Switchcraft Bluetooth Dongle

[theonemanband]

Hello folks; hope everyone is keeping safe & well; I hope this is posted on the correct forum.

I play gigs, playing guitar (Starfire 1V ST-12string) and banjo to simple, self created, drum & bass backing tracks, which I currently link to my mixer using an android device via mini jack lead.
Trying to break away from a cable connection, I invested in a Soundcraft 318BT Bluetooth dongle but have to say, the results have been thoroughly disappointing.
My mp3 tracks are completely background noise free, but the background noise created by this unit when transmitting the data is so loud and obtrusive, it renders it unusable. The dealer here in the UK has been supportive; supplying a replacement, but that was just as bad. Soundcraft have been totally disinterested and unhelpful.
I have tested all aspects and possibilities and all my other Bluetooth connections are noiseless and I am 100% certain the issue lies with the 318BT.
I have posted this for two reasons,
1) Has anyone else used one of these and encountered this problem? If so, any advice on a solution?
2) As a word of caution to anyone considering one of these; at over £100gbp., they are by no means "cheap gadgets"!

Thank you......Brian.

 

[GAD]

From a simple problem isolation standpoint have you tried the unit in another jack or in another mixer?

 

[theonemanband]

Thank you GAD.

Yes I have tried every which way imaginable. Different mixers, onboard phantom power/independent USB power, various player devices etc etc. I also have a Bose S1 that has an inbuilt Bluetooth connection and when connected directly to any one of my player devices this is completely free from background noise.
I have run many and exhaustive tests in different conditions and I am 100%, cast iron certain that the issue is with the Swichcraft bluetooth dongle. I am hoping to procure a second replacement that works, which would be my preference, but if it proves to be an inherent and ongoing issue with this product, then Switchcraft should remove it from the marketplace as, in its current form, this problem renders it unusable.

Thank you again.......any further help & advice greatly appreciated......Brian.

PS. The "replacement" for the original is being returned to the dealer here in the UK today, hopefully to be sorted or refunded.

 

[Nuuska]

Hello

How are your gain/level settings?

I would start with phone level at max and adjust the mixer input gain accordingly.

 

[theonemanband]

Thank you.
No it's not that, I have tried all conceivable settings, trim, gain, device volumes etc etc., in a variety of receivers all with the same result. This transmission noise increases pro rata with the track volume level so at higher levels the noise to signal ratio is totally unacceptable.
The weird thing is that although the dongle is silent when connected, the noise is only during transmission of data (mp3).
On connecting my player device to other independent Bluetooth receivers directly (Bose S1 Pro), the tracks are totally noise free and I am absolutely, 100% certain that the actual track recordings are without any background noise.
I am hoping that this (the second one) was also a faulty unit and that now, Switchcraft will either replace with a unit that works as expected, or refund accordingly.
I have proven without doubt that the issue lies with the product but, I have to say that I would MUCH prefer to have the Bluetooth dongle rather than a refund, as it is exactly what I need in my set up, but it must operate professionally and silently.
I was just hoping that someone else may be using one of these and have any comments

I shall now have to await (through my dealer) Switchcaft's response, meanwhile any other input much appreciated.

 

[gjmalcyon]

This is from an Amazon review:

Charging and phantom features are great. Build quality is great. Range is not the best. Sound quality was disappointing. Sounded like a very low sample rate. Multiple devices were tested; iPad, Android devices, and PC. The same devices used to broadcast to other Bluetooth devices with great results on a daily basis.

So you're not the only one with the issue.

 

[theonemanband]

Thank you for that; it does seem to confirm my findings; here in the UK, reviews for this product are scarce.

Like one of the reviewers, (and there are only a couple of these dongle type bluetooth receivers in the marketplace), I chose this one because it said "Switchcraft" on it, normally a sign of quality and reliability. The aim is simple; to get an audio signal from one device to another via Bluetooth, noiselessly. If this product cannot do it without creating very high, audible levels of background noise, making it unusable, then it should be removed from their product range!!