Wireless guitar issue at gig

Mike4mus6 · #1 09-17-2023, 08:43 AM

So our duo had a gig at a yacht club dinner last night.
Setup was good, sound check ok, we started playing.
After a couple of songs my guitar started dropping out.
No worries, just changed to cable. Starting back again, when my partner’s guitar started doing same thing. Once again, cables and on with the show (embarrassing delay)
So about hour into our set, the hostess came out with a wireless mic.
Looking to rear of venue I saw the lights from THERE sound system!
Was this the reason for our 5.8 GH not connecting properly?

I charge all our equipment prior to gigs, so no issues there.
Just searching for answer and how to avoid it again!
Thanks

Chriscom · #2 09-17-2023, 09:39 AM

Hi Michael, Chris here, your East Coast Facebook friend.

It certainly could be, and it could be who knows what other signals were flying through the air. My wireless jacks started dropping out in my apartment yesterday, which is a first, and since I was in a rush to get practicing I didn't bother trying to change channels on mine since it's a bit fidgety.

There are plenty of wireless mics that operate at 5.8 Ghz.

5.8 Ghz is certainly less congested than 2.4 GHz but as more people have come to realize that, it's like more cars using the new highway so more chance for conflict. Fortuntately you were prepared with the cables!

nostatic · #3 09-17-2023, 12:37 PM

fwiw, unless I need to roam the stage/room, for me wireless is a net-negative. I don't have to charge a cable, I don't get RF conflicts from a cable, and if a cable is bad it is an immediate swap to a backup cable. I can however trip over a cable so there is that.

Caveat is that when I'm playing bass I'm not moving around stage much, and when I'm solo I'm seating and going nowhere so wireless gives zero advantage. Totally YMMV.

btw, RF interference is only going to get worse as more devices clog the spectrum. And cheap/poorly designed/implemented devices are even worse. Problem is you can have a good piece of gear but only takes one craptastic thing spewing RF hash to ruin the party.

leew3 · #4 09-17-2023, 02:45 PM

As others have noted, it could be anything. Rokdog and I play wirelessly with similar gear as what you've outlined and rarely have problems. There's an outdoor venue in the downtown of a local city where our wireless gear goes nuts for some reason. We've changed channels and gotten it to work there, and now plan for some extra set up time. And, of course, always travel with cables!

Mike4mus6 · #5 09-17-2023, 03:42 PM

Appreciate the insight on other performers and their likes/dislikes about wireless.
I’m pretty sure I’m gonna shelve the wireless and go back to cables as it is foolproof (other than cable going bad).
Lesson learned….

Thanks again

Michael

GuitarLover28 · #6 09-18-2023, 02:52 AM

I use one of those Boss wireless wotsits for practise - but for all gigs I use a cable.

EZYPIKINS · #7 09-18-2023, 04:05 AM

If you are going to use wireless for gigs. You should be looking into one that will scan and find open frequencies.

This is one reason I stopped using wireless around 2005, when the frequency wars began.

I have the Shire GLXD16+ pedal Tuner/wireless receiver for my guitar. Have been using for about a month now, at rehearsal. Never gigged it.

rmp · #8 09-18-2023, 04:33 AM

The chances of it being either that other wireless is possible, or if the place has wifi, that too can interfere as well.

The inexpensive units are bit more prone to these kind of things

I have few of those, and they are just not as reliable as my G30s (line 6) are.

but even as good as the G30 is I always bring cables, cuz - ya never know.

JackB1 · #9 09-18-2023, 02:26 PM

I gave up on using wireless at gig....one less thing to worry about at gigs going wrong. It's just not dependable enough yet IMO. Sure it's great when it works, but I was having issue about 20% of the time and that's too much.

B. Adams · #10 09-19-2023, 09:40 PM

The best and most expensive wireless system in the world is almost as good as a $10 cable.

Wireless can be tricky. I recommend not using anything in the wifi range, either 2.4 or 5GHz, because things like this can happen. Always have a cable as a backup, and it's a good thing you follow that philosophy. At least you were prepared.

Wireless in the UHF range is much more stable than the wifi range. The waves are longer, there are more frequency options, and it's generally less prone to intermittent interference from personal wireless devices or other things that emit random RF, like LED's. But the 2.4 and 5GHz systems are much more affordable, so that makes it an attractive option.

I have 21 channels of Shure ULXD, and it's always been rock solid for me. I occasionally have to do frequency scans during setup, but it's easy to see when I'm getting hit by something.

I also have 2 GLXD guitar systems that I use with some acts, and I've had occasional issues with interference. Good thing I have cables as a backup, and fortunately we always caught it during soundcheck and it didn't bite us during a show.

GTRGUY005 · #11 09-20-2023, 09:15 AM

I'm reading this thread with interest. I just picked up one of those inexpensive wireless units from Lekato, which has good reviews/recommendations on this forum.

I don't really need to go wireless, but it would be nice to eleminate one cable and have a little flexibility with moving around. I'm planning to use it at my Senior Living gig this weekend.

I'll see how it goes...sounds like some of you guys have soured on it. Of course I'll have some backup cables just in case.

Chriscom · #12 09-20-2023, 10:09 AM

I've had great success with my no-name wireless system for guitar, similar at price to the Lekatos and Getarias. Can't check the name at the moment.

I don't worry about it because I always have a backup cable. I've never had to use it at a gig. I had one dropout in nearly two years, and that was at home this month, haven't had time to analyze--could have been weak battery.

No doubt my success is aided by where I play, which I'd vaguely describe as built-up suburban. So not a high-density locale like the kind of places Aaron Short plays in NYC but it's not deserted either. Aaron's a fan of wireless if I'm not mistaken, and has used (again IIRC) the Sennheiser XS system, whose chief flaw by his telling is the batteries, not the connection. That system is a lot more pricey than the Lekato-class. He's also used the wireless system in the Bose S1 Pro+--and after an update, from what I understand, successfully. (Each transmitter in that system is another $149 on top of the price of the Bose).

But anyway many, many musicians in Northern Virigina where I hang out use wireless systems, including the cheapies we've been talking about. They keep using them so I guess they're happy. My favorite local duo has been using the Getarias for at least over two years, currently $42 on Amazon.

SongwriterFan · #13 09-20-2023, 07:23 PM

I've tried using a couple of wireless setups (guitar and mic). They usually sound-check very well. But often they will start to "cut out" during the performance. So, I quit using them. Too bad . . I liked the freedom.

shufflebeat · #14 09-21-2023, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriscom

I've had great success with my no-name wireless system for guitar, similar at price to the Lekatos and Getarias. Can't check the name at the moment.

I don't worry about it because I always have a backup cable.

This is pretty much my experience. I use a 5.8 for all gigs but always carry a cable, or two.

leew3 · #15 09-21-2023, 03:37 PM

I should have added above that I bit the bullet and now use the Shure GLXD6+ system. I love the tuner at my feet as I play multiple instruments in the course of a show and can easily mute and change. It's pricey but has been rock solid through about a dozen gigs so far.