Lectrosonics SSM Digital Hybrid Wireless Miniature Transmitter (A1: 470.100 to 537.575 MHz)

When testing range (paired with the R400A receiver using its built-in whip antennas), I could not get it to drop out, even on the 25mW setting. I intentionally tuned it to a very noisy channel, took it a couple hundred feet away, and the signal was still solid (Also notable, this test was in a venue where a different wireless system by a reputable manufacturer was having issues and dropouts from all the RF noise, even though it was tuned to a clearer channel). During tests, it maintained a strong signal through several walls and everything. When unplugging the antennas from the receiver and walking it away, the audio quality would degrade when the signal dropped really low, but it was very difficult to get it to drop out--I had to walk it behind walls and bend the antenna of the SSM transmitter in order to get it to drop out momentarily--and this is with no antennas in the receiver! With the antennas in, I also couldn't get it to overload the receiver--even when touching the receiver & transmitter antennas together with the SSM on the 50mW setting. They've done some kind of magic with their RF systems...

Lectrosonics is very well known in the broadcast/film industry, but not as common in live/concert sound and I'm not sure why... We live sound folk tend to stay with Shure and Sennheiser when it comes to RF systems, but I hope that Lectrosonics becomes more commonplace for concert riders, because it sure deserves to be.

They've made their way more into the Broadway and Cirque du Soleil scene, and I believe theaters can really benefit from the size/quality/reliabilityof these--pair it with a Venue2 and you're golden.

They are priceythough, and, unfortunately, you probably won't be able to find it for less from any dealer since Lectrosonics has a unilateral pricing policy. But you get what you pay for.

• Tunable across a variety of frequency blocks

• Digital Hybrid Wireless® audio for compandor-free digital quality

• Selectable 10, 25 or 50 mW RF power (varies per model; see specfications)

• Compatibility modes for use with analog receivers

• 25 or 100 kHz tuning steps for up to 3072 selectable frequencies

• Wide range input gain control in 1 dB steps • Audio coupled remote control

Digital Hybrid Wireless® is a patented design that combines 24-bit digital audio with an analog FM radio link to provide outstanding audio quality and the extended operating range of the finest analog wireless systems. The design overcomes channel noise in a dramatically different way, digitally encoding the audio in the transmitter and decoding it in the receiver, yet still sending the encoded information via an analog FM wireless link. This proprietary algorithm is not a digital implementation of an analog compandor. Instead, it is a technique which can be accomplished only in the digital domain, even though the audio inputs and outputs are analog signals.

The battery cover is made of stainless steel for durability, and to preserve the thin wall thickness needed for a miniature design. The cover is hinged to the housing to simplify handling during battery changes. The belt clip slides over the end of the cover and is retained by tabs on the cover that nest into holes on the clip. Secure latches on the battery cover prevent accidental opening, yet are easy to operate. Also on the bottom panel, a USB port makes firmware updates quick and easy.

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Power is provided by a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. Spring contacts inside the compartment keep the batteries from rattling and provide reliable electrical contacts. The stainless steel battery door latches securely and cannot be jarred open accidentally.

The membrane switch panel and LCD enable access to all adjustments and settings. The menu structure is easy to navigate. Battery status is indicated by a bi-color LED that is green with a fresh battery, then turns to red as the battery runs down, and finally starts blinking red when there are only a few minutes of runtime remainin

The dual envelope “soft” limiter provides exceptionally good handling of transients using variable attack and release time constants. Once activated, the limiter compresses 30+ dB of transmitter input range into 4.5 dB of receiver output range, thus reducing the measured figure for SNR without limiting by 4.5 dB.

Frequencies are selectable in 100 kHz or 25 kHz steps across a maximum tuning range of 76.7 MHz, which yields a total of 3,072 available frequencies across three standard frequency blocks. The servo bias input accepts mic or line level signals with a wide range of gain adjustment in 1 dB steps. The limiter in the preamp can cleanly handle signal peaks over 30 dB above full modulation, allowing the input gain to be set high enough to achieve the maximum signal to noise ratio, yet provide protection against input overload. Accurate LED indications on the keypad allow precise gain adjustments to be made for the maximum signal-to-noise ratio and minimum distortion.

Compatibility with earlier analog Lectrosonics receivers, Lectrosonics IFB receivers and some receivers from other manufacturers is provided by DSP emulation modes selected in the LCD menu.

-MS