[saxguy007]

Hi folks,

Based on recommendations here, I picked up a new but open-box Samson Airline 77 wind instrument wireless mic setup.

I noticed that after setting up with fresh batteries and testing it out (with my QSC K8 powered speaker), that even with the signal input knob (at left) jacked to the max, that playing at a mezzo-forte to forte-level on my tenor only illuminated the left mic input indicator one LED from the left.

The only way I can get the mic-volume-signal indicator it to that "0" sweet spot is if I actually SPEAK into the mic, with the mic VERY close to my lips. The signal just DIES abruptly if I move the mic 4-5 inches away from my lips. Is this likely a defective mic, or is the system just set up for low gain due to the presumption of loud instruments.

I would think that mezzo forte at the bell of the sax in a long tone should get the left-most signal indicator to the optimum, maybe with the gain set half-way or something.

 

[hakukani]

The transmitter has a small screw that if turned clockwise will increase the gain.

 

[swperry1]

Do you have a phantom power supply? If you are running it through any effects, it needs to be before any pedals or anything like that (receiver->pre-amp->effects->powered speaker).

I had one of these a while back and returned it to Musician's Friend within their 45 day period because it was just hard to get a consistently good sound without messing with it all the time.

 

[saxguy007]

The transmitter has a small screw that if turned clockwise will increase the gain.

Thanks Hak, but I see no such screw, nor does the owner's manual booklet describe any adjusting screw on the bell-transmitter itself. THere's only a squelch screw on the front of the receiver, which of course has no effect on the sound volume registering on the audio meter.

 

[hakukani]

Thanks Hak, but I see no such screw, nor does the owner's manual booklet describe any adjusting screw on the bell-transmitter itself. THere's only a squelch screw on the front of the receiver, which of course has no effect on the sound volume registering on the audio meter.

If you open the battery compartment, there is a hole just above the battery compartment. This is where you insert the screwdriver.

 

[William Bua]

Thanks Hak!!
I was having the exact same issue.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

Hmm. My Airline 77 is more than 10 years old. Its little receiver has a gain knob on it that I have to set all the way over. I've never had a problem but I assume the newer models -- especially the receiver -- are different. So I just downloaded the manual for the transmitter and the different receivers. It says, "Turn the Volume, Level or AF Level knob on the receiver completely counterclockwise." That's when setting up. In order for it to work, you have to then turn the knob all the way clockwise.

The manual says, "Make sure that the AH1 transmitter is unmuted (its Mute switch should be positioned away from the arrrow). Then set the Volume, Level or AF Level knob on the receiver fully clockwise; this is unity gain."

Then it says, "Play the instrument to which the horn mic is attached at a normal performance level while slowly raising the volume of your amplifier and/or mixer until the desired level is reached."

 

[saxguy007]

If you open the battery compartment, there is a hole just above the battery compartment. This is where you insert the screwdriver.

Yep. Thanks! That seems to have solved it. At max clockwise on the hidden screw, a sustained, fairly loud note now gets me a solid three bars, with flickers to the sweet spot of "0" unity at the moment of attack of a note.

Now the issue is that this is capturing every nuance of the fuzz/breath of my tone, and I wonder if I'll need to dial it back down, even though the manual says that the audio meter should hit 0. Also, the sound capture, at least played back on my K8, sounds really trebly.

I remain surprised that the manual booklet made no mention of this secret adjustment screw and aperature. I wonder if the reason it was "open box" was that someone bought it, realized that it worked "sort of," but too faintly and returned it.

 

[hakukani]

After following the instructions, it is sometimes necessary to follow the sound guy's caveat: 'twist dials and move sliders around until it sounds good'.

 

[saxguy007]

After following the instructions, it is sometimes necessary to follow the sound guy's caveat: 'twist dials and move sliders around until it sounds good'.

While I know I can test this out empirically, I'm just wondering if there is any acoustic reason why backing off the gain (as controlled by that hidden adjuster) might capture more tone and less breath and reed sucking and bell key clicking. Would something to try be more like adjusting where I position the mic on its flexible stalk thing-y relative to the opening of the bell? Like maybe not pointing straight down in?

 

[hakukani]

There are several mic positions that work well. Straight down the bell is, IMO, not the best. I like either just above the top lip of the bell, pointing between the hands, or on the front side of the bell aimed between the hands.

You'll always get some key noise, but it should be masked by the other instruments or backing tracks.

 

[alexbear]

Thanks. It was very helpful information.

 

[FredCDobbs]

If you open the battery compartment, there is a hole just above the battery compartment. This is where you insert the screwdriver.

I've been using mine for over a year, and didn't know about this adjustment. Thanks Hak!

I've been able to get rid of key noise by turning down the knob on the receiver and having our sound guy then crank up the gain on the amp.

Be careful about inadvertently swinging your left hand over the top of the bell after a song. I hit the transmitter and it landed on the floor, sans the clip. Used a conventional mic the rest of the gig, and super-glued/duck taped one of those strong paper clasps to the transmitter the next day. It works fine, and is probably more durable than the original, but I wish it had not happened.

 

[kravinsax]

Ive been having another issue with my 77. Seems everytime I connect into a PA and start to play Ill get a good sound for a few minutes and then ALL HE#*! Breaks loose and I get loud white noise through the PA......I cannot use the mic, afraid Ill blow someones PA speakers. Any thoughts ideas about whats going on here???

 

[hakukani]

Ive been having another issue with my 77. Seems everytime I connect into a PA and start to play Ill get a good sound for a few minutes and then ALL HE#*! Breaks loose and I get loud white noise through the PA......I cannot use the mic, afraid Ill blow someones PA speakers. Any thoughts ideas about whats going on here???

Are you on a legal frequency?

 

[MartinMusicMan]

Are you on a legal frequency?

Sounds like you're on the same channel with local law enforcement or emergency responders.

 

[kravinsax]

Sounds like you're on the same channel with local law enforcement or emergency responders.

So, not the most tech savvy guy here, how do I resolve this?

 

[harmonizerNJ]

Ive been having another issue with my 77. Seems everytime I connect into a PA and start to play Ill get a good sound for a few minutes and then ALL HE#*! Breaks loose and I get loud white noise through the PA......I cannot use the mic, afraid Ill blow someones PA speakers. Any thoughts ideas about whats going on here???

I've had this exact symptom occur with my Samson 77 when the battery got weak in the transmitter.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

kravinsax, is your Airline 77 a new model? If so, it's on legal frequencies and your problem is not caused by being on another responder's frequency. If it's an old model, you're on an illegal frequency and you can't change the frequency.

 

[Fader]

After following the instructions, it is sometimes necessary to follow the sound guy's caveat: 'twist dials and move sliders around until it sounds good'.

This is the best answer I've ever read regarding the operation of sound reinforcement and effects....