Twenty years ago wireless bass guitar systems allowed musicians the freedom of mobility on stage, as wires were banished back to the cable box and young Eddie Van Halen wannabees ran around the stage decked out in spandex and big hair with that " look Mum - no wires!" grin on their faces.
Sadly in some cases their thundering bass or guitar solos were interrupted in mid-flight by a loud "Taxi for Paul Casey!" emanating from their amplifier. This was usually due to the radio frequencies of a passing taxi-cab that would bleed through the wireless system and be broadcast out through the amplifier like some bizarre scene from the Spinal Tap movie.
However, today wireless radio technology has streamlined and removed all of the early teething problems and in fact it is no longer necessary to even wear a body pack as previously required. This would historically have been worn about the person as a transmitter with the receiver sat normally on top of the amplifier connected to the amp.
Today wireless transmitters are no bigger than a jack plug and can plug directly into the bass guitar whilst the receiver is housed in an effects pedal on the floor. Radio frequencies can now also transmit EQ shaping so that any sound quality lost during transmission can be compensated for.