Blackstar Airwire i58 5.8GHz Wireless System for Guitar and Bass
The Airwire i58 is Blackstar's plug and play wireless system for guitarists and bassists who want to lose the cable without learning a new piece of gear. Transmitter into the instrument, receiver into the amp, and you are playing.
- 5.8GHz band: generally less crowded than the bands most consumer gear sits on, so it is less affected by the noise inducing Wi-Fi signals around a busy stage.
- Under 6ms latency: high resolution wireless signal transfer, short enough that the response still feels connected to your hands.
- Four devices at once: up to four units can be rigged up in a single setup, which is enough to put a whole band on wireless.
- Up to 9 hours: rechargeable battery life on one charge, with an auto shutoff function so a forgotten unit is not flat by the next rehearsal.
- 100 foot range: maximum operating distance, giving you room to move around the stage and step off it.
- Compact design: small and inconspicuous, so it sits close to the strap button rather than hanging off the instrument.
Suits guitar, bass and other instruments with a standard jack output.
Going wireless has usually meant either spending a lot or fiddling a lot. The Blackstar Airwire i58 sets out to avoid both. It is a straightforward two piece system, transmitter and receiver, aimed at performing musicians who want the freedom of no cable and nothing else to think about.
Why the 5.8GHz band matters
The Airwire i58 operates in the 5.8GHz frequency band, which is generally less crowded than the bands most wireless devices occupy. Less traffic means less exposure to the interference and noise that a room full of Wi-Fi can cause. Signal transfer is high resolution with latency under 6ms, so the amp responds the way it does on a cable.
Enough units for the whole band
Up to four devices can be used simultaneously in the same setup. Two guitars and a bass can all run wireless in one room without tripping over each other, which is the point where cheaper systems tend to fall apart.
Battery, range and build
- Up to 9 hours of playing from a single charge of the rechargeable battery.
- Auto shutoff function to protect the charge when you forget to switch it off.
- Maximum operating distance of 100 feet.
- Compact and inconspicuous housing that stays out of the way while you play.
For guitarists and bassists who would rather concentrate on the set than on the rig, the Airwire i58 is an easy way to cut the cable.