Hi All,
We know there a lot of L1 Compact users on the forum and we wanted to get a better understanding of the effects and processing that you use with the system.
For example, Are you using the T1 or just the L1 Compact by itself?
Please reply to this post with a description of your rig. We would love to see pictures and understand the effects and mixing options that are most important to you.
Looking forward to your participation.
Thanks
Craig
Hi Craig,
I use the Compact primarily in two configurations. Private house concerts, dinner parties, some small venue gigs that are for one set only, I go direct in with mic and guitar. No peripheral equipment. It's not necessarily the sound I want, but I sacrifice a bit for simplicity when it seems appropriate.
On gigs that last 2 or more sets in venues up to the working capacity of the Compact, I use a harmony box as an interface. It has eq/effects capability with multiple presets and works quite well with the Compact.
I would use the T1 if Bose had been considerate enough to include the ToneMatch port.
If I could redesign the Compact to better fit my personal desires it would have the following in the order listed.
ToneMatch port
Lower bottom end, enough to be effective for the Porchboard or similar foot bass devices. This is what I miss the most when using the Compact. The same spectral range as the B1 would be great.
More on board eq capability. Possibly with a simple reverb or delay. I would like one more independent input and perhaps a more flexible design of the mixer section. ToneMatch port might be redundant if you improved the on board mixer.
A few more dB. The Compact covers many gigs quite well but on many other occasions it is just a bit under powered.
More flexible connectivity to additional Compacts or house systems.
I think I'm describing something between a Compact and 1s
O..
Without being too lazy, I tend to agree with all the comments from "Oldghm". The lack of tonematch interface is almost unforgivable and lacks an understanding of the Bose User base. There are many "New" competitave choices out there with more inputs, EQ and at least reverb. Thanks for requesting input from the users this time.
We're probably not a typical user as we're a hire/production company. We have 6 x Compacts which we use pretty regularly including:
-Outdoor weddings
-Fill speakers (eg we might have 2 x Model2 or F1's at the front of the room then a pair of Compacts at the back or also at large outdoor events.
-Easy listening bands in small rooms.
-Corporate events for speech & video sound tracks
-Outdoor picnics (we supply with a battery/inverter pack)
Here's some pics:
http://www.sydneypahire.com/images/bose_l1_compact/
As for processing. We don't really make much use of the on-board processing. Not that's it's not good but people inevitably want more. It's never just 1 guitar & a mic. It always seems to be 2 mics or 2 guitars so we normally plug a mixer in & use the processing (reverb/eq) on that. Not having any on-board reverb is a bit of a limitation as you can't rent it out as a standalone solution, the musician needs to also own a vocal effects pedal or as above we have to supply a mixer too. We do also own a Tonematch with the power adapter but we've only used it once with the Compact & that was a hire to someone who already owned one & was coming from overseas so they were familiar with running it. The Tonematch is a bit complicated for a dry hire user compared to a regular mixer.
Hope this helps.
Lee.
Sydney PA Hire
Hi Craig,
First, I've got to tell you that the L1® Compact with the Kemper Profiler makes a great guitar rig. This is my backline of choice when playing in non-L1® bands. I also use it with the Kemper at small gigs where my band-mates are using an L1® Model II. They'll be the rhythm section and I don't need much low-end support for what I'm doing.
Most of the time I run my L1® Compact with the T1®.
I've done countless shows in small venues with two L1® Compacts. I run a T1® to each Compact and can easily support four to six performers. These are typically acoustic-oriented shows.
I don't run the L1® Compact without the T1® very often. When it I do it's for:
I hope this has been helpful.
ST
using L 1 C without Tonematch. As a delay from Amp out to TS Input or with another DJ Mixer or Livemixers mono sum like ST shows here.
For little DJ Use or as a keyboard Amp with Mic with RCA or Mini Jack, Mic Input & Tonematch at Line Level, for High Z at Tonematch at Guitar level
Hi Craig,
I bought the L1 Compact just over a year ago along with the T1 to cover smaller performances (nursing homes, retirement villages, small church sanctuaries & socials) that didn't warrant our normal two Model 1's. Plus, I keep it in the music room where it's easy to pick up and go, rather than pull the trailer out of the garage with all the ancillary stuff (carts, rack with wireless gear, multiple B1's, product table, spare gear, etc.)
Based on my experience with the Tonematch presets in the Model 1's, I knew I wanted the same (and more) for the Compact. Plus, the T1 accommodates our inputs perfectly (SM58, Beta 58A, Taylor 424ce or 816ce, and laptop via USB). Also, with the T1 I can still process all my inputs in case I am without one of the Model 1's.
As for using the Compact without the T1? Sure, I could, but the way I have things set up, it's just as easy either way. I built a custom box to Velcro the T1 and laptop on top with three "cubby holes" underneath for the mics and guitar cord as well as the laptop and T1 power supplies. I store the whole box in a Rubbermaid-style tote for transport. At the gig I set the box on top of the tote, run the Master Out to the Compact, power up, pull out the mics and we're ready. When performing with another group, I have run the master out to their system.
Besides the presets, I use reverb judiciously (a little goes a long way) and zEQ, a little chorus for the guitar, and the tuner is handy. I occasionally plug an iPod straight into the Compact for background music when tone adjustments or effects are not critical.
Hi Craig,
I would echo what Oldghm has put on his "improvement list"
originally posted by Oldghm:
"ToneMatch port
Lower bottom end, enough to be effective for the Porchboard or similar foot bass devices. This is what I miss the most when using the Compact. The same spectral range as the B1 would be great.
More on board eq capability. Possibly with a simple reverb or delay. I would like one more independent input and perhaps a more flexible design of the mixer section.
A few more dB. The Compact covers many gigs quite well but on many other occasions it is just a bit under powered."
Regarding my own personal use of the Compact I have 4 basic ways of using it:
1) My main way is in the so-called Singer/Songwriter set-up as a solo singer with acoustic guitar and sometimes also a hybrid guitar (Taylor T5, Godin Steel SA). In this set-up I normally use the set-up shown in this picture which I took at a living room concert at my house on Saturday.
I have a T1 mounted on my microphone stand. Near the window (on the other side of the Compact on the floor) is the T1 power supply which I always keep near the Compact as it means I don't need to have mains power at my feet. I connect the power supply to the T1 by means of the cable supplied with the T1 (I think it's about 18 feet long?) and use a Neutrik NE 8 FF ethernet coupler to make the connection between the cable and the power supply. The T1 is connected to channel 2 on the Compact set to line.
If I do house gigs with my acoustic trio and use more than 1 guitar I connect my guitar cable to the Kemper where I've got one or two profiles I've made of the T1 to save Channels on the T1 and also to save having to change the EQ on the T1 (as I've got everything programmed into the Kemper which I control with a footswitch).
My microphone stand is always completely cabled for this use, including the bracket part of the T1 mounting system which goes around the stand itself. The cables are coiled and held on the stand with velcro when not in use. This means that I can be ready to go at a gig in a very short time. The cables are also fixed to the stand itself using velcro which keeps everything tidy and acts as a safety net should someone knock the T1 off its arm.
For these gigs I have a small aluminium (english spelling) case where I keep a T1, power supply, Neutrik coupler, and a microphone clip. In conjunction with the prepared microphone stand Compact, I have everything at hand without having to search for it before a gig.
2) The second way I use the T1 is similar to ST as I also have a Kemper profiler and use the Compact as part of my rig. To just connect up the Kemper I can go directly into channel 2 on the Compact set to line.
3) The third way would be to use my TC-Helicon VoiceLive3 directly into Channel 2 of the Compact set to line.
4) For gigs where I might want to keep it really simple I'll just plug a microphone into Channel 1 on the Compact and an acoustic guitar into Channel 2 set to guitar.
There is a fifth way that I sometimes use the Compact, and that is for small gigs with my acoustic trio. I won't describe that here as this post is already pretty long, but I'll give you links to a couple of posts I've already made in the "at the gig and rehearsal" forum which you can read if you're interested.
https://www.bosepro.community/...t-t1-kemper-profiler
https://www.bosepro.community/...o-with-l1-compact-t1
I hope that this has been of interest and helpful Craig.
Tony
PS Just a word regarding the Compact Survey, I find that limiting the possibility of only being able to choose one configuration very restrictive. For this reason I haven't taken the survey as I do have multiple uses for the Compact.
(Edit was to replace limiting with restrictive. I do miss not being able to "cross out" words as you could with the old software.)
Hi Craig, thanks for asking.. hope you're not sorry you did, after this :-}
I'm an L1 Classic guy from Day One (PAS!), have and continue to use two of the original units. Bought a T1 its day one also, but didn't care for it and sold it. THEN, bought an early SoloAmp - GREAT design and implementation.
L1 Compact? I resisted this for many years, because of so many shortcomings compared to SoloAmp electronics and options. I finally bought a used L1C couple years ago, and now a second one a week ago.
I like: small size, sounds like Bose. I dislike: most everything else (sorry). Mainly LACK of controls, connectivity, things like that. I HAVE learned to work around what I consider shortcomings (because its natural sound is so good), but this requires a lot of other gear and is a bit complicated.
I always: place L1C on a piano bench and use one extension, SO I can hear the base bass better, and so I can reach the controls reasonably.
SON Of L1 Compact? I would like to see:
1. Make one extension 6" longer and one 6" shorter - same total length, but more flexibility for different usage situations and rooms
2. Separate channel Line Out, preferably XLR, but TRS would be ok
3. Master Volume / Mute Switch
4. A few simple basic reverb choices, independent but applicable to both channels --- if NOT this, then insert/return separate for each channel so we can use an external fx
5. A connection for a guitar tuner, with mute
6. A port for T1, even though I don't want it - omitting that was not smart
*** 1-6 above SHOULD be included in the $1,000 base price, in my opinion - this is basic, needed connectivity (Solo has all this and more.. just sayin)
*** I would pay extra for:
7. Extension(s) WITH SPEAKERS, probably including a way to power 1 or 2 of them with the A1 power amp, or something like it
(my original annoyance with the L1C was the empty extensions - seemed (and still SEEMS) dumb, cheap, insulting to the user)
8. An optional REMOTE - even just like the old Classic would be fine, something spiffier & wireless would be even better!
Thanks - LOVE my Bose stuff, my Bose SOUND!! MIKE O'
Hi again,
I'm sorry, I'm new here and it seems that I stumbled into a wrong forum corner, just wanted to introduce myself instead of disturbing someones post !
Kind regards Gerhard
Hello Gerhard,
Greetings and Welcome. I have moved your post to Greetings and Introduction from Gerhard.
Don't be concerned about posting in the wrong place. I will remove your post above and this reply tomorrow after you have had a chance to read it.
Bose Pro Community Admin
Hi Craig,
I use 2 Compacts for band rehearsals. One for my guitar modeler and vocal, the other for the lead vocal who occasionally plays guitar. Playing live, we use one or both Compacts as monitor/backline and my 2 L1 Model II units as mains if room allows. I'd love to see some verb built in to complete the Compact's intended purpose for the singer/acousitc player. I do think something that size to cover a little larger audience (say up to 225) would be nice. More power, maybe a couple more high drivers. Keep the height. And, you know, if that weren't enough, if the extensions could collapse somehow or stow in the base, that would be awesome.
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Craig,
I'm starting the use of two L1 Compacts in our local church for the preacher, worship duo (Singer and guitar player) and sometimes one keyboard. The main use in terms of time is for the preacher mic.
Our first impressions are very good, because the voice (preacher and singer) sounds beautiful, and also the acoustic guitar.
I'm dealing with some noise while using both units with a mixer, but obviously it's not fault to the systems. I think it is a cable (length or type) problem.
Using the systems directly to the microphones and the guitars makes me happy with the purchase. And surely I will learn from all of you in this forum how to maximize the use of this equipment.
Thanks,
Sergio A. García
Hello, Seargaca,
This is a duplicate of your post in Two L1 Compacts / One Mixer
Hi,
I've just purchased a couple of “L1 Compact System” to perform in a small auditorium (150 seats)....
Please see your other discussion. You have a reply there already.
Thank you,
Bose Pro Community Admin
I use the Bose L1 compact
- for playing an arranger keyboard (birthday parties and senior dance, but also open air events)
- for a band with guitar, singer, bass, piano, cajon
- together with HK Audio Lucas nano 300 for a complete band including electronic drums and bass guitar
- in a duo, my fellow musician played guitar and sang via Bose L1 compact, I played keyboard using the nano 300, but had a subwoofer, so this system was for frequencies above 100 Hz
- on a lake for speech and guitar playing, it was good audible in distance
- on the street for a flash mob, we danced
- speech applications
- with a video projector for the film sound.
- could help a guitar player
Hi Craig,
If you're still asking, I have been using an L1 Compact for just over a year in a covers band with two singers, guitar, bass, two keyboards and drums. We use the Compact as a monitor behind the two singers, with the feed from the back going to the band's main PA. Just bought the T1 Tonematch last week and tried it out at the weekend. Wow! really pleased I did. Now running both mics through the T1 into the right hand port on the Compact and the result is superb. Still trying to get my head around all of the settings, but given both vocals a little reverb and delay just to fill them out a bit. My fellow singer was really happy with the results. She uses a Shure SM58 and I have an AKG D5, both seem to work well with the Compact/T1 combination. As mentioned elsewhere shame there is no setting for the AKG mic, so just got it on handheld at the moment. Big learning curve ahead.
With the Bose L1 compact's Tone Match Feature, my experience was:
Best results I got with a SM 58 and an acoustic guitar with magnetic pick up.
But my cheap 25 $ Behringer microphone sounded pretty good on the Bose L1 micro input, was much surprised...
Craig-at-Bose posted:Hi All,
We know there a lot of L1 Compact users on the forum and we wanted to get a better understanding of the effects and processing that you use with the system.
For example, Are you using the T1 or just the L1 Compact by itself?
Please reply to this post with a description of your rig. We would love to see pictures and understand the effects and mixing options that are most important to you.
Looking forward to your participation.
Thanks
Craig
We have started a new discussion for your question. Please follow this link:
L1 Volume Control compared to F1 Model Volume Control
Thank you.
Bose Pro Community Admin
