Going Handsfree with THE SHURE GLX-D+ WIRELESS SYSTEMS

The first wireless system I ever used in a stage setup was a Shure. To be honest, I can’t even remember which series it was, being over twenty years back. Since then, I have seen the development of Shure wireless systems, and have used and sold all numbers of them. What I really appreciate is that every time a new range is released, Shure bring better technology, increased ease of use and more features to their dedicated user group.

So, a new wireless system from Shure is not just the old model with a colour change to the casing, you’re getting great improvements based on feedback from working musicians and engineers alike. Thus, it goes without saying that I was more than keen to have a look at the new GLX-D+ range.

Firstly, let’s settle down for a moment and take a breath. There are 23 different setups in this new range, designed to cover all manner of wireless applications for singers and guitarists. Today, we’re going to look at the GLXD24+/SM58

Digital Wireless Handheld System and the GLXD16+ Digital Wireless Guitar Pedal System. These are the two obvious choices for anyone looking for a wireless vocal or guitar system, and both present great build and transmission quality, like every model in the GLX-D+ range.

The GLXD24+/SM58 pairs the compact desktop receiver unit with a handheld transmitter fitted with an SM58 capsule. It goes without saying that the SM58 is the most popular stage microphone in history, and its classic sound is perfectly captured in the GLX-D+, without the restrictions of a microphone cable. The dual band transmission technology ensures that your signal retains its integrity and sounds just like a wired microphone would. In fact, it often sounds better as you’re not at the mercy of poor-quality microphone cables at venues that have been used night after night for years. Doing away with UHF-based systems prevents overlap on frequencies that other bands or venue staff might be using as well! Setting this up is a breeze, with the transmitter and receiver easily synchronised to each other and locked to avoid crosstalk. Fitted with Shure’s LithiumIon rechargeable battery, you no longer need to stockpile mountains of C Cell batteries to get through an event, let alone travelling or flying with batteries as you pass through airport security. You get up to 12 hours use with this system, which should be more than adequate for most applications. However, spare batteries can be purchased as backups for longer events.

The SM58 capsule is one most of us will know the sound of. It’s a very versatile capsule that has excellent side and rear rejection, making it ideal for loud stages. With this wireless system, you’re able to move away from the microphone stand without the fear of the capsule creating violent feedback right away. Of course, that’s the whole point of a wireless system, to allow you to move about the stage, and even the room.

The same goes for the guitarist. After all, every guitarist just wants to move about the stage, run around the room and climb all over the bar, in order to get attention. So, the GLXD16+ Digital Wireless Guitar Pedal System makes those dreams a reality. The receiver is a sturdy pedal that mounts in the first position of your pedal board, where the tuner would normally go. Don’t worry, there’s a built-in digital tuner. In fact, it is more like a tuner pedal with a built-in wireless receiver. The tuner itself has a needle mode or strobe mode for optimal tuning accuracy, as well as different settings muting when tuning, battery indicators and anything else you might need.

The pedal option is a brilliant concept, as previously available wireless systems for guitars used to just make use of the standard desktop or rack mounted receivers, which were completely unhelpful when setting up an amp at the back of the stage and a pedal board at the front. Just think, you no longer need to keep the receiver on the amp with an extra 20 or 30 feet of cable running back to the pedal board. Once synchronised to your transmitter pack, you’ll just leave it on your pedal board with nothing more than a short patch cable running out into the next pedal in the signal chain. Space on a pedal board is a constant battle as is, and Shure’s GLXD16+ Digital Wireless Guitar Pedal System alleviates this just enough. Both of these systems are bread and butter solutions for musicians who are playing in small to medium venues and don’t have the luxury of a road crew to set up their gear. It takes less time to set up a GLX-D+ as it does to uncoil long microphone cables and tape them to the stage floor. You have the freedom to move about the room and tune the PA system to your needs during soundcheck, and of course, the freedom to move about the room and stage during the performance. Don’t let a fear of technology stop you from performing at your best, or a cable restrict you. With these Shure systems you will sound just as good as the wired versions, whilst you’re free to deliver the performance of a lifetime, in tune and uninhibited. For local enquiries, head to jands.com.au.

BY ROB GEE