Wireless microphones are useful in a variety of settings, and while some systems are more specialized toward musician and club use, others have features that make the installation of multiple channels easier. The WX100 Series from CAD Audio was developed as a comprehensive system that includes transmitters in various formats, antenna distribution, and several mounting options. With this system, a couple of channels can be used standalone if desired, or a larger-scale wireless solution could be professionally installed into equipment racks.
System Overview
The WX100 is an analog UHF system, and operates in the 650-670 MHz band; CAD Audio expects to make more bands available in the future. The system is frequency-agile, offering 16 coordinated frequencies. Up to 11 channels can be used together within one band, depending on local RF conditions.
The receiver is in a half-rack format, and two can be joined together for rack mounting. Transmitters include a handheld, a bodypack, and a desk/podium station with a gooseneck mic. The bodypack supports lavalier and headset microphones or a quarter-inch instrument cable. An antenna distribution unit is also available, able to feed four receivers from one set of antennas.
Articulating half-wave antennas are provided with the receiver, and two other remote antennas are available. In addition, a drop-in battery charger is offered, so that NiMH rechargeable batteries do not have to be removed from the bodypack before charging. The system ships with rack ears, joining plate, and screws so that everything you need for mounting is in the box.
Operating in the mid-UHF band, and with a relatively high (50 mW) transmitter output, the system has considerable range. Using the handheld for a walk test, and recording the output of the receiver, I walked for a distance of at least 500 feet and not until the last did I detect a few minor dropouts in the audio—and the receiver was using the standard antennas and was located inside a house.
WX100 receiver
The half-rack receiver has a pragmatic front-panel layout, with a pair of LEDs to indicate whether antenna A or B of the diversity system is currently active, as well as LEDs to show RF and audio signal received from the transmitter. A two-digit LED numeral display depicts the current channel, 01 to 16, and is coupled with two small buttons to increment the display up and down—one channel per push. A rotary control adjusts the receiver's output level, and an on/off switch rounds out the controls.
The rear panel is similarly sparse. Audio output is via balanced XLR and unbalanced quarter-inch connectors. A recessed RF squelch pot to adjust the receiver's sensitivity may be accessed as necessary using a small screwdriver. The DC power input connects to the supplied external power supply. BNC antenna connectors are placed on the outer edges for the supplied antennas, and also can be used with the DA100 antenna distribution amplifier—each of which can support up to four receivers.
As soon as the channel button is pushed to go to the next channel, the current channel is disabled and the receiver stabilizes over approximately two seconds to the next channel. There is no lock to prevent changing channels, so the receivers should be kept away from curious hands. The supplied rack ears are designed to position the receivers in three different positions, including one where the front panels can be recessed behind the rack rail and covered with an opaque or clear rack panel.
The rack ears are pre-drilled with D cutouts to accommodate BNC connectors, so that the antennas may be brought to the front of the rack. One long and one short rack ear are provided so a single unit may be mounted, or two may be mounted side-by-side, and connected with the linking plate that attaches to the bottom between the units.
I walked for a distance of at least 500 feet and not until the last did I detect a few minor dropouts in the audio
WX155 bodypack transmitter
The bodypack transmitter is designed for use with a variety of inputs, including lavalier mics, headset mics, and instrument cables. The connection is via a TA4F connector. Frequency response is specified at 25 Hz to 15 kHz to accommodate the ranges of instruments as well as voices. The system uses standard analog FM modulation, with a transmitter output of 50 mW.
It is powered with two AA batteries and efficiently provides over 10 hours of operation on a pair of alkalines. NiMH rechargeable batteries may also be used, and an internal software setting toggles between alkaline and NiMH. Two contacts at the bottom of the bodypack allow rechargeable batteries to be charged with the BPC1 drop-in charger, and a barrel connector input on the side allows charging via the HCC1 plug-in charger.
A flush-mounted on/off pushbutton is on the upper side of the transmitter. A quick press will turn it on, and a press and hold for two seconds turns it off, to prevent accidental turnoff. The transmitter takes a couple of seconds to link with the receiver and begin transmitting audio. The top of the bodypack features a sliding mute switch to attenuate the audio while maintaining the RF link.
The high-impact ABS-molded case feels solid and durable, with the battery compartment and controls area concealed behind a hinged door that is quite secure but not difficult to open. Small “set,” up, and down buttons in a recessed area access the menu selections shown on the LCD screen. With these buttons, the user can set channels to match the receiver, select battery type, and view the battery level. To change a setting, go to the relevant view, press and hold the “set” button for two seconds to highlight the parameter, increment with the up and down buttons, and then hold “set” again to select. The buttons are small, so they are best accessed with a fingernail or the end of a pen.
Two recessed rotary level pots are provided, one marked GT for instruments and the other marked MT for microphones. These are used to adjust the level of the particular mic or instrument into the transmitter, so that the maximum modulation without distortion can be set. The maximum input level for microphones is -6dBV, and for instruments is +6dBV.
The spring-wire bodypack clip holds securely,and appears to be durable and protected from breakage. A model 301 cardioid condenser is supplied along with the bodypack transmitter.
WX150 handheld transmitter
The handheld transmitter is also of high-impact ABS, and is well balanced and not overly heavy. It is nicely tapered toward the center of the handle for comfort and a secure grip. An on/off slide switch and an LCD display are the only visible controls and indicators on the side of the handle.
At the base of the unit, four micro-buttons are placed within a recessed area, for set, lock, and up and down. There is also a connection for the HCC1 charger, so that NiMH batteries can be charged without removing them from the handheld.
The user can set channels, select alkaline or rechargeable batteries, and choose one of four microphone sensitivity settings to add attenuation or gain to match the voice of the microphone user. The levels available are -6, 0, +3, and +6dB. The “lock” control prevents the other buttons from making changes. The location of the “set” button adjacent to the outer ring of the base made it a bit more difficult to hold the button for the required two seconds so that parameters could be changed; however, this location will also prevent accidental activation.
It is powered with two AA batteries and efficiently provides over 10 hours of operation on a pair of alkalines.
The WX150 features a dynamic cardioid mic head, with a specified frequency response of 80 Hz to 15 kHz. The entire head unit can be unthreaded so that other mic heads using a center contact and two concentric circle contacts can be substituted if desired. Frequency response is full with moderate proximity effect in close, lip-touching use, and retains the natural and full sound up to an inch or so away from the head. It appears that this mic was designed for close use, as the level attenuates fairly rapidly at greater distances. The polar control of the mic element is good, with significant and consistent attenuation at the sides and rear.
WX160 DESK STAND TRANSMITTER
Offering a complementary transmitter in a desktop format expands the possibilities of the WX100 wireless system, allowing a gooseneck mic to be placed on a podium, lectern, or conference table wirelessly. The WX160 desk stand is well thought out, pleasing in its appearance, and has sufficient heft to stay stable on a surface.
The control surface is mounted within a tapered metal chassis and offers a momentary “talk” button conveniently located in the front, followed by a lock toggle button that keeps the audio open. A blue backlight illuminates the status of the buttons so the user knows when they are active.
In the center of the surface, an LCD screen with up, down, and “set” buttons allows setup of the transmitter and also displays the channel and frequency; it also toggles to show battery level. Settings include battery type, channel, and the turn-on status of the “lock” button. Set to power talk (PWRTALK), the mic will be active whenever the transmitter is turned on. The illuminated “lock” button must be pushed to disable the mic and pushed again to re-enable it. PWRMUTE keeps the mic muted when the transmitter is turned on, and then the user can choose to press “lock” to keep the mic active or use the momentary “talk” button, as desired.
An XLR connector at the top rear of the desk stand accommodates a gooseneck microphone. CAD Audio offers the Astatic 915B or 920B cardioid gooseneck condenser mics, with 15-inch and 20-inch lengths, respectively. The mic positions well on the stand, and in practice functions well for the majority of spoken word and conference applications. The gooseneck mics are sold separately from the desktop transmitter.
The rear panel of the stand features an on/off switch and also a covered area with additional connectors and controls. An XLR connector coupled with a gain control is paralleled with the gooseneck microphone connector, allowing the microphone audio to be directed via an attached mic cable to an additional mixer or other audio device for backup/failsafe purposes. The XLR can also be used as an AUX input so that program audio can be introduced into the transmitter to accompany the gooseneck microphone audio, and be transmitted to the receiver.
The transmitter runs on two AA batteries that reside in a battery compartment on the bottom of the unit. When NiMH rechargeables are used, a switch coupled with a DC input allows the batteries to be charged in the unit using the supplied power supply.
CONCLUSIONS AND PRICING
The CAD Audio WX100 wireless system offers reliable, proven analog FM transmission technology in a straightforward, easy-to-use package. Being frequency agile, setup of multiple channels is simple. And all of the components that are necessary for a successful installation, ranging from rack-mount receiver hardware to a variety of transmitters to antenna distribution, are available either in the box or as an option.
System pricing is in the mid-range, making a multi-channel system affordable. For example, either the handheld or bodypack system with a transmitter and receiver lists at $616 and has a street price in the $500 range. The desktop transmitter with all its features lists for $398.
