As others have said the Compact would be great with a Tonematch Port to eliminate a wall wart. I am not performing live much but still love my Compact with T1. I have it set up in my little studio. I use it with keys/vox/electric & acoustic guitars. The T1 also makes a great USB recording interface in Logic X or Garageband.
Compact by itself (the built in RCA inputs), or stereo out from mixer. Usually a Soundcraft, but for smaller venues I have a micro Mackie mixer.
L1 by itself, singing for nursing homes and assisted livings on Hawaii. The L1 is amazing! The only thing missing is a built-in echo...
Joelheck posted: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.
Hmm, this comment cleared up what I've been wondering for a while now. Thank you very much for the feedback, Joelheck!
Hi Craig,
just added our first Bose L1c this spring. I have a pro rental company - focus is on backline gear for national tours..drums, guitar amps, keys, etc. but we also have a thriving biz in private party events that includes audio. the Compact has admirably met a couple important needs for us. the wedding ceremony outdoors..amazing coverage and nice profile when cosmetics matter. And also for cocktail hours..whether for programmed music, or that acoustic guitar/vocals or keyboard/vocals in the background. I always run a mixer in front of it so I can better dial in. Looking to purchase a second unit but it'll either be a used model or I'll have to wait until you guys relax your price lock on your resellers. With my various wholesale opptys and the amount of $ I spend, I tend to bristle when I find myself being asked to pay the same price as some guy walking in off the street.
but that aside, there's definitely a place in my equipment roster for the compacts...good addition!
ET
Hello. Nice to hear this. I´m Backliner, too in Germany.
Some Vintage Vibe Rhodes copies, Kurzweil Stage Keyboards oder tube Amps from Engl with 4x12" guitar cabinets, Aguilar USA Bass-Tops i. e.
Using Bose L 1 Compact with switch to Tone Match ® Level (not the Line switch) to an acoustic Western Guitar or with a stompbox including distortion with an E-Guitar.
Nice results with Bose L 1 C.
Using Line Level switch as a Delay Line to multi-room PA.
I never have been able to make a trip to Germany..always wanted to..much of my heritage is German..did business in Holland and Sweden and UK... Nice to see you on the board.
We do still keep a very nice Fender Rhodes in stock..and of course the Nords and many other keyboards...stacks of drum kits, guitar amps and bass rigs. The audio portion of my biz has grown sort of by accident, or default. Our main business is pro level concert backline , but we get calls for a keyboard rental for a wedding and then they realize they need a couple speakers on stands, wireless lav for the preacher, etc...so we started putting a bundle package together and it took off...then the wedding directors/party event planners would ask us about audio to support live bands as well and we realized that we had stumbled into a nice niche in the market being able to provide all the backline and cover the audio all from one truck/crew. So we now are able to present 24-32 channels digital (Presonus), up to (4) 3-way mains, and subs, using old mackies and jbl eon powered speakers as wedges..same speakers that often serve duty on stands for smaller events. But I wanted to try the Boss compact and very glad that I did. It has now covered multiple outdoor wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours for acoustic guitar/vox or keyboard... I particularly like that I can use them for keyboard work and get the coverage of a room of guests that you just couldn't do using old school roland keyboard amps on the floor.
I'm also doing some nice stuff with the bose as remote by running Sennheiser SKP wireless...these are the plug-on units for the bottom of a microphone..but I plug one into the output of the mix console or the back of a speaker that is wired in and then send that signal to a receiver pack at the bose...the Sennheiser is top quality product..great range, and lets me put audio in other parts of the venue...multi-room old mansion or patios, or separate conference rooms, etc...the signal is strong as a opposed to a blue tooth that will fail past line of sight or distance. Will definitely be adding more compacts to the inventory this year.
Schön, Sie zu treffen
Ed
Hi everyone!
I've been a solo singer on the pubs/clubs circuit for over 20 years using a PA that has shrunk considerably over the years owing to dwindling audiences and venues getting smaller - ie. I do more pubs than Working Men's clubs these days and the large clubs with huge concert rooms have mostly downsized or at least moved their entertainment to the lounge. The equipment I currently use (2 Mackie C300z plus Dynacord Powermate 1000) is very heavy and bulky, along with poles, bags of wires, etc. I was complaining about this to the DJ I was working with at a venue a few months ago and he told me about the L1 Compact. When I heard it was Bose I just assumed it would be out of my price range so disregarded his recommendation but it stuck in the back of my mind.
Fast forward to last Friday: I had a terrible chest cold and had to gig at Scarborough WMC which is three flights of stairs to carry the gear. On my fourth trip downstairs at the end of the night I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest and I decided enough was enough. After a 2 hour drive home I got straight on the net and was gobsmacked when I saw how much the system was. After another upstairs gig on Saturday (this one up a very dodgy fire escape) I spent an hour or so reading this forum and decided to pay my local Bose store a visit today (Sheffield Meadowhall). The staff there were really friendly and helpful and let me play one of my backing tracks through the system, I had brought several to listen to but in less than a minute of listening to the system whilst walking around the store I was completely sold and bought one there and then without a moment's hesitation. When I got home I borrowed a mixer with built in reverb from a friend and spent several happy hours playing around with the system, my grin slowly getting wider and wider. Seriously guys I am absolutely blown away with this set up; I know it's going to revolutionize my working life and I cannot thank you enough. If I find I need extra oomph, at this price point I honestly don't mind buying a second one for larger venues but having spent the entire day with it I think that is going to be unltimately unnecessary. I love the sound from my old PA but I have never heard my backing tracks or my vocals sound this clear and crisp before. When my vocal chords ran dry I stuck Les Miserables on plugged directly from my phone and I felt like I was in the theatre, the sound was so incredible. I swear I heard instruments and harmonies I had never noticed before. There is a reason why Bose is so widely acclaimed and I am ashamed it's taken me so many years to buy one of your products.
Anyway back to the point. I don't find the lack of built in reverb a problem for me. All my tracks are EQ'd but every venue is different so I still find the need to tweak my settings on the fly based on my ear so I would always want to use a separate mixer, I wouldn't want to be crouching down mid-song to adjust a knob. Maybe it's because I'm a creature of habit, a control freak or just need something to do with my hands but I would rather Bose keep the price point where it is rather than add in reverb and a more complex mixer that would push the price up. I think you've got it spot on; it's not cheap but it's certainly not overpriced. Considering how much I have spent on speakers and amps over the years I would say this system is perfectly pitched price wise and the quality of sound has exceeded my wildest expectations. I did look at a similar set up at my local music shop - the LD systems Maui 5 that was a little cheaper (although when you add in the price of the bags which Bose include it was not much cheaper) and was hugely disappointed. As soon as you moved to the sides of the room you got dead spots. It is simply not in the same league is this system.
I apologise if I have posted in the wrong thread and for waffling on for so long. Please feel free to move this wherever you deem most appropriate. I was just so thrilled with my purchase I felt I had to share my experience and my heartfelt thanks to whoever designed this amazing piece of kit. I haven't done a gig with it yet but I can't wait to give it a maiden voyage next weekend. I'll let you know how I get on.
Well done and thanks again!
Wayne
I agree with your assessment of the Compact. I do a similar thing with mine . It's just so much easier to have the lighter uncomplicated setup. Surprisingly great coverage and the clarity will have you not missing reverb at all.
I recently got to sit in with some folks using some "copycat" systems that the specs sounded great on but there was no wishing for the little extra power and bigger array on top when measured against clarity and being feedback prone.
I walk in with my guitar and collapsible mic stand in one hand and the bose compact in the other with the column bag over my shoulder. In the Bose pouch I carry microphone, cord,mp3 player and cord. Setup in minutes and it's a go.
The only thing I had to change was to EQ some of my tracks which was not hard. There were a few that were mixed down on a system without the clarity of the Compact and were a bit bright ,bordering on strident when used on the Bose system. Bottom line is you will be fine and cover the area better sound wise and be able to hear yourself better as well.
Well, I think, this is encouraging.
When I began to use my Bose L1 compact, I wasn't interested in the usual heavy cabinets anymore.
My PA systems are Bose L1 compact, HK Audio LUCAS nano 300 and LD Systems MAUI 5, possibly I may add a bigger bass, when I want lowest frequencies, but this would be something about 20 kgs.
I must confess, too long I allowed the fans of traditional PAs to play the Bose L1 down and at this time much stores boycotts Bose.
I use the Compact L1 for those occasion when the larger L1s are more effort than necessary: In order of frequency of use.
-- temporary audio in a medium-size conference room / social hall (seating 40-60 people) ... both for voice (mic) and audio from a video source (e.g. computer, DVD). Usually without T1.
-- as a portable PA for moderate outdoor gatherings (40 - 200 people). (Usually without T1)
-- as a keyboard amp (e.g. on the top deck of a parking garage for a sunrise worship service), or as acoustic guitar (w/ pickup) amp (with mic for vocal); usually WITH T1.
-- sound for a wedding ceremony (not reception). The most recent was a planned outdoor wedding: played pre-ceremony music from laptop playlist as the guest gathered in a ~1/4 acre lawn. It started to rain -- just before the processional. Grabbed everything (with help from 3 others) and hustled indoors to the reception area (same site), set it up (with a mic on a stand pointed vertically at about waist height between where the bride, groom, and officiant stood), played processional, let everyone hear the vows, and played recessional. (Then "yield the floor" to the previously set up DJ for the reception ... packed up the Compact, mic, & cables in 2 minutes.) Usually with T1.
Dan Cornett posted:I use the Compact L1 for those occasion when the larger L1s are more effort than necessary: In order of frequency of use.
For me this is where the Compact really excels. I like the "more effort than necessary" description Dan.
Just for the transportation of clear sound without the "oomph" of a Model II the Compact is ideal. The ease of transportation etc. make it a joy to use.
I'm really glad to have the luxury of owning a Model II and a Compact and being able to make the choice as and when necessary. I also find the Compact to sometimes be useful as an addition to a Model II. Sometimes as a monitor and sometimes (using an in-ear transmitter) as a wireless "delay-line" to help transport the sound to more difficult corners of a particular location.
Tony
htw... picture shows the compact with white spandex sleeving...bit labor intensive to get the base covering with flaps for control surface etc..but it's looking great now for weddings..my daughter has agreed to take orders if there is enough interest...
another day..another wedding..the Bose L1c amazes again. Had a nice large outdoor wedding this past Sunday..only about 100 guests, but a very large open space. I only had to cover the ceremony audio...the DJ came over to visit as I was getting ready to push sliders.. mix position was way up a hill about 250ft back from the actual pastor position down the hill in front of a pond. The first thing the DJ noticed was that I didn't have 250ft of xlr... as I was using Sennheiser wirless from mix position down to the Bose..second thing he noticed..was that he couldn't see the bose..it was positioned under a low decorative tree in a planter area..so it was pretty much in a blind from many positions of view..and then I brought up music track to test the system..and within a minute he was saying he was going to have to buy one..his jaw dropped over the amount of sound that was climbing up that hill rise which was well over a 50ft rise.. I challenged him to go walk around the area down there and realize that what he heard back where we were..was also what you heard all over...he didn't even ask me, but reached across to the mixer just to play a bit..volume, bass, etc...tried several different songs..he was having fun playing with it...seeing what it could do.. I was having fun watching him experience what many of us already know...the L1c is "amazing"
excited to announce yet another L1c has come home to the warehouse...this one was a craigslist find...been browsing used in lieu of any current price break on the retail side....watching closely, there seem to be some good deals out there..just have to weed out the ones that were abused by guys thinking they had gotten a big DJ rig...but there are plenty of guitar on a stool guys who finally retire from their $50 nights on a bar stool in the corner..and the L1c in this case came with that kind of use..so for well under my $600 threshold that I set for myself, I landed an excellent condition unit including the original covers...already put the order into my daughter for another white spandex slip cover...these L1c rigs are the dope for weddings..in fact just wrapped another wedding last week..outdoors, over 100 guests...in an area that was wider than normal...was smiling to myself as I walked the perimeter and found that the sound was still there...Bose has this one figured out fer sure
I have been using my Compact for a couple of years, for solo (guitar & voice) shows and to host open mics.
On the solo side, I have gone direct into the Compact (pretty good sound, great small package), but I prefer some easily accessible volume control and a little reverb. I occasionally go in through my TC Helicon Acoustic Live, but again volume control is a problem. I usually run my Allen & Heath Zed60-14FX on the front end, pan everything left, and run a single line to the line in on the Compact.
I run the setup with the A&H when I host open mics. While my typical performer is a guitar vocalist, I have done keyboards, electric guitars with pedal boards, up to groups with 4 vocalists, two acoustic guitars, and a bass with no problem. The Compact with a little eq runs a bass pretty well (not a booty thumping eardrum rupturing experience, but better than I expected). I get plenty of volume even in a fairly noisy bar.
I'm tempted to try T1 or Behringer Air because of the digital scene memory, but for now I am happy with the sound results and the tiny footprint.
hey PParker...yes..definitely like to have a digital mixer in front of the bose...well..any of my speakers for that matter... I have run numerous events with just a simple mackie 1202vlzpro..but that's just treble/midsweep/bass...so as I mentioned earlier, that just gives you more bass in whatever freq range is there...one of the first times I demo'd an L1c in our studio.. I had been working on a mix down of a live show we had just finished for a 6 pc band..using a personus studiolive to MAC DAW...so I simply plugged the L1c into the presonus deck...the channel eq had still been set for the live stage where there had been big ol 18" subs and 15" on the 3way mains, etc...so my low end was cranked in that 40hz area for example...not where the L1c bass lives..and that's fine..not asking it to...with a couple players standing around me, I quickly hit the FAT channel and grabbed the low end at that mid 60s freq range and the bose bottom end came to life..really big delta.
when I send a small wedding/party rig out with one of my techs..some of them are not really sharp on digital systems yet...so I still send out an analog mixer..but add a graphic eq preset marks for bose or larger powered speakers as needed.
but when it's me or my better audio guys... we pack the behringer XR18 now...so quick and easy to dial in eq, fx, comps etc, and find the magic in the bose...the 18xr and smaller racks are so light and easy to carry that it's an easy decision. If any of you have not yet tried a mixer in front of the Bose L1c..and preferrably with a more defined eq...you'll be jazzed at how well the Bose takes to the front end signal enhancement. I'm tellin ya guys... I'm not a forum lurker in most cases..but this L1c product keeps surprising me...and if you haven't spent the money on a second one yet... these units, in stereo.... oh my !!
We do Wild West entertainment, L1c and T1,SM58 mic with iPod
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I am a mobile DJ in New Jersey with about 20 years experience. Prior to my Bose purchase, I've lugged around two massive PV SP5Gs and their stands pushing over 1500 watts through them. Superb sound, but we're talking at least 70 pounds!
I bought one Bose L1C in 2016. After a few events with 120 people (including MakerBot, Tesla, and TravelZoo parties), I decided to purchase a second L1C earlier this year. There isn't a party that I can do without hearing a compliment about this system!
Now I've been rocking weddings upwards of 300 people, though at times, I feel that I'm pushing these guys too hard and am opting for an RCF 702 Sub over the Bose F1 because of the 20 pound difference and lower frequency range.
I am a solo acoustic guitarist/singer. The L1C seems to have been designed for me. I have read all the comments and agree on some points.
For most gigs, I originally used my L1C with straight input from guitar and vocal mic and had great clarity of vocals and instrument, but this lacked chorus effect on the guitar and a slight bit of reverb on vox. So I added a chorus foot switch, and that appeased for a while but the no reverb eventually got me to go to a small mixer with reverb. I also wanted more bottom end so I got a subwoofer amp and powered a B1 with it. This configuration drove me nuts, three extra devices for guitar, vox, and bottom end. So for a while I only used the L1C for specific uses (Outdoor weddings was one) and used a non-Bose solution.
Quite by accident (playing a million acoustic electrics at a guitar center and the had me use a Fishman Loudbox Mini) I walked out not with a guitar, but the Fishman! It has the perfect options for the solo acoustic guitarist singer that I wish were on a 2 or 4 channel super small mixer, and quite frankly on the L1C. So I have the vox and guitar in the mini and out of it I pushed it with a single (or two or three or four, depending on room size) Harbinger 2012 powered speakers. They weren't quite as clear as the Bose, but that's where I was because it had a greater bottom end.
So if the L1C were to have the inputs/controls of the loud box mini (optionally add separate line outs for each channel like the loud box Artist but with a toggle for pre/post on each line out) AND be boosted on the bass or allow for a B1 to be added, I would pre-order one as soon as I found out it was offered.
They are great for outdoor weddings as I will set up my L1 Model I and II inside the reception and use the oh-so-portable L1C for the outdoor service and such. Great sound in both places.