Hi,
First of all - great forum, I was up far too late last night reading many of the posts!
I’m a part-time DJ / Karaoke host in the UK and have just sold my passive speakers, so need a replacement. However, I am thinking about selling off my amps too and replacing it all with a 2 L1 / 4B1 set-up, mainly to increase the quality of my show and reduce the amount of gear I have to move.
I already have a MacBook Pro, running Numark Cue DJ software, which handles music, karaoke and video. I also have a Pioneer CDJ400 (x2)/DJM400 (mixer) set, with which I can control the software very nicely and could probably take in any vocals when doing Karaoke.
Questions:
- Would this work well with the Bose system. I guess I could just take the left and right channels out of the back of the mixer and feed one to each of the powerstands, effectively giving me a stereo image?
- Is a Tonematch unit necessary? I have read it’s tricky to get stereo though?
- Do many of you ever use 1 L1 with 4 B1’s, via a Packlite. If so, when is this suitable?
- Is some sort of power conditioner recommended?
- Does Karaoke work well on this system?
- Have you managed to increase your fees as a direct result of using Bose products?
- I have seen the many comments regarding Bass response and have come to the conclusion that it is a personal preference thing, but may require a boost when doing dance heavy gigs? I have a powerful, compact but heavy, B&W home cinema sub (B&W ASW610XP - 500W), can this be attached to the system somehow, if absolutely necessary?
Any help would be much appreciated…
Thanks, Ian
Hi Ian,
Thank you for joining the Forum.
Let me pick up on a few of your points.
quote:Originally posted by Elite Entertainments:
Hi,
First of all - great forum, I was up far too late last night reading many of the posts!
I’m a part-time DJ / Karaoke host in the UK and have just sold my passive speakers, so need a replacement. However, I am thinking about selling off my amps too and replacing it all with a 2 L1 / 4B1 set-up, mainly to increase the quality of my show and reduce the amount of gear I have to move.
I already have a MacBook Pro, running Numark Cue DJ software, which handles music, karaoke and video. I also have a Pioneer CDJ400 (x2)/DJM400 (mixer) set, with which I can control the software very nicely and could probably take in any vocals when doing Karaoke.
Thanks for the detailed introduction.
quote:
Questions:
- Would this work well with the Bose system. I guess I could just take the left and right channels out of the back of the mixer and feed one to each of the powerstands, effectively giving me a stereo image?
That should work fine. Two L1®s can give you a very wide stereo sweet spot.
quote:
- Is a Tonematch unit necessary? I have read it’s tricky to get stereo though?
You can set up the T1® to run stereo in a couple of minutes give or take. It’s not hard and I’ve detailed what you need to do here:
T1® to two L1®s - Stereo
Once you’re set up, you will find that is most convenient to control the volume from your stereo source (computer or mixer).
quote:
- Do many of you ever use 1 L1 with 4 B1’s, via a Packlite. If so, when is this suitable?
This will be based on personal preferences and specific circumstances.
quote:
- Is some sort of power conditioner recommended?
See: Power Considerations
quote:
- Does Karaoke work well on this system?
If you want to help vocalists sound their best with with various microphones in a variety of environments the T1® is an excellent tool. For more notes about the T1® see: T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine
quote:
- Have you managed to increase your fees as a direct result of using Bose products?
- I have seen the many comments regarding Bass response and have come to the conclusion that it is a personal preference thing, but may require a boost when doing dance heavy gigs? I have a powerful, compact but heavy, B&W home cinema sub (B&W ASW610XP - 500W), can this be attached to the system somehow, if absolutely necessary?
We have notes about these ideas.
See: I Need More Bass
quote:
Any help would be much appreciated…
Thanks, Ian
General notes for DJs
We notes specifically for L1® DJs here.
L1® DJ
Ian, welcome to the forum!
OK I’ll answer you questions the best I can.
1) I think your system would work just fin with the L1’s. You could run you left & rights into channel 3 or 4.
2) The tone Match is no necessary & is a bit trick for stereo if any thing I’d say look into getting a Denon X500 mixer (this would give you more options).
3) Very rarely have I used a single L1 with four B1’s & a Packlite. Usually when I have it seemed that I had almost too much bass (this of coarse depends greatly on the room). For karaoke a single L1 with two B1’s is the perfect fit. If you need more volume adding an other L1 & two more B1’s would be a better choice.
4) I think it is always a good idea to run a power conditioner when ever using the L1’s. Could you get away with out using one - sure, but I wouldn’t do it.
5) Karaoke works great on this system. Just make sure you have good microphones. I recommend any thing by Heil Sound.
6) Yes our fees have gone up quite a bit since we started using Bose L1’s two years ago. Was it all because we use L1’s - well no, but it sure has helped.
7) I would stick to ONLY using B1’s for the low end when operating the L1’s. The B1’s were made to compliment the system & they do beautifully! If you start to mix & match for your low end you will not have the legendary L1 sound that we all talk about & that our clients enjoy. The B1’s integrated into the L1 system play a HUGE role in the over all sound you get.
Hope that has helped.
I have a similar set up and it works great. Run each output from your mixer into each Bose. The units sound better than anything I have ever heard, great for karaoke too. Randy
quote:Is a Tonematch unit necessary? I have read it's tricky to get stereo though?
Not so tricky to get stereo but tricky (IMHO) to control. I prefer rolling my volume up and down for the music and mics on one mixer.
Controlling music volume on my laptop and mic volume on the T1 is way too complicated for this codger. Yes, I can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Thanks for the replies so far and Happy Thanksgiving for all of you in North America!
I’ve decided that I will go down the Bose route and sell off the rest of my old gear.
I’ve also had a look at some of the links and have a few more questions:
- I’m interested in the Tonematch unit and now understand how to get stereo out of it. But could I just run music from my Pioneer mixer outputs directly to the L1’s and only use the T1 as a vocal effects unit? What are the benefits to the music of running it through the T1? Another alternative is to get a separate non-Bose vocal effects unit (to include compression) and place it between the mic and a direct input on the L1? I would appreciate any non-biased opinions on just how good the T1 vs. other solutions? Lastly, I see that you can order a T1 directly from Bose.com but I cannot seem to see how to do this from Bose.co.uk - is this possible?
- there seems to be conflicting opinions on the power conditioner, so I will go with the Bose wiki advice, but continue to use surge protected extension cables.
- do Bose have any plans to bring out a specific DJ/Karaoke mixer to suit the L1’s?
- this may be a stupid question, but is the Power Stand Bass Line Out exactly that, i.e. a line level output that can be amplified by anything? I doubt I will ever need it, but its good to know I could.
Cheers, Ian
Hi Ian,
quote:Originally posted by Elite Entertainments:
Thanks for the replies so far and Happy Thanksgiving for all of you in North America!
I’ve decided that I will go down the Bose route and sell off the rest of my old gear.
I’ve also had a look at some of the links and have a few more questions:
- I’m interested in the Tonematch unit and now understand how to get stereo out of it. But could I just run music from my Pioneer mixer outputs directly to the L1’s and only use the T1 as a vocal effects unit?
Yes, you could do that. How you do that will be different depending on whether you get a couple of Model I’s or Model II’s. The signal flow would be same but the physical connections would be different.
quote:
What are the benefits to the music of running it through the T1?
If you run the music directly from your MacBook Pro to the T1® via you use the T1® as your sound card. It sounds great.
quote:
Another alternative is to get a separate non-Bose vocal effects unit (to include compression) and place it between the mic and a direct input on the L1?
The T1® has a four compressor/limiters. One for each: T1® Channels 1,2,3,4/5
All the other effects can be applied individually per Channel (although reverb type is shared). The amount of reverb (mix) and brightness are adjustable for each channel individually.
quote:
I would appreciate any non-biased opinions on just how good the T1 vs. other solutions?
I believe that comments you find here will be from people who actually own and use (or have owned and used) the Bose gear that they choose to discuss. That will give you opinions based on a wide variety of actual experience.
quote:
Lastly, I see that you can order a T1 directly from Bose.com but I cannot seem to see how to do this from Bose.co.uk - is this possible?
I am sure that you can purchase one in the UK.
I’ll find some links for you and get back to you here.
quote:
- there seems to be conflicting opinions on the power conditioner, so I will go with the Bose wiki advice, but continue to use surge protected extension cables.
That is what I do.
quote:
- do Bose have any plans to bring out a specific DJ/Karaoke mixer to suit the L1’s?
I do not speak for Bose, (in any way) but Bose has never commented about products that may be under development.
quote:
- this may be a stupid question, but is the Power Stand Bass Line Out exactly that, i.e. a line level output that can be amplified by anything? I doubt I will ever need it, but its good to know I could.
Cheers, Ian
The Bass Line Out is a line level output - strictly frequencies below 200 Hz (Model II) or 180 Hz (Model I) and is used primarily for Bass expansion with the Bose PackLite® Extended Bass Package
(PackLite® amp two B1 Bass Modules) although you can use other devices. You will find details in this article:
Bass Line Out
edit: new link to new article
Hi again Ian,
Please follow this link for Bose Contacts in the UK.
Contact Andrew Rigler (his information is on the page to which I linked) and I am sure he can help you to get a T1®.
Hello again,
Well, I collected my 2 x L1’s and 4 x B1’s last Tuesday from a DJ friend who was selling them off - although about 3-4 years old, they have not been used very much, so are in perfect condition.
I used one of them at a small gig (80 people max) on Friday and I was absolutely amazed at the sound clarity and overall quality. I had concerns about the bass, but was more than happy, I would have say that it is just different: rather than a heavy headache inducing thud that most disco speakers produce, its a tight, well controlled bass that somehow seems to come from the L1’s. It just works really well.
I’ve also ordered a T1 Tonematch unit to further enhance my show and more importantly provide inputs and effects for Karaoke. I have a question about this though: can the T1 be used without the L1’s as a mixer/effects unit and plugged directly into a venue’s PA system? I occasionally DJ/KJ is high street venues and it would be great to turn up with a laptop and a T1 (plus I can then sell off my old CDG/mixer/amp combo).
I also had a slight problem on Friday whereby I had knocked one of the input switches on the back of my Pioneer mixer from Line to Phono - the noise was obviously overloaded and it did come through the L1 very briefly: although it recovered and sounded fine all night, is this likely to cause any damage?
One more question, what amp fuse should be used in the mains plug which goes into the powerstand?
Thanks, Ian
Hi Ian,
Congratulations!
quote:Originally posted by Elite Entertainments:
Hello again,
Well, I collected my 2 x L1’s and 4 x B1’s last Tuesday from a DJ friend who was selling them off - although about 3-4 years old, they have not been used very much, so are in perfect condition.
I used one of them at a small gig (80 people max) on Friday and I was absolutely amazed at the sound clarity and overall quality. I had concerns about the bass, but was more than happy, I would have say that it is just different: rather than a heavy headache inducing thud that most disco speakers produce, its a tight, well controlled bass that somehow seems to come from the L1’s. It just works really well.
Terrific - I’m glad you are enjoying the bass. Not that I had any doubt, but I’m glad all the same.
quote:
I’ve also ordered a T1 Tonematch unit to further enhance my show and more importantly provide inputs and effects for Karaoke. I have a question about this though: can the T1 be used without the L1’s as a mixer/effects unit and plugged directly into a venue’s PA system?
Yes you can plug into a venue’s PA system. Depending on how that system is EQ’d you may have to make some changes but you can save them as a T1® Scene if you intend to go back to that venue.
quote:
I occasionally DJ/KJ is high street venues and it would be great to turn up with a laptop and a T1 (plus I can then sell off my old CDG/mixer/amp combo).
I also had a slight problem on Friday whereby I had knocked one of the input switches on the back of my Pioneer mixer from Line to Phono - the noise was obviously overloaded and it did come through the L1 very briefly: although it recovered and sounded fine all night, is this likely to cause any damage?
No, if things sounded fine all night - then it is highly unlikely you did any harm.
quote:
One more question, what amp fuse should be used in the mains plug which goes into the powerstand?
Thanks, Ian
Hmmm - I know that in North America it is a
T15A, 125V/250V, 6.3x32mm
and looks like this:
But I do not know if it is the same in the UK.
It’s probably better if you check with a Bose dealer. Whoever is supplying you with the T1® can probably look that up for you - or else check here.
Contact information for Bose L1® Support in the UK
Finally - did you order a T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine power supply
?