What are the best rackmount wireless guitar/instrument systems on the market? Rack-mountable wireless guitar systems are a very convenient way to use a wireless. Having your system rack-mounted eliminates a setup step before every single show if you are already used to carrying a rackmount. It also, however, keeps your equipment safe and secure.
Of the many rack-mountable wireless guitar and bass systems on the market, we picked the top 3 systems and covered all the details of each one. Keep in mind, every system on this list is compatible with both guitar and bass.
1. Shure GLXD 14R
The Shure GLXD 14R is a rackmount digital wireless guitar system that operates in the globally-unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency band. Unlike analog wireless guitar systems, there is no need to purchase an additional license, nor will your frequency ever be banned from certain countries using a digital system.
When first powered up the receiver searches for the best available frequency, then connects it to the transmitter. It does this automatically without having to press any extra buttons. Up to 9 systems can be used at once.
The Shure GLXD family stands out from all wireless guitar systems in terms of its performance reliability, consistent signal strength, and most extended battery life with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Those who prefer to rackmount their wireless receiver rather than putting it in their pedalboard or on top of their amp will tremendously benefit from the Shure GLXD 14R.
This system has a charging port located on the right-hand side of the receiver for the lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Each lithium-ion battery for this system and the rest of the GLXD series lasts 16 hours per full charge and total life of 13,000 hours.
Reliability
The Shure GLXD family is superb in terms of reliability. Each channel uses six different frequencies that continuously scan to monitor the frequency condition. After that, it transmits the audio signal on the three clearest audio frequencies of the six available. If one of the frequencies get interference or conditions deteriorate, it automatically changes to a backup frequency without interrupting the audio.
This is why GLXD systems have been raved about for signal clarity and reliability. It is a straightforward set up that automatically links the receiver and transmitter together. There is no need to set channels or mess with settings.
Tone
There is no noticeable difference in tone between the Shure GLXD 14 and a quality cable. Like all of the GLXD series by Shure, the frequency response is at 20Hz-20kHz with a dynamic range of 120dB. (great for bass players)
Every review of all Shure GLXD series claims the same tone between the wireless system and a quality cable, including me with my GLXD 16.
Durability
The Shure GLXD 14R’s receiver and the transmitter are made of metal giving this system 5 of 5 stars for durability and longevity. For more protection for your transmitter from impact, dust, humidity, and sweat, we highly recommend adding the Neotech wireless Pouch from Amazon at $15. As a matter of fact, we recommend that pouch for all wireless transmitters.
Convenience
The Shure GLXD 14R is the all-time most convenient wireless guitar system for a musician who wants to rackmount his receiver. Tied for 3rd for the most extended battery life of 16 hours with the GLXD 14 and GLXD 16, this system also eliminates disposable battery purchases. The lithium-ion battery that comes with purchasing this unit is recharged in the receivers charging port, making this system that much more convenient.
Range
All of the Shure GLXD family’s greatest and only weakness is that the range is not as far as most of the wireless guitar systems on this list.
Indoors: Up to 100 ft. Line-of-sight (200 ft. max); Outdoors: Up to 65 ft. Line-of-sight (165 ft. ideal conditions)
All though it is clearly more than enough to cover the biggest of stages, if you’re looking to take a solo deep within the crowd at a massive stadium, this may not be the best wireless choice for you. I personally use the Shure GLXD 16, which has the same range as the GLXD 14 and 14r, and I have never once had a single problem with range.
- Up to 9 compatible systems simultaneous channels (11 in ideal conditions)
- Ability to charge the battery in receivers charging port
- Rackmountable
- Compatible with active pickups
- Comes with Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries up to 16 hours of use per full charge and 13,000 hours total. Extra Shure SB902 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery for GLX-D sold separate.
- Automatic Frequency Management by Shure’s GLXD family is used for clear audio easy auto-setup.
- Transmitter and receiver automatically change through frequencies together using bidirectional communication
Tech specs/details
| Range: | Indoors: Up to 100 ft. Line-of-sight (200 ft. max); Outdoors: Up to 65 ft. Line-of-sight (165 ft. ideal conditions) |
| System: | Digital |
| Transmitter Battery/Life: | 16 hours/ rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Latency: | 4-7. 3 ms |
| Dynamic Range: | 120dB |
| Receiver/Transmitter Build: | Both metal |
| Transmitter Type: | Bodypack |
| Receiver Type: | Rackmount |
| Frequency Range: | 2.4GHz |
| Frequency Response: | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Sampling rate: | 44.1k |
Pros
- A very reliable wireless guitar system (little to no dropouts)
- High battery life (16 Hours)
- Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries cutting battery cost
- Battery charging port located on the receiver
- Metal transmitter and receiver (longevity and durability)
- Unnoticeable tone difference compared to quality cable
- Auto setup between transmitter and receiver
- Clear and clean audio
- Rackmountable for musicians who prefer a rackmount
- Globally-unlicensed digital transmission
Cons
- Higher latency than other wireless units 4 – 7.3 ms, yet still unnoticeable
- Lower range than most wireless guitar systems on this list
2. Sennheiser EW 500 G4
The Sennheiser’s ew 500 G4 is an incredible rackmount Analog wireless guitar system that operates on 88MHZ. This system has a significantly lower chance of running into signal interference or dropouts for analog systems, considering it provides 3,520 tunable frequencies. Typically more frequencies for an analog system means less of a chance there will be a dropout.
The wireless uses an auto frequency scan that finds the best open channels. You can use up to 32 different channels with the receiver for incredible versatility. The Sennheiser EW 500 G4 comes with a unique integrated sound check and equalizer feature as well.
Reliability
The Sennheiser EW 500 G4 provides 3,520 frequencies using true diversity for one of the most reliable analog wireless guitar systems to date.
Tone
One of the few perks of using an analog system is that there’s no latency. On top of that, the Sennheiser ew 500 G4 uses HDX compander for very clear sound.
Durability
Both the transmitter and receiver are made of metal for increased longevity and durability. Apparently, Sennheiser designed this system for extra protection against humidity and splashes of water/sweat as well. Although this system was created with metal and additional protection from moisture, we always recommend attaching the Neotech wireless pouch to the transmitter to be safe. A $13 investment in a pouch that can save you roughly $200 in a transmitter is a perfect deal.
Convenience
The Sennheiser EW 500 G4 uses a rackmount receiver where you can either place the receiver on your amp or a rackmount. If you already use a rackmount, this system will be very convenient for you to use.
Unfortunately, like the vast majority of wireless guitar systems, The Sennheiser EW 500 G4 uses disposable batteries. This can become very inconvenient and costly after a while. The only wireless guitar systems on this list that use high-quality rechargeable batteries are of the Shure GLXD series.
Range
One of the most impressive qualities of this system is the incredible range of 330 ft. Imagine crowd surfing a football field worth of audience as you take your solo.
Features
- Up to 32 Simultaneous channels
- Built-in Equalizer
- Built-in Sound Check Mode
- Able to use up to 16 in-ear channels with the receiver
- Mute button after programming it
- Auto frequency lock function
- Enhanced AF frequency
- OLED display with automatic dimming, blue sync LED, red warning LED, and dedicated Escape button
- Transmitter shows battery life
Tech specs/details
| Range: | 330 ft |
| System: | Analog |
| Transmitter Battery/Life: | 8 hours/2 AA |
| Latency: | None for analog |
| Receiver/Transmitter Build: | Both Metal |
| Transmitter Type: | Bodypack |
| Receiver Type: | Rackmount |
| Frequency Range: | 470-558 MHz (AW+ band) |
| Frequency Response: | 25Hz-18kHz |
Pros
- Range
- Durable (Both transmitter and receiver made of metal)
- Incredibly reliable true diversity analog system using 3,520 frequencies to choose from
- Built-in sound check and equalizer mode
- Incredible frequency response 10Hz-20kHz (great for bass)
Cons
- Expensive at $849
- Needs AA disposable batteries
- Some countries require a license to use an analog system
- Low battery life (8 hours) compared to Shure GLXD14R (16 hours)
3. Line 6 G90
The Line 6 G90 is a high-quality rackmount digital wireless guitar system that operates in the 2.4 GHz globally unlicensed frequency band. It uses Line 6’s state-of-the-art “Virtual Wire Transmission” technology that lets you keep your full tone and audio clarity of any instrument you use. In other words, you will not hear a difference in your tone between a high-quality cable and this system.
One of the extra features this unit offers is its Cable Tone Simulator. According to reviews for the G90, the simulator actually works very well. There are 7 different cable lengths to choose from!
Reliability
Each of the Line 6 G90’s channels broadcast encrypted data over four different frequencies simultaneously. However, many musicians claim the G90 never cuts out while others say dropouts do occur.
Tone
The Line 6 G90 offers crystal clear clarity of sound with full bandwidth and zero compression. One of the most raved about features of the G90 is its ability to capture the exact tone of your instrument without a noticeable difference compared to a high-quality cable. It uses 24-bit A/D conversion with very low self-noise. The system’s very large frequency response of 10Hz-20kHz, the high dynamic range of 120dB, and a very low latency of 2.9ms is very impressive for a wireless in its price range. In short, the tone of your instrument is not an issue with the Line 6 G90.
Durability
The Line 6 G90’s receiver and transmitter are both made of rugged metal that is built to last. Metal units are significantly more “roadworthy” than plastic units. Your music equipment is consistently being tossed around when you are touring from state to state. Whether it is from the vehicle to stage, back into the vehicle, or being tossed around dancing on stage.
Most wireless transmitters are made of ABS plastic, significantly less road worthy than of a metal casing. A very overlooked important factor of metal vs. plastic housings is that plastic casing not only breaks easier, but there is a higher chance that the battery department will come loose while your playing. When that happens, your transmitter loses battery and shuts off.
Convenience
The Line 6 G90’s receiver is easily rack-mountable, which makes it automatically more convenient than the standard wireless guitar system that must be set up on top of your amp every show. Assuming that you already use a rackmount, this system will be very convenient for you to use.
This system is however less convenient than the Shure GLXD 14R considering its use of disposable batteries. Like mentioned earlier, consistent battery purchases become costly and annoying after a while.
Range
If your the musician that dances across the entire big stage or takes the solo into the crowd, the range becomes an essential factor. Luckily, the Line 6 G90 provides the highest amount of range for a digital wireless guitar system with 300 feet. This system gets 5 of 5 stars for range.
Features
- 14 Compatible channels
- Incorporates Line 6’s Virtual Wire Transmission technology for great dynamic response
- XLR output
- Each of its channels broadcasts encrypted data over four different frequencies simultaneously for secure transmission.
- Low noise system
- 300 feet of range
- Compander free for true tone
- High-quality 24-bit A/D conversion
- Rack-mountable
- Both receiver and transmitter pure metal
- The internal switching power supply works worldwide for touring musicians
- Cable tone simulation
- Compatible with active pickups
- Built-in antennas for more protection and less of an inconvenience
Tech specs/details
| Range: | 300 feet |
| System: | Digital |
| Transmitter Battery Type: | 2 AA |
| Battery Life: | 8 hours |
| Latency: | 2.9 ms |
| Dynamic Range: | 120dB |
| Receiver/Transmitter Build: | Both metal |
| Transmitter Type: | Bodypack |
| Receiver Type: | Rackmount |
| Frequency Range: | 2.4GHz |
| Frequency Response: | 10Hz-20kHz |
Pros
- Made of Metal for durability and longevity
- Rackmountable
- Zero tone loss
- Globally-unlicensed digital transmission
- The highest amount of range for a digital wireless guitar system
- The internal switching power supply works worldwide for touring musicians
- XLR output
- Incorporates Line 6’s Virtual Wire Transmission technology for great dynamic response
- Built-in antennas for more protection and less of an inconvenience
Cons
- Needs AA disposable batteries
- Many reviews claim dropouts occur, although some claim its rare, others claim frequently.
- Low battery life (8 hours) compared to Shure GLXD14R (16 hours)
- Many reviews claim the cable that comes with the system is of poor quality
- Few claim updating the firmware is difficult
Our Top Pick Of The 3 Systems
Out of the 3 best rackmount wireless guitar systems, our top pick is the Shure GLXD 14R for a few reasons. The reliability of the GLXD series is nearly unbeatable with little to no dropouts whatsoever. I am personally an owner of a GLXD system and I have never once experienced signal interference. Although the Sennheiser EW 500 is a reliable wireless system as well, the Shure GLXD 14R is a globally unlicensed digital wireless, much cheaper, and is much more convenient with its 16 hours of battery life using Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.