I wonder if the interference on active guitars is actually because active guitars use the jack plug to switch on the electronics because the jack socket used is a stereo one and the current flows via the third connection through the jack plug and to the electronics.
I think the problem isn't proximity to electronics, but the hardware necessary to run active pickups. If you've actually pulled apart and/or wired in active pickups you'll see they use a stereo jack. In active pickup jacks the first two prongs are bridged by the longer solid sleeve of the mono male end (also know as "TS" or "Tip sleeve"). This is to ground the powered connection to the battery in the pickup system and would be why a stereo male plug (also known as "TRS" or "tip - ring - sleeve") will clash with the purpose of the stereo female port of the active guitar. The "ring" in the tip-ring-sleeve male end is an interruption of the continuity of the active pickups powering system. This is just a theory but it seems like the mono adapter fix supports it entirely.
@@aaronshortmusic The XSW is a mono jack so that makes sense! For BOSS - Oddly the WL-20L is still a TRS jack, which makes me think if they're marketing it to active pickup and line-level users it must have some internal components catering to that continuity. I'm in the market for one of these things but similar to most I use both active and passive guitars. Would be nice to know it works without adapters but thanks for the review!
I was thinking exactly the same thing. By using the TS angle adapter, it's negating the issue of using a TRS plug that is designed for one purpose with a TRS jack that's designed for switching on the guitars active electronics.
Thanks Aaron. I just ordered the WL-50 and the WL-20L. For my Martin with the Infinity Matrix pick system, I'll try using the mono adapter you suggested on the WL-50. I'm glad you covered this! Do you know how the Infinity Matrix would respond with the WL-20L insofar as noise or interference? Thanks Aaron!
Thanks soooo much for this video. I just bought the 20L and tried it tonight at practice and got that “pulsing” sound with my Godin A6. I tried it in my Godin A12 and got NO sound .... both have active pickups. I will try the adapter that you mentioned tomorrow - thanks again
Thanks again Aaron - I looked through your videos and only saw a review for Sennhessier - which other wireless were you talking about? I have the Xvive for microphone
@@aaronshortmusic The Carvin is hard to find in Europe/Norway. The Sennheiser seems very solid. Unfortunately its more expensive than the rest, but I guess its worth it.
Whether the transmitter can be charged when it is plugged into the receiver, but the receiver is not connected to the mains? For example, while I play a concert, the receiver is charging, then I played back put my boss in my bag and he charges the transmitter for the next concert. Sorry for my terrible english.
Hi Danya. If I understand what you are asking then I don’t think it works that way. You would need to have them connected to a power supply or a battery pack in order for them to charge.
Questions: I use two acoustic guitars, one with a Baggs Anthem pickup and one with a K&K Pure Mini, in other words, one passive and one active. Would I only need to get the WL-20-L and that would work for both guitars (although the Baggs might need the adapter)? If I wanted not to have to switch the transmitter from one guitar to the other, can transmitters be purchased separately so that I have a transmitter in each guitar and one receiver at the amp? Could the receiver be plugged into a preamp or DI that is cabled to an amp or in-house PA?
Paul Ashley Hi Paul. Yes you need the WL-20L. Please bear in mind that this is not her released and I have not tried one yet so I cannot guarantee that it will work. This WL-50 version will work but you will need the adapter on the Anthem (disclaimer: my Anthem is the stage version so again you will need to test with your guitar). I am pretty sure that you can buy two transmitters. You just have to plug it into the receiver each time in order to pair them. You can definitely plug into a DI box or direct to an amp or board. I’m sorry that I can’t answer your questions 100% but I do not work for Boss. If I receive the other systems and they do not work as expected then I will definitely make an update video. This WL-50 is very cool though!
Question mate, so your PRS P22 is a hybrid guitar. I have a Micheal Kelly Hybrid Special with a Fishman acoustic pick up in it. When I plugged in the Boss WL 50 I did NOT get the acoustic pick up at all, I did get the electric pick up instead. Do you think the Mod with the Line 6 adaptor will fix my problem?
We experienced a problem with it, in a gig where we were two people using the same kind wl-50 and the signal got mixed up!! My bass got through. The guitar system... What can we do about the automatic channel finder? It's not fun... What to do? Nice video by the way 😊👍
Hi Aaron - great review. I've head another 'elephant in the room' with this system is the wireless frequency ...i.e same as room wifi...which could cause dropouts and interference. Have you experienced / heard of this issue?
Rich F Very rarely with the WL-50. Make sure you plug in the transmitter so that it finds the best frequency before you use it. I did have drop outs with the WL-20L but I read that it’s not as powerful as the 50.
william cron I have not tested those. If they are active then possibly. I would order a unit from a store with a good return policy so that you can try it first.
My wife bought me one for an early Father’s Day present. Unfortunately I have WiFi in my house and so do my neighbors. WiFi renders the WL-50 completely useless. It cuts in and out constantly no matter how far I place the receiver from the router. Even when I turn my WiFi off this system starts cutting out as soon as I go to another room, even with line of sight. I’m probably going to have her return it if I can’t make it work properly. I feel bad because it was a gift but if it doesn’t work then I would rather my wife get her money back.
Odd. My WL-50 works perfectly with my house WiFi and I haven't noticed any dropout. In fact the router is in my music studio. I also gig it regularly in clubs with WiFi. @Aaron .... thanks so much for your section on the elephant in the room. I've got a Godin A6 Ultra which just thumps loudly if I plug in the WL-50. I'll try the mono extension.
Here is my personal reason for choosing this. Relay G10 uses only mini usb for charging, which doesn't fit to most of the pedalboard power supplier. G30 can't charge the receiver by the transmitter, so to G50.
I wonder if the interference on active guitars is actually because active guitars use the jack plug to switch on the electronics because the jack socket used is a stereo one and the current flows via the third connection through the jack plug and to the electronics.
I think the problem isn't proximity to electronics, but the hardware necessary to run active pickups. If you've actually pulled apart and/or wired in active pickups you'll see they use a stereo jack. In active pickup jacks the first two prongs are bridged by the longer solid sleeve of the mono male end (also know as "TS" or "Tip sleeve"). This is to ground the powered connection to the battery in the pickup system and would be why a stereo male plug (also known as "TRS" or "tip - ring - sleeve") will clash with the purpose of the stereo female port of the active guitar. The "ring" in the tip-ring-sleeve male end is an interruption of the continuity of the active pickups powering system.
This is just a theory but it seems like the mono adapter fix supports it entirely.
I’m not sure but the XSW system works perfectly with all pickups so far!
@@aaronshortmusic The XSW is a mono jack so that makes sense!
For BOSS - Oddly the WL-20L is still a TRS jack, which makes me think if they're marketing it to active pickup and line-level users it must have some internal components catering to that continuity. I'm in the market for one of these things but similar to most I use both active and passive guitars. Would be nice to know it works without adapters but thanks for the review!
Tom Probert You’re welcome Tom, thanks for the feedback.
Yes, the clicking is due to the small amount of current coming from the battery of the active system.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. By using the TS angle adapter, it's negating the issue of using a TRS plug that is designed for one purpose with a TRS jack that's designed for switching on the guitars active electronics.
useful tips man, thank you
Thanks for the review. Very nice playing.
Thanks Aaron. I just ordered the WL-50 and the WL-20L. For my Martin with the Infinity Matrix pick system, I'll try using the mono adapter you suggested on the WL-50. I'm glad you covered this! Do you know how the Infinity Matrix would respond with the WL-20L insofar as noise or interference? Thanks Aaron!
Where is the link for the adaptor, please can you put it here in the comments
I don’t remember sorry and there are better options now.
Thanks soooo much for this video. I just bought the 20L and tried it tonight at practice and got that “pulsing” sound with my Godin A6. I tried it in my Godin A12 and got NO sound .... both have active pickups. I will try the adapter that you mentioned tomorrow - thanks again
If it still doesn’t work then try one of the other two systems that I have reviewed. They will definitely work with your active pickup.
Thanks again Aaron - I looked through your videos and only saw a review for Sennhessier - which other wireless were you talking about? I have the Xvive for microphone
Bruce Ciccarelli The Carvin WG5
hi is it possible to insert it to the fx loop of the amp and how that is happend
Yes but why would you want to do that?
@@aaronshortmusic i was curios is it posible and how is done
Very nice review. Thanks a lot. WL-50 seems like a winner.
Hi there. Actually I suggest the Carvin WG-5 or the Sennheiser XSW systems now.
@@aaronshortmusic OK. thanks. I will look into those two as well. I need one for active acc. guitars as well as passive elect. guitars ...
Geir MB Myklebust I have videos of those on my channel.
@@aaronshortmusic The Carvin is hard to find in Europe/Norway. The Sennheiser seems very solid. Unfortunately its more expensive than the rest, but I guess its worth it.
Geir MB Myklebust Yes it’s definitely worth it. They also make a tuner pedal version now which is great if you want to use it on a pedal board.
Whether the transmitter can be charged when it is plugged into the receiver, but the receiver is not connected to the mains? For example, while I play a concert, the receiver is charging, then I played back put my boss in my bag and he charges the transmitter for the next concert. Sorry for my terrible english.
Hi Danya. If I understand what you are asking then I don’t think it works that way. You would need to have them connected to a power supply or a battery pack in order for them to charge.
@@aaronshortmusic Thank You very much for your reply. It helped me a lot.
Danya Revutskii You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
Hi there,
Do you think this would work with the fender acoustasonic telecaster / stratocaster?
It may do but it would not be my first choice. Check out the video I posted recently about my favorite wireless systems on Amazon.
Thank You.
You’re welcome!
If you are using active pickups you need to use the BOSS WL-20L
Does the WL-20L work with passive pickups too Jonathan? I have guitars with both.....
Questions:
I use two acoustic guitars, one with a Baggs Anthem pickup and one with a K&K Pure Mini, in other words, one passive and one active. Would I only need to get the WL-20-L and that would work for both guitars (although the Baggs might need the adapter)?
If I wanted not to have to switch the transmitter from one guitar to the other, can transmitters be purchased separately so that I have a transmitter in each guitar and one receiver at the amp?
Could the receiver be plugged into a preamp or DI that is cabled to an amp or in-house PA?
Paul Ashley Hi Paul. Yes you need the WL-20L. Please bear in mind that this is not her released and I have not tried one yet so I cannot guarantee that it will work. This WL-50 version will work but you will need the adapter on the Anthem (disclaimer: my Anthem is the stage version so again you will need to test with your guitar).
I am pretty sure that you can buy two transmitters. You just have to plug it into the receiver each time in order to pair them.
You can definitely plug into a DI box or direct to an amp or board.
I’m sorry that I can’t answer your questions 100% but I do not work for Boss. If I receive the other systems and they do not work as expected then I will definitely make an update video. This WL-50 is very cool though!
Paul Ashley does it work? I have an Anthem as well and I’m facing a similar situation
Very educational!
Thank you!
@@aaronshortmusic You're welcome!
Why TRS....all guitars use a TS socket?
It’s what they use to turn it in and off. The problem is that some pickups don’t work with it and require a TS adapter!
I use the WL-20 with EMG-81s with no problem. (no adapter)
I guess it depends on the guitar and your environment.
Question mate, so your PRS P22 is a hybrid guitar. I have a Micheal Kelly Hybrid Special with a Fishman acoustic pick up in it. When I plugged in the Boss WL 50 I did NOT get the acoustic pick up at all, I did get the electric pick up instead. Do you think the Mod with the Line 6 adaptor will fix my problem?
Lincoln Johnson It should do yes. It’s because it’s a stereo plug and you need the adapter to make it mono.
Thanks for the review. Can I use it for active pickups?
You may have problems with some active pickups.
We experienced a problem with it, in a gig where we were two people using the same kind wl-50 and the signal got mixed up!! My bass got through. The guitar system... What can we do about the automatic channel finder? It's not fun... What to do? Nice video by the way 😊👍
Oh my goodness that is not good! You should contact Boss and tell them. Hopefully they have a solution!
Great review ... how many pedals can you power with the base unit ? Up to 5 ...?
Thank you. I’m not sure. It depends on their power draw. I only powered one other pedal from it...
Hi Aaron - great review. I've head another 'elephant in the room' with this system is the wireless frequency ...i.e same as room wifi...which could cause dropouts and interference. Have you experienced / heard of this issue?
Rich F Very rarely with the WL-50. Make sure you plug in the transmitter so that it finds the best frequency before you use it. I did have drop outs with the WL-20L but I read that it’s not as powerful as the 50.
@@aaronshortmusic Ok will look into that. Thanks bud.
Can I use this on a Bass Guitar ?
Yes you can but I recommend the Carvin WG-5 or Sennheiser XS-W over this system.
Would I need to use the adapter with the Greg Koch Fluence Fishman pickups?
william cron I have not tested those. If they are active then possibly. I would order a unit from a store with a good return policy so that you can try it first.
Wow another good technology from BOSS!! Sounds like a metronome the interference hahaah
These don't work with active pick up's, Boss know this but just seem to be ignoring it instead of addressing the issue - BE WARNED!
There are other systems on the market now.
My wife bought me one for an early Father’s Day present. Unfortunately I have WiFi in my house and so do my neighbors. WiFi renders the WL-50 completely useless. It cuts in and out constantly no matter how far I place the receiver from the router. Even when I turn my WiFi off this system starts cutting out as soon as I go to another room, even with line of sight. I’m probably going to have her return it if I can’t make it work properly. I feel bad because it was a gift but if it doesn’t work then I would rather my wife get her money back.
I have had the same issues. My current recommendation is the Carvin WG5. I suggest you get this one instead.
Aaron Short Music I will check it out. Thank you.
Odd. My WL-50 works perfectly with my house WiFi and I haven't noticed any dropout. In fact the router is in my music studio. I also gig it regularly in clubs with WiFi. @Aaron .... thanks so much for your section on the elephant in the room. I've got a Godin A6 Ultra which just thumps loudly if I plug in the WL-50. I'll try the mono extension.
So basically it is the same thing as the Line6 Relay G10 and they even made the same mistakes as Line6 with the Relay G10.
Christoph K. It is a similar design which is good and bad but you are able to turn cable tone on and off which is useful.
Doesn't sound very useful to me.
Here is my personal reason for choosing this. Relay G10 uses only mini usb for charging, which doesn't fit to most of the pedalboard power supplier. G30 can't charge the receiver by the transmitter, so to G50.