I just got my new L1 system and Rode NT1-A mic, but the mic channel 1 LED doesn't turn on at all. Should I return the mic? Any idea why this mic doesn't come up on L1 compact system?
Hi IArano,
Thank you for joining the Bose Portable PA Community.
The Rode NT1-A is a condenser microphone and it needs phantom power to operate. The L1® Compact does not provide phantom power. To use that microphone you'll need a mixer or preamp that has phantom power. The Bose ToneMatch mixers (T1®, T4S, T8S) all provide phantom power.
The alternative is to use a dynamic microphone. Almost all dynamic microphones work without phantom power.
Does that help?
ST
Hi IArano,
welcome to the forum. It's always nice to "see new faces" here.
ST's given you the answer you need to understand why the Rode NT1-A mic isn't working for you when connected directly to the Compact.
I can however say something regarding actually using a Rode NT1-A mic with a Compact. I tried it out at a house party in my living room a few years ago (I have a T1 Tonematch which can deliver the necessary phantom power for the Rode NT1-A. I used the Rode NT1-A for my acoustic guitar and a Rose NTK for vocals. At very low volumes it all sounded really good and clear. Feedback became a problem when I raised the volume on the microphones. I was really happy that I'd tried it out before the actual party started, and decided to go with my Beta 58A on vocals and use the pick-up in my guitar.
I personally find that large diaphragm condensers don't really work well when using a close-miking technique (which gives you the best gain before feedback results). Basically you've got the microphone completely blocking off your face plus the much higher risk of plop sounds etc. For recording purposes however (or for loud instruments such as saxophones for example) I really wouldn't want to miss the Rode NT1-A in my microphone arsenal. In cramped spaces you'll probably find that you'll be running the feedback gauntlet if you use a Rode NT1-A mic with a Compact.
Don't just take my word for it. If you have the chance to test for yourself try it out. There's nothing which can replace personal experience.
I hope that these thoughts are of some help to you.
Tony
ST posted:Hi IArano,
Thank you for joining the Bose Portable PA Community.
The Rode NT1-A is a condenser microphone and it needs phantom power to operate. The L1® Compact does not provide phantom power. To use that microphone you'll need a mixer or preamp that has phantom power. The Bose ToneMatch mixers (T1®, T4S, T8S) all provide phantom power.
The alternative is to use a dynamic microphone. Almost all dynamic microphones work without phantom power.
Does that help?
ST
I should be getting my ToneMatch T1 on the mail today.
Great, thanks for the info!!
Seagullman posted:Hi IArano,
welcome to the forum. It's always nice to "see new faces" here.
ST's given you the answer you need to understand why the Rode NT1-A mic isn't working for you when connected directly to the Compact.
I can however say something regarding actually using a Rode NT1-A mic with a Compact. I tried it out at a house party in my living room a few years ago (I have a T1 Tonematch which can deliver the necessary phantom power for the Rode NT1-A. I used the Rode NT1-A for my acoustic guitar and a Rose NTK for vocals. At very low volumes it all sounded really good and clear. Feedback became a problem when I raised the volume on the microphones. I was really happy that I'd tried it out before the actual party started, and decided to go with my Beta 58A on vocals and use the pick-up in my guitar.
I personally find that large diaphragm condensers don't really work well when using a close-miking technique (which gives you the best gain before feedback results). Basically you've got the microphone completely blocking off your face plus the much higher risk of plop sounds etc. For recording purposes however (or for loud instruments such as saxophones for example) I really wouldn't want to miss the Rode NT1-A in my microphone arsenal. In cramped spaces you'll probably find that you'll be running the feedback gauntlet if you use a Rode NT1-A mic with a Compact.
Don't just take my word for it. If you have the chance to test for yourself try it out. There's nothing which can replace personal experience.
I hope that these thoughts are of some help to you.
Tony
Tony,
Thanks for the advise, I'll take them in consideration for sure.
Regards.
Hi, I have just bought my Rode mic as above and also have phantom knob to use with L1 Bose PA system however unlike Shure mic and other models there is no ToneMatch preset available for this Rode NT1~A condenser. Please could you suggest settings on L1 I could use to get optimal sound for in-house recordings?
Hi ST
Thank you for your response. I do have the T1 Bose system with Phantom Power. I just need settings to use my Rode NT1-A condenser microphone optimally for studio recording as the ToneMatch does not presettings for this microphone?
Hi ShahV,
While there are no dedicated RODE ToneMatch presets, I recommend using one of the AUDIX presets for vocal condenser microphones (e.g. VX5 or VX10) and tweaking the parameters to suit the NT1-A.
Hope this helps!