Going Wireless

Around 30 years ago Mick Jagger started playing guitar in Rolling Stones shows. Apparently he had always been able to play, but his guitar lead got in the way. Emerging wireless technology allowed this change for the Rolling Stones, wireless guitar rigs are now widely used Wireless mics have also long been available, with modern headsets providing high quality sound while remaining almost invisible. Many harmonica players, e.g. Jason Ricci have followed the wireless path. Greg Heumann, from Blows Me Away Productions, recommends the Samson Airline 88x. Ben Bouman uses the Boss WL-20 Wireless System. GOING WIRELESS These wireless harmonica setups are meant for handheld mics. Rack players have options as well, By Tony Eyers e.g. the Greg Heumann Rackit!, based around his Bulletini mic. I use the Boss WL-20 with the Rackit!, it works very well. Moreover, the receiver plugs directly into a guitar amp socket, without additional leads. However, the Rackit! is designed for a Chicago style amplified sound. For acoustic rack players like myself, an ideal solution would be a minimal setup which captured just the harmonica sound. I’ve put together a system which does this, based on the Seydel Gecko Rack. The components are: - Rode Wireless Go II Single - Rode VideoMic Me - Rode SC3 3.5m TRRS to TRS Adaptor - Plastic clip The Rode products are Australian but are available worldwide. Details are at https://rode.com/en. The Wireless Go II Single is a wireless transmitter/receiver pair, with each device the size of a small matchbox. It is a wireless lapel mic system, meant for video production. The transmitter with its inbuilt mic can clip on to one arm of the harmonica rack, providing the simplest solution possible. However, I’ve gone for a better quality mic, the Rode VideoMic Me . This normally plugs into a smartphone, replacing the inbuilt microphone, here I’m using it on my rack. The adaptor cable connects the devices, the plastic clip attaches the mic to the Seydel Gecko holder. The Wireless Go II transmitter has a built-in clip, which grips the other side of the Gecko holder, as shown in the photo. The entire setup weighs almost nothing. The receiver has a mini jack socket, a mini jack to jack cable then connects to an amplifier or mixing desk. The receiver has a level meter and an attenuator to adjust signal strength. Both the transmitter and receiver have built in recorders, storing up to 7 hours of audio.

I’ve started using this setup, I like it. A good quality vocal mic would perhaps sound a little better, however the portability of this setup is hard to match. For rack players who’ve always wanted to roam the stage and mingle with the audience, your time has come.

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