ResonantLive Sound Archive

Equipment file · Wireless instrument and microphone system

Schaffer-Vega Diversity System

Ken Schaffer / Vega · 1976–1977

Evidence status · verified

Claims in this file are tied to item-specific sources.

A diversity wireless system developed for the reliability demands of major concert touring.

Introduced
1976–1977
Category
Wireless instrument and microphone system
Intended use
Reliable wireless guitar and vocal transmission on concert stages
Production
Limited professional production during the late 1970s

Equipment photographs · 1

Schaffer-Vega Diversity System Unit

1 / 1 · Schaffer-Vega Diversity System Unit

Schaffer-Vega Diversity System Unit·SoloDallas·CC BY-SA 3.0

Why it mattered

  1. 01

    Applied diversity reception to reduce the dropouts that limited earlier stage wireless systems.

  2. 02

    Its companding and RF design made wireless performance more practical on large touring stages.

Engineering record

Reception
Two receiving paths allowed the system to select the stronger signal and reduce multipath dropouts.[1]
Signal path
The transmitter and receiver used companding to improve usable dynamic range over the wireless link.[1]

Original pricing

No reliable period price located

2026 equivalent

Not calculated without a reliable original price.

No dated manufacturer or dealer price list was located.

Use in the field

The system was used by major touring performers including AC/DC, KISS, and the Grateful Dead.[1]

Manuals & original documents

No authoritative manual or original document has been located for this profile.

Sources

  1. 1The Schaffer-Vega Diversity SystemVintage Guitar · reference · 2021

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