Hi
We have a Bose L1 and a T4S for smaller gigs and are thinking of buying another to use one either side and give us more flexibility. For this setup we need to mic the following;
2x vocal mics
4x guitars
1x Saxophone
1x drum overhead
1x bass drum
I also need to run 1x in-ear monitors.
Is this at all possible using a tonematch T8S or would we have to buy a mixer with more channels? Is there any plans for a T10S? 🙂
Hello BRNick,
I think it depends on 1) whether you intend to keep the T4s, and 2) how you use the L1's. There are several options. Which model L1 do you have? (It makes a difference when it comes to power.)
If you keep the T4s, just run the T8s left and right 1/4" main outs via TRS cables into the Aux In 5 & 6 on the T4s. This will actually give you 12 channels total. The T4s doesn't "process" Aux In 5 &6 other than level or panning, i.e., no ToneMatch presets, EQ, reverb, etc. It just passes them on to the Master out, so you need to apply any settings on the T8s. If you are going to pan some vocals or instruments left or right, then pan Aux 5 right and Aux 6 left and any panning you do on the T8s will come out of the T4s that way. Depending on which model L1 you have, you might be able to go the other way, T4s to T8s. (You can't connect the T8s to L1 Model II's or 1s'svia the ToneMatch cable -- it uses too much power.)
With L1 Models II or 1s, or the new L1 Pro line, you also could run the drums through the T4s to each L1 via ToneMatch cables, and all the other instruments through the T8s to each L1 via their analog inputs.
You didn't mention whether you will run the sound from the stage or someone else will manage it. You have the flexibility to spread the mixers to different people if you want.
What seems like a simple question actually raises some others that may affect your stage setup. You mention that you need to run IEM's. Does everyone use them? Do they all want the same mix? If you "daisy-chain" the two mixers, you can tap off the second mixer's main outs to get one mix. Are you planning to run the L1's as front-of-house, rather than behind you? Are any of your instrumentalists also the vocalists? You mentioned that you "need to mic the following." Do the guitars have built-in pickups, or do you need to actually mic them? (The more open mics you have, the more challenging it can be with the L1 system's wide dispersion.)
That should get the discussion started!
Hi,
Thanks for the reply (I’m actually NickBR but I’m not sure I registered properly so this might show as another user)
I’m afraid I’m not overly technical and a lot of the response has gone over my head but it’s nice to know it might be possible.
In simple terms, are you saying the T8S and T4S can be linked and used together to provide 12 channels? We will keep what we have and buy whatever we need to do the job, while trying to keep the setup as simple as possible.
Only one person (me) needs in ear monitors. They are custom-fit and the main priority is to protect my ears from volume because of tinnitus so they are very noise-cancelling. I sing, play acoustic guitar and saxophone. We have to mic everything because I need to hear everything in my ears at the right levels.
Depending on the room it might be used as front of house or behind us, but the latter can be a problem if it’s too confined with feedback. If it’s front of house we might also need to connect a monitor.
This is what we currently have;
We are happy to update the Bose gear if it makes things easier/workable.
Hello again Linksedge (BRNick),
"In simple terms, are you saying the T8S and T4S can be linked and used together to provide 12 channels?" Yes, exactly.
The main reason I asked about mics vs. pickups in the guitars -- the more mics you use, the likelihood of feedback goes up exponentially ( i.e., two mics, 3-4 times as likely; three mics 6-8 times as likely; etc.) The original design consideration of the L1 systems was one per performer, to let each performer control their own mix. Of course, economics and space considerations dictate how many you can afford and fit on a stage! I love to point folks to this video discussing the original thought behind the L1 systems.
If you get another identical Model II, you can feed both from the T4s via the ToneMatch cables, and run your IEM and/or stage monitor from the 1/4" main outs. With two systems, you may be able to lower your stage volume and still have the coverage you desire. You'll also have the ability to pan different mics & instruments left or right -- this will help reduce feedback by eliminating overlapping signals coming from both towers, and help with "the cocktail party effect."
You have lots of options, but yes, you could link a T8s to T4s and have 12 channels, if that's what you decide to do.
Does that help?