AKG Wireless Bug Systems

[allighatt0r]

I'm after a wireless system, as i've started gigging and the band have decided it would be very "rock and roll" to start jumping on the bar etc.

So i had a quick search, and found a recommendation of AKG wireless systems, cos they're fairly cheap and there weren't any major problems... so, has anyone else had experience with them, and which would be the better option:

1. [url="http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=PA00215"]Imuso ( A )[/url]
[url="http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=PA00005"]Imuso ( B )[/url]

2. [url="http://www.lifeismusic.co.uk/guitar/AKG-GB40SR40-Guitar-Bug-Wirles-5995.aspx"]Life Is Music[/url]

3. Somewhere else?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Edited March 4, 2008 by allighatt0r

[stevebasshead]

Great little units, you won't be disappointed. If you're going to be leaping about be sure to use the little sticky velcro pads they supply so that the bug stays attached to your bass rather than bounding around on it's hinge

[coasterbass]

The AKG units in 1) and 2) say that the frequency bandwidth (is that the right term??) is 40Hz to 20KHz - does that mean they miss "our friends" 20Hz to 40Hz ??

[mxm]

+1 for the akg and the soundcontrol option !

IMHO Great little units for the price.

[allighatt0r]

[quote name='finnbass' post='151064' date='Mar 4 2008, 02:08 PM']Deffo number 3.

Try here:

[url="http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.6.5-47-7"]http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/...ku=1.1.6.5-47-7[/url][/quote]

Thanks very much! How did you find this2? i spent flippin' ages trying to find it cheaper on Google and couldn't... Do you know somehting i don't?

[quote name='coasterbass' post='151156' date='Mar 4 2008, 04:52 PM']The AKG units in 1) and 2) say that the frequency bandwidth (is that the right term??) is 40Hz to 20KHz - does that mean they miss "our friends" 20Hz to 40Hz ??[/quote]

I think i should go read the wireless sticky if i want any hope of understanding this...

[allighatt0r]

[quote name='finnbass' post='151255' date='Mar 4 2008, 07:15 PM']I have to confess, OldGit found it first:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10583&hl=AKG"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10583&hl=AKG[/url][/quote]

My fault for not doing a good enough search... sorry!

[dave_bass5]

Another nod for the GB system.
Been using one for almost two years and its never let me down.
It does change your sound slightly but then so does playing on a wooden stage, new strings etc. It boots the highs a bit but nothing a bit of Eq cant mask unless your a purist.
Only downside is the GB's have their freq set so you could clash with someone else.

[coasterbass]

Its good to get some recommendations.

Returning to my earlier question though... the stated frequency response is 40Hz to 20KHz. If that implies that it will only transmit those frequencies then it leaves a gap of 20Hz to 40Hz, which is generally the lowest slider on your EQ, and the stuff that really turns the audiences stomachs.

Additonally the THD (total harmonic distortion) is pretty high (thats the crap that makes your tapes sound worse than cd's etc).

Can I get an indication of what kind of rigs people have been using these with?? Are people using them with 5 strings? One review i read suggested that it would be ok running straight to an amp or small PA, but if you encounter big PA's each week then you'll hear the lowend loss and signal degradation.

Any thoughts??

[dave_bass5]

I used mine with my 5 string Lakland in to either my 1210R cab or my UL212 using MarkBass heads and while there is a change in tone and a loss of lows it didn't seem to matter much as my Cabs only go down to 40hz as well. I know thats not exactly the same thing but i didn't notice any improvement by using a cable.

[coasterbass]

I've just been comparing to other more expensive kit

The topend Shure stuff goes down to 25Hz, and the top AKG goes down to 35Hz. However the midrange Shure only goes to 45Hz.

Ho hum.
I guess I'd get in trouble for playing 20Hz at a wedding anyway.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='coasterbass' post='151624' date='Mar 5 2008, 12:01 PM']I've just been comparing to other more expensive kit

The topend Shure stuff goes down to 25Hz, and the top AKG goes down to 35Hz. However the midrange Shure only goes to 45Hz.

Ho hum.
I guess I'd get in trouble for playing 20Hz at a wedding anyway.[/quote]

my feelings are that once the band starts playing you might not notice the low end roll off anyway. I didnt. when i first started using mine i would sound check with it so i could go out front and then switch to a lead for the gig. Never noticed a difference. its there but i never noticed it if that makes sense.
Through my PC/headphones i could here a difference but never at gigs other than if we were using a full PA. Then there would be a bit more top end and a slight hiss if not EQ'ed right but it has not been a problem and 99% of our gigs are without the Bass in the PA.

I also have the WMS400 version for my other band as that has more freq's. we tend to play holiday camps etc where there are a lot of radio systems. Again, no problems at all (sound wise)

Ive not tried the dearer systems as im happy with what i have. Im not a pro and dont play big stages so these do me fine.
The X2 system seems to get a lot of praise over on TB but thats dearer and a bit off topic for this thread.

[rhymes]

I used to have one of these (and will be getting another one very soon) and I have one suggestion:

If you are a very active bass player (ie moving around a lot) it would probably be a good idea to tape down the battery cover - run a strip of gaffa round the middle to hold it in place. It's rather embarrassing if the battery drops out just as you start your slap bass solo... :blush:

[stingrayfan]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='151555' date='Mar 5 2008, 10:06 AM']It does change your sound slightly but then so does playing on a wooden stage, new strings etc. It boots the highs a bit but nothing a bit of Eq cant mask unless your a purist.[/quote]
..and also, which thing will punters remember more - the bass player with a slightly better sound or the one who leapt onto the bar during the encore?

I've got one of these in a box in garage - it's reminded me to get it out again for the next gig!

[allighatt0r]

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='153596' date='Mar 8 2008, 02:05 PM']I've got one of these in a box in garage - it's reminded me to get it out again for the next gig![/quote]

I guarantee everyone on Basschat has something interesting in their garage. I think this could be the seed of an off-topic thread.

"What interesting wassamajig have you got in your garage?"

Edited March 8, 2008 by allighatt0r