Roland Guerin, bassist for musician, composer, and record producer Allen Toussaint, is utilizing a Lectrosonics IS400 wireless beltpack instrument system, which consists of the R400A receiver, an LMa Digital Hybrid UHF beltpack transmitter, plus the MI39A instrument cable that connects the instrument’s output to the transmitter.
New Orleans-based Guerin has an enviable track record in terms of his musical accomplishments, with six CDs released under his name (including the just released A Different World), and a list of credits that includes performance stints with pianist Marcus Roberts, guitarist/composer John Scofield, and conductor Seiji Ozawa, in addition to his work with Toussaint.
“Sound quality always comes first and this unit delivers in a big way,” Guerin says. “With this system, I get a real, big full sound with both my upright and electric basses. Not only is the sound on par with a cabled connection, to me, it feels stronger.
“The system’s range is exceptional,” he continues. “Now, I’m free to move about as required by the performance without having to mentally keep track of where the cable is. Equally important, since I no longer have a long cable attached to my instrument, I don’t have to concern myself with the cable slapping my upright bass and dealing with the resulting cable noise. This is a monumental improvement for my performance.”
“I’ve also been really impressed with the build quality of this system,” Guerin adds. “This gear feels solid and it travels really well. Sometimes, I travel by vehicle, other times I fly. Either way, my equipment is constantly packed and unpacked and is constantly on the move. The IS400 system has proven itself to be really robust and this aspect further inspires my confidence when I step out on stage.”
While sound quality and reliability are certainly important considerations, freedom of movement was yet another vitally important factor that led to Guerin’s acquisition of the Lectrosonics IS400 system.
“I once had the unfortunate experience of stepping on my cable and pulling it out of my instrument jack during a performance,” he reports. “If you step on a cord or it gets caught on something while you’re performing, it not only takes you out of the instrument mix and makes noise as you re-connect; it’s incredibly distracting to the performance. After that experience, I found myself subconsciously focusing on the cable more than I should during performances, and I don’t want that sort of on-stage distraction. The IS400 system completely resolves that issue.”
