Wireless Instrument Learnings

Having been through another holiday extravaganza with everything that entails, I thought it would be wise to note some of our learnings on successfully integrating wireless instruments.

• The signal chain is instrument, into the wireless transmitter/receiver, then out of that receiver and into their pedals/processing, and finally to the amplifier.  It is important that the wireless receiver be in close proximity to the rest of the rig since it will be passing instrument level signal in order for things to stay clean and happy.
• Getting all of a musician’s gear, including the wireless unit, on the same electrical ground is crucial to a zero noise rig.  I wire each guy’s rig so it is on its own quad with their pedals or processing, amps, and wireless units.  That way it is simple to troubleshoot if noise magically appears during the course of rehearsals.  Often times someone inadvertently added something to that circuit and it is a quick fix to eliminate.  I find that many times the ground on the wireless receiver also still needs to be lifted.
• During setup, have the artist go back and forth between the wireless unit and a cable in order to set wireless gain in the chain and make it match the hardwired setup as closely as possible.  This is very important for proper signal to noise and making sure processing, pedals, and tubes respond as expected.
• A wireless electric guitar player’s best friend is the Radial Dragster.  I’ve written about them before.  
• A new tool that’s also indispensable when you need to remote locate a combo amp is the Radial SGI system.  Goodbye noise, tone change, and interference when you need to pass a guitar level signal further than 20 feet.  These are like gold come holiday time at KCC.
• It should go without saying, but allow plenty of time with each player who will be wireless to iron out issues and get their rig functioning properly.  Doing this early on in the rehearsal process pays dividends later in not having to worry about it come crunch time.
• Use as little wireless as you can get away with.  There is always a price to pay sonically and reliably for wireless, so if it can be done with a cable, do it.