Description
The BLX288/PG58 Dual Channel Handheld Wireless System is part of the Dual Channel Handheld wireless systems family.
Shure BLX®, Wireless Systems combine professional-quality sound with simple setup and an intuitive interface for legendary audio performance right out of the box. Precision-built and available in a variety of configurations, it&rsquo,s the most accessible way to own the stage.
Includes 2 PG58 handheld transmitters, BLX88 dual-channel receiver, 2 microphone clips, power supply, 4 AA batteries, and user guide.
System Components
Note: Your system comes with a combination of the following components.
- BLX1 Bodypack Transmitter
- BLX2 Handheld Transmitter (choice of SM58, BETA58A, or PG58)
- BLX4 Wireless Receiver
- BLX88 Dual Wireless Receiver
- PS24 Power Supply
- Lavalier microphone (choice of CVL, WL185 or WL93)
- Headworn microphone (choice of PGA31, SM31FH or SM35)
- MX153 Earset microphone
- Instrument microphone (BETA98H/C)
- Guitar cable (WA302)
Quick Start Guide
-
- Connect receiver to power source.
- Connect receiver to mixer or amplifier. Hold power button to turn on.
- Connect receiver to power source.
- Press group button on receiver to perform a group scan.
-
- Install batteries and turn on transmitter.
- On the transmitter, set the group and channel to match the receiver. The audio LED on the receiver should illuminate.
If setting up additional systems, leave the first transmitter and receiver on. For each additional receiver, manually set the group to match the first receiver. Note: The receiver will automatically perform a channel scan to find an available frequency after the group has been selected. Set the transmitter frequency to match the receiver.
- Install batteries and turn on transmitter.
- If sound is too faint or distorted, adjust the gain accordingly.
Features
Front Panel
BLX4
BLX88
① audio LED
Indicates strength of incoming audio signal: green for normal and red for overload.
② ready LED
Green light indicates system is ready for use and receiving transmitter signal.
③ LED Display
Displays group and channel setting.
④ group and channel Buttons
Scan: Push and release group button to scan for an open group and channel.
Manual: Push and hold group button to select a group. Push channel button to select a channel in the current group.
⑤ power Button
Push and hold to turn power on or off.
Back Panel
BLX4
BLX88
① DC Power Jack
② Adapter Cord Tie-Off
③ XLR microphone output jack (MIC out)
④ 6.35 mm (1/4") instrument level output jack (instrument out)
BLX1
① LED Indicator
Displays power and battery status (see Transmitter LED Indicators).
② power Switch
Toggles power on or off.
③ 4-Pin Microphone Input Jack (TA4 connector)
④ Antenna
⑤ group Button
Changes group setting.
⑥ LED Display
Displays group and channel setting.
⑦ channel Button
Changes channel setting.
⑧ Battery Compartment
⑨ Audio Gain Adjustment
Rotate to increase or decrease transmitter gain.
BLX2
① LED Indicator
Displays power and battery status (see Transmitter LED Indicators).
② power Button
Push to turn power on or off.
③ group Button
Changes group setting.
④ channel Button
Changes channel and gain setting.
⑤ LED Display
Displays group and channel setting.
⑥ Identification Cap
⑦ Battery Compartment
Transmitter LED Indicators
| LED Indicator | Status |
|---|---|
| Green | Ready |
| Rapidly Flashing Red | Controls locked |
| Solid Red | Battery power low (less than 1 hour remaining*) |
| Flashing Red and shuts off | Batteries dead (change batteries to power on transmitter) |
*For alkaline batteries only. For rechargeable batteries, solid red means the batteries are dead.
Single System Set Up
Before you begin, turn off all transmitters and turn on any equipment (other microphones or personal monitoring systems) that could cause interference during the performance.
- Press and release the group button on the receiver.
The receiver scans for the clearest group and channel.
Note: If you want to stop the scan, push the group button again.
- Turn on transmitter and change the group and channel to match the receiver (See Setting Transmitter Group and Channel).
Once the system is set up, perform an audio check and adjust the gain if necessary.
Setting Transmitter Group and Channel
Transmitter group and channel must be manually set to match the receiver.
Group (letter)
- Press and release the group button on the transmitter to activate the display. Press the group button again and the display flashes.
- While the display is flashing, press the group button again to advance to the desired group setting.
Channel (number)
If channel needs to be changed, follow the same procedure using the channel button instead of the group button.
Note:
- When the group and channel correctly match the receiver, the ready LED on receiver illuminates.
- After manual setup, the transmitter alternately displays the group and channel setting for about two seconds.
Multiple System Setup
Up to 12 systems can operate simultaneously (band and RF environment dependent).
Important: Set up each system one-at-a-time. Once a receiver and transmitter are tuned to the same group and channel, leave the transmitter powered on. Otherwise, scans from the other receivers will not detect that channel as occupied. For the BLX88, be sure to setup both transmitters before progressing to the next receiver.
Turn on any other equipment that could cause interference during the performance so it will be detected during the group and channel scans in the following steps.
Before you begin system set up, turn all receivers ON and all transmitters OFF.
For the first receiver:
- Perform a group scan.
This finds the group with the most clear channels.
Note: For the BLX88, the group scan sets up both receivers at the same time.
- Turn on the first transmitter and change the group and channel to match receiver.
- Leave the transmitter on and continue with the additional systems.
Note: If the selected group does not contain enough open channels, manually select group "d" when setting up larger systems.
For each additional receiver:
- Use manual setup to change the receiver to match the group setting of the first receiver. Recall that each time the group setting is changed, a channel scan is automatically done.
- Turn on the transmitter and change the group and channel to match the receiver.
- Leave the transmitter on and continue to the next system.
- Once all receivers are set up, perform an audio check on all microphones.
Manually Setting Receiver Group and Channel
The receiver group may need to be changed as part of a multiple system setup.
Group (letter)
- Hold the group button on the receiver until the display begins to flash.
- While the display is flashing, press the group button again to advance to the next group.
Note: Only the group setting will be displayed during the manual setup.
- Once the desired group is reached, release the group button. The receiver automatically performs a channel scan.
Channel (number)
Always use a channel selected by the channel scan. However, if necessary, the channel can be set manually. Follow the same steps above using the channel button instead of the group button.
Locking and Unlocking Controls
Lock system controls to prevent accidental setting changes or power off.
Transmitter (lock/unlock)
Turn the transmitter on. Hold the group button, then press the channel button for approximately 2 seconds. The LED indicator rapidly flashes red when locked.
Receiver (lock/unlock)
Turn the receiver on. Simultaneously hold the group and channel button. The display flashes rapidly.
- When locked, the display flashes rapidly if any key is pressed.
- The BLX88 locks on both sides when locked from either side.
Tips to Improve Wireless System Performance
If you encounter interference or dropouts, try the following suggestions:
- Choose a different receiver channel
- Reposition the receiver so there is nothing obstructing a line of sight to the transmitter (including the audience)
- Avoid placing transmitter and receiver where metal or other dense materials may be present
- Move the receiver to the top of the equipment rack
- Remove nearby sources of wireless interference, such as cell phones, two-way radios, computers, media players, Wi-Fi devices, and digital signal processors
- Charge or replace the transmitter battery
- Keep transmitters more than two meters (6 feet) apart
- Keep the transmitter and receiver more than 5 meters (16 feet) apart
- During sound check, mark trouble spots and ask presenters or performers to avoid those areas
Getting Good Sound
Correct Microphone Placement
- Hold the microphone within 12 inches from the sound source. For a warmer sound with increased bass presence, move the microphone closer.
- Do not cover grille with hand.
Wearing the Headworn Microphone
- Position the headworn microphone 13 mm (1/2 in.) from the corner of your mouth.
- Position lavalier and headworn microphones so that clothing, jewelry, or other items do not bump or rub against the microphone.
Adjusting Gain
Monitor the audio LED indicator on the receiver front panel when setting the transmitter gain.
- Green: normal levels
- Red: excessive sound levels (overload).
The red LED should only illuminate infrequently when you speak loudly or play your instrument loudly.
BLX1
Rotate the audio gain adjustment to increase (+) or decrease (−) the gain until desired level is reached.
For instruments, turn gain to minimum setting. For lavaliers, increase the gain as desired.
BLX2
The BLX2 features two gain level settings, default and attenuated (-10 dB). The default setting is used for most situations. If the receiver audio LED flickers red often, set the microphone to attenuated. Use the channel button to change the gain setting.
- Hold down the channel button for 5 seconds.
A dot appears on the lower right-hand corner of the LED display, which indicates −10 dB gain setting has been activated.
- To change the gain back to default, hold the channel button again for 5 seconds, or until the dot disappears.
Batteries
Expected life for AA batteries is up to 14 hours (total battery life varies depending upon battery type and manufacturer).
When the LED indicator turns red, it signifies "low battery" with approximately 60 minutes of remaining battery life.
For alkaline batteries only. For rechargeable batteries, solid red means the batteries are dead.
To remove batteries from the handheld transmitter, push them out through the opening in the microphone battery compartment.
WARNING: Battery packs shall not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire, or the like.
Wearing the Bodypack Transmitter
Clip the transmitter to a belt or slide a guitar strap through the transmitter clip as shown.
For best results, the belt should be pressed against the base of the clip.
Power Off
Hold down the power button to power off the BLX2 or BLX4/88. To power off the BLX1, slide the power toggle switch to OFF.
Removing and Installing Identification Caps
The BLX2 is equipped with a black identification cap from the factory (dual vocal systems ship with additional gray cap).
To remove: Remove battery cover. Squeeze sides and pull off cap.
To install: Align the cap and click into place. Replace battery cover.
An Identification Cap Kit containing assorted colored caps is available as an optional accessory.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Indicator Status | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No sound or faint sound | Receiver ready LED on |
|
| Receiver ready LED off |
|
|
| Receiver LED screen off |
|
|
| Transmitter indicator LED flashing red | Replace transmitter batteries (see Changing Batteries). | |
| Audio artifacts or dropouts | Ready LED flickering or off |
|
| Distortion | Audio LED on receiver indicates overload (red) | Reduce transmitter gain (see Adjusting Gain). |
| Sound level variations when switching to different sources | N/A | Adjust transmitter gain as necessary (see Adjusting Gain). |
| Receiver/transmitter won't turn off | LED/display flashing rapidly | See Locking and Unlocking Controls. |
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