Based in Chappell Hill, TX, Golden Entertainment Group has been utilizing Line 6 XD-V digital wireless systems since company owner Peron Einkauf began using them at the 2011 South By Southwest Music (SXSW) Conference in Austin. They’ve been a mainstay in his events ever since.
“We provided production for six South By Southwest venues last year,” Einkauf reports. “Normally, we don’t bring any wireless to that event. There’s a venue every 30 feet, bands changing every 30 minutes, and it’s just such a mass of conflict, it’s not worth the trouble. But this time, we tried the Line 6 digital wireless and got great results.”
In fact, Einkauf used eight XD-V70 vocal mic systems in three venues, all in close proximity, throughout the show. “Four days in a row, from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., we ran all eight mics at the same time,” he recalls. “And, they were flawless, no failures or dropouts, ever. And, the microphone’s feedback rejection was exceptional, better than the standard vocal mic we normally use. I have to say, I was impressed.”
Based on that success, Einkauf continued to deploy them throughout the year. “We do about 30 major events each year, major fairs and festivals throughout the state of Texas,” he says. “We see a lot of touring country acts and older rock acts, and we always bring the Line 6 wireless. Basically, we offer it to anyone who doesn’t have their own wireless, and every artist who has used it, loved it.”
Line 6 digital wireless operates in the license-free 2.4 GHz band, and the XD-V70 system offers a choice of 12 simultaneous channels (14 on the new XD-V75 version), all of which are always available due to Digital Channel Lock technology.
“The system lets you search for a clear channel, but frankly, we haven’t needed to,” notes Einkauf. “We set up our systems on channels one through eight in Austin last year, and haven’t had to touch the frequencies since.”
Einkauf also calls out the sound quality for praise. The 4th generation digital transmission platform does not using companding, fostering very wide dynamic range. The system also includes on-board microphone modeling technology, allowing the system to take on the characteristics of a wide range of popular mics.
“You can model several different popular vocal mics on the Line 6,” states Einkauf. “We typically use the ’58 model at events like SXSW. Compared to a standard wired 58, I would say the Line 6 modeling is slightly better. The sound quality is crystal clear, and feedback rejection was better.”
Einkauf adds that he’s also using the XD-V70 for his corporate events. “It’s a great system and an incredible value. It’s good for business,” he concludes.
