Line 6 Wireless Question

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BeZo

BeZo

Well-known member
I have been gigging on a leash for the past few years. Before that, I was gigging in a band where tone didn't matter, and I was playing bass (in drop A mind you) through an AKG Bug. It was light, and almost invisible on my instrument, but it sucked. I recently got rid of it, but I'm thinking of going back to using a wireless again. The problem now is that I'm using a bunch of different effects, and tone matters with this band (to me at least). On my pedalboard is a Zvex Mastotron and a Electro Harmonix Bass Balls pedal, and both are very picky about input signal. When I use a buffer before them, they do not function properly. Gated fuzzes are supposed to be choppy, and decay differently when the signal is buffered, and I don't get the same peaks with my auto-wah either. So, my worry about going to the Line 6 wireless isn't so much about sound quality, but responsiveness. I would like to run it on my wireless and be free from my board from time to time, but I'm worried it will interfere with the reactive ability of my effects.

Does anyone use the wireless into an auto-wah, or a gated fuzz, or any other input-sensitive effect pedal? Will running a wireless be at the expense of my fuzz decay or auto-wah peaks, or does the wireless respond to volume peaks as well as a cable? I keep hearing about the tone being comparable, but what about the response? Anyone have any experience on that?
 
I use a Line 6 wireless on my pedalboard and am very happy. I don't notice ANY degradation of signal or responsiveness. There is even a setting to simulate different cable lengths (a gimmick I suspect) but I just run it on the wide open setting. There is no compander so the signal is full bandwith and uncompressed.

I've used it for the past few years though many gigs with zero issues and dropouts (and loaned it to other guitarists and bassist as well with no issues or complaints). Great system.
 
I'll be the first to admit I don't notice TINY nuances in tone... but I will say I have used Senhheiser wireless systems, and some really cheap ones... and the Line 6 Wireless units COMPLETELY blows them away... I personally can not notice ANY change in tone whatsoever...

FWIW I used the G90 rack unit... thing was bulletproof and never EVER dropped out, should have never sold it... for pedalboard users the G50 is pretty awesome, I know a few guys that runs theirs straight into a wah and have zero issues...
 
Ive actually heard of cases that people used the Line 6 wireless systems in a studio system. Since the signal is digital, there is no quality loss. Even in high end cables, its still an analog signal, so there is some signal loss (no matter how short or high end). The only negative thing I heard about the Line 6 wireless units is the 6-8 hour battery life. But if its AA or AAA, then it wont cost much regardless.
 
I know the signal quality of the Line 6 wireless units is great. That is what opens this debate and fuels this GAS. My question is more about picky stomp boxes than the wireless itself, I guess. For example, if I run active pickups into those effects, I get different results. It's the input signal that factors in how the effect responds. I'm worried that if I go wireless, I lose the ability to have my fuzz decay, or have more uniformed peaks on my auto-wah, rather than having more organic tones. If the Line 6 can still provide a cable quality response (not tone, but feel), then I might not lose any features on those effects. Does anyone use an auto-wah with their wireless?
 
I had a G30 and the battery door broke first day I had it :thumbsdown: The housing on the transmitter is made of plastic and looks and feels cheap. I sold it for a loss :(

Upgraded to the G50 and I am totally happy now. No tone loss, great range, great battery life and the transmitter is built like a tank because it's metal instead of plastic

You just cant go wrong with the G50 or G90. Best bang for the buck wireless out there imo :yes:
 
been using a G30 for about 2 years now...never an issue.
 
If you go line6, go G50 not G30. Have been gigging with G50 for close to two years now and have had no problems with the unit. Had to get a sure cable replaced this year as it crapped out but the unit itself is fine. Sweetwater sent me a new cable under the warranty, after I sent back the original sure cable, and I'm back in the game.
 
G30 is great for the $$ I notice no change in tone or response.
 
headlessdeadguy":1l98xgx7 said:
G30 is great for the $$ I notice no change in tone or response.
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I agree with this also. No signal or tone loss with the G30, just the crappy construction of the battery door
 
The gain structure on all Line 6 wireless is designed to present zero gain from the input to the output. So the output of the receiver should be nearly identical to what you get using the cable.

I hope that helps.

Steve Devino

Product Line Manager,
Live Sound and Wireless
Line 6, Inc.
 
I have yet to hear a cable that sounds as good as my G90 does.
Metal transmitter, mute and tuner out, front and rear antenna plugs, selectable color on the display, and insane range. I had my amp in the basement of my house and wanted to see how far I could get before it started dropping out. I made it upstairs, outside, and 3 houses away before anything happened. There was no degradation or static in the tone. It just went dead when I finally got out of range.
 
rocknrolla":27dx9kzx said:
I have yet to hear a cable that sounds as good as my G90 does.
Metal transmitter, mute and tuner out, front and rear antenna plugs, selectable color on the display, and insane range.
Click to expand...
:thumbsup: same

Wait it has selectable color for the LCD screen??? :doh: never paid attention to that :lol: :LOL: was so impressed that my tone didn't change that I didn't care about anything else.

I use rechargeable Duracell batteries, keep one pair in the back of the rack charging. Never had an issue with battery life. Last a long time and the unit shows you how much life is left. Signal stays the same on one bar as fully charged.
 
sdevino":2mt7lta5 said:
The gain structure on all Line 6 wireless is designed to present zero gain from the input to the output. So the output of the receiver should be nearly identical to what you get using the cable.

I hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Yes. Thank you.
 
I like my G90, but there is a difference in my experience and rig, slight drop in lower mids, slight brightness/metalic-ness and subtle thinning, its minor but I hear it for sure, mostly the subtle thinning of/slight lack of fullness to the tone. Still the trade off is worth it for me. I would be concerned however with those devices because it is a buffered signal coming off the receiver which is best for long runs of cable (like back to my pedal board)but may effect a fuzz or wah with differing impedance than your straight guitar. I would suggest you need to try with your devices. Its ok with my comp and wah pedal so you may be ok but you need to try it to know for sure. Different amps will react slightly different as well. The Line 6 guy is just talking about gain, which is very close to me, slightly less gain than straight short cable. Overall I like it but to say no/zero loss?, sorry don't agree, there is some change in the tone that I can hear, I use mine on 15ft cable simulation to minimize the slight brightness and thinning. I still like using it and its very well built and reliable.
 
Not even the Line 6 rep really read the OP :doh:

The problem in your case is that all wireless systems presents a low impedance signal to your pedals that only want to see a high impedance signal, they need a high impedance signal to funtion properly.

This is common with many fuzzes, especially Fuzz Faces. This is also why Brian May have his treble booster strapped to his guitar strap, so it's before the wireless transmitter.


So the simple answer is no, you can't use a wireless with your pedals.
 
just go buy a line6. I have long been a wireless hater (shure, samson, etc) but the Relay stuff is the first wireless system that I finally like and use.
 
Blix":29ebwbpi said:
Not even the Line 6 rep really read the OP :doh:

The problem in your case is that all wireless systems presents a low impedance signal to your pedals that only want to see a high impedance signal, they need a high impedance signal to funtion properly.

This is common with many fuzzes, especially Fuzz Faces. This is also why Brian May have his treble booster strapped to his guitar strap, so it's before the wireless transmitter.


So the simple answer is no, you can't use a wireless with your pedals.
Click to expand...

The output impedance of the G50 and G90 receivers is about 1.5k ohms which may not be as high as the guitar in some cases but is significantly higher than most opamp buffered devices which will appear to be close to zero ohms. So you could test the loading of the pedal by putting a 1.5 k resistor between tip and sleeve on guitar cable.
 
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