I have the L1 Model II and I am thinking of the F1. I [am] still trying to figure how the price is so much lower than the L1 Model II??? I finally gave up on the Tone Generator and went to a conventional mixer with more inputs and ease of use. I haven’t heard the F1 yet but it sounds like the base would be adequate without the sub-woofer for digital tracks behind a singer or two.
If you compare an L1 Model II with B2 to an F1 Model 812 with F1 Subwoofer, you're pretty close when it comes to price.
Things get interesting if you can meet your needs with a single F1 Model 812 without the F1 subwoofer.
Please tell us more about your music:
What kind(s) of music you play?
Where you do it (size, type of venue)?
Who is there (audience) - how many, what are they doing while you are performing?
Do you have a web site?
If no web site, could you post a picture of your ensemble?
Thank you.
The largest audience is 100 people max. I play local clubs and VFW, Legion, Elks, Etc. The audience is talking and drinking while I, we are playing. I play 50's through 70's with some modern country thrown in for the most part. I forgot to mention that I am using two B1 Base modules with my L1 Model II. I am thinking about the F1 812 without the base module for now for two reasons. One is maybe some sound improvement??? And the other is for a backup. I have been using the L1 for several years and my biggest fear is a failure with no back up.
Nice to get to know you better. I’m very familiar with those kinds of venues. Thanks for the information.
Quick thoughts:
Sound improvement? I’ve got both, and they both sound great, but they are a little different. You probably want get a live demo to see if you have a preference. I’m not sure if this helps, but let me try to explain: If I had to do sound for a loud rock band or a DJ, I’d probably take a couple of F1 systems (Model 812 and Subwoofer). For an acoustic oriented concert or a band that has several lead voices/instruments and I want the audience to really experience who is doing what… I’d use multiple L1®s.
Backup for a Model II? Could you use an F1 Model 812 (without a subwoofer) as a backup for your application - Yes, but you’ll want to rehearse with that. Use it at a few shows to get to know it so that you’re not trying to learn about it under stress. It’s not a drop-in replacement for your Model II. You’re probably not going to put the F1 behind you on stage. You’ll put it off to one side, beside or in front of you, and you won’t be able to hear it very well. You might need a monitor.
Interesting differences The Model II with B1s goes down to 40 Hz (the frequency of a low E string on bass guitar). If you’ve got heavy percussion or low frequency content in your backing tracks (unlikely given what you’re doing) the B1s are serving you well here.
The F1 Model 812 goes down to 52 Hz. That’s still well below the low E string on a your guitar (about 80 Hz). It’s not quite as low as the B1s. There’s probably not much in your backing tracks that would suffer for the difference (52 Hz vs 40 Hz).
Other considerations: The F1 Model 812 is about 45 pounds. I compare that to the Model II system where no individual piece is more than 25 pounds.
You’ll need a tripod stand for the F1 Model 812.
Before I got the F1 Model 812, I was concerned about the physical issues of hauling around a single piece of gear that was 45 pounds; up and down stairs, in and out of the car, hoisting it up on a stand, and getting it back down again. I have been spoiled by the L1® where the heaviest thing we have to lift over waist high is 16 pounds. It turns out that the handles are well placed and it’s really not too bad. Even the 55 pound F1 Subwoofer is manageable and a lot smaller and lighter than other similar subwoofers.
Back to your questions Yes, the F1 sounds great.
Yes, I think that for what you are doing the F1 could serve as a backup for your Model II with two B1s, but you’ll want to get to know it so there are no surprises.
Another option for a backup is a Compact. It might be a little under powered for a chatty crowd of 100 people, but for your smaller audiences it might be enough.
My Compact stays in the trunk of the car. In that sense it goes with me everywhere. I use it for smaller shows, and it’s saved the day several times when other people’s gear has let them down.
For a smaller show it’s closer to a drop-in replacement than the F1 Model 812 in the sense that the Compact also has extremely wide horizontal dispersion (180° ). This means that even if you have to place it beside you, you don’t need a monitor.
The Compact goes down to (only) 65Hz so you won’t have as much low end as the Model II with two B1s or an F1 Model 812, but it’s still a great unit.
Another option for a backup is a Compact. It might be a little under powered for a chatty crowd of 100 people, but for your smaller audiences it might be enough.
My Compact stays in the trunk of the car. In that sense it goes with me everywhere. I use it for smaller shows, and it's saved the day several times when other people's gear has let them down.
For a smaller show it's closer to a drop-in replacement than the F1 Model 812 in the sense that the Compact also has extremely wide horizontal dispersion (180° ). This means that even if you have to place it beside you, you don't need a monitor.
The Compact goes down to (only) 65Hz so you won't have as much low end as the Model II with two B1s or an F1 Model 812, but it's still a great unit.