NWD

[dmatthews]

New wireless day!
Had a set of X-Vive U2 wireless that worked well for a couple of years, but sadly they snuffed it a couple of months ago. Had been using my old Line6 G10 at practice but other bands kept turning the power bar off, or unplugging the base/charger so it was often not charged when I showed up. Grrrrr...
So... after much looking, reviewing etc. I decided on a new pair of "bugs".

NUX C-5RC...

Comes in a super handy, small case that also charges the bugs...



Also has a handy dual USB cable if the charging case runs out of fuel...







The system runs at 5.8ghz so should theoretically experience little to no interference. My other devices were a 2.4ghz.
Tried them out at practice on Wednesday night, and they worked flawlessly. Hopped off the stage and went to the end of the studio with no issues (approx 60'). Has a mute switch on the transmitter for easy/silent guitar swaps.
Initial review is very positive!
Also, shout out to @Pitbull Audio in Cali. Andrew and Fernando there handled the query, transaction, and shipping like complete pros! Nicely done gents!
Happy camper here!

 

[bodia]

Sweet score, Dave

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Nice!

 

[andy474x]

Nice! Interesting to see people seriously relying on those little wireless units - back when I went wireless for live play it was pretty much just the G10, and I didn’t really trust them for a gig. Went for a G30 it worked okay… had some interference issues once, and the belt packs kinda suck for that unit, they’re easy to break the plastic casing. One of mine is super glued together. Also, batteries (AA) burst in them ALL THE TIME which was really obnoxious.

Definitely like the idea of a rechargeable (and more robust) battery, and the receiver not taking up a pedal slot on the board. If I ever need to do wireless again, I’ll probably look at something like that along with what the other options are.

 

[dmatthews]

Nice! Interesting to see people seriously relying on those little wireless units - back when I went wireless for live play it was pretty much just the G10, and I didn’t really trust them for a gig. Went for a G30 it worked okay… had some interference issues once, and the belt packs kinda suck for that unit, they’re easy to break the plastic casing. One of mine is super glued together. Also, batteries (AA) burst in them ALL THE TIME which was really obnoxious.

Definitely like the idea of a rechargeable (and more robust) battery, and the receiver not taking up a pedal slot on the board. If I ever need to do wireless again, I’ll probably look at something like that along with what the other options are.

Yeah, I had/have an old G30 that lost its belt clip as well. I used Eneloop rechargeable batteries in it successfully, but like you I found the belt/strap clip to be a POS.
Hopefully the NUX will last.

 

[Prina]

I used Eneloop rechargeable batteries

Congrats on the X-Vive U2. And a shout out for Eneloops also, that's all we use.

 

[László]

That's a really sweet, innovative system! Enjoy it!

They have some interesting products.

I watched a demo of their B8 system for possible use in my recording rig. It might work for me, provided it sounds good. I'm trying to reduce cable tripping hazards as I get older; in fact, I redid all the cable and power cord routing in my studio to that end, but I'm still walking from the workstation to the amps 20 feet away attached to a cable in order to make adjustments while recording.

Not a good recipe for safety at this stage of my life. It'd be wise to eliminate the cable, provided there isn't too much of a tone hit.

 

[dmatthews]

That's a really sweet, innovative system! Enjoy it!

They have some interesting products.

I watched a demo of their B8 system for possible use in my recording rig. It might work for me, provided it sounds good. I'm trying to reduce cable tripping hazards as I get older; in fact, I redid all the cable and power cord routing in my studio to that end, but I'm still walking from the workstation to the amps 20 feet away attached to a cable in order to make adjustments while recording.

Not a good recipe for safety at this stage of my life. It'd be wise to eliminate the cable, provided there isn't too much of a tone hit.

That's interesting...
I was thinking that any recording I did would be with cable.
That said, you have a large studio with multiple amps, and I do not.
The NUX (and others) have a cable tone option. I have not messed with that yet, and maybe my ear would not be as critical as yours in that regard.
Anyway... my application is live on stage, but not a crap ton of money to try it out for studio work...

 

[László]

That's interesting...
I was thinking that any recording I did would be with cable.

I had an analog wireless system in the '90s because I kept my amps in a recording booth to keep the noise down, and it was pretty far from my workstation area. Now, I gotta say the analog wireless system sounded pretty good, but back then they all had 'compander' circuits, in other words, the unit would compress the tone going in to not overload the box, and then expand it again on the way out of the box.

So there was a little bit of a tone compromise.

Then maybe around '96-97, I hit on the idea of keeping the amp heads near my workstation, and the speaker cab in the booth, like Tim Pierce does, and made that happen. Problem is, I like to get the amp tone standing in front of the speaker, and only THEN placing the mic, because I don't like putting a mic up against a speaker grille. I don't think it sounds natural.

That 'surrounded by my amps' idea didn't last a long time. I was back to walking around hooked up to a cable.

That's fine, and for me somewhat sonically preferable, but I'm old enough that tripping could be serious. Two years ago I tripped on a cable while hooking up a piece of equipment near my workstation, grabbed for my desk to avoid hitting the ground, and while I didn't hit the ground, I got a bone bruise on my thumb serious enough to see a hand specialist. Even with treatment, it made playing piano a bit difficult for months. In fact, even holding a pick hurt. I was very lucky it wasn't worse.

The NUX (and others) have a cable tone option.

Generally, those simulate the average cable that has fairly high capacitance and rolls off more high end than I want. I doubt that'd work for me, I use very low capacitance cables that minimize the rolloff.

I think I'd rather use an EQ, the amp or the guitar controls, if that's what I want to accomplish. I have three great sounding pedals with onboard EQs that will let me get close to the sound I'm used to with my cables. And there's also EQ to use in the DAW, if it comes to that.

Bottom line, I may try one of these systems out. Just have to figure out what'll be most suitable for studio use.

 

[dmatthews]

I had an analog wireless system in the '90s because I kept my amps in a recording booth to keep the noise down, and it was pretty far from my workstation area. Now, I gotta say the analog wireless system sounded pretty good, but back then they all had 'compander' circuits, in other words, the unit would compress the tone going in to not overload the box, and then expand it again on the way out of the box.

So there was a little bit of a tone compromise.

Then maybe around '96-97, I hit on the idea of keeping the amp heads near my workstation, and the speaker cab in the booth, like Tim Pierce does, and made that happen. Problem is, I like to get the amp tone standing in front of the speaker, and only THEN placing the mic, because I don't like putting a mic up against a speaker grille. I don't think it sounds natural.

That 'surrounded by my amps' idea didn't last a long time. I was back to walking around hooked up to a cable.

That's fine, and for me somewhat sonically preferable, but I'm old enough that tripping could be serious. Two years ago I tripped on a cable while hooking up a piece of equipment near my workstation, grabbed for my desk to avoid hitting the ground, and while I didn't hit the ground, I got a bone bruise on my thumb serious enough to see a hand specialist. Even with treatment, it made playing piano a bit difficult for months. In fact, even holding a pick hurt. I was very lucky it wasn't worse.


Generally, those simulate the average cable that has fairly high capacitance and rolls off high end. I doubt that'd work for me, I use very low capacitance cables that minimize the rolloff.

I think I'd rather use an EQ, the amp or the guitar controls, if that's what I want to accomplish. I have three great sounding pedals with onboard EQs that will let me get close to the sound I'm used to with my cables. And there's also EQ to use in the DAW, if it comes to that.

Bottom line, I may try one of these systems out. Just have to figure out what'll be most suitable for studio use.

Your line of thinking/logic is solid regarding EQ instead of built-in cable tone option. Great thought.
And... I highly recommend wireless for less clutter and NOT TRIPPING! I do not need that Schlitz playing live.
Last few practices with cables reminded me of that.

 

[László]

And... I highly recommend wireless for less clutter and NOT TRIPPING! I do not need that Schlitz playing live.
Last few practices with cables reminded me of that.

You bet! Live on a typical smaller gig stage cables are even more of a hazard because there are other people sharing the stage, and you're close to pedalboards, other cables, etc. Could be a bad recipe once you reach a certain point in life.

One other thing...

It kind of surprises me that no one's done a shootout between various wireless systems for audio quality. Tests seem to be more about how far away you can be from the receiver and still get a signal. But at a typical gig, or in a studio, you're not far away. For me the audio quality would matter a lot more.

There are a bewildering variety of different systems out there, in all price ranges from very cheap to very expensive. I wonder how they stack up sonically? I know from experience that the converters and analog circuitry matter in gear like this, but I haven't tried a bunch in 25 years, so I'm WAY behind the times.

It'd be fun to do a YouTube shootout. But I don't have one of these systems, let alone several!

 

[Moondog Wily]

NOT TRIPPING!

I personally love tripping! Views through the kaleidoscope of the mind!!

Congrats on the new wireless, I may have to try one even though I am generally seated while playing at this juncture!!!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Nice one Dave and affordable.

 

[dmatthews]

Nice one Dave and affordable.

Yes, the price was easier to swallow than some of the alternatives.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Shure stuff has got expensive.

I still have my SM58 radio mic from about 25 years ago and it still works a treat.

I nearly fell off my seat a couple of years ago when a friend bought a new Shure system. They look nice, but they do the same thing.

 

[László]

Shure stuff has got expensive.

I still have my SM58 radio mic from about 25 years ago and it still works a treat.

I nearly fell off my seat a couple of years ago when a friend bought a new Shure system. They look nice, but they do the same thing.

Everything gets expensive!

A 12th Century castle cost £350 if you wanted your standard-model stone castle without too many bells and...uh...battlements. On the other hand, you had to be very rich indeed in the 12th Century to possess the vast sum of £350. Good enough for a Duke or a Count.

"Like the Duke of Earl?"

"Or Count Chocula."

"Does that include the moat?"

"Moats were another £10, but you had to put a fence around them and get extra liability insurance. A super-deluxe, King's castle ran about £1000. A new building for a mere Burger King costs a lot more, right? I mean, you can't even build a White Castle for £350."

"Uh, sure...tell me: How do you know this?"

"I remember a lot of stupid stuff that I occasionally pop into a conversation in the hope of annoying my friends."

"You have no friends."

"Now you know why."

 

[Tucson Thump]

New wireless day!
Had a set of X-Vive U2 wireless that worked well for a couple of years, but sadly they snuffed it a couple of months ago. Had been using my old Line6 G10 at practice but other bands kept turning the power bar off, or unplugging the base/charger so it was often not charged when I showed up. Grrrrr...
So... after much looking, reviewing etc. I decided on a new pair of "bugs".

NUX C-5RC...

Comes in a super handy, small case that also charges the bugs...



Also has a handy dual USB cable if the charging case runs out of fuel...







The system runs at 5.8ghz so should theoretically experience little to no interference. My other devices were a 2.4ghz.
Tried them out at practice on Wednesday night, and they worked flawlessly. Hopped off the stage and went to the end of the studio with no issues (approx 60'). Has a mute switch on the transmitter for easy/silent guitar swaps.
Initial review is very positive!
Also, shout out to @Pitbull Audio in Cali. Andrew and Fernando there handled the query, transaction, and shipping like complete pros! Nicely done gents!
Happy camper here!

Nice! One for each ear!

 

[Bogner]

Nice!

 

[Moondog Wily]

Nice! One for each ear!

So I have been putting them in the wrong orifices? Makes sense now that you say it!

 

[FragileThunder]

Everything gets expensive!

A 12th Century castle cost £350 if you wanted your standard-model stone castle without too many bells and...uh...battlements. On the other hand, you had to be very rich indeed in the 12th Century to possess the vast sum of £350. Good enough for a Duke or a Count.

"Like the Duke of Earl?"

"Or Count Chocula."

"Does that include the moat?"

"Moats were another £10, but you had to put a fence around them and get extra liability insurance. A super-deluxe, King's castle ran about £1000. A new building for a mere Burger King costs a lot more, right? I mean, you can't even build a White Castle for £350."

"Uh, sure...tell me: How do you know this?"

"I remember a lot of stupid stuff that I occasionally pop into a conversation in the hope of annoying my friends."

"You have no friends."

"Now you know why."

Thank you. If I ever master time travel, I am definitely going back to the 12th century and building a castle. Then I'm skipping forward to the '60s and renting it at exorbitant sums to the Rolling Stones to record in. And I'm definitely springing for the moat. Maybe even a double moat.