 Shure ULXS Wireless System |
| Pro level wireless that even a tone fanatic can love By Allen Adleman Shure ULXS Wireless System I’ve played guitar professionally for twelve years now, but only moved to wireless a while back when I bought a Shure ULX System. What precipitated my move was writing a Hands-On Review about a couple of Shure systems for Musician’s Friend. I was given PGX and ULXS systems to review, checked them out extensively, liked both models, and wrote a review which is still posted on the Musician’s Friend website. In the process of trying them out, I learned two things: that wireless was perfectly reliable, and that I liked using it—found it definitely enhanced the playing experience. I ended up purchasing the ULXS System. I chose the ULXS because for me the extra features made it worth the higher price. You know the old rule: if it’s a work tool, go for the best you can afford. I’ve used it for almost a year now and it has served me well. I recently bumped into the live sound buyer from Musician’s Friend and told him how much I was enjoying the ULXS. He called me several days later and asked if I would consider writing a follow-up review, focusing only on the ULXS and speaking from experience. He said that for most hands-on reviews, the reviewer is trying out a new product. He liked the idea of one written from a long-term perspective. I said sure—it would be easy to write. I know the ULXS well and can recommend it without hesitation. Before I get down to the things I like about the ULXS instrument system, I should explain what this system is and where it stands in the Shure lineup. The ULX systems are Shure’s professional models, the top of the line as far as most working musicians are concerned. The next step up are the kind of wireless systems you see being used in the Super Bowl half-time show. These cost several thousand dollars and are beyond consideration for most of us. The ULX systems come in numerous configurations, and there are two levels: the ULXP and the ULXS. These are similar and share components but the P version has a more robust receiver and with added group scan and locking functions. The S version is the "standard" professional model and a little easier pricewise. It was this combination of professional level features and a more affordable price that made me choose the ULXS system in the first place. The truth is I haven’t given my ULXS system much thought since I started using it. I haven’t needed to, and that’s one of the main things I like about it. I just set it up, plug in, and it works—flawlessly. I haven’t played under conditions where I’ve challenged its range, but have yet to experience a single signal dropout. It just doesn’t happen. The ease of set up and reliability are due to several features. The automatic frequency selection scans through 1400 frequencies to find one that is clear from interference and locks onto it. You don’t have to do anything but let it do its thing. A second feature is its predictive diversity. It constantly monitors two signals and its microprocessor automatically chooses the stronger of the two signals. Again, this happens automatically and without you having to do anything. It takes care of your signal and lets you worry about the music. Another big reason I’m happy with the ULXS system is that it doesn’t mess with my sound. It has taken me a long time to get my sound perfected, I wouldn’t tolerate a wireless system that degraded it. The ULXS doesn’t. To my ear, there is no difference between the ULXS and a new, quality guitar cable. This true-to-life sound is due in large part to its audio reference companding capability. I am not technically knowledgeable enough to explain exactly how this works, but it has to do with the compressing of the signal by the transmitter, and the uncompressing at the receiver end. Lower-end systems function at a 2:1 ratio. The ULXS has a more powerful processor devoted to the task, and is capable of companding from a 1:1 up to 5:1 ratio. The result is a lower noise floor and fewer artifacts. It means you have more headroom for playing loud, but where you really hear the difference is when you play quietly. You don’t have any of the pumping and hissing you often hear with lesser systems. I’ve heard several other guitarists comment that I probably use a lot of batteries. Apparently UHF wireless is known for eating transmitter batteries. I haven’t found the ULXS to have an excessive appetite. I get about 8 hours out of a battery which means two gigs, and this seems quite acceptable. The transmitter, with its backlit display keeps you informed as to how much remaining juice the battery has with its 3-segment "fuel gauge" so if you are caught off guard by a dead battery, it’s your own damn fault. Another feature that separates the ULX systems from non-pro systems is the number of units that it allows to be used at the same time. I play in a small band with only a few systems in use at any one time, so this hasn’t been a problem for me, and since the ULXS allows simultaneous use of up to 20 systems, it never will be. The ULXS receiver display is very stage-friendly. It is backlit, easy to read, and gives you all the information you need: group and channel settings, RF reception and level, audio transmitter level, and, of course, remaining battery power. While I use the instrument body pack transmitter version, the ULXS system is available in all configurations—lavalier, hand-held, headset, etc.—so whatever you do, you can do it wirelessly. A strong point for singers is that the hand-held systems come with Shure microphones—the SM58 or the Beta58, two of the most widely used professional vocal microphones in the business. Overall, I like how reliable the ULXS system is, that it works well, isn’t temperamental, and doesn’t need tweaking as you go. Once you have the levels dialed in, you can simply forget about it and play. With the durability Shure gear is famous for, it should keep working great for a long time. If you want wireless that is professional grade, the Shure ULXS is the system I recommend. * Frequency-agile UHF wireless |
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