I just bought a Bose L1 Compact. No mixer yet. I have a Boss VE-20 Vocal Pedal and am not sure how to connect it to the L1. It sounds like nothing but the mic should be plugged into the mic input on the L1. How do I connect the pedal? Do I use the guitar input or can I plug the mixer directly into the mic input?
On the pedal, there is an option for mono or stereo. Which one is more suitable when using the L1?
Thanks.
Hello Harrison,
The Boss VE-20 creates its harmonies and effects by keying on the voice (rather than relying on a guitar or other music input) to determine the harmony parts. As such, it's just a simple pass-through, Connect your mic to the input of the Boss VE-20, and connect the L/Mono output to the mic input of the L1 Compact. Be sure to set the VE-20's output to "Mono" in its menu. Adjust the VE-20 settings, and adjust the Compact's volume so you are seeing green flashes. If you see red flashes, turn down the volume. If you are constantly seeing red flashes no matter the volume, you'll need to reduce the VE-20's master output volume.
As with any outboard equipment, power sequencing is important to eliminate noisy or damaging "pops" in your Compact. Turn on the VE-20 first, then turn down the L1 Compact volume before turning it on, then raise the Compact's volume to performance level. When shutting down, turn down the Compact's volume, then power the Compact off, then power off the VE-20.
Does that help?
Hello, Fish-54, and thank you so much for the speedy reply! Does it help?? Oh, my, yes!
And thank you for all of the tips...can you tell I don't know what I'm doing?!😂 I've done some research, but if I tried to learn everything there is to know, I'd never buy anything!
I assumed this was the case, but when I read the manual, I hesitated, as it says in a couple of places not to use anything but a mic in that input (also, do you know what the 1. GND 2. Hot 3. Cold is next to the VE -20 mic input?), and it looks like a mixer would plug into the guitar input, so I thought maybe that was where the VE-20 plugged in.
A couple more dumb questions if you don't mind. Right now, we are just an acoustic duo. My guitarist has a pedal board -- can he plug the board into the L1 compact through the guitar input or are we in mixer territory now?
Lastly, you clearly know lots about the VE-20. I guess at this point I know enough to be dangerous. Any other tips/best practices for settings and/or good resources to get better acquainted with it?
Thank you again, so much, for the help!
Hello again Harrison,
You're welcome. We've all started from scratch at one point or another!
As long as you aren't soldering cables yourself, I wouldn't worry too much about the particulars of proper wiring for XLR cables. Buy one of the shelf from a reputable store or website, you can be pretty well assured it's wired right.
Yes, just plug the pedal board into channel 2 and set the volume. You only need a mixer if you're adding more mics or instruments.
I sorry, I don't know any more about the VE-20 than what I read about hooking it up properly. I do know that with some harmonizers (like the VE-20), you provide the key; others loop the guitar through it, and it "listens" to the guitar chords and applies the proper harmony to the voice.
"I guess at this point I know enough to be dangerous." No, at this point you know enough to have more fun and experiment! Enjoy making music!
Thanks, again, Fish-54! Ha ha, great advice.......
Since I am now fatigued from reading through technical user manuals, I am going to give my brain a rest and get going on my set up tomorrow. Think I will first just try the Bose without the pedal just to check out the vocal sound. Think it's gonna beat our little Fender Passport!
Great to hear that the guitarist can also plug a pedal in. We don't want to go crazy with equipment and having our separate pedal set ups able to coexist with the Bose is music to my ears! (I know that was really bad).
Thank you again!
Thanks, again!