What’s new at Zystrix? Read on… May 12, 2025 The Best Wireless Systems for the Metal Guitarist In the last issue we looked at the second installment of the most bang-for-the-buck guitar cables (click here for a refresher). This time we’re looking for the best guitar wireless system for the least amount of money. So sit back and relax. Welcome to Zystrix, the heartbeat of the universe. Where creativity and free- thinking have more value than conformity. Background Artwork The colorful artwork that surrounds the edges of this website is invisible to many cell phone users. It’s included here for your enjoyment. Multiple copies are tiled together for a cohesive and seamless background seen all around this page. Enjoy. Introduction to Wireless Guitar Systems Wireless guitar systems have changed a lot since the early inceptions of a walkie-talkie microphone input sending guitar pickup signals over the air. And some of the later ones had features that improved the guitar tone with a slightly boosted signal. Angus Young of AC/DC had one like that (Schaffer-Vega), and an early Sampson model had a very similar feature that sounded quite good, or at least it did for me. Modern systems have improved to the point of becoming indistinguishable from a wired connection. We live in an excellent time for wireless guitars. This listing is going to lean more heavily toward digital wireless systems because they usually have less interference. And with digital the chances of being on stage with others interfering with your signal is less. Digital is not cheaper, but it’s more reliable. And the more wireless systems that are on stage at once means the more digital comes into play. Digital also has more latency than analog, but the latency is only about 2-3 milliseconds whereas analog usually has none. However, this is not an issue with digital systems unless it is added with other pedals, computers, or multiple gear that adds even more latency. Then it can become a noticeable problem, so relax and take this into consideration. And the more frequency options (range) you have the better because this tends to avoid dropouts and glitches. The range 2.4 GHz is crowded and could possibly let you down in a pinch, so fore-warned is fore-armed. And unlike other gear, digital sounds more natural in wireless systems. It’s not magic, what we’re trying to do here is avoid gear that ruins an otherwise perfect gig. That’s about as worthless as bug-splat. There are a few important things to remember when purchasing a wireless system: transmission range of use (more distance is better), battery life (get 5+ hours) and type (removable is better), active vs passive pickups needed (some systems don’t accept active guitar pickups), which frequency the system operates on (try to avoid 2.4 GHz but keep one on hand just in case), latency time (more is worse), and a battery life indicator (so you’ll know when to recharge). And there you have it, so here we go. THE FINE PRINT: We never use affiliate links to monetize this website. Unlike most music websites, Zystrix never receives any commission on any gear or software you may purchase via a link on this website. Ever. This keeps our reviews dead honest, removes financial conflicts of interest, and also helps keep your price of gear lower. The Best Wireless Guitar Systems Ammoon Ammoon makes an affordable 5.8 GHz wireless guitar system that’s easy to setup with a 5-hour run time per charge. It features 4 channels, easy setup, rechargeable batteries, and greater than 50 feet (about 15 meters) available distance. It also comes in black or artificial wood. Unfortunately the political trade-winds are still uncertain, but last I checked these are going for $57.42 USA. Click here to learn more or purchase the Ammoon 5.8 GHz wireless guitar system. AMMOON SPECIAL NOTE There is also a cheaper Ammoon 2.4 GHz version available for about $39.00, and this is the only 2.4GHz version you’ll find in this list. Lekato WS-50 Lekato is another very affordable 5.8GHz wireless system, and it features a very simple design. It’s basically plug it in and go. It comes with a transmitter and receiver (of course), a recharging cable, and an owner’s manual. The frequency response is roughly 10 Hz to 22 Khz, with a very low total harmonic distortion of about .02%. The latency is somewhere around 5 ms which is a little high, but this amount is doable because latency starts to be noticeable at about 10ms. The batteries will slowly lose their charge over time, so the company says to charge them about every two months. Click here to learn more or to order the Lekato WS-50 5.8GHz wireless system $49.99 USA. Xvive U2 The case is included, and 2 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are included, and the USB-C cable to charge the system is included. The company says the batteries last about 5 hours. There is a battery charge indicator so it’s easy to tell when it’s time to recharge. Unfortunately this unit does not work with active guitar pickups. I’d be wary of the 2.4 GHz range, but the unit seems to get good reviews. Click here to learn more or purchase an Xvive U2 system for about $154.90 USA. Nux C 5RC This unit is easy to use and features a long battery life. It’s also reliable, 5.8GHz, and has a clear sound quality. It comes with a sturdy case that can simultaneously charge both wireless units. Nice. Click here to learn more or to purchase a Nux C 5RC wireless system for about $179.00 USA. Fender Telepath Here’s yet another 5.8GHz frequency range guitar wireless system. It’s got excellent signal quality and a long battery life. It also fits a wide variety of guitars including (surprise) a Stratocaster. It even has a handy- dandy transmitter-mounted slider switch for passive and active pickups. And the jacks are easy to tell apart because the black is the transmitter and the blue is the receiver. You can also sync up to three transmitters with one receiver, so up to three of your favorite guitars can transmit to one receiver. Excellent. Click here to learn more or to order the Fender Telepath JW-06 wireless system for about $199.99 USA. Shure BLX14R instrument wireless Here’s a great wireless system that costs a little more but does a superior job. And it’s good for microphones, guitars, basses, and many others. It scans the environment for an open frequency and locks in. It also has a LCD display for detailed RF and audio metering, and an adjustable output level for driving a tube amp, if needed. The antennas are removable and so are the batteries for super convenience. This is a versatile and excellent wireless system that would probably work anywhere. Click here to learn more or to order the Shure BLXR14 wireless system for about $329.00 USA. Sennheiser Wireless EW-D digital The dynamic range is an impressive 134dB. UHF transmission dramatically increases range and reliability. There are 2,240 selectable frequencies on the 56MHz bandwidth. These systems are highly scalable allowing for up to 90 channels of audio per wireless network. Sync and Auto Scan options make it straightforward to connect. Connect to the Evolution Digital Wireless receiver via Bluetooth using the free Sennheiser Smart Assist app for Android and iOS, and you’ve got a wealth of configuration and monitoring tools right at your fingertips. A pair of rechargeable AA batteries nets you up to eight hours of wireless operation. Click here to learn more or to order the Sennheiser EW-D wireless system. About $491.00 plus $9.50 shipping USA. Conclusion -- Wireless Guitar Systems for the Metal Guitarist There is no real way to get out of paying good money for a reliable wireless system. However, if you are on a budget (and who isn’t anymore) you could purchase a cheap 2.4GHz system and a cheap 5.8GHz system (less than $100 USA total) and when one has too much interference in the environment simply switch to the other system. Most of the time you’ll probably never have to switch, but you’ll be prepared if it’s ever a problem. Or just get the Shure or the Sennheiser. I hope this wireless guitar system listing has given you enough information to make a worthwhile buying decision. Don’t touch that dial… Stay tuned next time… Well, that’s it for the wireless guitar system discussion. Maybe next time we’ll look at guitar strings for the metal guitarist and try to narrow it down to just a few brands. Also, Dangerous Neighbors will have another solo piano tune download called Followed by Shadows. There will also be a sneak peak preview on “Farcebook” next week. Maybe I’ll see you then. I can remember when emojis were called petroglyphs. Knowledge, art, and music for all.
Zystrix = a source, shaman, or library disseminating secret or lost knowledge, art, or music.
ZYSTRIX POPULAR FREE DOWNLOADS The Best Free Synthesizers of 2024 It’s another epic issue, and there’s lots of FREE downloads here. And the Honorable Mention Synthesizer List might surprise you. This list is long, so prepare yourself. And if it seems like too much to take in, I warned you. Click here for the official list of The Best Free Synthesizers of 2024. The Best Free Mastering Plugins Your DAW (digital audio workstation) will be so happy. And so will you. Here are the best of the best for EQ, compression, limiting, tube and tape emulation, reverb, delay, and honorable mentions. This list is a must have with lots of downloads. Check out The Best FREE Plugins for Mastering 2024. Here’s a free download of almost one and a half hours of original neo-classical solo piano by Dangerous Neighbors. This full length album called Piano Top to Bottom consists of 18 original piano pieces with the final piece in two movements. There is a bonus track making 20 files total. This download comes in three format options: the first option is a single file MP3 containing all the tunes in one chunk similar to tape recordings. The second download option is a folder with all of the separate MP3 piano pieces named and arranged in album order similar to a CD or MP3 player. The third download option is similar to videos found on “ZooTube” with the names and times on the screen. There is also a fourth surprise version made only for “ZooTube” and it is edited down to less than 15 minutes long because of their telephone number required rule. Basically it just guides the listener here. To download any or all of these options simply click here. Enjoy. Free Guitar Cabinet Impulse Responses Introducing the next generation in guitar cabinet impulse responses. Try the new Djammincabs Maxxx 4x12. All of these cab IR files are based on old, new, and boutique 4x12 cab curves. All are recorded in beautiful 24-bit 48K mono and will work on most free and paid digital convolvers. Hear the guitar IR breathe fire with pure attitude. Don’t be suckered in with high-dollar sales pitches, there ain’t no guitar IR downloads better than these. Choose from many cab sound recording styles: cone, edge, angled, arm away, inside cab, back of cab, or back of room. Djammincabs is the world leader in guitar cab IR invention -- no other guitar IR company can imitate these. Djammincabs Maxxx 4x12 makes it easier for you to design your own personalized sound -- even your own Metal IR pack. If you can’t find a cabinet or combination you like here, then you don’t like 4x12 cabinets. This guitar IR download also includes a Tactical Munitions Manual with suggested uses and detailed cab combinations. This is the best free guitar impulse download available anywhere. Djammincabs Maxxx 4x12 “Murder Your Competition.” I feel brave. I want to try them now. Here’s my email... Djammincabs for Guitar Free Guitar Impulse Responses This is the original Djammincabs guitar cabinet impulse response collection that started it all. Click here to download over 200 Free Guitar Cabinet Impulse Responses. Djammincabs for Bass Guitar Download Free Bass Impulse Responses Click here to download over 200 Free Bass Guitar Cabinet Impulse Responses. Best Free Guitar Impulses. The Top 11 Best Free Guitar and Bass Cabinet Impulse Responses for 2022 (in alphabetical order…) Find, download, and test the best free guitar cabinet impulse responses for 2022. FREE BASS LOOPS SAMPLES DOWNLOAD ROYALTY FREE BASS LOOP SAMPLES FREE BASS LOOPS Over 200 samples are included in the collection Download the complete collection of 24-bit bass loops here. NOTE: This download size is approximately 369 Megs. Free Pendulate Synthesizer Presets Original Newfangled Audio Pendulate synth patches/presets Click here to download over 240 Free Pendulate Synth Presets (patches) Synapse Audio Dune Synthesizer Download Over 200 Free Synapse Audio Dune 2 and Dune 3 Synthesizer Patches and Presets Click here to download over 200 FREE Synapse Audio Dune 2 or Dune 3 synthesizer patches or presets. NOTE: This synth patch download is slightly over 1 Meg in size. Free Reverb Impulse Responses This is our most popular download page. Choose from hundreds available in 48K 24 bit WAV format including many new original reverbs. CabSpace Over 400 Guitar Isolation Booth Reverbs Download over 400 Free Zystrix Original Reverb Impulse Responses, and over 200 Free Zystrix Original BONUS Reverb Impulse Responses. Download all the Alesis MIDIVerb 4 reverb impulse responses. Download all the Lexicon MPX-1 reverb impulse responses. Download all the Alesis Wedge reverb impulse responses. Download over 50 Reverb Relics from the past including oil cans. Click here to download free reverb impulse responses. Free Drum Samples Only Available from Zystrix Free Gong Samples and Sounds Free Snare Drum Samples and Sounds Free Bass Drum Samples and Sounds Free Oriental Cymbal Samples and Sounds Free Oriental Bells Samples and Sounds The Ultimate Original Drum Sounds List Download over 2000 original slammin’ rock bass drums. Download original Gongs, Cymbals, Broken Cymbals, and Bells. Download Over 200 Free Original Bass Drum Sounds and Samples. Download over 200 Original Free snare drum sounds. Click here to download Drum Kit Sounds. Dangerous Neighbors The SW Michigan Rock Band Power Trio. Free Rockin’ Music Downloads Download tunes from the 80s to today. Use the special codes on the Embalmed for Life page (see the DOWNLOAD FREE AUDIO BOOKS link below) and get free downloads for the complete album and the free horror audio book The Fluid - Embalmed for Life. Click here to download various music from the rock band Dangerous Neighbors. Download Free Synth Samples for Intros, Interludes, and Endings Listen to example #01 by clicking here (MP3 Sample) Download FREE professional quality stereo sample packs that slowly evolve over time. All samples are in 48K 24 bit WAV format and are about 20 seconds long or more. If you like suspense, psycho, outer space, or terror then this collection is for you. These range from paranoia to sci-fi, cinematic gore to strange industrial horror, and creepy creatures to insane laboratories. Click here to download all the synth Intros, Interludes, and Endings. DOWNLOAD FREE AUDIO BOOKS The Fluid, Embalmed for Life There are Free Audio Book codes for Audible downloads (must sign up). There are also free sample downloads of the book reading. There are free downloads of music samples. There is a free “Look Inside” download of the paperback. There is a free glossary of the largest list of mortuary slang in the world. The Free Dangerous Neighbors Album The Fluid, Embalmed for Life comes included as part of the audio book and parts are available here as a free download. The paperback book is available for sale at Amazon dot com. I have no control over these sales; because of the Amazon agreement I cannot offer complete paperback or complete audio books here. And for some reason most book sales go to Japan. Who would have thunk it? Click here for free audio books, book reading samples, music samples, etc. Take me back to the top of the page. Zystrix Privacy Policy THE FINE PRINT: Zystrix is a world leader in personal privacy and we take your privacy very seriously. We do not store, sell, give away, or barter with any of your personal or private information including your email, IP address, links clicked, location, habits, tastes, online activities and behaviors, or anything else considered personal or private information. We never have. Zystrix is not and has never been a participant in any advertising program including but not limited to the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Sweetwater, Reverb, or any other affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees from readers by click-through advertising and linking to the aforementioned or any other companies. Zystrix does not allow companies like Doubleclick, Clickbank, Zedo, Linkbucks, Hubspot or any other related clandestine personal privacy internet problems to occupy space or have any presence on or in the Zystrix website. Zystrix does not and has never used Google Analytics, therefore this site is not required to have those annoying cookie agreement popups. Zystrix has no links associated with the sale or offer of any products, and we do not allow this. Unlike so many other websites similar to this one, this Zystrix privacy policy keeps our reviews dead honest, cuts out any unnecessary middle man, and keeps this website free from cookies and the influences of Google and the many other unethical purveyors of your digital exhaust and personal information. Open source, private, and honest. It’s our mantra.