Wireless patch recommendations for active speaker or second mixer needed

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camarofleet

DJ Extraordinaire
Jun 26, 2018
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Hey everyone,

I have a wedding coming up in a few weeks where I need a fairly strong wireless patch for a remote PA system. Basically, here is what I am doing:

-The couple has a three room hall entirely rented out.
-There is an outdoor bar area at the end of the hall.
-At the end of the outdoor bar area they rented a tent for another hundred people

I will be set up in the tent, however, they want music pumped into the hall.

The hall has a "house system". It has seen better days. Basically it appears to be your standard 70v waffle type speakers you see in retail establishments they connected up to an old Aiwa bookshelf system.

The couple has also rented an additional PA from me to go inside.

I need to get sound from the outdoor area where I am into the hall. I'll need to get my signal about 100-250ft, passing through a concrete cinderblock wall.

I went out to their location and tested out the wireless systems I currently have. It looks like I have a moderate signal on my Audio Technica 2000 series, as well as my Audio Technica System 10, however, I do not know that I trust the signal strength on these inside, as some UHF systems can be finnicky and typically work best line of sight. Once people and extra obstacles are there, my signal could be further compromised...and yes, I am aware I need to get rid of the 2000 series because of the frequency. I tested these further out at an event at another location, and received a small amount of interference and dropout on a substantially smaller range, so I am nervous attempting to use them.

It looks like I need some sort of wireless patch, or, possibly an assisted listening transmitter that may have a higher powered output than a mic system. I've seen a few area Djs use 7w FM transmitters at their car shows, which appear to work fine, however, I believe they are in violation of the FCC requirements part 15 stating their low power device must be under 250' in coverage and be at or below 1mw.

I'm concerned about signal reliability. I have been looking at the following systems:
Galaxy Audio AS-900 Wireless Personal Monitor System
Galaxy Audio AS-1100 Wireless Personal Monitor System
Galaxy Audio AS-1400 Wireless Personal Monitor

The following looks similar to what some of the carshow guys are using. It looks like I can actually dial down the power on this to be within FCC specs, however, dialing down the power alone would not still adequately measure the signal strength to ensure it is within the legal limit, as environmental factors and antennae also affect signal.

https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Tra...rd_wg=7GaQD&psc=1&refRID=CAXR1K1MNRVXHP6P7ND0

I'd like to keep this under $500 if anyone has any recommendations. I've toyed around with the idea of streaming the music through wifi etc., but I'm really looking for the easiest solution with the quickest setup as I'll have four systems out that day. If it's not possible I can always bring a second Dj out or run a really long wire (I have Cat5 baluns and 70v amplifiers in my inventory).
 
camarofleet said:
Hey everyone,

I have a wedding coming up in a few weeks where I need a fairly strong wireless patch for a remote PA system. Basically, here is what I am doing:

-The couple has a three room hall entirely rented out.
-There is an outdoor bar area at the end of the hall.
-At the end of the outdoor bar area they rented a tent for another hundred people

I will be set up in the tent, however, they want music pumped into the hall.

The hall has a "house system". It has seen better days. Basically it appears to be your standard 70v waffle type speakers you see in retail establishments they connected up to an old Aiwa bookshelf system.

The couple has also rented an additional PA from me to go inside.

I need to get sound from the outdoor area where I am into the hall. I'll need to get my signal about 100-250ft, passing through a concrete cinderblock wall.

I went out to their location and tested out the wireless systems I currently have. It looks like I have a moderate signal on my Audio Technica 2000 series, as well as my Audio Technica System 10, however, I do not know that I trust the signal strength on these inside, as some UHF systems can be finnicky and typically work best line of sight. Once people and extra obstacles are there, my signal could be further compromised...and yes, I am aware I need to get rid of the 2000 series because of the frequency. I tested these further out at an event at another location, and received a small amount of interference and dropout on a substantially smaller range, so I am nervous attempting to use them.

It looks like I need some sort of wireless patch, or, possibly an assisted listening transmitter that may have a higher powered output than a mic system. I've seen a few area Djs use 7w FM transmitters at their car shows, which appear to work fine, however, I believe they are in violation of the FCC requirements part 15 stating their low power device must be under 250' in coverage and be at or below 1mw.

I'm concerned about signal reliability. I have been looking at the following systems:
Galaxy Audio AS-900 Wireless Personal Monitor System
Galaxy Audio AS-1100 Wireless Personal Monitor System
Galaxy Audio AS-1400 Wireless Personal Monitor

The following looks similar to what some of the carshow guys are using. It looks like I can actually dial down the power on this to be within FCC specs, however, dialing down the power alone would not still adequately measure the signal strength to ensure it is within the legal limit, as environmental factors and antennae also affect signal.

https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Tra...rd_wg=7GaQD&psc=1&refRID=CAXR1K1MNRVXHP6P7ND0

I'd like to keep this under $500 if anyone has any recommendations. I've toyed around with the idea of streaming the music through wifi etc., but I'm really looking for the easiest solution with the quickest setup as I'll have four systems out that day. If it's not possible I can always bring a second Dj out or run a really long wire (I have Cat5 baluns and 70v amplifiers in my inventory).
Click to expand...

Question... What is the source of your audio???... In other words, what kind of device and operating system is your music being played from?


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DJ Bobcat said:
Question... What is the source of your audio???... In other words, what kind of device and operating system is your music being played from?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Preferably the booth out on my mixer.

Sent from my BBB100-3 using Tapatalk
 
rickryan.com said:
I think anything you do wireless is going to be questionable. Run a wire. If needed, re-configure your layout.
Click to expand...

ALWAYS best to run a wire whenever practicable, but sometimes it’s hard to avoid doorways and high foot-traffic areas, and it’s especially tough from outdoors to indoors. I’m currently playing around with some streaming options, but don’t have a clue yet what kind of distance/reliability I’ll get. For now, the best and most reliable wireless solution for the kind of setup the OP described IMO, is the Sennheiser solution sold by Agiprodj, but it costs over $300 more than the $500 budget posted.


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DJ Bobcat said:
ALWAYS best to run a wire whenever practicable, but sometimes it’s hard to avoid doorways and high foot-traffic areas, and it’s especially tough from outdoors to indoors. I’m currently playing around with some streaming options, but don’t have a clue yet what kind of distance/reliability I’ll get. For now, the best and most reliable wireless solution for the kind of setup the OP described IMO, is the Sennheiser solution sold by Agiprodj, but it costs over $300 more than the $500 budget posted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Another variation, use a wire just jump over to a wireless transmitter, which is in better range to the receiver. My GTD unit would likely handle the task defined easily, but if I got started detecting spotty coverage, just move the transmitter closer and use a wire to send signal to it.
 
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I agree. There are few if any wireless systems better than a wire in my opinion. I was going to drop one cat6 cable from the tent over the top of the covered patio through the drop ceiling and into the area where their house system is as backup and run baluns on either end. I'd really like to try to minimize my labor cost on this as this particular wedding is a massive setup (500 people spanning in and outside of hall) as well as minimize liability with tripping hazards and potential damage by using wireless where possible. Might get the FM transmitter and galaxy system this week and run an experiment trying to power the wattage down on the FM transmitter and see what kind of signal readings I can get if any to determine if I am within compliance (we just moved out to bfe so a quick test well under one watt shouldn't really impact anything). I might just call the fcc as well - perhaps they could advise how to test this type of unit or recommend an alternative.

Sent from my BBB100-3 using Tapatalk
 
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camarofleet said:
I agree. There are few if any wireless systems better than a wire in my opinion. I was going to drop one cat6 cable from the tent over the top of the covered patio through the drop ceiling and into the area where their house system is as backup and run baluns on either end. I'd really like to try to minimize my labor cost on this as this particular wedding is a massive setup (500 people spanning in and outside of hall) as well as minimize liability with tripping hazards and potential damage by using wireless where possible. Might get the FM transmitter and galaxy system this week and run an experiment trying to power the wattage down on the FM transmitter and see what kind of signal readings I can get if any to determine if I am within compliance (we just moved out to bfe so a quick test well under one watt shouldn't really impact anything). I might just call the fcc as well - perhaps they could advise how to test this type of unit or recommend an alternative.

Sent from my BBB100-3 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Stay away from FM, AM or BT transmitters .. way too many things can cause interference. There are no good cheap solutions. I use a Sennheiser 300 series wireless IEM (2 bodypacks) .. cost over $1100.
 
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I've never done it, but have heard/read/wondered about a daisy chain UHF method. Backpack out from mixer to an intermediate positioned receiver. That receiver out to another adjacent belt pack transmitting to the final destination receiver (obviously using two separate frequencies to make the hop.)
 
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Cap Capello said:
I've never done it, but have heard/read/wondered about a daisy chain UHF method. Backpack out from mixer to an intermediate positioned receiver. That receiver out to another adjacent belt pack transmitting to the final destination receiver (obviously using two separate frequencies to make the hop.)
Click to expand...

Two conversions to wireless? No way, no how. Even without the double chance of drop-outs, I couldn't deal with the signal quality loss.
 
The inexpensive, cheap, easy AND effective wireless "solution" is still on it's way to our solar system, at least that is what the Leprechaun delivering it texted me.

The abundance of interfering devices has made the wireless option very precarious.

Do your client a solid and find a solution that isn't so rich with failure/trouble possibilities.
 
I can attest those do work (the Audio Technica Antenna extensions). As for range, I have never measured. The office I work at wanted a cheap wireless system, so we picked up the ADJ model with four mics, one receiver. It worked fine for a while. After reconfiguring a few things (they wanted to hide the equipment in another room), they started getting interference and dropout. Threw a few of these up in the ceiling and it took care of the issue.
 
Sorry if I didn't make myself very clear at the outset.

I use MiPro UHF wireless gear. I've successfully transmitted /received close to 400' barefoot. I was simply trying to offer up suggestions that I've read before. The antenna mentioned and the double in/out suggestion was merely that; a suggestion (and it would be one I would try just to see before running out and buying more stuff),

I have never run into the situation being presented (nor would I offer to solve it wirelessly, at my expense, should it present itself).
 
I think certain topics like this should be a sticky b/c it has been covered way too many times.

I run wireless speakers nearly every gig. I go through walls, even at different levels, inside, outside, even up to 400ft.

I strongly stand by the product I use so much that I even run my main speakers off of it when needed.

Shure QLXD bodypack(transmitter) cost a lot but has never let me down, and I even use it as a selling point to potential clients.
 
Last edited:
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I purchased and used the Alto wireless system a handful of times; but never transmitted more than about 75ft with it. I recently was hired by a couple who wanted not only sound; but video (slideshow) shown in the main ballroom where I would be setup at and a secondary room at the venue. The second audio/video display is about 100ft away without clear line of site. The transmitter will come off an HDMI splitter in my rack and be mounted on the top of the gigbar (about 9 ft) and the receiver will be mounted on the side of the remote speaker (about 7 ft). I tested it just last night at a distance of about 110 ft. but feel it will cover a lot more distance as it is advertised to over 600 ft. When I tested it; it transmitted through 4 tiled walls; 1 brick wall; an some 2 other sheet rock walls at only about 4ft height. If anyone is curious I can link the video of the test... once I upload it.

J-Tech Digital products used:

J-Tech Digital HDbitT 1X2 Wireless HDMI Extender DUAL Antenna Full HD 1080P with IR up to 660 Ft (Receiver+Transmitter)

J-Tech Digital Premium Quality HDMI to HDMI + Audio (Spdif + RCA Stereo) Extractor Converter
 
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Ron said:
I purchased and used the Alto wireless system a handful of times; but never transmitted more than about 75ft with it.
Click to expand...

So do you still have the Alto, and have you used it on any other occasions? I bought it, used it at 2 different gigs. One was transmitting 50 feet thru a doorway. The other was shooting 125 feet across an open air plaza. Both times the unit failed miserably so I returned it.
 
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rickryan.com said:
So do you still have the Alto, and have you used it on any other occasions? I bought it, used it at 2 different gigs. One was transmitting 50 feet thru a doorway. The other was shooting 125 feet across an open air plaza. Both times the unit failed miserably so I returned it.
Click to expand...
I do still have the Alto and as stated used it a "handful of times" with no known issues. All times the transmitter was mounted on a light stand and the receiver directly on a remote speaker. I will probably consider selling it though now that the new solution cover audio and video and at better range. I will report back on it's reliability after the upcoming event in October; but my initial test is very promising.
 
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