I'm feeling really freakin stupid right now

jimiV

OK, so I buy this new wireless set-up anxious to use it at our gig which was last night. I try it out and get familiar with it at the two rehearsals prior to last night to make sure it works without any hitches right? I mean, I'm really familiar with it, you know like there are 5 levels of battery strength which has a red light indictating if you are at level 5 or 1. It has a blue light which tells you which frequency you are on and it has to match the channel on the transmitter unit. Anyway, not a problem right? So, I get to the gig which was a two band set-up that our promoter had put together in order to pack the club. We knew time was going to be tight as a result because of the additional set-up required, so we all were supposed to get there an hour earlier than usual to make soundcheck an hour before the first band goes on. (we were second). The lead guitar and I are on time, but the bass player and drummer are an hour late which really delayed set-up and stressed everyone out, including me. I am literally sweating buckets as I'm rushing around plugging stuff in, talking to the first band's guitar player about where amps are going to be etc. I'm also changing batteries in my wireless and when it comes time for soundcheck I turn everything on and...............no sound. I look at the wireless units and both units show the red light at 5 so I'm thinking....I'm good on the channel match....what the ----k is wrong. I change cords...I check the amp....I turn the GNX4 off and back on. Complete chaos around me cause everyone is pissed off at the drummer and bass player and I'm feeling it too. I finally give up and put the wireless back in my bag and cord up. The night goes off without a problem...fantastic night, very large crowd, nice door, etc, but I leave still feeling like \"what is wrong with my new wireless\"? This morning, I get up and grab it out of my bag, turn it on and look at the display....the blue lights showed the transmitter on channel 4 and the receiver on 1...different frequencies. Of course the red lights were both on 5 which showed max battery strength and which I was reading last night as being a frequency match instead. What a bonehead I am. And I always thought I performed well under pressure. Hahaha

partch

Glad things all did eventually go well with you all Jim! Maybe next time can be the first for the whole wireless thing?

Rawb

I don't think your a bone head. Hell I would pick you for my team. OJT can't teach that. Hopefully you don't make many and learn from them and don't repeat the same ones. Glad the show was a success. Sorry you didn't get to use it.... know U was probably looking forward to not being tethered. With only 2 practices using it, I would lay the blame on those who were late causing you to rush..... The dorks! kinda sounds like it was a pretty important show to be late for.

Next gig wireless? Let us know how you like it! 8)

gtaus

JimiV, thanks for the story. Thought I was the only one to go braindead during gigs. Sometimes it just is amazing that I get through the night. The next day I often ask myself, WTF happened last night!? Like you, I usually have a backup in mind for most any problem I might have. That's about the only thing that saves me. Take care.

jimiV

Hey Rawb:

Yep, the wireless worked perfectly at the last gig (last Friday). I will never go back to cords again. (unless recording of course) I can't believe it took me this long to go wireless.

Another cool thing that I hadn't thought about before I got it was during soundcheck, I was free to roam every nook and cranny of the nightclub listening to my sound as I was playing. Really helped dial in the right mix before showtime. Hahaha.

Rawb

\jimiV\ wrote:

Hey Rawb:

Yep, the wireless worked perfectly at the last gig (last Friday). I will never go back to cords again. .

8) ..... so what brand/model you have that you like so well? give 'em a shout out! we all like to hear what others like and dislike.

I have heard those that praise wireless and others say it ain't what it is all cracked up to be. Was it just the brand/model of choice that didn't work for 'em or is it really more of something to go wrong, and not worth the hassle to some?

guitar3456

I don't mind wireless sys as long as the performer stay near the stage and not drift off too deep in the room. Our bassist did that and was really messing with the timing since he was hearing himself almost 1/2 sec later. Some venues had pool tables on a terrace about 100ft from the stage and he would be off quiet a bit when he roamed.

Vocalists can be as much a pain with those things when I run sound. They start walking off and the band is going to have timing issues if they get too far from the stage... 50' can make for timing issues...100' and you are really off. IEM's can be a solution for that, but not a lot of cover players like them too well.

shredd

\"Better Living Through Technology\". :roll:

jimiV

Its this one;

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-X2-XDS95-24-Bit-Digital-Instrument-Wireless-System-104600929-i1384471.gc

Still lovin it live. No delay issues as we are always withing 20 to 25 feet of our units (the other guitar player is wireless as well.

I hear you about the distance though. The lead singer is a crazy person, frequently out on the dancefloor, going out to the patio areas, basically anywhere he sees girls.....the crowd is usually into it. You're right he couldn't go wireless as far as he roams...we keep him on a long mic cord so we can yank him back at the appropriate times. After the gig, we put him back in his cage and throw raw steaks in there from time to time until the next gig.

JV

shredd

\jimiV\ wrote:

he couldn't go wireless as far as he roams...we keep him on a long mic cord so we can yank him back at the appropriate times. After the gig, we put him back in his cage and throw raw steaks in there from time to time until the next gig.

Requires that I spew off my favorite musician joke:
Q: How many lead singers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Only one. He just holds the light bulb, and the world revolves around him.

Manitou

I think most lead singers think of themselves as a lean, mean love machine.
But they only take quarters. :?

BettyBoo

Hey Jim, I had a look at that link you gave for your wireless - looks like it could be a good little unit. Better still, I like what the Guitar Centre said in their blurb:

\"Operating the system is unlike any wireless you've tried before. Simply connect the transmitter to the source via the 1/8\" threaded-collar locking connector and the stompbox-style receiver to your amplifier, mixer or pedal-board. Then power up making sure the transmitter and receiver are set to the same channel. That's it. You're ready to go. No knobs to adjust and no antennas to loose or break mean you're up and running in approximately the same time it takes to connect a cable.\"

Heh heh, kinda funny in retrospect!
I really like wireless systems on a big stage but I seem to have problems with them using batteries so quickly. Small stages I don't even bother and stick with a lead. I guess I have no ambitions going out into the crowd as a guitarist - not with the crowds around here at least. I'd probably walk into the crowd with a Les Paul and come back with a toothpick!! :roll:

jimiV

You can save the battery life in the main unit by using the optional power supply cord and plugging in. The battery in the transmitting unit has to be changed before every show. I also keep spares with me. It is a minor inconvenience when compared to the benefit of this unit IMO.

Since my last post, I have played more shows and still love the unit. No problems. Clear, strong signal all of the time.