Samson Wireless System?

[darkshadow54321]

Do any of you have experience with the following:

http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...=145&brandID=1

It's the Samson Airline wireless system. I like the fact that there's no body pack needed, and you just plug the device in as you would with a cable, but does it really work?

It's pretty expensive (300 bucks or so) but if I got it used it would be around 220... and worth it in the long run.

Is it crap, or is it great?

[mr breaker]

That does look interesting....right now I have a shure system with the body pack taped to my strap. If this samson is good quality, I would be very tempted to switch.

[mr breaker]

it looks like AKG also makes a similiar product:


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/271148/



The reviews on harmony central seemed mixed on both products...

[NecroPolo]

Both Samson and AKG are decent for the onstage purpose and they do work but compared to a Shure system (the same fixed frequency category, "T" series, http://www.shure.com/wireless/t/default.asp ) they aren't a match because the Shure is still the closest to a cable sound out of the three. Of course, it cripples tone a littlebit but all radio units do this (of course there are levels), anyway, you sacrifise something for something else.

Considering sound quality and capability for guitar, in my opinion the Samson Airline was slightly better than the AKG bug but on the other side the Samson had more dropouts. I'm talkin about the stompbox floor-receiver unit, the numerous guys here in my area who use full-size Samson Airline receivers never complained about dropouts.


Is it crap or great... Good question. For the price it's great. All the entry level wireless units are nice cost-effective gadgets. Compared to a top-notch wireless unit (e.g. a Shure frequency-agile UHF) or a good cable of a guitarist who still has good hearing above 12KHz, they are total crap. You get what you've paid for.

There is a rather great new Shure frequency agile unit, for decent price. Info:

http://www.shure.com/wireless/pgx/default.asp

A/B tested, I really could not tell the difference between a PlanetWaves cable and this:

http://www.shure.com/wireless/ulx/ulxp4.asp

Well well well if I had the money... The used "T" I'm using now is o.k. but the ULX was SO better...

Cheers,

Miki

[3 cent hero]

Go with Shure. Best quality. I can guarantee you 300 ft of crystal clear range... that's as far as my buddy has tested the NON DIVERSITY system.


I have one on layaway at one of the stores here.

[Mkf411]

Can you use rechargable batteries in those shure wireless boxes?

[NecroPolo]

Can you use rechargable batteries in those shure wireless boxes?

For Shure

After a relatively short time them rechargeable batteries lose the juice faster than a first-rendezvous teeine. For a reliable performance, the one and only working solution is: Duracell/Ultracell.

They're not rechargeable but last ridiculously long and AFAIK they were designed for wireless units in mind, so they over-power any 9V batteries when it comes to a reliable wireless performance.

edit:

it is best to get information about the best price around and buy them in bigger discount packs. Regard them as you regard fuel for cars and it won't be as painful when an Ultracell wears out

[TheProphet]

Of course, it cripples tone a littlebit but all radio units do this (of course there are levels), anyway, you sacrifise something for something else.

Like getting a chance to play "Ride the Lightning" on stage

[NecroPolo]

Like getting a chance to play "Ride the Lightning" on stage

AARGH


edit: zzzZZZZAP!

[B2D]

The only negative thing I've heard about the "bug" type systems (as opposed to "pack" type systems) is that if you're not carful with the bug or if you like it rough on stage the bug presents the danger of snapping off leaving just the 1/4 inch plug inside the jack and the bug body skittering across the floor.

As far as tone goes the Shure UHF units do the best job. I did a shootout with several systems a while back while working at GC through a Boogie F-50 which is a VERY senstive amp as far as whats being fed into it. The Shure notched out a very narrow range of low mids about 2 db... nothing you'd likley notice in a live situation though.

[darkshadow54321]

Thanks for the replies......

OK, I'm a total newbie to the wireless idea...

There are 3 main reasons for me wanting a wireless:

1. Safety - less risk of shocks and things like that (or so I've heard...)

2. Convenience... a small thing plugged into the guitar is easy (although setting up the receiver must be a biatch)

3. Freedom..... the ability to do crazy dance moves without tripping over a cable

So what is the most important part in the wireless idea? is it the 'bug' bit or the receiver, or do they both play an equal role?

In other words, if I bought a great receiver, could I use a bug unit from Samson with it and get good sound? Or are they not compatible? Or is the concept just flawed in itself?

[mr breaker]

B2D:

Did you play any of those "bug" systems? Would the bug fall out of the input easily? I tend to move around a lot when I play...but would like to ditch the body pack.


And how big of a difference is the sound quality of that samson to a VHF shure system? I currently have an older VHF and am looking to replace it.

[mr breaker]

bump!

[NecroPolo]

So what is the most important part in the wireless idea? is it the 'bug' bit or the receiver, or do they both play an equal role?

In other words, if I bought a great receiver, could I use a bug unit from Samson with it and get good sound? Or are they not compatible? Or is the concept just flawed in itself?

Option #1 is the reason why I bought a wireless because I was almost killed by an onstage shock this summer. It caused me months of dislexia and other non-permanent brain and nerve problems (coordination of fine movement, speech, visual and sleeping disturbance + slaughtering headache). Before any further explanation, you MUST have a wireless unit if you play gigs quite often.


According to the chain-theory, in a linear structure then the whole strenght of the structure equals with the weakest link. So, they are both important.

The transmitter/receiver units are tuned together, e.g. for a fixed frequency unit you have a trnasmitter that broadcasts the signal at 195.1 MHz and your receiver is tuned to 195.1 MHz. Frequency agile units have some cunning circuits that "surfs" between a number of usable frequencies (AFAIN the Shure ULX has 1500) and any time an interference is detected the unit automatically switches to an another, free frequency. Cute

Considering receivers, there are 3 categories:

non-diversity (one antenna + one processing receiver, dropouts can occur)

diveristy (two antenna + one processing receiver, better chance to kill dropouts because 2 antenna units mean a better chance to catch the transmitter's signal)

full diversity (2 antenna + two processing receivers (one for each antenna) it virtually reduces dropouts to zero)



Surely, pairing a bug or an airline unit with some better receiver can be possible (you'll need a radio ewxpert tech) but it just has no meaning. If you have the bucks to get a top-notch performance Shure, do that. The clip-on receivers really don't mean a pain in the back and you can get used to the superb crystal-clear quality. If the extreme compact construction and moderate price applies to you, go with the Airline. This way, your tone will be crippled a littlebit but it's not a lethal thing when playin glive. An electric shock IS.

Cheers,

Miki

[NecroPolo]

B2D:

Did you play any of those "bug" systems? Would the bug fall out of the input easily? I tend to move around a lot when I play...but would like to ditch the body pack.


And how big of a difference is the sound quality of that samson to a VHF shure system? I currently have an older VHF and am looking to replace it.

It's a strictly subjective opinion but I noticed that fixed frequency VHF units has a better sound quality than fixed frequency UHF units so my old VHF Shure Marcad just slays the Samson considering audio quality. Surely, it has something to do with radio wave lenght but I don't want to go into something I'm not sure about, and again, it is subjective. Anyway, with an UHF diversity the probability of interference dropouts is very small, that's a pretty positive advantage. On the other hand, I've never had a dropout problem with my Shure. On the other-other-other hand (well I live just some 1000-1500 kilometers away from Chernobil so it is allowed to consider more than 2 hands ) it's just a 4-months-long marriage yet but we played 30 and some gigs during that and never had a problem.

For a real upgrade I'd consider that new compact Shure PGX I've mentioned before because it is frequency agile = zero dropouts, plus the audio quality is better. Don't know a thing about the price.

[B2D]

B2D:

Did you play any of those "bug" systems? Would the bug fall out of the input easily? I tend to move around a lot when I play...but would like to ditch the body pack.


And how big of a difference is the sound quality of that samson to a VHF shure system? I currently have an older VHF and am looking to replace it.

The bug had a good grip on the jack input... I don't think it would fall out any more than a reglar cable would without pulling on it.

IMO the sound quality difference between that and a Shure VHF system was nil. UHF... thats a different story.

[mr breaker]

do you think I should try that samson then?

I'm not going to spend any more than $300 or so on a wireless...I dont think the tone loss with my old shure vhf is that bad so if this samson is comparable quality, I think it would be a lot easier to switch guitars with that "bug" style.

[B2D]

Yeah I'd go ahead and give the Samson a shot... That AKG bug looked kinda fragile anyway so I wouldn't use one.