The BeltPack Honker is used with another BODY-PACK transmitter. The two boxes are connected with a short jumper wire. Usually the transmitter has its own cord, because it was intended to be used with a guitar. (Don't let that bother you.)
The LowBlown Honker has the 3-prong XLR connector (low-impedance) and can use the kind of transmitter that normally plugs into a microphone,
at the back end, to make it a wireless mic.
There are many combinations of gear to meet your needs. Some factors to consider when choosing a wireless system include these:
PRICE (Naw... YEAH??)
You pretty much get what you pay for, and since you're going to spend a couple hundred dollars anyway, it's worth it to stretch a little and consider a step up - provided it's got the features you want. You're better off anyway if you can avoid the CHEAPEST units, unless your demands are really minimal. The most performance boost you can get for the buck is the upgrade to a TRUE-DIVERSITY receiver.
Are you plugging into the same thing - or DIFFERENT every time ?
To be able to throw away all your cables is a real liberation. (OK, you can keep them for backup.) On the other hand, if it's going to depend on which gig you're playing, then you'll want a wireless that is flexible and sets up quickly. If you won't know until you get there, then you'll want to be sure the receiver can get power, wherever it is. (and whether it uses a wall wart or a line cord for power.)
Are you EVER going to go back to wired - or back and forth ?
If you are going to switch between amp and P.A. inputs, you may need a matching transformer. Most receivers have both outputs (High-Z and Low-Z) but some don't and for these you'll need your own impedance-matching gadget. A transformer (stay away from Radio Shack) or a processor like a Whirlwind.
How FAR away from the receiver will you need to go ?
The range of a wireless rig depends on a couple things you can see and a few that you can't. The biggest difference is between diversity and non-diversity receivers. The actual distance may not be much different but one droput will wreck a song for you and make you nervous about when it's going to happen next. The Sampson Airline (AX-1) has the best range of the low-to-mid-priced systems but if you're just going to bop around on stage (and occasionally hop down on the dance floor) you can use a lower-priced unit like the Shure T-Series. (OK, it's called the GUITARIST)
Where is the RECEIVER going to be ?
The receiver should be up high and on a line-of-sight to the transmitter (YOU). So; You've got an amp that doesn't come up to your knee. Maybe you could rent a spot on the guitarist's Marshall stack... Well, OK, just do the best you can but don't put it BEHIND your amp or the P.A. The metal will shield it from the transmitter and you'll get dropouts.
Can your stage personna tolerate TWO body packs ?
Having a load of high-tech stuff strapped around you might be cool, but for some stage outfits two body packs could be too much. The solution is one of the "SNAP-ON" (plug-in) transmitters so you only have one box to deal with.
Are you going to use the transmitter for OTHER instruments ?
We can agree that harmonica players are talented enough to play more than one instrument. (SOME play MORE than TWO at the SAME TIME!) So if you're going to use your wireless rig for the "other" instrument, make sure the plug is compatible or get an adapter. You might need to match impedance, too. And, when you swap instruments, you'll need some way of muting the system - either at the receiver or the transmitter. Some systems make this easier than others.
Does it need to be as DURABLE as the Honker ?
Most of the transmitters have a plastic case. This isn't a big problem for the body pack transmitters but if you do a lot of jumping around and want as small a package as you can get, you might consider the Sampson AX-1. With a metal case, it's a good match for the Honker.
Is someone else going to OPERATE it ?
A set-it-and-forget-it system is one thing. But if you need any changes beyond cranking the amp to keep up with the guitars, you'll want to be able to get to the controls on the receiver quickly, and remember to turn the volume down (on the ring) before bending over your amp and annoying everybody with the feedback... Coordinating changes with someone else can be tricky, be sure they know what you expect and how you're going to communicate it.
Will there be OTHER WIRELESS RIGS in the area ?
Other wireless rigs (or even a different cities' taxicabs, police, etc.) can jam in on your solo. Usually, they sell you one that is tuned for your area. If you buy one through the Internet, you should FIND OUT which channels are the proper ones for your area. On some units you can change the channel yourself. (Some have more choices than others.) This will be well worth it if you go out of your area or play a gig with other wireless rigs on the same stage. Some of the higher-end units do this
AUTOMATICALLY.
Other factors include ease-of-operation, indicators and sound quality.
Some receivers have controls on the front, some on the back,
some split them up. Some have several lights to show signal strength
some have one - or none.
There are a lot of systems made for video cameras. These have very compact RECEIVERS that usually need to be mounted with Velcro if you don't want them to flop around.
The MUTE function on the transmitter may not be a great factor (some are easier to reach than others) since you have the volume control on the ring.
This IS a factor
for vocal mics that need to be quieted at some point. (If someone else is not running the
system)
NOTES ON THE TABLE BELOW:
The model-number links here are for illustration only and are NOT necessarily the lowest prices, nor are these the only models available. NA = Not Available
Price info is relative. Low-end models of a high-priced manufacturer
may be less than a high-end unit of a mid-priced oufit.
The "Snap-On" style PLUGS IN to the "LowBlown" Honker, (with the 3-pin XLR connector)
and the transmitter IS the plug!
The "Body-Pack" style is used with the "BeltPack" Honker (with a 1/4" phone plug) and
uses a short cord to connect the two boxes.
The "DIVERSITY" and "FREQ. AGILE" columns indicate if that option is available AT ALL
in that brand name, it may not be with the models shown.
| BRAND | PRICE | SNAP-ON | BODY-PACK | DIVERSITY | FREQ. AGILE | REVIEWS |
| AKG | Mid | SO-40 | Not Available | YES | no | -- |
| Audio-Tech. | High | ATW-701/G | ATW-1812 | YES | YES | *** |
| Azden | Mid-Hi | 31XT | 31LT (+MP-1) | YES | YES | -- |
| Hisonic | LOW | Not Available | WM606 | no | no | -- |
| Lectrosonics | High | Plugin | BodPack | YES | YES | -- |
| Nady | Mid | Not Available | MGT-16 | YES | YES | ** - ** |
| Samson | Mid | Airline 77 | Not Available | YES | no | -- |
| Sennheiser | High | EW-101P | Not Available | YES | YES | *** |
| Shure | Mid-Low | PGW | PGW | YES | no | ** - ** |
| Sony | HIGH! | UWP-- | UWP-- | YES | YES | *** |
| LINKS FOR MORE INFO: | MORE MANUFACTURERS: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SHURE! MIXonline Lectrosonics (.pdf) ProSoundWeb OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN DEPTH FREQUENCY INFO |
BEYER MIPRO SABINE ZAXCOM TOA Wireless ELECTRO-VOICE |