Wireless: Digital or Analog?

[doctadre]

Hey guys,


I am looking into a wireless guitar system. I want to spend around 300 or less, but I want good quality, durability, no cutouts or intereference issues, and to retain as much tone as possible.


I am so far interested in the Line 6 X2 XDS-Plus. Its rugged, cheaper at $280, and looks pretty **** good.

The other options is the Shure PGX14, but that runs about $380.


What is the better route? Analog Shure or Digital Line 6? Anybody got other selections for a good, decently priced wireless system?


Thanks,


Dre

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Wireless: Digital or Analog?

I have never tried the digital stuff, but on the bright side, I can tell you I gigged for years with a ~$200 Samson wireless system, with literally not one single problem or gripe.

I think they're all fairly good these days.

For me the big thing was the feel of the hardware --- durability and options (e.g. standby, mute button (that you couldn't accidentally bump), battery life, signal strength indicator, etcetera).

I had an Audio Technica unit before the Samson and it's transmitter was too bulky and had a goofy "string" antenna hanging off of it. It had very good signal integrity, just like the Samson, but I didn't like it's transmitter and eventually laid it to rest.

I used to gig with both of these wireless systems running side by side at the same time, and never had any interference of any kind; it was great. This was late 90's early 00's, as well.

Good luck.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Wireless: Digital or Analog?

For wireless, I'm actually somewhat in the digital camp. With a digital wireless unit, you go analog -> digital -> air -> digital -> analog. The problem is the air. There are a lot of wireless signals in the air, especially in the unlicensed spectrum that these devices need to operate in. So if you have decent analog-to-digital converters and digital-to-analog converters, you are probably better off with digital. With digital, you can lose a lot of the signal in the air and still reconstruct something that's exactly what was sent. With analog, any interference is reflected in your tone.

Now I've got an old Sennheiser wireless unit that works beautifully. I've never played an analog one. This is all just theory. But in my experience, I'm almost as happy with wireless as I am with a cable, speaking with regards to tone alone. I would also recommend you look at Sennheiser, because their body packs are nearly indestructible.

 

[doctadre]

Re: Wireless: Digital or Analog?

Thanks for the responses guys.


I have been looking into the Sennheiser ew172 G2. Is this a digital unit? I think their durable casing and quality of sound is very very good. Plus, the reviews are all positive!





Dre

 

[ErikH]

Re: Wireless: Digital or Analog?

I have a Line6 X2 XDS95 wireless and it works great. No dropouts unless I get too many obstacles between me and the receiver. Sound quality is great too. I like the fact that the receiver is about the size of a stompbox so it sits right on my pedalboard, which isn't much to begin with. My bandmate "evil twin" has the Line6 XDS-Plus and it's been working great for him. Great sound quality, no dropouts. IMO, in this day and age, it's getting harder and harder to tell a difference between analog and digital. Try a few out and go with the one you like best.

 

[doctadre]

Re: Wireless: Digital or Analog?

Line 6 just came out with the Relay series... amazing improvements on the XDS-PLUS. G 50 has all metal housing and body pack, and AA batteries.... I know which one I am getting now!!!!



Dre