Help me understand the basics of wireless setups for bands

[jrm]

Hello friends:

Last night at pracitce, my bandmates and I began discussing going the wireless road for our guitars and bass. I currently already have a wireless unit that I use. It is an older Sennheiser Digital 1000 unit. I like it. It seems to work just fine for me. However, once we start throwing more wireless signals into the path, I have no idea what to take into consideration. Help me understand the things I need to know to help us setup the correct wireless configuration for our band!

At most it will be three signals at a time (2 guitar, 1 bass). We'll keep spare body packs on our spare guitars most likely tuned into the same channel that our primary instruments are going through. However, how do we make sure that there are no signals being crossed? How do we keep the sound from being all screwy? Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!

-jon

[DSmith]

Wireless can be expensive and frustrating.

Not only do you need to make sure each band member is on their own frequency, you need to make sure there isn't local TV station interference where you're playing, and the club/bar/... doesn't have additional wireless units on that may be operating on your frequencies.

It's easiest to use one brand where everyone has the same model and rely on the manufacturer's online frequency finder to help choose your transmitter frequencies. Here's Shure's link, but Sennheiser has to have a similar link.

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/TechLi...nder/index.htm

Additional packs can work, but you need to only have one pack powered on at a time per receiver.

Unless it's really worth it to you guys, I'd go for some nice cables, and occasionally rent a high-end wireless rig :AOK

[Flyin' Brian]

I just had this discussion with the techs of a band that uses wireless for 3 guitars and a sax along with wireless in ear monitoring for up to 12 people.

The set up in various cities isn't a problem and interference is usually not an issue, but as mentioned, it's VERY expen$ive.

[jrm]

Yes, the financial outlay can be quite daunting for sure. And that is something that we are going to be takign into consideration. However, as we proceed, we're hoping that if we spend good money on well researched units we can avoid some of the pitfalls.

[loudboy]

I ran 18 Shure wireless lavs in a stage producton, w/no interference problems. They've got that figured out pretty well, at this point.

Did I read somewhere that some of the frequencies that wireless units use are going to be redistributed in a year or so? That might be worth looking into, as it would suck to invest a ot of $ and have it go away.

For the multiple guitar issue, just use one unit, taped to a strap. Put the strap on the guitar you're using.

Loudboy

[jrm]

that would be good to know. Where did you read that?

[Funky Monkey]

I've been looking at these for a coupl'a days. I'm not sold, but they certainly do seem to solve a lot of problems. Up to 5 freqs can be used, so your band's need for 3 would be fine. They sell separate transmitters, too, for backup guitars if necessary.

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-X2D-XDS95.html

[Adwex]

ALWAYS have a cable handy....just in case.