Recommend me a wireless system

[BigRedX]

On 18/10/2024 at 17:38, Al Krow said:

 

Nux 5.8GHz - Battery Life Test

I fully charged the Nux 5.8GHz and set it up so that the transmitter was connected to the output of my Zoom B1-4 with drum machine playing (in place of my bass output), and receiver into the input of a preamp pedal (both pedals loose and powered up) to try to give it a realistic set up, rather than simply switch the transmitter and receiver on next to each other in isolation.

 

The manual suggests "around 4 hours" of battery life.

My 2-3 year old ones, which I bought used and have gigged 100+ times over the past 18 months managed pretty much exactly 5 hours before the transmitter gave out (receiver had a little bit of battery life left in still, but was on "red")

 

Actually that's better than I was expecting! So I think I can be pretty relaxed for most gigging situations, other than some function gigs where there's quite a gap between set up / sound check and finishing the second set, where I'll just need to remember to switch the units off. In addition, the storage case doubles up as a battery recharger which gives another back-up, if needed.

 

@Lozz196 @BigRedX - hopefully that ties in with your experience and provides all 3 of us with some reassurance when playing live with the Nux wireless?

 

I didn't even realise that the carry case was also able to charge the transmitter and receiver without needing to be attached to a PSU. Except when I am using them, the Transmitter and Receiver live in it permanently and at some point in the day before a rehearsal or gig, I simply plug the carry case into a suitable USB charger plug and keep it plugged in until the orange lights on both the transmitter and receiver go out.

 

I've owned my NUX system for about 6 months now and it's been used about 30 times. At the moment it takes about 15-20 minutes to charge everything ready for its next use. This is after a typical 3 hour practice and the device sat in my bag for the rest of the week.

[tauzero]

On the battery life front, as an experiment I didn't recharge my Lekato WS-90 after doing the last gig (2.5 hours left switched on), and since then they've done three open mic nights (2 hours left switched on every time) and managed an hour of rehearsal before the transmitter threw up its little hands. About 9.5 hours then.

[Chienmortbb]

On 17/10/2024 at 20:36, tauzero said:

Neither the Harley Benton, the Line 6 G50, nor the Smoothhound have built in tuners.

 

On 18/10/2024 at 22:15, tauzero said:

Harley Benton AirBorne Pro 5.8GHz

This does have a tuner built in, from the HB website "Integrated chromatic tuner with easy-to-read LCD display" however its not a patch on the tuner in my zoom pedals, not easy to see, however it has plenty of power for other pedals.

[tauzero]

27 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

 

This does have a tuner built in, from the HB website "Integrated chromatic tuner with easy-to-read LCD display" however its not a patch on the tuner in my zoom pedals, not easy to see, however it has plenty of power for other pedals.

 

My mistake, I've just never used it.

[Chienmortbb]

1 minute ago, tauzero said:

 

My mistake, I've just never used it.

It is not that useful IMHO but it is there.

[ped]

Just tried the Joyo. I’m getting some crackle, feels like clipping, when digging in. Will investigate more but likely it’ll go back. The button to turn on/pair is a bit cheap feeling compared to the Boss ‘on when plugged in’ system. 

[Al Krow]

22 minutes ago, ped said:

Just tried the Joyo. I’m getting some crackle, feels like clipping, when digging in. Will investigate more but likely it’ll go back. The button to turn on/pair is a bit cheap feeling compared to the Boss ‘on when plugged in’ system. 

 

Useful to know, thanks @ped Are you tempted to give the Nux with its ability to angle the transmitter/receiver a try?

[ped]

47 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

Useful to know, thanks @ped Are you tempted to give the Nux with its ability to angle the transmitter/receiver a try?

Yeah maybe. Can you link me to the one you mean?

[Al Krow]

15 minutes ago, ped said:

Yeah maybe. Can you link me to the one you mean?

 

Sure thing, here you go:

 

NUX C-5RC Rechargeable Wireless Guitar Bug Set 5.8GHz

 

(includes the recharge pack/case)

[ped]

7 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

Sure thing, here you go:

 

NUX C-5RC Rechargeable Wireless Guitar Bug Set 5.8GHz

 

(includes the recharge pack/case)

Thanks! Just wanted to be sure

[Al Krow]

I landed a replacement Ibanez SR Premium bass, which arrived today. I do remember not being able to get my old Smoothhound wireless transmitter into the recessed jack socket on my previous Ibby. The Nux however slots in a treat - that's an additional unexpected bonus! 

[ped]

Just seen this one

https://amzn.eu/d/cuipeLf

 

Interesting.. very cheap

[tauzero]

6 hours ago, ped said:

Just seen this one

https://amzn.eu/d/cuipeLf

 

Interesting.. very cheap

 

Possibly not very legal. And they look very very vulnerable, with being so long and rigid - there are some things for which this would be a Good Thing, but a wireless bug that appears to have taken Viagra seems destined to have quite a short life.

[dudewheresmybass]

11 hours ago, ped said:

Just seen this one

https://amzn.eu/d/cuipeLf

 

Interesting.. very cheap

It does seem strange to see so many pictures within the listing using an extra accessory to hold the transmitter. 
 

[Chienmortbb]

Those Amazon systems do not state the frequency band used just saying Sub G and UHF. Realistically this means from about 450 MHz to 1 Gigahertz. 
 

it probably means that there were produced for the US bands licensed for Wireless audio. These bands do not coincide with UK licensed bands and are, as @tauzero says, are illegal. 
 

This is true of most of the UHF systems from China, available from AliExpress and sometimes Amazon/Ebay. 

[ped]

On 22/10/2024 at 19:21, Al Krow said:

 

Sure thing, here you go:

 

NUX C-5RC Rechargeable Wireless Guitar Bug Set 5.8GHz

 

(includes the recharge pack/case)

 

It's just arrived after I sent the other one back. Seems fine, the case is great and although I detect a tiny bit of hiss and latency when being super critical, it's 100% fine for real life use and hasn't dropped out at all. I am using the 'cable tone' setting which sounds pretty much like my cable does and is indistinguishable in a mix. Thanks for the recommendation!

[neepheid]

I use a set of Lekato WS-70 - UHF, so neither 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz.  I've had great results with these - gone on walkabouts round the entire pub before.  Lasts a 3 hour gig on a full charge no problem (I think the full life is 7 hours per charge, but I wouldn't like to risk playing 2 gigs back to back without charging in between).  Seems to handle active basses OK (I've used them with my Sire Z7 in active mode without issue).

 

 

Also can be had for anything between £30 and £60 depending on where you look.  I bought these for a first stab at going wireless and honestly I don't think I need to "upgrade" as these have been doing the business for me for the last 6 months or so.  If anything went wrong with them, at these prices I'd probably just buy another pair.

[Al Krow]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

I use a set of Lekato WS-70 - UHF, so neither 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz.  I've had great results with these - gone on walkabouts round the entire pub before.  Lasts a 3 hour gig on a full charge no problem (I think the full life is 7 hours per charge, but I wouldn't like to risk playing 2 gigs back to back without charging in between).  Seems to handle active basses OK (I've used them with my Sire Z7 in active mode without issue).

 

 

Also can be had for anything between £30 and £60 depending on where you look.  I bought these for a first stab at going wireless and honestly I don't think I need to "upgrade" as these have been doing the business for me for the last 6 months or so.  If anything went wrong with them, at these prices I'd probably just buy another pair.

 

Best not to read the above posts from @tauzero and @Chienmortbb, then, re use of UHF in the UK 😅

[neepheid]

50 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

Best not to read the above posts from @tauzero and @Chienmortbb, then, re use of UHF in the UK 😅

 

You'll have to catch me first, lawman!

[StingRayBoy42]

Shout out to the humble SubZero guitar bug!

5.8GHz, cheap as chips (£60 new, got mine for £40 used), works a treat, rechargable w/USB, never had a drop out or any interference (touch wood), decently small Rx & Tx... works for me.

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/SubZero-Pocket-Guitar-Bug-Digital-Wireless-System/33F7

[Muppet]

On 17/10/2024 at 09:15, BigRedX said:

I've got a NUX 5.8GHz system as well. It has been used for 6 gigs, including two outdoors and one on a large stage, and about 10 rehearsals without any problems so far

You're gonna have to tell me what I'm doing wrong! I normally run a GLXD+ plugged in to a Helix (no backline, in ears from a Sennheiser G4) but reading this thread I bought one of these and tried it last night.  Dreadful latency and thin tone were the first things I noticed, and a high pitched hum through the PA and everyone's IEMs.  Switched back to the Shure and everything back to normal. 

 

And I don't like the fact that you can't have the transmitter section flush with the bass body as the plug doesn't angle 90 degrees unless you fold it back on itself. It's clearly not designed to be used that way though as it has a small disc of protective foam on one side but not the other.... home use only for me I'm afraid..

 

[BigRedX]

23 minutes ago, Muppet said:

You're gonna have to tell me what I'm doing wrong! I normally run a GLXD+ plugged in to a Helix (no backline, in ears from a Sennheiser G4) but reading this thread I bought one of these and tried it last night.  Dreadful latency and thin tone were the first things I noticed, and a high pitched hum through the PA and everyone's IEMs.  Switched back to the Shure and everything back to normal. 

 

And I don't like the fact that you can't have the transmitter section flush with the bass body as the plug doesn't angle 90 degrees unless you fold it back on itself. It's clearly not designed to be used that way though as it has a small disc of protective foam on one side but not the other.... home use only for me I'm afraid..

 

That doesn't sound right at all. For me there's no difference in sound between the NUX and the 5m OBBM cable I was using before. However I do run through a lot of effects to the point where it makes little difference from a sound PoV which of the 3 Bass VIs (Squire Bass Vi, Burns Barracuda, Eastwood Hooky) I use. However there is definitely no noticeable latency or high pitched hum coming from mine.

 

I always use my transmitter folded back on itself. If it wasn't designed to be used like that it wouldn't bend that way. TBH until you mentioned it in your post it had never occurred to me that the small disc on one side might be there to protect the finish of your instrument. Besides there's one on the receiver too, which is unlikely to be plugged into anything that needs protecting from a small piece of plastic.

 

To me it sounds like your unit is defective, and I would suggest that you send it back for replacement or refund.

[Muppet]

Just now, BigRedX said:

 

To me it sounds like your unit is defective, and I would suggest that you send it back for replacement or refund.

That’s where I’d pretty much got to as no one else seems to be suffering the same as me, so back it goes. I’ll exchange it as I want to persevere! Thanks!

[peteb]

On 19/10/2024 at 00:49, Al Krow said:

Be very interested to see how you get on with the Nux. This thread has made me do a bit more investigation into it (e.g. the battery life and the recharger pack, which I've shared above) and which has actually left me feeling even more positive about it as a very good wireless option. Fingers crossed you find the same.

 

 

So then, had the Nux for nearly a couple of weeks now and have done three rehearsals with it (obviously used the Shure for the gig in that time). Last Thursday, I had two rehearsals with two different bands - the first one I took a passive P bass and it worked really well (as it had done for a previous rehearsal); the second rehearsal took a Stingray and it didn't work at all so I had to use a lead. So I'm wondering, does the Nux system just not work with active bases? Does anyone else have problems with the Nux and active basses?

 

[tauzero]

16 hours ago, peteb said:

 

So then, had the Nux for nearly a couple of weeks now and have done three rehearsals with it (obviously used the Shure for the gig in that time). Last Thursday, I had two rehearsals with two different bands - the first one I took a passive P bass and it worked really well (as it had done for a previous rehearsal); the second rehearsal took a Stingray and it didn't work at all so I had to use a lead. So I'm wondering, does the Nux system just not work with active bases? Does anyone else have problems with the Nux and active basses?

 

 

Charging is via the stereo jack, which is also how the power switching on an active bass is done. What you need is a little mono jack male to mono jack female extension cable - plug the plug into the bass, plug the bug into the extension lead socket.

 

Other alternative - swap the wires to the sleeve and ring on the jack socket (see next page).

 

Edited November 4 by tauzero
Added alternative