Wireless Equipment

red_ice

I have a nack for getting tangled up in my cables coming from my bass and im thinkin about getting a wireless kit..

are they any use? Are there many drawbacks to using them? Do any of you use them?

Rustar

The only drawback I've experienced is having the stupid transmitter velcroed/taped/rubber-banded/stuck with bubble gum to your strap. Once you get used to the extra equipment hanging off your body, it's freedom non-pareil!
Couldn't imagine playing any hard rock live tethered to an amp anymore.

Savman

You need a license to use any wireless equipment in Ireland, UK, USA and nearly every nation in the developed world. There are a few small frequency bands that are exempt for wireless audio applications, but even still there is very specific rules and regulations surrounding it.

That said, I doubt most bands with the odd Radio Mic or wireless guitar are in any immediate danger of a term in Mountjoy unless you're playing some seriously big gigs. So if you were to decide to carry on regardless, just know where you stand.

Rustar

I'm absolutely sure that the units you buy from Nady, Shure, and Sennheiser use only the proscribed VHF and UHF frequency ranges set aside for them.

So you can walk into your local store and pick one up without fear of the CIA, MI5, or whatever Ireland has for an intelligence agency dogging your trail.

Just don't play next to an airport, like Spinal Tap did.

Savman

Rustar wrote: »

I'm absolutely sure that the units you buy from Nady, Shure, and Sennheiser use only the proscribed VHF and UHF frequency ranges set aside for them.

Incorrect actually, or so I have been recently informed by Comreg in my researching of wireless systems. The whole thing is one big grey area, technically a frequency that might be free and legal in Dublin could easily be used and illegal in Cork. Governments all over the world are in the process of selling off their airwaves (yes they are actually selling air these days) to the highest bidders. This goes for stuff like Digital TV, radio and pretty much anything that uses the airwaves in any form.

Getting back to rock band scenarios, if one was to decide to use such devices without notifying the relevant authorities etc, well one should be prepared if ever approached on the issue. But the law is very clear and is not on your side, they can confiscate any items and you could find yourself in court. It's no different to IMRO with music venues with no license or the Revenue Commissioners with tax dodgers, best to be in the know IMHO.

Have a read yourself http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_wireless-systems_frequency-check_uk
That's for the UK but it's a close example of our own frequency allocation. As an example of Radio Mics, the Sennheiser "D" band is legal in Germany but not in UK & Ireland whereas the "E" band is legal in UK & Irl, not sure about it in Germany.

From the various pro audio boards I've been visiting it would seem that whole wireless technology market is going thru some serious changes atm and quite frankly these systems face some big problems in the very near future due to increased government interference (pun intended).

So bottom line is, don't for one minute think your Shure SM58 wireless is legal to use unless you do your homework on the very few frequencies which are license exempt, and those will no doubt be sold off soon too.:rolleyes:

Sorry to scaremonger, but I've only been finding all this out for myself.

Rustar

From Wiki:

"Depending on national regulations, which differ for every country, wireless microphones may operate in the various parts of the range between 470 MHz and 865 MHz. (for example, 470 - 806 MHz in the US). "

"In the UK, use of wireless microphone systems requires a licence, except for the licence free bands of 173.8 MHz - 175.0 MHz and 863 MHz - 865 MHz"

"The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has said it will auction part of the spectrum currently reserved for wireless microphones, to which objections have been raised by Andrew Lloyd Webber."

The impression I get from researching Ofcom is that the regulatory communications body of the UK is a private, for-profit company. That's just wrong.

The solution seems to be just find one that's legal where you are and made for your area. Call your local constabulary.

I know one thing - if they come to get my wireless while I'm performing, at least 3 of them are going down first. :mad:

Mr. CooL ICE

I somehow have a feeling that Sergeant Murphy will do little more than laugh at you if you asked if it was okay for you to use your wireless mic


I'm interested to see what Ofcom do in the future and what might be done to performers with existing equipment, should any measures or regulations be introduced. But in the meantime, don't do what two guitarists in my band did; bought the same model AKG wireless systems with exact same frequency band.

Savman

LordChessington wrote: »

But in the meantime, don't do what two guitarists in my band did; bought the same model AKG wireless systems with exact same frequency band.

LOL!:D

Rustar

LordChessington wrote:

I somehow have a feeling that Sergeant Murphy will do little more than laugh at you if you asked if it was okay for you to use your wireless mic .

True, but at least you asked, so you have that in your resume.

LordChessington wrote:

But in the meantime, don't do what two guitarists in my band did; bought the same model AKG wireless systems with exact same frequency band.

Now that is sheer Spinal Tap! Heheheh