My Setup: Bose L1 Compact, Stratocaster into Boss GT100, Professional Grade Backing Tracks on iPad With OneTrack. For the acoustic part of my show I’m using a Breedlove C350cme direct into the T1. Vocal Mic= SM58
I perform everything from Sinatra to 311 to SRV. I have been using this setup for 7 years and have been very happy with my sound except on outdoor gigs or larger venues. Trying to project in an outdoor venue can be difficult with the Compact. It is also difficult to overcome crowd noise in a larger venue. I have been coming to the decision for a year now on purchasing a larger B1 system. My dilemma is which one and with a purchase this big I want to be sure. I have read a lot of information on this forum on L1S vs M2 and B1 vs B2.
My typical gig is restaurants, bars and winery’s ranging from 30-150 people.
I do very similar performances at similar venues. I added two S1 Pros at FOH and use the L1 behind me as a monitor. The results are amazing. I run everything through a Bose T4S.
I have the L1 Compact and the L1 1S with one B1 and I use both with the Bose Tonematch 1 mixer which compliments the two systems and has a number of advantages for me.
Comparing The Two side by side........
The Compact is a fantastic 'go to' system with a great sound as you already know but using the L1 1S even with one B1 you will notice the difference. It has little more body with a somewhat fuller overall sound quality. You would be able to feed around 300 people, so using it with 30-150 would be more than adequate.
I’ve had a L1 Model 2 with B1 Bass and a T8S for 6 months. We’re just two vocalists with acoustics and a harmonizer, but we use 7 channels because we often change instruments during the show. Audiences have ranged from 25 to 300, both inside and out. Ambient crowd noise can still be a challenge, but we get great audience feedback regarding our sound quality, even from the back of the room. If we can hear ourselves, then people can hear us. The L1 is directly behind us, preferably, and we’ve had no mic feedback issues to date.
The support from this forum has been awesome as I’ve transitioned from a traditional rig to the Bose.
To add to the list of experiences, we use a L1 Model 2 with 2 B1 bass modules. Our group is an acoustic duo/trio where we play a variety of folk, jazz, light rock, Americana etc, but no electric guitars. For vocals, we use SM 58 Betas and use a 12 channel Yamaha MG series mixer. Finally, we also use 2 B1s because our daughter plays upright bass with us occasionally and we like having a bit more power in the bass register. We place the L1 behind us in most situations. We play for audience sizes very similar to yours.
For smaller venues and audience sizes (30 or so) where the L1 might be overkill, we recently got a S1 Pro that we use with a mixer. If our daughter plays with us, she might go through a separate bass amp in those situations.
I think your plan of getting a L1S makes sense for the audience sizes you mention. The 1S wasn’t available when we got our Model 2. For large outdoor gigs, the Model 2 would be better, as with its 24 speaker tower, it will certainly project more, but how often do you play those and would it be worth the extra expense?
Just an idea to throw out, if you don’t keep your L1 Compact. Get the less expensive L1S and later on consider investing in a S1. With its battery powered option, we’ve found we use the S1 not just for smaller venues, but along with the L1 in many situations. For example, where you need to put the L1 in FOH to get more projection we use the S1 as a monitor or use the S1 as an extension speaker to the L1 for additional sound coverage. The S1 is certainly optional, but worth considering.
There is a debate among forumites about the merits of the B1 vs the B2. The debate seems to center around type of music you play. DJs want a very pronounced bass while we find the 2 B1s are a bit tighter sounding and just enough bass, where the B2 would be too much. You can search the forum for these prior discussions. The B2 does have a 3 way switch to allow it to emulate “less” bass and sound more like a B1. On point in the B2’s favor, with bigger speakers, it would project better at larger venues. It’s physically heavier and bulkier though. Regardless, it’s essential to get a bass module to use with the L1.
I do very similar performances at similar venues. I added two S1 Pros at FOH and use the L1 behind me as a monitor. The results are amazing. I run everything through a Bose T4S.
Hi Johnny g, how are you connecting the S1 with the L1 system? That is one thing that I know I would miss from the compact is the line out.
To add to the list of experiences, we use a L1 Model 2 with 2 B1 bass modules. Our group is an acoustic duo/trio where we play a variety of folk, jazz, light rock, Americana etc, but no electric guitars. For vocals, we use SM 58 Betas and use a 12 channel Yamaha MG series mixer. Finally, we also use 2 B1s because our daughter plays upright bass with us occasionally and we like having a bit more power in the bass register. We place the L1 behind us in most situations. We play for audience sizes very similar to yours.
For smaller venues and audience sizes (30 or so) where the L1 might be overkill, we recently got a S1 Pro that we use with a mixer. If our daughter plays with us, she might go through a separate bass amp in those situations.
I think your plan of getting a L1S makes sense for the audience sizes you mention. The 1S wasn’t available when we got our Model 2. For large outdoor gigs, the Model 2 would be better, as with its 24 speaker tower, it will certainly project more, but how often do you play those and would it be worth the extra expense?
Just an idea to throw out, if you don’t keep your L1 Compact. Get the less expensive L1S and later on consider investing in a S1. With its battery powered option, we’ve found we use the S1 not just for smaller venues, but along with the L1 in many situations. For example, where you need to put the L1 in FOH to get more projection we use the S1 as a monitor or use the S1 as an extension speaker to the L1 for additional sound coverage. The S1 is certainly optional, but worth considering.
There is a debate among forumites about the merits of the B1 vs the B2. The debate seems to center around type of music you play. DJs want a very pronounced bass while we find the 2 B1s are a bit tighter sounding and just enough bass, where the B2 would be too much. You can search the forum for these prior discussions. The B2 does have a 3 way switch to allow it to emulate “less” bass and sound more like a B1. On point in the B2’s favor, with bigger speakers, it would project better at larger venues. It’s physically heavier and bulkier though. Regardless, it’s essential to get a bass module to use with the L1.
Hope this helps.
Hello CityFolk, how are you connecting the S1 with the L1 system? The line out on the compact is a very handy feature that I will miss.
Thanks to all for the info. I have a decision to make, my biggest dilemma is the B1 or B2. I’m afraid the B2 will be too bassy from what I’ve heard and the weight. I do bout 180-230 shows a year lighter is definitely better. I think the L1S will probably do just fine for my shows.
Since we go into a mixer and then into the L1 (and you’ll have to do something similar since the L1 has only one input unlike the Compact), I use an Aux Out from the mixer to the S1. Main out from the mixer into the L1. Works great.
Suggestion: get a B1 and see how that sounds. If you need more ooomph (technical term), you can always get a second one and daisy chain them together. This way you could have a smaller/lighter setup for some venues, and bulk it up for others that need more bass. You will always need at least one bass module though. The L1 sounds too anemic without it.
L1 Model ll, Fender Strat, Pod HD500, Neumann KMS105, T1, Backing tracks Using Showplay on my Laptop. I have 2 B1's, If it is a smaller venue I only use 1. I have Never played a venue where the L1 Model ll was to much. But i know I have played many venues where the compact could not have handled it. All you have to do is turn the volume down on the L1 Model ll. Keep your compact for a backup and bring it with you. Pretty good chance you'll need it one day. Voice of experience speaking.
L1 Model ll, Fender Strat, Pod HD500, Neumann KMS105, T1, Backing tracks Using Showplay on my Laptop. I have 2 B1's, If it is a smaller venue I only use 1. I have Never played a venue where the L1 Model ll was to much. But i know I have played many venues where the compact could not have handled it. All you have to do is turn the volume down on the L1 Model ll. Keep your compact for a backup and bring it with you. Pretty good chance you'll need it one day. Voice of experience speaking.
Hi Mister D , thanks for your generous sharing of your set up .Ironically I`ve been looking to purchase a Neumann KMS105 (apart from the price) some people say they feedback very easily / also pick up a lot of "bleed" from the crowd noise . What are your thoughts/experience with the mike in these areas ?
Hi Jerome, The Neumann KMS105 is more prone to feedback than say my Audix OM-6 or 7. I am just very careful on my placement of the L1. If I am in a situation that requires the L1 to by close to me then I use my Audix OM-7. As far as bleed goes, the venues I play that problem doesn't come up. I play for 6 Ballroom Dance Clubs in my area and they come to dance and the venue halls are pretty big. Rock On
Hi Jerome, The Neumann KMS105 is more prone to feedback than say my Audix OM-6 or 7. I am just very careful on my placement of the L1. If I am in a situation that requires the L1 to by close to me then I use my Audix OM-7. As far as bleed goes, the venues I play that problem doesn't come up. I play for 6 Ballroom Dance Clubs in my area and they come to dance and the venue halls are pretty big. Rock On
Thanks so much Mr D for your reply & those toe tappin` pictures 😉
a lot of the venues I play at I do indeed have to be close to my L1M2 as there just isnt a lot of flexible space .
Is the Neumann more prone to feedback than say a standard Shure microphone / or would I be better off getting something like your Audix OM-7 ?
I've been using my KMS 105 since 2004 with my L1 systems in all kinds of situations. I do not have issues with feedback. I use the tips in the following article.
I've been using my KMS 105 since 2004 with my L1 systems in all kinds of situations. I do not have issues with feedback. I use the tips in the following article.
