I received my new "baby" last week and am blown away by the power this little jewel has. I'm not sure which setting I should use "Mic or Guitar" on Channel 1 as I run my guitar and mic through my VLHM harmonizer. I have switched to both mic and guitar and can't really determine a difference. Anyone else using a harmonizer with their S1? I also use the BeatBuddy drum foot pedal and run through channel 2 on the S1. AWESOME!!!!!!
Thanks,
Geri
Hi Geri,
Glad to hear you’re enjoying your S1. Regarding which ToneMatch setting to use, most of the advice I’ve seen says to turn off the ToneMatch settings altogether and set the bass/treble to flat (50%) at the S1 end and set your EQ on the mixer or whatever device is being plugged into the S1. Then fine tune at the S1 end as needed. Perhaps set the reverb off at the S1 end as well if you’re device offers reverb (or vice versatility). I’m sure ST will have some further useful links to this sort of info.
Having said that, if setting the ToneMatch to mic or guitar results in a pleasing sound go for what sounds best to you. Not sure about your vocal harmonizer, but on mine there is a separate guitar only output that could go into a separate S1 channel from the vocal. However, it sounds like you need that other channel for your drums.
In general, I like to keep the EQ’ing as centralized as possible so you’re not having to go across multiple devices to set things. Keep it all in one spot to reduce “fiddling” time. See which device offers the best sound to your ears and set everything else to flat (or slightly tweaked from flat) to allow that device’s sound/EQ to come through. The wild card variable is the venue you play in. That usually dictates some EQ fine tuning. If you play in the same places a lot, I like to keep a log of what settings I used per venue to serve as a starting point for setting EQ stuff if it’s dramatically different from my standard settings. We use an iPad app called SetList Maker to contain all our sets/songs per show/venue and I can add notes to the show for any special settings I used for future reference.
Hi Geri,
If you're running a device that has multiple sources (e.g. harmonizer that has a single output for both voice and guitar), that device is controlling the sound. You want the settings on the S1 Pro to be flat (no EQ) and dry (no Reverb). Then control the sound with the harmonizer.
For the input where you are connecting the harmonizer, you'll use the same settings as you would for a mixer.
We have an article for that. Please see:
Does that help?
ST
Geri, One of the nice things that I enjoy about coming to this forum is reading the "Wow" and "This is So Amazing" reactions from folks just like you discovering the amazing Bose difference that changes their entire playing and performing life forever. It's sort of like the feeling when you are watching a kid wake up to Christmas Day! LOL! I've played through everything from the finest of the finest PA's and I've played through pawn shop junk PA's in my lengthy career. Bose changed everything for me too. Just wanted to let you know what a joy it is to read your enthusiasms.
I use the Voicelive 3 Extreme as a Harmonizer.....and the responses you already have been given are spot on. CityFolk's response deserves re-reading and absorbing. Especially about keeping the EQ as flat and centralized as possible on the S1 so you are not having to go across those multiple devices to tweak or fix problems during a performance. I keep the S1 Pro on a speaker stand and to my left so that I have arm's reach ability to tweak or correct anything quickly and when everything is already as flat as possible, there is always still quite a bit of tweaking room available to me quickly. You don't want an unexpected howl or other unexpected surprise feedbacks to not be able to be squelched immediately and smoothly.
One last thing....since I know the L1 Model II is now on your wish list.....I highly recommend your first purchase if you cannot get the entire system at one time...is to get the T4s Tonematch unit first. I still have the T1, and it's awesome-awesome paired with both the L1 Model II and the S1 Pro, but were it available when I got my system, I would have gone with the T4s....same thing, just more to it and from it. Or if you want to add multiple "more" later....the T8s would be the ultimate. Everything plugged directly into the S1 Pro is amazing in itself....but when I put my voice and guitar into the T1 Tonematch and then use it's Master Out into the S1 Pro....OMGosh what an amazing WOW that gets put on top of the WOW that was already there. Plus you have a tremendous increase in the amount of control and Tone, Volumes, etc right beside of you.
I can't wait to read more about your Bose and Performing Adventures....Happy Enjoying! Tom
@Musicianthomas couldn’t agree more and thanks for the “plug”. I just love it when I start to setup our L1 at a venue and get all these skeptical looks from the venue folks. Then when we start playing in trio form with 2 guitars, 2 vocals and an upright bass through the L1, watch their jaws drop in amazement at the sound projection/quality. Oh my gosh, I can’t help but gently smile. You’ve been Boz-ed! TeeHee.
I had a little different experience with my harmonizer. I use a TC Helicon Play Acoustic. I normally have my main output (control out for both guitar and vocal) set around 80%. When I used the S1, this gave me very bass and midrange heavy tone, which I could not eq out. I must admit that I never checked the everload lights to see if I was feeding the S1 too much. So I decided to try something different.
I put an Sm58 mic direct into channel one (set on mic input) and turned up the volume to 50%. I took the output of the Play Acoustic into channel two with a different SM 58 also with the S1 volume on 50%. I adjusted the mic gain on the Play Acoustic per the Play Acoustic manual instructions. I kept adjusting the Play Acoustic Outut until I felt the levels were similar. When I looked I was surprised to see the Play Acoustic Output was very low, around the 30% range. However the honky midrange and bass heavy tones went away and the clarity came back.
I guess I would be accomplishing the thing as per the article ST provided the link for, but the gain staging is probably the most important part. Before that experiment, I was really disappointed with the sound and could not understand why everyone raves over the S1 Pro. However, I am now raving as well. My settIng left me a little headroom to spare and when I played at a festival on July 4th, I had the volume to about 3:00 since the room was large. However I never increased the Play Acoustic Output beyond 35%. It was loud enough and covered the room well. I placed the S1 on a small, short table in the tilt back position, since I like this eq mode best. My wife said it was the best I have ever sounded. Two days before from home, prior to this experiment, she said it was the worst I ever sounded and thought something was written no with my S1 Pro.
Another happy camper, but follow the gain staging advice from ST or my experience. This made a huge difference. ST please jump in if you think I did something that Bose does not advise and I will try again and edit this post.
I will add this setup completely fits in the backpack so I made one trip to and from the car. 100% battery powered and loving it!
Hi Marty,
Thanks for sharing your experience. This is exactly what I like to hear as it helps us all know what areas to tweak given certain desired sound characteristics. I’ve already used your advice about paying attention to gain at a gig the other day that helped the sound quality.
But most of all, we’re happy to hear you’ve found that sweet spot for your S1. Furthermore, “everything in the backpack and battery”, man that’s quite nice. Talk about ease and flexibility of setup. That’s sweet.
FInally, we were playing outdoors the other day and also had to crank the S1 to about 3 and I was concerned that might’ve pushed it too far, but it worked out fine. Just another pleasant surprise with the S1. It was plenty loud.
CityFolk posted:Hi Marty,
Thanks for sharing your experience. This is exactly what I like to hear as it helps us all know what areas to tweak given certain desired sound characteristics. I’ve already used your advice about paying attention to gain at a gig the other day that helped the sound quality.
But most of all, we’re happy to hear you’ve found that sweet spot for your S1. Furthermore, “everything in the backpack and battery”, man that’s quite nice. Talk about ease and flexibility of setup. That’s sweet.
FInally, we were playing outdoors the other day and also had to crank the S1 to about 3 and I was concerned that might’ve pushed it too far, but it worked out fine. Just another pleasant surprise with the S1. It was plenty loud.
Thanks. Glad it was helpful. Just noticed a ton of type errors. Dang autocorrect on my iPad. Sorry if it was hard to understand.