Schaffer-Vega Diversity System

SVDS Model X-10 Transmitter & 63EX Receiver

The Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) was a wireless guitar system developed in June 1976, engineered and prototyped by Ken Schaffer in New York City, and manufactured by the Vega Corporation, El Monte, California. A handheld microphone version was introduced in 1977.

The system was the first cordless system to be adopted by major rock acts because it solved technical problems common to earlier wireless systems. The reliable sound and freedom of movement it provided paved the way for bands to tour with large multi-level stages in arenas. Schaffer-Vegas were used in the late 1970s and early 1980s by many rock bands such as the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Kiss.

Background

Early Advertisement

New York-based engineer Ken Schaffer traveled with the Rolling Stones on the Tour of The Americas '75.[1] Early wireless microphone systems suffered from frequent signal fades and radio interference.[2] As well, the poor dynamic range of the wireless system Mick Jagger had previously used degraded the reproduction of the quality of his voice. Schaffer was versed in techniques in radio link design and studio recording that were used to resolve related audio problems.[3]

After prototyping the wireless system, Schaffer arranged its manufacture by the Vega Corporation, based in El Monte, California. The first bands to use Schaffer-Vega Diversity System were Kiss and Electric Light Orchestra.[3] Though wireless systems afford great mobility on stage, Kiss switched to a wireless system for safety reasons: lead guitarist Ace Frehley had been knocked unconscious by a near-fatal shock traced to a voltage potential between his wired guitar connection and a metal staging element.[4] Going wireless with all guitars and microphones eliminated this hazard.[5][6] David Gilmour of Pink Floyd was also an endorsee of Schaffer Vega wireless systems. He first used it on the 1980-81 concerts for The Wall, especially when he performed "Comfortably Numb" from the top of the wall.

Technical highlights

The Schaffer-Vega Diversity System used an antenna diversity method consisting of two independent VHF receivers fed by antennas placed at least one wavelength apart. Use of two full independent receivers, rather than two parallel antennas, made the Schaffer-Vega the first "True Diversity" system. The antenna diversity technique prevented signal degradation due to multi-path cancellation.[7] In the Schaffer-Vega system, a comparator monitored the instantaneous RF signal strength delivered by each antenna to its dedicated receiver, that switched to the other receiver when the currently selected receiver's signal strength fell below a quieting threshold.[8]

The system achieved high interference rejection by utilizing four helical resonator filters between the antenna and preamplifier stage of each receiver. This made it possible to use the systems on unused VHF television broadcast frequencies and protected the receivers from even strong spurious local signals (such as nearby police calls, taxi dispatch, etc.) Limited by the US FCC to 50 mW output, the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System maintained reliable transmission for up to 100 meters in a line of sight from transmitter to receiver .[9]

In the United States, the FCC and corresponding agencies in most ITU countries, regulations that limit the transmitter's FM frequency deviation also limited the theoretical signal-to-noise ratios and dynamic ranges of wireless systems to approximately 70 dB.[10] The Schaffer-Vega Diversity System also used companding. By compressing signal amplitude 2:1 in the transmitter and then expanding it in the receiver, it was possible for the system to deliver a signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range of 100 dB.[11]

Use in the recording studio

Although its design objective was to create a wireless system that sounded as close as possible to the wired version, this goal was not perfectly achieved. Nevertheless, artists such as Rick Derringer and Angus Young of AC/DC chose to use their wireless units in the recording studio. The slight coloration added by the Schaffer-Vega was considered part of the desired guitar tone.[12]

Cessation of production

Production ended in 1981, when Schaffer, who never patented his technology,[13] changed his focus to communications satellites. By the time Schaffer moved on, numerous competing systems had become staples in the market.

References

  1. ↑ , I Want My Moscow TV, December 2, 2004
  2. ↑ Patronis, Eugene, Jr. (2013). "Microphones". In Don Davis, Eugene Patronis, Pat Brown. Sound System Engineering (4e ed.). CRC Press. pp. 623–4. ISBN 1136111417.
  3. 1 2 Guitar Player Magazine, March 1979, p. 100-101.
  4. ↑ Kiss: Ace Frehley Interview by Tom Wheeler and Steve Rosen, Guitar Player Magazine, 1979
  5. ↑ Ace Frehley: "I'd Love To Do An Instructional Video
  6. ↑ The Kiss Shows: July 1, 1976 - April 4, 1977
  7. ↑ Angus Young: Seriously, by Jan Obrecht, Guitar Player Magazine, February 1984.
  8. ↑ Diversity Receivers: Musiclab Glossary of Professional Audio and Music Terms Musiclab, Australia. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  9. ↑ US Patent Office, Helical Resonator Filters, US Patent #/4061992, et. al.
  10. ↑ Sony UTX-B2V/B2X Bodypack Transmitter Specs: Typical non-companded wireless signal-to-noise specification
  11. ↑ What is Audio Reference Companding?, Shure Brothers, 20 February 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2012
  12. ↑ Angus Young’s Guitar Sound: The Quest Formally Begins SoloDallas.com, Retrieved 8 February 2012
  13. ↑ I Want my Moscow TV by Seth Scheisel, The New York Times, 2 December 2004
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