I haven't done a full band gig in a while since starting successful acoustic duo (which Bose works beautifully for). We have a gig tonight and my van is limping, and I'm thinking of trying the Bose. Two electric guitars (AC30s), bass and acoustic drums, 3 vocals. I've got a Mackie 12 channel mixer, or I could maybe 3 mics and kick into T1. Any experience out there? Suggestions? Thanks
Hi Jimmy,
Great question. Depending on the size of the room you're playing and some other factors, this could work well... or not.
The tricky part is that the guitar amps' volume drops off more quickly than the L1®. The temptation will be to run the amps loud enough to be heard as well as the vocals - at the back of the room. To do that, you'll have to run the guitar amps louder than the L1® - on the stage. The bigger the room, the more this will be a challenge.
To make things work, you'll need to set the volume for the vocals and then set the volume for everything else so that the vocals remain prominent in the mix. To get the stage mix right so you can hear the vocals for monitoring, you may have to keep the stage volume down.
I would use the T1® for the vocals and the kick drum. I'd run the kick drum mic through T1® channel 4 (see: Use a 4th microphone with the T1)
Use the T1® Presets. If you're going to be running louder than usual for the L1® compared to your acoustic duo, check out these tips on Microphone Feedback.
How big is the room?
ST
edit: added link to Use a 4th microphone with the T1
Hi Jimmy,
Another option that I've done is run all members through the mixer out to the L1 ( are you running only one Model 2 and a B2?)
I agree with ST on running vocals and kick through the T1. Since it only has 3 inputs, I would wire 2 vocals and the kick drum on the T1 (presets are critical), then the 3rd vocal mic (whoever is furthest from the L1) and the rest of the band through the Mackie, then output wired to the line in on the T1. Not the ideal, but it will give good control over the mix.
Position the L1 a bit to the side or slightly behind the drummer (the drummer is usually at the worst disadvantage to hear the rest of the band so placement would be key. I've found most drummers seem to like the mix when I place a single L1 off to the side of their snare, assuming the whole band mix goes through it) a few liked it about a foot behind them but about 6 - 8 ft off to the side. This works if you're miking the kick and snare as well.
The reason to run everyone through the L1 is to balance the audio heard at the back of the venue. Guitar and bass amps would do most of their own work as would the drums. Then their mix in the L1 is very slight, just enough to add a little distance. It won't be perfect at the back, but it will make it a lot better than not running them through the L1 at all
Hi Jimmy,
How was the gig?
ST
It went great. We were really surprised as we had never turned it up that much. I set the rig up to our right about five feet in front so we were in the spray of the 180 and it totally filled the place with about 200-250 people. We had no monitors, just the L1 II, B2. I ran the cable to the T1 to the stage and tweaked the mix from there. I use a wireless on my guitar and roamed around the place a few times when someone else was singing. We and the audience were impressed. I will never worry about using that for any gig. The Mackie system will be on eBay soon. As for the marketing department selling the idea that each band member needs their own L1 system, well, I am debunking that right now. We play loud rock n roll and one L1 was plenty.
Hi Jimmy,
That's terrific. Thanks for coming back to tell us about your gig and for all the great detail.
I'm glad it went so well for you.
ST