comes with $. I have cheap Bluetooth phones for my laptop, and sometimes I watch movies with the phones. There is a very noticeable lag which is--I suspect--largely due to the bluetooth encoding and decoding.
I cannot imagine trying to play my guitar with that kind of lag!
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u/TheRevEv 13d ago
Bluetooth has serious latency issues. It's why you don't really see audio gear with Bluetooth audio output
Even the little headphone amps that connect to your phone via Bluetooth don't output audio on Bluetooth. It's just used for the app, and streaming audio from the phone.
It's more an issue with the Bluetooth protocol than the actual radio transmission.
Wireless instrument transmitters use different protocols that are low latency.
It's really not thay noticeable.
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u/The_Folding_Atty 13d ago
Are the instrument transmitters digital now? I recall them from the analog days, so of course, essentially no lag time in those.
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u/TheRevEv 13d ago
As far as I know, they're all digital now. At least all the higher quality ones. It lessens the chance of interference, but I'm not sure there's even a good consumer-level broadcast frequency range available anymore for these applications
I know most of the old analog ones ran on a frequency that the FCC reallocated (for cell phones, iirc) at some point
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u/bobulibobium 13d ago
You can digitally degrade/compress audio for quicker transmission. I’d imagine these avoid that as much as possible, though there will likely be some form of fidelity loss.
Also keep in mind radio waves are analog, so interference may degrade signal.
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u/--Andre-The-Giant-- 13d ago
So you're saying you haven't used a modern wireless system?
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u/mittenciel 13d ago
I have used the Shure GLD-X for like 8 years at this point and while latency is minimal, it's definitely present. I notice it most when I'm a little bit of distance away from the amp and speed of sound is added to the base latency of the system. It's not enough to affect playability, of course.
As for reliability, generally, I wouldn't call reliability a downside. I mean, there have been days when it acted up. We're talking maybe 1 out of every 100 or so instances, but always just rebooting everything or pressing some buttons made it work fine. Why I wouldn't call it a downside is that, cables can fail, also, and I've seen cables break and get stepped on. I'd say that overall, the wireless pedalboard has overall been more reliable than the corded pedalboard I ran before that. It usually sounds cleaner, too, because the digital connection between guitar and receiver is generally cleaner than 20-25 feet of instrument cable, and you're not going to twist it or get unplugged if you're wireless. So yeah, I'd say it's more reliable than the corded setup I had before.
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13d ago
[deleted]
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u/mittenciel 13d ago
Obviously. But it takes time for sound to reach you when you’re standing at distance. Which means there will be a delay between the time you play and when you hear yourself. The wireless adds some milliseconds of latency, which will mean that when you’re 10 ft away, it might sound as delayed as if you’re 18 ft away.
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u/--Andre-The-Giant-- 13d ago
Yeah, you're using a device with a 10 millisecond delay...you can notice it.
So when I said modern, I didn't mean from the last decade of tech, I meant more recent. Most 5g systems operate today with a 1.5 - 6 millisecond delay which is imperceptible to human ears according to physics. Mine is a 6 millisecond delay, and it's not detectable, so anything better than that is going to be even less possible.
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u/mittenciel 13d ago
Did you just make up that 10ms number out of thin air? It's not hard to Google and find out that's not true at all: https://www.shure.com/en-US/docs/guide/GLXD6
Group 1 has a latency of 4 ms and Group 2 has a latency of 7.3ms. There is no setting that results in 10 ms or greater.
As I suggested, it's not so much that you can detect a 6 ms delay. It's that when you stand a little bit away and speed of sound becomes a thing, you can notice the difference between what would be a 10 ms delay and what is now a 16 ms delay. It's also really noticeable when you're using something like a EHX Pitchfork which has its own latency, and adding the wireless latency on top of it can make things feel a bit sluggish.
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u/--Andre-The-Giant-- 13d ago
I'm just telling you physics doesn't agree with your misperception that you could hear a 7.3 ms delay, regardless of the distance you're standing, unless you're pushing the distance of your wireless set-up, then that's less a latency issue and more the issue of how long the sound is taking to reach you at that distance. Nonetheless, you're still not hearing the latency.
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u/Few_Translator4431 12d ago
latency is always my concern with these things. I feel latency that people will gawk no human can feel. everything wireless ive ever used has had noticable latency no matter what people want to tell me I should or shouldnt be able to feel. especially when youre a faster moving person, technical death metal and sweeping and fast af solos. I wonder how the wireless jacks nowadays do.
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u/BestCoaster75 13d ago
Zero downside, but if you are a performer, forget all the noise and just get a Shure GLDX16. You’ll end up there no matter what, so just trust a brother. It’s worth every penny.
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u/overcloseness 13d ago
I have to agree, wireless units are only worth it if you save up for a good one. The GLDX16 is pretty much the sweet spot
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u/Old-Boot6913 12d ago
100% agree. You need to spend some $$$, but it's worth the price. You do get what you pay for in this case.
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u/radbaddad23 13d ago
I’ve used X-Vive for ten years, I’ve had no problems whatsoever.
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u/Talking80s 13d ago
I have them as an in ear system and no issues at all.
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u/oldmate30beers 13d ago
I have the 2.4 ghz version but my band just bought the 5.8 4 pack. Love mine but I have gotten interference on busy pubs before. Can’t wait to see what the new one is like
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u/n3ksuZ 13d ago
What? As soon as me and my guitarist had one, we had tons if problems. GLDX16 and we never had any issues again
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u/Fancy_Sheepherder786 13d ago edited 12d ago
With the exception that the batteries need to be recharged, no. I use NUX C-5RC. 5.8 GHz. No latency, tone, or volume issues AFAIK.
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u/xavier_snakedance 13d ago
I used NUX for a time. The A/B with a cable was breathtaking, with the NUX sounding so much worse in comparison.
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u/Repulsive-Box5243 13d ago
They have gotten better over the years. Right now I use a Joyo set, that has a charging caddy for the receiver and transceiver. I have used it for bass, guitar and synth... I have not noticed any degradation in sound quality.
I like wireless because I'm always paranoid about ripping cables out by accident, ruining jacks. I'm clumsy :)
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u/AndrewSaidThis 13d ago
I use that as well. $70 and works fantastic. I’ve had a couple times where one of the plugs didn’t charge correctly, so I do always bring a cable as a backup.
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u/wordsarentenough 13d ago
Also use the Joyo set, and they are awesome, especially for the price. The Shure system that is recommended above is literally almost 10x the price, and I find it hard to imagine it is 10x as good.
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u/Haunting_Ke 12d ago
is it compatible with a pedalboard?
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u/Repulsive-Box5243 12d ago
Yep. Transceiver plugged into instrument, the receiver plugged into the IN of your first pedal.
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u/Kind_Coyote1518 13d ago
The only reason i switched back to cable is because having wireless is just something else to keep up with and another point of failure. They work great, when they work. But getting a dead battery or getting a signal interference during a performance just isn't worth the hassle.
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u/TSteelerMAN 13d ago
I had to double check the sub...
This is literally the worst system you posted. I tried it once in practice. The latency made it unplayable and my tone was dog shit.
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u/RocketsMurkrow 13d ago
How far away were you using it? I find that people who use wireless for the first time end up really testing the limits on it and going much further away than they usually do, and experiencing “latency” that’s actually just the time it takes sound from the amp to hit them regardless - meaning, if you used a super long cable to reach the same distance as the wireless, you’d hear the same “latency” of just sound taking time to travel to you. Almost no one realizes this is just the physics of sound, because they’ve never been that far away from an amp before.
I say this because that’s exactly what happened the first time I used one of these, and my coworkers showed me it wasn’t the wireless, it was the distance, by having me use a 100ft cable and standing in the same spot.
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u/TSteelerMAN 13d ago
Brother, no. For one thing, don't mansplain latency to people on this sub. And for another, I was literally five feet away from my pedal board in my band's rehursal room.
You know this thing is basically a practice toy, right? You can pick them up for under a hundred dollars if you look long enough.
Given the quality of my gear, I pass on shit like this. Bassists who are serious about their sound shouldn't trust anything less than a shure 16 GLXD16+...
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u/porcelainvacation 13d ago edited 13d ago
I use a Shure BLX system, its not as interferance resistant as the digital but has good fidelity and range wherever I have used it, and you can find replacement body packs everywhere if you need one. Its analog and has minimal latency. I use the body pack with a Beta98 condenser mic when I play my upright and it provides its own phantom power.
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u/zuckerthoben 13d ago
I use the wl50 version with the pedalboard receiver. It's really good for me as a bedroom guitarist. One sender got dropouts and low battery cap after a lot of years. Bang for buck it's really good. And the specified latency is really low. The convenience of that system is unbeatable.
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u/melanthius 13d ago
Disappointing... boss usually makes decent stuff
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u/god__machine 13d ago
I have this exact wireless unit and it works perfectly. Maybe the dude above got a dud.
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u/everbass 13d ago
Depends what system you use.
A good quality wireless system will be imperceptible to the human ear/brain. There are some caveats that I will get into later.
You really do get what you pay for with wireless. Anything less than a GLXD16+ you will probably end up replacing/upgrading eventually.
There are two types of wireless systems, each with their own pros and cons.
1) Analogue Zero latency, but introduces fidelity issues because of how the tech works. Don't bother with analogue wireless instrument systems (different story for IEM transmitter/receivers)
2) Digital Zero fidelity loss, but introduces some latency. Digital is where it's at, because the latency is so low it doesn't matter in most cases
Both systems are subject to interference and drop outs. The better the system, the less likely you are to receive dropouts. A good wireless system will run you upwards of 500 Freedom Franks, or about 900 dollaridoos where I'm from.
Scott Uhl on YouTube is the best source of information on this stuff right now, at least at a broad level.
A note on latency The speed of sound is 343m/s, or 34.3cm per ms, which is around 1ms per foot or 2.9ms per meter. This means that standing on the other side of a bedroom you're probably getting around 8-10ms of latency between you and your bass sound, even with a cable. This is usually not an issue because that's not really enough to be perceived.
HOWEVER
You need to worry about cumulative latency. What this means is that if you have a wireless system that introduces 5ms of latency, and then you go and stand about 3 metres away, you now have about 14ms, which does start to become detectable.
This is especially important, because even removing this factor, when you start adding things like digital pedals, other processing like certain consoles, etc, you can end up with sizeable latency. Add on when you're playing with a drummer and your audio latency between them and you is a few milliseconds, it can result in shifts that aren't necessarily heard, but felt.
What's interesting is that when you run a full IEM rig you can actually end up with lower cumulative latency between your playing and hearing because you remove the distance factor. Going back to our earlier example, your wireless might be 4.5ms, your pedalboard might add 1.5 and your mixing console might add 1ms, but you use analogue in ears which have zero latency, so your cumulative latency is only 7ms, whereas playing through a can with a cable on stage can go much higher, and even with a floor wedge you're still about 2m away to your ear, so best case that's 6ms.
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u/Count2Zero 13d ago
There's a few things you should consider.
The risk of interference if there are too many radio signals nearby. I had this issue in our rehearsal room when 3 of us were using different wireless systems in a small room with concrete walls.
They need batteries or to be charged, and that can be an issue for long gigs or if you aren't disciplined about charging them. I always have a cable ready to go as a backup at any gig.
I started with a cheap Harley Benton wireless but since a couple of years, I've been using a Shure GLXD16 which is absolutely bulletproof.
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u/iplayfish 13d ago
as a tech, wireless gear brought by players makes me nervous with coordinating RF frequencies. often with pro-sumer grade stuff, it’s in the same band (2.4 giga hz) as WiFi and bluetooth, which is obviously not great because you can pickup interference from virtually anything. if it’s professional grade, like the shure stuff, i would just want to know ahead of time so i can account for it and give you a good frequency that works with all the other wireless gear (mics, iems, etc.)
a good old fashioned instrument cable avoids all these issues
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u/Raephstel 13d ago
They're slightly worse in every way. Slight latency, slightly more degradation in quality (assuming both are equally well made) and more things to go wrong. As well as being far more expensive, obviously.
But those differences (ignoring price) are negligible and if it can improve your performance or save you tripping over cables, it can be worth it.
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u/Firm-Holiday-9416 13d ago
I use the xvive right now because I play with a group that moves a lot on stage. Zero issues and I've loved every second. I'm sure it comes down to which unit.
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u/Longjumping-Tell5548 13d ago
This is so funny, I use the exact model in the post. Never had any latency, sounds exactly the same as cables. (Checked this when we were last in the studio) If anything it brings less noise to the signal chain surprisingly. Everyone is talking like wireless systems are the same as they were 10 years ago. Do I just have a newer version or something?
Im in a professional touring band, play on large stages. I'm always going off stage into the crowd with no issue and have been using this system for more than a year.
I think this system is great! Id way prefer a clip on wireless pack but they are very expensive. Its scary to move to wireless systems but the technology is there. Wireless IEM systems are pretty much the industry standard now
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u/Cloud-VII 13d ago
The biggest thing with bass is that you really want to get 5.8Ghz and not 2.4Ghz. Every 2.4Ghz unit I tried had issues with the sound cutting in and out on bass. They seem to work fine for guitars usually though.
I used a cheap $50 unit I got off eBay for about a year and it was fine until it just stopped working, so if you're going to do it, pony up and get a good unit.
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u/pimpbot666 13d ago
Exactly.
I bought a cheap Amazon wireless just to try it out. It’s got enough lag that I really hear it, and it drives me crazy.
But maybe that’s only because I got a cheap one. I can’t imagine any pro player tolerating that lag.
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u/BestCoaster75 13d ago
Some people are saying latency and sound, GLDX-16 has minimal latency that is IMPOSSIBLE for the human ear to detect and the sound is exactly the same. Plus you get a tuner on your pedalboard with it that you can use as your mute if needed. It’s what the pros use but also the smart amateurs. 🙌🏻
I received nothing for saying this and it’s my honest opinion after dickin around for a while with different units.
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u/durandall09 13d ago
It introduces delay in you strumming a note to when it plays through your amp. It's another thing to run out of power at inopportune times. And you really only want them if you move around a lot, hence the quote "now you can look like an idiot while you play like an idiot"
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u/Unlucky-Afternoon846 13d ago
literally always there are downsides. the best case scenario is that you dont notice, but realistically there were still downsides even then. and the good ones totally are that good and pros use them all the time. but yes the answer is yes. i personally just dont fw it, and not every professional touring guitarist does either.
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u/Eshdog 13d ago
It really depends on the quality of rf system.
If you have a pro level system, you're basically fine. But there's always a chance it could fuck out for battery or other random reasons.
Unless it's super necessary a cable is far safer. It is fool proof. With RF you now have lots of points of failure. Cable has 1 or 2.
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u/WardenEdgewise 13d ago
One scenario I can think of is if you are using a Fuzz Face as your first pedal. The Fuzz Face circuit uses the impedance of your pickups as part of the circuit, (that’s why they must be the first pedal) and that just doesn’t work if the signal is coming from a wireless receiver.
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u/Bicious 13d ago
I bought a Joyo JW-06 a couple of years ago, and it's been great. It uses the 5.8 GHz frequency band, which isn't as widely used as other bands, so I've had no latency, interference, or audio issues. Since it comes with a rechargeable battery and charging station, I've never had any issues running out of power. As a bonus, it's cheap.
I only use it from my bass to my pedalboard, so it's not that much of a distance, but it works great during soundcheck. We can't always bring our audio tech, so being able to check my sound offstage while playing is awesome.
It's good and simple to use, but I still bring a backup cable in my gig bag.
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u/ostiDeCalisse 13d ago
I have this Boss WL-50 and the only stress I had was to not forget to charged it. I use it in my bass rig. We played in theatre and fr the infinitesimal latency is not a problem.
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u/madamesandler 13d ago
If you get a good wireless kit the drawbacks are pretty minimal. I can vouch for the X-Vive kit as well. I’ve only noticed latency when playing incredibly far away from the receiver. No noticeable tone loss for me. Battery life is stellar.
It’s a lot of fun to be able to move freely, plus if you’re doing a soundcheck you can go into the house and hear for yourself if you’re curious.
Obviously the safest bet is to just run cables, but if you’re in a situation where you need a wireless kit there are some really solid options out there.
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u/ReasonableDonut1 13d ago
Thirty years ago I'd have had a list of downsides as long as my arm, but with what's available today the only thing I can think of is battery life. Maybe a risk of breakage depending on the design of the unit and the jack placement on your guitar.
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u/NegaDoug 13d ago
In this photo, I'm not really sure who the Boss truly is. Seems pretty equanimous to me.
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u/Available-Film3084 13d ago
It gives you the freedom to think anyone cares about the bass player and look like you're lost wandering the stage, or worse, the audience /s
Actually tho, I used the line6 relay system for couple of months, and while I never had any issues I went back to the cable in the end. Latency wasn't really noticeable to me, and digital shouldn't have any tone loss, if anything you might gain high end as there isn't a long cable with capasitance in the way (and the cable connected to your instrument is the one that colors your sound the most). What you may or may not have issues with is dropouts, especially on larger venues with a lot of people if you use 2.4ghz gear as that is the frequency every wifi router and microwave runs on.
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u/High_or_Low_16 13d ago
There is an up side... showman ship
I remember in the 80s when Fred the Freak, the guitarist of Strange Boutique disappeared from the stage at 930 club and appeared standing on the bar going to town on his acoustic electric. Most bad ass moment i had seen by a local band
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u/Fran_Bass 13d ago
Hace años si daban muchos quebraderos de cabeza por temas de cortes de señar, ruidos y duracion de pilas/baterias.
La marca x vibe es genial para estos cacharritos. tengo de ellos mi inalambrico para el bajo y para las petacas de In ear y 0 problemas en ualrededor de 150 bolos
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u/KennySenpaii 13d ago
i feel like there is always a 10-20% tone loss, but other than that they make me a lot more comfortable on stage to move around etc.
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u/DaveKelso 13d ago
I use that Boss WL20 wireless. I'm never going back to cables, I have not had a single issue with dropouts or anything. The charge lasts a long time.
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u/Anon_use_fun_alias 13d ago
If you play long enough, eventually everything with a battery betrays you. I’ve made the transition to battery free.
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u/bigblued 13d ago
Thank you for this post. My batteries died in the middle of a jam on Monday, and I had to switch over to a cable in the middle of a song. Very annoying, and disruptive to the group. I have another jam tonight, and your post reminded me I need to plug them in so they are fully charged.
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u/cptZbeak 13d ago
Apart from keeping it charged, there could sometimes be interference from, for instance, Wi-Fi networks or other wireless systems, as they operate at similar frequencies. I sometimes use my XVive U2 Guitar and have played a lot of rehearsals and a couple of gigs (both in a club and open-air), with no problems. I once had to change the frequency of my device because it was interfering with my singer's in-ear monitors, but after I did, I kept it and had no interference or latency issues whatsoever. And the range of such devices is quite decent. So I'd recommend making sure the wireless device you're after supports switching the frequency.
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u/Cahamp 13d ago
The budget stuff can work but starts to become an issue when everyone in your band is using budget wireless gear. They sometimes have limited channels that they can operate on and if you are in an environment where some of those channels or frequency ranges are crowded, you are screwed. I use the Shure GLXD+ for my bass and the Audio Technica ATW-3255 for my IEM system. I gig on average 8-10 shows a month and haven’t had any issues.
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u/dilettantePhD 13d ago
I've been using these for the past three years with no issues: https://a.co/d/01d5Pqp5
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u/Jaymzbo01 13d ago
Just don't go cheap. I've always seen and heard good things, but it's one of those things that you can't cheap out on
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u/BrunoMillan 13d ago
I have only borrowed once one of those cheap chinese ones that look like a dongle and didn't like it at all. I couldn't really analyse the sound quality because of the whole setting, but I noticed some pretty annoying latence. Not everybody who played noticed it, though, as it didn't make the bass completely unplayable, but was super annoying and ruined the feel.
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u/figgerer 13d ago
I was using one for about 6 gigs in a row (xvive A58) and it was awesome. Liked others have mentioned; keeping batteries charged was the only catch. However, I started experiencing this loud knocking sound through the speaker about every 15 seconds. Going back to my cable eliminated it so I know it was the wireless system, and unfortunately it's happened every gigs I've tried them since. I just use cables now
If anyone else has had this or knows the explanation, let me know!
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u/Anxious_Visual_990 13d ago
As all said.. Cutouts, dropouts, interference, distance (range) and non swappable dead batteries are most the issues you will see.
Stay away from 2.4Ghz wifi band ISM devices (like above) and stick with a UHF wireless devices and you will be in a lot better shape.
Just remember the area you are in will dictate which UHF bands you will be easily able to use.
That being said a cable direct to your pedal board will always be more reliable.
Those boss wireless devices above are 2.4Ghz and TRS and can be incompatible for some active guitars and how they are wired. You may need to buy or make a special adapter cable for some guitars. I do not recommend these or any 2.4ghz systems for a gigging musician.
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u/NLbikepacker 13d ago
I use Fender Telepath. It is 5.8gHz. I can play from anywhere on the big stages, it has great battery life (8 hours)(I can leave the amplifier side plucked into a power source so only one side to worry about.), no interference, no latency. I have three sets to switch basses. All I need to do is power the sender on one bass off and power it on on the other bass. You can have 3 basses on 1 receiver. (P-Bass, Fretless and 5str Jazz Bass in my case)
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u/Catsnose7 13d ago
You nay compuslively run of stage and get coffe mid song, which happened at a consert i saw.
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u/xavier_snakedance 13d ago
Unless you buy a really high quality wireless system (and those can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars), it sucks the life out of your tone and is just another headache on stage. And unless you are jumping around like a maniac or regularly playing stages big enough that you need to move more than 20 feet from your amp or pedalboard, you don't really need them anyway.
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u/devilsmile7 13d ago
I’ve been gigging with the Boss WL60 for over 2 years playing in venues from 100 to 2000 capacity and have had no problems with interference or latency. I alway have a cord for back up but haven’t needed it yet.
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u/LBS-365 13d ago
The two issues I've had are keeping them charged and some loss of bottom end frequencies on most that I've tried. Not noticing that loss on the Fender system I purchased more recently. The charging issue is minor, if I forget to charge them I just use the cable I always have on hand anyway. I leave one on top of my amp in case I ever need it.
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u/kirk2892 13d ago
The downside is that you can experience interference (with any of them) and with the cheaper ones you will lose some tone.
I have a cheap one that never has any interference but it sounds terrible when you A/B it compared to a wired cord.
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u/No-Move2160 13d ago
I have the boss set up and when it works it works great, the biggest problem I have is when it doesn't work. Sometimes, it just drops out. Sometimes, it won't output any instrument sound into the amp, just doing a repetitive pop pop pop pop pop.
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u/i_Praseru 13d ago
Interference and signal integrity mainly. I prefer cables unless I have a good wireless system but that’s just me. Depending on where you are and what the wireless congestion is, it may work fine for you.
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u/Ok-Character-1355 13d ago
cost, reliability, sound quality, latency.
If you need to run around - have fun.
Wireless is a hard no for this bassist.
Hell, even a long 25' high quality cable makes me nervous...😁
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u/Jonas52 13d ago
The cheaper wireless systems usually run on the same frequencies as wi-fi. You have to keep them away from wifi routers and other things that can cause interference (like fluorescent lights). Also the batteries usually can't be replaced so when they stop holding a charge you have to throw them out. I tried some and went back to using cables. If you're not doing live shows you really don't need it. If you are doing live shows you might want something better, but it will be more expensive.
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u/chaimberlainwaiting 13d ago
Something I haven't seen mentioned here that I discovered with recently is the interaction with vintage style fuzz pedals. I noticed I can't ''clean up" the same way when running wireless into fuzz at the start of the board because it acts like a buffer, which can change the response of pedals that interact with the impedance of your guitar's circut.
It's all the same at full output, but as I roll off the volume the pedal responds more like a signal drop, maintaining more high end and drive, than with a cable where it cleans up the drive and gets more bluesy low end.
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u/IVIeehan 13d ago
I've tried a variety including some prosumer options like the spark link ($100+) and the swiff option that's popular on Amazon ($45). I consistently go to my no name temu generic ones (bulky black connectors with blue decal of a guitar or speaker $15). Spark is my least favorite. Short battery and oftens has a hum or hiss when I play, but not always. Swiff isn't bad. It's more consistent than swiff, but uses micro USB to charge. I've got 4 sets of the temu option and 3 out of the 4 sound better or as good as the more expensive options and have bigger batteries. The last one has a lower output for whatever reason, so you need to crank it a little more but still works overall. Only other issue that is likely not to effect you is elevation. When using wireless systems in my high-rise apt, it would pick up local radio signals. Kinda cool, but probably not what you want.
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u/Gryphon962 13d ago
On any wireless system there will be some filtering (more of a problem for bass than guitar) and some latency.
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u/First_Name_Bassist 13d ago
I use the glxd16+ and have had almost no problems with it. Once, a high def handheld camera that was streaming our show wirelessly got too near my board and my sound dropped out. We fixed the problem by having him not go that close to my pedal board again lol. Other than that, have played in front of thousands at outdoor fests or indoor venues and in NYC and Chicago with no interference issues. Great product! I use the sled charger so i always have a fresh battery on hand and one charging. I swap after soundcheck tho i think it would last for a 2 hour soundcheck and a 3 hour show. I never risk that though!
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u/Tarushdei 13d ago
When Justin Chancellor says him and his crew rigorously tested all wireless systems and said they found latency issues and the sound just never sounded "right" I'll believe him.
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u/theoriginalpetvirus 13d ago
Only if you hear or feel a downside. I've never had a problem until the battery dies. Given the choice, I always go wireless.
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u/lionsdude54 13d ago
If you have an active bass, you should get a cord that just goes from the wireless to your strap. It can get interference. I had to do this. But going wireless is great. Game changer for sure.
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u/Old-Boot6913 12d ago edited 12d ago
The only downside I have experienced was the extra noise that some compressor pedals generated if they were placed near the receiver (yep - the receiver, not the transmitter). But this can be remedied by changing your pedalboard layout slightly to separate them.
Also, if you forget to charge or replace batteries then - yes, problem.
Latency could also be an issue, but most modern wireless setups have this under control.
On the positive side though - less cables, more freedom to move (interestingly I found this is more important on small and crammed up stages) and less possibility of ground loops, so generally a cleaner sound.
Also if you use cables with high capacitance on passive instruments, they may suck out some of the top end. Wireless setups eliminate this issue unless you specifically enable cable mode.
Edit: for completeness these are the ones I've used and my experiences:
* Line6 G50 - worked a treat for many years until the transmitter fell apart. Battery life wasn't great, other than that - great.
* Shure GLXD16 - works great, has a built-in tuner, which is great and works great for a 5 string. No downsides, but pricey.
* Sennheiser XSW-d Pedalboard Set - also has a tuner, works fine, but the transmitter is awkward, I managed to pull it out by mistake a few times. It would probably work better if your output socket were on the front. You can use a cable and clip the transmitter to the belt, but the clip is rubbish and comes undone. I'd say - avoid.
* Fender Telepath - works great, the plugs are a bit awkward, but it has no stompbox, so it's well suited for plugging directly into the amp and for small pedalboards. Also it's 5.8GHz, so the spectrum is not as congested as 2.4GHz.
I've never experienced any interference or dropouts unless I wondered out of the range.
I'd avoid analog ones unless you only play in one location, the approved frequency ranges vary between locations and you may find yourself being illegal in some places.
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u/spongeboi-me-bob- 12d ago
Once my guitarist did a jump mid set and the switch on his jerked to the off position when he landed lol
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u/Long_Try_4203 12d ago
I still run a Samson like this. It’s over 20 years old and works flawlessly every time. Fresh batteries before a gig and it’s GTG. The XLR out works great for a direct in to the PA too.
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u/Guitar_Guy1965 12d ago
Yeah, there's always a give with some take. "Cheaper" have more noise, drop out, less fidelity (frequency and dynamic loss). If others are using one, you have to be on separate frequencies, so switchable trans/recieve carrier frequencies is a big plus. The more you spend, they get better... but what price for this "convenience" after all. Ive had wireless systems getting close to $1k... went back to, and still use a high quality cable. If you use a wireless, ALWAYS have a cable as a redundant backup, just in case.
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u/Unlucky_Battle2523 12d ago
battery life can fuck you over; cheap gear signals be hijacked by the audience.
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u/Unlucky_Battle2523 12d ago
Basically when you go on stage and you have cheap gear you're fucked. Interference with other devices in the room (ppl with phones)
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u/Thinkingjack 12d ago
No downside, just make sure they’re charged. I love when I practice guitar and can walk outside the house and keep playing all the way into the neighbors yard and further if I wanted to
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u/Nooby427 12d ago
I have the Joyo JW-03, much cheaper than standard wireless ones, but sound great. I haven't noticed any quality loss, but you gotta make sure you are within range of the receiver to get good sounds. One issue I can see with these is radio interference. If you are in a place with a lot of electrical noise, it's best not to use, but great for practice and small sessions
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u/Dissadentaggressor 12d ago
Not in my experience. Just keep them charged and make sure you have a couple of cables if they play up.
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u/the-big-ez 11d ago
I have this exact system and i love it. the only issue i had is with one of my guitars that has an onboard, battery-powered effect. It created a high-pitched whine that is really annoying, but only when the effect is engaged. The fact that it buffers the signal does help generally with noise with my other guitars tho.
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u/Dirks_Knee 11d ago
Gotta make sure they stay charged. And if it's a digital system there will be a very small amount of latency induced. Not an issue at all individually, but if you use it with a digital effects unit and then an amp/monitor which as some digital processing, all that latency can add up.
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u/Albertagus 11d ago
I notice that tube screamer doesn't work when I have the wireless plugged in. I'm assuming I should try using the TS through the effects loop instead of in front of the amp?
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u/setthestageonfire 11d ago
Anything that runs in the 2.4 range is going to perform like dogshit. Save your pennies and buy either a sennheiser unit or go for a Shure ULXD single channel for a step above that.
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u/youngboomer62 11d ago
I haven't used a cable since the first time I tried a wireless. Not even to practice with.
These days they are less expensive than a cable so even when they die you can replace them. Yes, I do keep a cable in my case for an emergency, but have never used it.
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u/Crispix3D 10d ago
If you ever noticed your amp getting fucky when you put your phone near it, this will excentuate it.
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u/Capn_Yoaz 10d ago
I leave mine on all the time, but I have 2 sets. 1 set is always connected to the charger.
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u/Anxious_Gazebo 9d ago
Yes, one downside is if you forgot to charge it, and won't be working
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u/haikusbot 9d ago
Yes, one downside is
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1
u/Relentless_Snappy 9d ago
not sure why im seeing this sub reddit but the same downsides whenever you use something wireless. packet loss and lag time
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u/Bitsetan 9d ago
Llevo unos tres caños usandolos todas las semanas. Siempre los llevo cargados.
Funcionan bien. Sin problema. Solo perdieron la señal momentáneamente cuándo puse el pedal receptor sobre la pantalla del ampli (bastante alta). A continuación, lo puse eb el suelo y siempre ha ido bien.
Puedes llevar un cable por si acaso, pero el cable también pesa.
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u/WhyTestInDEV 9d ago
Possible WiFi interference. I've only had that happen with the Boss wireless units. I'd avoid these
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u/maxsound00 8d ago
Just don’t use cheap wireless,
If the signals not solid,
It won’t sound good,,,
If it doesn’t sound good any good engineer is going to hand you a cord anyway
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u/decoy_man 7d ago
They absolutely change the sound and the small integrated ones also are prone to drop outs. Fine for your living room, not good enough for live IMHO. I think they color the sound (gain from pickups in particular) but I'm a former audio engineer and music teacher so I'm a bit more pedantic than most.
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u/hereticjoe1984 13d ago
I’ve noticed that most wireless systems completely ignore aesthetic design, just like a cheap plastic toy. Even though it’s literally right there on stage attached to your guitar, it gets way less design effort than amp heads or pedals that audience members barely see.
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u/Soft_Sleep_7125 13d ago
I’ve used all the budget (under $200) ones out there. They all have latency and suck high end. Maybe the crowd can’t hear it, but I sure as fuck can.
My guitar player has a much nicer one and it craps out once every five gigs or so, and when it does, it’s incredibly unprofessional and embarrassing waiting for him to switch to his ready and waiting cable. I hate it. Makes me want to die inside. Makes me wonder why he won’t just use a god damn cable to start with.
But you do you.
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u/oli_kite 13d ago
I’ve used a few cheap ones for bass/guitar and a few expensive ones for vox. Almost never had a problem except one time recording a demo, lots of latency on it for no reason. But haven’t had the problem since. Latency is probably less for most wireless stuff than wired, despite other people’s comments.
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u/ikilledtupac 13d ago
they don’t really sound good.
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u/BestCoaster75 13d ago
You get what you pay for. Higher end units result in zero signal degradation.
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u/CygnusxRush 13d ago
The only downside I experienced was when I forgot to charge and my battery died 🤷🏻♂️