How To Set Up A Wireless Guitar System (all versions)

Not all wireless guitar systems are created equal, as a matter of fact, none of them are. In terms of signal strength, tonality, range, battery life, build, and of course, Setting up the wireless guitar system.

Each with slightly different specifics, there are four ways overall to set up your wireless guitar system depending on the type of receiver it comes with. There are four different types of receivers for wireless guitar systems; Rackmount, Table Top, Pedal, and Combination Plug receivers. Each of these receivers all has a different way of setting up your wireless guitar system.

A wireless guitar system comes with 2 parts.

• Transmitter- Unit attached to your guitar/strap
• Receiver-  Unit that attaches to pedalboard/amp/on top of amp/Rackmount

Here are all the wireless guitar systems separated in 4 categories depending on the type of receiver you are using, along with specifics for setting up each unit. 

Table Top (Receiver)

A TableTop receiver is essentially a box or rectangular figure that’s typically put on top of your amplifier. However, some TableTop receivers are small enough to fit in your pedalboard. That choice is up to you. Some Table Top receivers are larger than others in which it may be more efficient to put on top of your amplifier.

I used to own a line 6 G10, and it fit perfectly in my pedalboard. Most Tabletop receivers are charged by a Dc power supply that comes with the system making it convenient to attach to your pedalboard. A USB cable charges a select few TableTop receivers.

Setup Steps (Table Top) 

1. Place Receiver On Top of the amp or attach to the pedalboard.
2. Charge Receiver – via wall plug or pedalboard power supply.
3. Charge transmitter – via Batteries, USB, or receiver port depending on your wireless system.
4. Once charged, attach Transmitter to Instrument
5. Turn on Receiver and Transmitter (line 6 G10 automatically turns on when plugged in) 
6. Select the same channel for both units (some are auto select)
7. Play (;

List of Wireless Systems with Table Top Receivers, along with Charging/Frequency Connection Details.

Combination Plug Receiver

A Combination Plug Receiver is basically a plug with a quarter-inch attached in which you plug directly into your Amplifier or pedalboard. When Plugging directly into your pedalboard, be sure to connect it in the input of the last pedal on your board just like you would plug in the cord from your instrument.

Most combination receivers/transmitters are charged by micro USB that comes with the system. These systems are generally easy to operate. Most of these systems you must manually link the channel from the receiver to transmitter.

Setup Steps (Combination Plug)

1. Make sure receiver and transmitter are fully charged via USB/Batteries
2. Once charged plug Transmitter into the instrument.
3. Plug Receiver into the amp or your pedalboard (where you usually plug cable attached to amp into the pedalboard)  
4. Turn on Receiver and Transmitter (Boss WL-50 transmitter auto turns on when plugged in the instrument 
5. Select the same channel for both units/unless it’s auto
6. Play (;

Pedal Receivers

A wireless system with a Pedal Receiver is generally attached directly to your pedalboard as if it were a pedal. If you don’t have a pedalboard it can be put on top of your amp or really anywhere you decide is best. It’s most convenient use is on a pedalboard because the receiver is powered by a 9-volt power supply just like any other pedal is powered.

Some of the receivers, like the Shure GLXD 16, and Line 6 Relay G70 can act as a tuner as well. In my opinion, these wireless systems are the most convenient for musicians who gig often. The transmitters are usually charged by USB, or some take AA batteries. Will specify for each one below.

Example video of setting up a pedal receiver wireless guitar system. (Shure GLXD 16)

Setup Steps (Pedal Receivers)

1. Attach Receiver to Pedal Board 
2. Attach Receiver to nearby Pedal using patch cable
3. Charge Receiver – via DC to wall or DC to the power supply used for your other pedals. (this works just like a pedal) 
4. Charge transmitter – via Batteries, USB, or receiver port depending on your wireless system.
5. Once charged, attach Transmitter to Instrument
6. Make Sure Receiver and Transmitter are turned on
7. Select the same channel for both units (some are auto select)
8. Play (;

Rackmount Receivers

Rackmount receivers can either be rack-mounted or placed o top of an amp. Many Receivers that are considered Rackmounts have very little difference to a Table Top receiver in which you place it on top of an amplifier.

Setup Steps (Rackmount)

1. Place Receiver on top of an amp or attach to Rackmount
2. Charge Receiver – via wall plug 
3. Charge transmitter – via Batteries, USB, or receiver port depending on your wireless system.
4. Once charged, attach Transmitter to Instrument
5. Turn on Receiver and Transmitter
6. Select the same channel for both units (some are auto select)
7. Play (;

To Sum It Up

Whether you get a Table Top, Combination Plug, Pedal, or rackmount Receiver for your wireless guitar system, they all have the same general steps. To make it simple, make sure both units are charged; the transmitter is plugged in guitar; the receiver is plugged in pedalboard or amp; both units are on; both units are on the same channel; PLAY (; 

The rest is up to you on which type of wireless system you want. I typically recommend the wireless guitar system with the Pedal Receiver. It’s very convenient, and depending on the kind you get, it can be just as reliable of a high-grade rackmount receiver.

The wireless guitar system I personally use and always recommend for touring and live performance is the Shure GLXD 16. It has never let me down.

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