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Author Topic: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?  (Read 2629 times)

Mike Santarelli

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2022, 01:25:28 PM »

As an owner of ULXD and QLXD, I cannot tell a difference between wired and wireless mics that are the same. 

I have had issues using peoples' lower end wireless that just sounded bad. 
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Debbie Dunkley

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2022, 02:56:02 PM »

Not the answer to OP question directly but addressing the BLX system.
I have a Shure BLX receiver which I use with a corresponding body pack but I replaced the headset mic that came with it for a high end one for singing from FOH. I have to say it has been fantastic.
I chose to do things this way round to stay within my budget - I spent good money on a quality mic but less on the wireless system.
In crowded places or where I am a little farther from the stage, I set an antenna up high on the same stand as my WAP which combats drop out really well. It is important that my signal is good because I am relied upon to sing a lot of harmonies in one particular band and we cannot afford for them to be missing. The only problem I have to be aware of is latency if I am a little too far from the stage so I try to make my FOH position a bit of a compromise - but it works...

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Brian Jojade

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2022, 06:48:27 PM »

As an owner of ULXD and QLXD, I cannot tell a difference between wired and wireless mics that are the same. 

I have had issues using peoples' lower end wireless that just sounded bad.

While the ULXD/QLXD mics are pretty amazing (I own QLXD's) they are not 100% transparent compared to an identical mic, especially when you push them to dynamic extremes.
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Brian Jojade

Thomas Le

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2022, 09:37:01 AM »

Hopping on the BLX pile. I've worked with the BLX4 internal antennae version, they're really bad range wise, I literally had to put the receiver on top of a speaker on a stand to get usable range. The BLX4R rackmount version with the external antenna works way better. The SM58 version sounds ok to my ear, though it was mainly used for karaoke events. I'd never use BLX level gear for any regular show, that's where my EW135 G3 rack comes in. Just a theory, but maybe the BLX4R is a rehash of the old SLX. SM58 on SLX also sounds ok, again not used for major shows.
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Debbie Dunkley

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2022, 10:25:05 AM »

Hopping on the BLX pile. I've worked with the BLX4 internal antennae version, they're really bad range wise, I literally had to put the receiver on top of a speaker on a stand to get usable range. The BLX4R rackmount version with the external antenna works way better. The SM58 version sounds ok to my ear, though it was mainly used for karaoke events. I'd never use BLX level gear for any regular show, that's where my EW135 G3 rack comes in. Just a theory, but maybe the BLX4R is a rehash of the old SLX. SM58 on SLX also sounds ok, again not used for major shows.

Mine is the rack version...... which is how I am able to extend the antennas.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2022, 10:27:51 AM by Debbie Dunkley »
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A young child says to his mother, "Mom, when I grow up I'm going to be a musician." She replies, "Well honey, you know you can't do both."

Philip Moseley

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #15 on: September 28, 2022, 10:30:53 AM »

Hi Guys
Thanks very much for all the responses.
One of my clients (an 80s hair band) likes to wander around the house, but I never have a problem with it. However, when he's back where he should be, if he turns to face the drummer all hell breaks loose. I know he has a 58 with a Shure receiver that he said he paid nearly a grand for. And it actually sounds very nice.

The singer from the band that prompted my original post - well, I'm not certain at all what she is using, but I will definitely check next time I mix them, although they only tend to play once a month. I looked at some pictures of the Shure range, and the 58 looks almost identical to the cheaper options. And it might not be a Shure at all - could be a no-name clone. Could be I'm clutching at straws.
She likes to wander a bit, but it was no worse than when she was back on stage. And they have no monitors on stage.

Maybe I'm the problem.
Later
Phil
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Tim Halligan

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2022, 10:46:03 AM »

However, when he's back where he should be, if he turns to face the drummer all hell breaks loose.

That will happen regardless of the mic being cabled or wireless.

One of the best uses for singers as a living drum shield, and - surprisingly - they are quite effective at it.

Perhaps it's because they are so thick.  ;D

Cheers,
Tim
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David Sturzenbecher

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #17 on: September 28, 2022, 12:22:41 PM »

The mic capsule on wireless mics can go bad, especially if they have been dropped. If you have two wireless, and one sounds good and the other doesn’t, swap the capsules and see if the problem follows the transmitter or the capsule.


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Tim McCulloch

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #18 on: September 28, 2022, 03:55:02 PM »

Hi Guys
Thanks very much for all the responses.
One of my clients (an 80s hair band) likes to wander around the house, but I never have a problem with it. However, when he's back where he should be, if he turns to face the drummer all hell breaks loose. I know he has a 58 with a Shure receiver that he said he paid nearly a grand for. And it actually sounds very nice.

The singer from the band that prompted my original post - well, I'm not certain at all what she is using, but I will definitely check next time I mix them, although they only tend to play once a month. I looked at some pictures of the Shure range, and the 58 looks almost identical to the cheaper options. And it might not be a Shure at all - could be a no-name clone. Could be I'm clutching at straws.
She likes to wander a bit, but it was no worse than when she was back on stage. And they have no monitors on stage.

Maybe I'm the problem.
Later
Phil

Likely more than one problem, and the first is receiver location - it needs to be on stage, perhaps UPSTAGE and elevated so the the antennae "see" the transmitter regardless of where it is in the house/stage.  If the receiver is at FOH, that's likely part of the problem.

Second, I think a channel scan is in order, along with verifying that the wireless system is not being used above 602mHz.  The 600-800mHz spectrum has been removed from TV use which means we can no longer operate unlicensed wireless systems in that range (T-Mobile, Verizon, ATT, American Tower, and smaller cellular companies now have 10 year licenses for that spectrum).

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Ike Zimbel

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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #19 on: September 28, 2022, 08:47:26 PM »

Hi Guys
Thanks very much for all the responses.
One of my clients (an 80s hair band) likes to wander around the house, but I never have a problem with it. However, when he's back where he should be, if he turns to face the drummer all hell breaks loose. I know he has a 58 with a Shure receiver that he said he paid nearly a grand for. And it actually sounds very nice.

The singer from the band that prompted my original post - well, I'm not certain at all what she is using, but I will definitely check next time I mix them, although they only tend to play once a month. I looked at some pictures of the Shure range, and the 58 looks almost identical to the cheaper options. And it might not be a Shure at all - could be a no-name clone. Could be I'm clutching at straws.
She likes to wander a bit, but it was no worse than when she was back on stage. And they have no monitors on stage.

Maybe I'm the problem.
Later
Phil
Next time you have the mic in your hands, try jingling some keys in front of the capsule and see what you hear. The "key test" was the terror of RF mic exhibitors on trade show floors for a long time. What it does, is see how the companding circuitry in the RF link deals with transients. A really, really good system will give you the sound of jingling keys, cheaper (and cheaper, and cheaper...) systems will give you a series of muffled thumps as the compander circuit tries to deal. So, if your singer is suddenly in front of some raging cymbals, the audio quality of the mic may take a dive.
WRT some other responses, I would argue that drop outs and poor RF link are going to be audible as their own thing and not a reflection on the capsule being used. I would also second the suggestion to make sure you are dealing with a genuine SM-58 capsule, even from Shure, as they have some cheaper versions that look similar.
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Re: Are Wireless 58s just....BAD?
« Reply #19 on: September 28, 2022, 08:47:26 PM »


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