The 12 channel mixer on the stand next to me and under the lap top is output into the Bose L1's. The lap top is there to play back midi files that I create in my home studio using a Roland Sound Canvas VA software in the computer. This allows us to have addition sounds to augment our live playing. I have been using a similar set up since the mid 90's. The lap top audio out is plugged into the mixer. The Boss 100 (great amp) is not plugged into the mixer. Thanks for asking.
Been using my trusty L1 Compact/T1 Tonematch mixer setup for many years and just upgraded to the new L1 Pro 8. I love, love, love the L1 Compact for the type of gigs I do ...... but the L1 Pro8 is a whole different animal.
Looking how to hook up 1 bose L1 to 2 bose S1 as floor monitors. Can't find a video. Two person band electric and acoustic guitar with streaming music via blue tooth. Any help I would appreciate it!
@@lwebber123 yes. You run your Bluetooth directly toq the s1s. Use the bose app to link both s1s together. Then run a cable from one of the s1s to the L1.
Big Bose fan here. I’ve seen these systems on line but never heard them in person. But being Bose, the must sound great! Hard tell listening on a cell phone. But you guys are great!!
I bought one four years ago when I started to learn how to play guitar and set up a music room. Back then it was $849. In my opinion worth every penny. The sound is awesome. The vocals are rich and deep. Way more power than I would ever need for what I do Just entertaining myself and friends.I could see that if you were a musician traveling around you can carry the whole system Into the venue in one trip.
@@zoks6465 I have a mixer I don’t really like. I’m not doing vocals now. a very difficult piece of equipment to buy in my opinion. I don’t know much about mixtures and would never advise on to someone. Good luck.
Our Band PA is two Bose L1 Pro 8 and a Bose T4s mixer, it all fits in the trunk of my car. sets up in about 5 minutes and that's taking my time. I dont miss carrying giants subs and tops anymore. The bose system at 50% is plenty for shows.
I agree. After so many years of lugging speaker cabs, PA amps up and down stairs or long hauls into a club, I was blown away by the Bose systems portability and the great sound. I agree also about the volume. I never used it over 50% either. If it hadn't been for the PA gear I lugged around for 45+ years of gigging I probably wouldn't have needed the double knee replacements I had earlier this year. Good luck.
Interesting review, thanks. I see that in the latter part when you are playing that the PA columns are actually behind you. I've not seen this done before, but it obviously works without feedback. My band has two LD Systems column PAs and we always have put them out front as per tradition and use floor monitors - but the other guys are stick in the mud traditionalists and changing that is going to take some persuading. Nice guitar amp - I replaced my Marshall DSL with a Katana 50 that sounds as good, is more verstile but half the weight ! As a teenager , I yearned for a full dual cabinet 100W stack but never could afford one - now I'm older and can afford one, I couldn't carry it around! Keep making the music!
I have played with the P/A behind me for the last 40 years , you can hear everything and no need for foldbacks and we play LOUD , since these clips I have purchased 2 x RCF Evox 12 systems and very happy with them , they are no cheap $12,000 Aus but worth every dollar ua-cam.com/video/45e0U5Nu1VU/v-deo.html
Dude thank you for the review. My wife and I do acoustic gigs and really considering getting one of these. I’m currently using ElectroVoice powered speakers with a mixer so that’s a lot of set-up! This seems to simplify everything.
A nice presentation and representation of this system. (It convinced me to buy it!) Your video showed just how suitable this was for my needs. Like you, I have a large system to carry about, and this is light and rapidly set up. Thank you, and regards from Liverpool, UK. :)
I am also the lucky owner of the L1 compact. However, I also own the Boss Katana and now I see your Katana on a stand. Can you share what kind of stand it is? I've never seen anything like it. Hope it's available here in the Netherlands.
Are you plugged into that Boss Katana too in that last clip ? Like Boss Katana then quarter inch cable into one of the L1’s or ? Are the two Bose units sinker or are you using a mixing board ?
The 12 channel mixer on the stand next to me and under the lap top is output into the Bose L1's. The lap top is there to play back midi files that I create in my home studio using a Roland Sound Canvas VA software in the computer. This allows us to have addition sounds to augment our live playing. I have been using a similar set up since the mid 90's. The lap top audio out is plugged into the mixer. The Boss 100 (great amp) is not plugged into the mixer. Thanks for asking.
Hey ! nice review... I have a question, may be you can help me, regarding to the max volume that the L1 can gives, how many people do you think this is made for ?
Bose L1 compact has limitations about bass - but we can fix it, by adding a bigger subwoofer and feeding the Bose with frequencies above. I wouldn't complain, that the notebook PC has a small display and no mouse and small keyboard - and say "Buy a real tower PC" - I would add external display, mouse and keyboard and use this and also keep portability.
I can only judge how this system works for me and my partner and we don't need to boost any low end at all It's got enough for what we do. If it's a DJ system or louder band situation I think the next step up would be better at the job. As far as computers, the laptop I use just sends midi info to an internal software midi sound module (Roland TTS1 sound module) then out to the mixing board . I have been doing this midi thing since the early 90's when I was using Cakewalk for Dos ver #1 on 5 1/4 floppy discs, an early IBM 386 XT with a mono monitor and a Roland Sound Canvas module. A laptop was a major step up in the late 90's and since has always worked just fine, no issues. I do all my programming at home so I don't need a mouse or monitor on a gig. All I need to see is my list of midi files . Hell, on a gig I still use Cakewalk Pro 9 from about 2001 {the last version of Cakewalk before it became Sonor). My new ASUS laptop with windows 10 will not accept my old 32 bit Cakewalk midi program (unless I use a Virtual Box like program) so I use an older HP computer that to my surprise is holding up well despite how badly it has been treated. The bottom line is that for my needs I could still be using a DOS version to play back midi files as they require very minimal CPU usage and I never need to see anything but a list of file names on a gig (highlight the file and hit the spacebar to start) . Thanks for your comments. It made me relive some old DOS memories and think about how long I have been doing this.
Thanks, Rick, for this great review! I am part of a duo as well (my daughter and I) and buying a pre-owned Bose L1 Compact system. It sounds great in my basement with just my mic and guitar. But, what about 2 mics and 2 guitars? What kind of external mixing board would you recommend to accommodate such a combo?
Thanks for asking. I have several mixing boards including a Mackie, a Soundcraft and a Behringer. I generally use the Behringer because it just works and has decent built in effects. You can see the Behringer board in the live portion of my video. We also are using a nice pair of Shure 87 condenser mics which helps but before that we used Shure SM 58's for many years and they are great mics. The only issue I encounter with the Behringer board is that my modal only has low impedance which worked great on my Mackie speakers but not on the L1 so o I have to use an adapter to get into the Bose L1 input. No big deal. I use midi backing tracks from my laptop and we have played very large clubs and banquet halls with the two Bose L1's and it came through fine. On smaller club gigs we often use just one Bose L1 when space is limited. As far as mixers you might consider a Behringer boards like the 1202FX. It's very reasonable at about $125 and has built in effects. I use a much larger mixer (Behringer Xenyx 1222USB) but I only use a few channels in it and it's really overkill for a duo. You might hear some people talking poorly about Behringer products in general, I can only tell you that most of my gear is fairly high end and I have used a number of Behringer products for both my live system and my home studio and have never had an issue with any of it. That is just my opinion. Good luck.
Yes, definately. In this video I was using a Behringer Xenyx 12 channel mixer with built in effects. I'm sure the Bose mixers are high qulity and very nice but they are horribly expensive. You can get a number of quality mixers with more channels and featuress at half the price of the Bose mixers.
@Rick Pearce I tried the Bose last night. I'm a solo acoustic performer, guitar and vocal. I plugged an SM 58 directly into channel one. The red peak light started blinking at about 12 o clock on the dial. I'm hoping the mixer will give me more headroom and more overall volume before peaking.
@Rick Pearce Also, since the speakers have a 180-degree dispersment, and the bar I played at had very little room to place the speaker further away from my head, my ears are ringing. Adding mids to my vocals with a decent mixer will help significantly, I think. With a boost in the mids, at least I won't need to crank my vocal channel so loud.
Great PRACTICAL review for us working musicians that like to see how it's done without all the technical mumbo jumbo u get from sales people and tech heads. I noticed u had the system behind you, so I assume you're also using them as monitors. Do the speakers have a crossover with the Subs? I think it would be important to separate the high end from the low end? Cheers
While I normally get heavily into all the technical side of PA systems this was the first one I have bought where I went mostly on just having heard another two piece duo like I have using the system. We both play regularly in the same room and are very similar in our material. The tweeter array on the poles face various ways inside the poles. One will face direct to the front, another slightly off to the right and another to the left. This spreads the highs very evenly and above most peoples heads. The tweeters are really small but do the job well. I'm sure they come off a crossover. BOSE is very secretive about anything tech wise on these systems. There is no power rating in their literature or much about how the system works. We put them behind us because we can. That's one of the great things about these speakers. In most clubs/bars we play you can get them just a few feet away from the nearest microphone you can use them behind and off to the side . Now we only use monitors in bigger rooms. It' was quite an investment ($1000 each. I use two) but the fact is I am winding down my playing after 50 years and this system weights about 26 lbs. per unit where my Mackie 15"'s weight almost 40 lbs. each. My back was starting to feel it (I am just getting old). More than anything it was step up in terms of quality sound. Good luck.
@@Rickholly74 Thankyou. I know how u feel. I'm getting to that stage too. Atm I use 2 X EV ZX5's - beautiful 15 inch 2 way cabinets BUT quite heavy at 50 lbs each. And 2 EV Sx300's as monitors. I power them with a Dynacord 1600 powermate, which is also quite heavy. Occasionally I take a 700 watt Sub for extra oomph. Throw in all the cabling, mics, stands & instrumentation etc... and my weekly workout is done in one night. We're in lockdown mode here due to Coronavirus so no gigs for the time being. Spending the time looking online for new lighter gear.
As I remember Paul didn't have anything good to say about Bose 901's but thought the L1 was pretty good and they are. Also remember Paul comes from a home/studio high quality audiophile background. I was in a band back in the 70's that had four Bose 901 speakers that we used for our PA in small clubs and at that time they were amazing. I never used them for home audio so I can't comment on that. Since I bought my L1 system three years ago they have improved the L1 line even more. Thanks for watching.
Thank you. It's a really nice system for someone like me and my partner. We only need to run it less than half way up so power is not an issue, it's plenty loud and amazingly good on the low end. It's only drawback is the price.
No mp3. I use a laptop computer and a Roland virtual sound module (TTS-1) so each song is played back through the sounds in my computer and USB out to a small Behringer interface to my mixer. I started creating midi tracks in the early 90's before the internet and mp3's were available so I continue to do it. I have a late 90's version of Cakewalk version 9 (before it became Sonor). That program (using a Windows emulator to run an old version of XP) works great for midi programming and playback. It has a Virtual Jukebox feature that allows me to create sets and playlists of my midi files. I am just an old school midi guy. I like having complete control with the sounds and all the instruments and if I recorded my midi to mp3 I would loose that ability and be stuck with a pre-recorded mix. I know two other duos who create and use mp3's of their midi tracks and it works good for them. After so many years of being in 4-5 piece bands, working with just one or two partners is a lot less headache and allows us to play places too small for a full band but still have a big sound. Thanks for asking.
Thanks for watching. I have only used the Bose as a PA system but we put everything through it and it works great. I have never had it over half volume. I don't use the Bose mixer. That's an extra $500 and does not have enough channels for me. I am using a 12 channel Behringer mixer (or my back up Mackie mixer). I have had this system now for about a year and a half and have no issues. It has definitely saved carrying my bigger speakers. If you want more bass you can always add the optional bass module. Go luck. ua-cam.com/video/-myyvYHKSR0/v-deo.html
Useful review, thank you. As a female with upper limb problems I am finding my current set up (only 4 years old) is already obsolete and too clunky to drag about - also no good for very tiny stage areas. Will definitely consider the Bose, which was recommended to me by another musician.
I know it's quite an expense at $1000 per side (I run two so for me it was $2000) but since I did this video I have done jobs with my partner in very small rooms where we only used one and it worked fantastically. Not only has this system saved my back but it allows us to take on smaller venues that we could not play at before because we needed more room. It also eliminated our need to use monitors. The dispersion of sound is unbelievable.
Quick question, can backing tracks, vocal AND guitar be put into channel 1? I can send all through one line into channel 1. I want the EQ (treble / bass) but I’m concerned the built in tonematch will make the BT and Guitars sound bad.. any thoughts?
You can buy the Bose systems with or without the Tone Match mixer. I'm sure the Tone Match mixer is very nice but I use a stand alone mixing board not the Bose Tone Match. For one thing, the Bose mixer was limited in the amount of channels (I need at least five) but most of all the cost was ridiculously high. $600 for a four channel mixer is way out of line in my opinion. I have a nice Mackie board and a Behringer Xenyx USB1222board (I use the Behringer more often) and they cost half of what the Bose mixer costs and offer lots more bells and whistles. Thank for asking. ua-cam.com/video/XGKK3nEMQR8/v-deo.html
@@PeterDunbar Good question. I don't know. I leave the EQ's on the Bse at 12:00 (flat) and use the EQ on my mixer. I found the first time I used the Bose L1 that you cannot use the low impedance input a mixer input. The low impedance input input on channel 1 is not line level it is strictly mic level and much to hot for a mixer line out. I have no issue using the line input on channel two. I use two Bose L1's and I run from my mixer to one of the Bose and then line out from one Bose to the 2nd Bose. I could run to the other Bose directly from the 2nd output of my mixer but since I don't run anything in stereo mode when I do gigs I find it more convenient to just use one out and link the two Bose using one mixer output. One note; I don't know how much wattage the Bose has but it must be significant., either that or the way the speakers are matched and lined up in the array make it seem really big. We often play fairly good sized rooms and I can't run the Bose more than half way up with my mixer output on 3-4. These Bose systems are really great (expensive but great) and my back thanks me after every gig. Good luck.
I am sure they are better. These were not available when I got the L1. You are right and if anyone needs something bigger that would be a nice choice. Thanks.
Great review Rick thinking of getting definitely one maybe another later on.Love the band footage. Hey wheres the Firefly guitars,LOL???? What volume level were you at on those songs do you have the tone match console?? Glenn in N.Y.
Thanks for the comments. No I don't have the Tone match mixer. The problem for me was the Tonematch mixer was a four channel mixer with only three of those channels being low impedance mic channels. The lowest cost Tonematch mixer is $299 for four channels when the Behringer eight channel mixer I use cost $229 and has many more features. I do love the Bose system. It's so light weight and very powerful. The room we played in that video was a fairly good sized room with about 250 people in it for a charity event. The Bose is only about 1/2 way up.
Hey Rick. That's a sweet system, I saw a demo video by a Bose rep a couple of months back and I was skeptical at first because I've seen my share of new "awesome" amps, instruments gadgets, wireless systems, and of course PA's, but this one actually delivered as advertised, and that surprised me because most new "awesome" electronics are anything but, and more like "awful"! I've been lead vocalist/writer for close to 30 years now, and after a ten year break I've recently started building a new band and we're playing classic rock also. You're a great guitar player bro, if you ever move to Canada, Ontario I'm North of Toronto on the south east tip of Lake Simcoe, you have an open invite to be in the band!! ') Also dig the harmonies, she really has a great voice! Harmonies are like boiled cabbage for 99% of musicians, and I've tried my best to train people who I've worked with over the years with a stunning failure rate! lol! Thanks for the demo Rick brother. Jack - Canada
Wow. Thanks a lot. I was very skeptical of this system also. Every time I saw a demo of this L1 system it done by a solo artist playing acoustic guitar or keyboard. Fortunately for me I went to see two friends of mine play ( a similar duo) at a club where I also play regularly. They had this system and it blew me away with how it filled the room without being loud. The very next day I went out and bought this system (thankfully it was tax return time). Thanks for the kind words. I wish I had a better live video because my cameras mike doesn't really capture how good this thing really sounds. I don't know if it can compete with a full live band but it just works perfect for me.
You are quite welcome Rick! Ahhh sweet, sweet tax return season! lol! I know what you mean about the almost impossibility of getting the true quality of a live performance via video, but I have decades of experience as you do, and so I can pull the real sound out and I was really impressed, which really surprises me because I'm the skeptical Grinch king when it comes to new tech. In my experience things usually don't come out as advertised. This sees an exception. Bose better keep it down now, I have an evil reputation to uphold! lol! Take care brother Rick, I really dig your channel. Jack - Canada
I’m really torn about getting a Boss singer acoustic pro - as would satisfy the effects that I would be looking to use, but then I would also wanting to put a beat buddy mini through it. I realise with this set up I’d likely opt for the mixer and 12” 15” speakers. I can safely get all my components for around £1000 Or, I can opt for the Bose L1 compact. I’ve been offered x2 with a T1 tone match for around £1100. My questions would be, what would the beat buddy sound like through a L1 ? What are the effects like on the T1 Tonematch systems ? I’d obviously look up be switching between acoustic and electric guitar. Any advice would be much appreciated.
I can't tell you anything about the Tone Match module but I have read decent reviews about it. I am using a 12 channel mixer with built in effects because sometimes I need more than four inputs (I need 3 vocal mics, a channel for my computer midi track output and another for a occasional mic on my guitar amp or maybe a guest singer). The Tone match is limited to four input channels (as far as I know). I also think that for $599 (the price of the Tone Match mixer) you can a much better mixer in my opinion. I don't know anything about the other Bose systems but I love the L1. As for the Beat Buddy I can't tell you anything about it specifically but I have a similar unit the Digitech Trio. I find it works OK and it's a nice thing for creating songs but using it live would be difficult because it would take too long to change the settings for each song in a live situation. It does what it does well but I can't see it being good for a live gig. Anyway I have been using midi tracks that I create for the past 25 years so I can go from one song to the next immediately with excellent digital sample sounds and even create sets that play automatically. I don't know anything about the Beat Buddy. Good luck.
Katana 100. I my 45+years of playing this is the best gigging amp I have ever owned. Easy to move, lots of power (I have never used anything but the 50 watt setting and that's loud), a ton of programmable Boss effects and a great sound. The foot switch FC pedal is a must for gigging and lets you change up to eight programmable patches then lets you control each patch like a pedal board to turn the effects you have chosen on and off. I have had mine for about almost three years now and done at least a hundred gigs with it and never had an issue. Thanks for watching.
Rick Pearce I totally should’ve mentioned I own the 100w combo also :) and yes I do agree that it’s a great amp! Especially for the price, it does so much! Cheers 👍
I think Bose's initial thought was for solo performers or duo's to use this system for smaller clubs. The ads for these usually show acoustic acts but my little duo is far from that doing classic rock Motown to ZZ Top. I heard a three piece band using one in a good sized room and thought if I bought two I would use one on each side. Bose makes a small digital mixer for this system but it doesn't have enough inputs for me and I already owned a Mackie 12 channel mixer and a Behringer 12 channel mixer so I didn't need the expensive Bose Tonematch mixer (it's $500 for 4 channels). The Bose L1 system has two channels on each unit but I run my mixer to one side (line in) and run a line out from the first L1 to the other side (Line in). With the volume set at 12:00 (half way up) these speakers are plenty loud for my use. We do clubs up to 250-300 people with this system. Anything larger I still have my old Mackie active speakers to fall back on. I haven't had to since I got the Bose system.
I use to love and promote this system all the time, up until about a week ago. While at an important solo gig where I was showcasing for a corporate manegment company, I was playing threw my Bose L1 compact. I was playing an acoustic guitar and singing while using a looper, I was 3 songs in and than the unthinkable happemed. The Bose L1 compact system started to sound like it had a blown speaker and than gradually by the end of the song the top speker was crapped out and the sound was only coming out of the bottom speaker. I have two of these systems but I'm having bose repair the one that took a dump on me and than selling that and I'm currently selling my second compact system which has never been used. I can't trust BOSE anymore I know it was to good to be true. For the record this is the ONLY system that has ever made a fool of me in front of about 100 very important people and my reputation is worth a lot more than this piece of crap.
That sucks. I've had my two L1 Compcat systems a little over a year now and we gig with it about 3-4 times a month now. If that happened we could limp along with one but we always use two. We haven't had any issues so I'm sticking with it. I love the sound quality in all the rooms we play in. You never can tell. Good luck.
Can anyone explain to me why there is a phrase like "No Highs, No Lows, must be Bose"? Im thinking about buying 2 L1 M2 and 2 B2's. So far im a single musician playing acoustic guitar and singing but I Hope to expand the size of venues and amount of People in the future. So..... Why NOT Bose?
I don't know since I've never heard that phrase. Sounds to me like someone who has never had a Bose system. Using the old computer term "GIGO" (garbage in-garbage out) might be more accurate. In my experience the Bose does not color the sound as much as most other systems. There is no exaggerated highs or lows. The system just replicates the incoming signal cleanly and loudly. Too many musicians blame their own lack of knowledge about EQ and blame it on a quality product. That's my opinion anyway. Happens with guitar amps all the time. People buy amps, spend 10 minutes trying to get the sound they want by boosting the low end cutting a lot of mids then boosting the treble.when they aren't happy with that immediately they will say the amp sucks. It's more likely they don't know what they are doing, don't understand that most of the sound is in the mids (the ones they cut out) and are impatient and won't put in the time to learn. I have owned all kinds of PA systems over the past 40+ years from very big powerful club systems to smaller club sized systems. Altec, JBL, EV, Mackie, QSC etc. For what I do the Bose L1 sounds perfect. I use an external 12 channel mixer, either my Mackie 1202VLZ4 board or my Behringer Xenyx 1222 mixer ( another great product that gets an undeserved bad rep). Go hear someone using the Bose system. I know you will impressed.
Thanks for the review. If I were still gigging, that's what I'd do. In time I even got tired of lugging my old Carvin Stagemate S400D system around and it's supposedly lightweight and compact. But with a couple lead acid batteries in the main unit, that thing was a heft. I've heard you really don't need monitors with the Bose L1 compact. Has that been your experience? Other Q: is 74 when you graduated highschool? (Same for me, if so) ... ;^) Best to you!
No it's just a number no particular reason. That being said I am older than you (68) and still gigging and the weight of my Mackie system was just getting to be too much to load, unload, set up, tear down, put in the van every weekend (especially when stairs are involved). We have found that the coverage of the Bose L1 system is very defuse and within reason you can use the system behind you (Behind you but off to side not directly behind you) and you can hear it well without feedback. I also own two Behringer B205 (mic stand) monitors in case we need additional monitors. The Behringer B205's fit easily into a small suitcase that I keep in my van for those times. Thanks for the reply.
@@Rickholly74 Thanks Rick. I still have my Carvin Stagemate and a pair of Carvin PM5B mic-stand mount monitors (passive) with separate power amp. It all worked well for AG and vocals when I soloed. What you said about your backing tracks intrigued me. Hope you'll do a video on your process of creating them. As an AG player backing tracks have been difficult to create convincingly. Years ago I used Soundtrek Jammer Pro v4/5 which generates MIDI tracks stylistically and drove a Yamaha MU-50 (XG sound) synth box and a couple drum machines to make tracks. The editing was tedious and on the bass for example, you could tell I was playing it because I brought my guitar style to the bass. It ain't easy being a one-man-band. ;^) Last fall I started writing songs again, in particular parodies for which I've been purchasing Karaoke versions to perform live. Sadly I can't upload those because of licensing limitations imposed by the seller. Anyhow, if ever you did a video of your process for creating tracks, or know of a how-to, I'd be real grateful for the direction. I'm in Sequim, WA BTW.
@@ilblues I have been using midi tracks for about 25 years. When I first started I created all of my own midi tracks from scratch but lately I found it easier to use many of the available free midi files online and edit them for my purposes or pay for a few more complicated ones from sites like Hit Trax at midi.com.au . Pick a song and run the demo version they created (the blue arrow by the song) it will play a sample they created using their midi sounds. There are thousands of free midi files on line. Most are like "soup starter" and need some editing but the benefits of a midi file are extensive. I use an old Cakewalk program to do my midi editing but you can get a free unrestricted version of the newest Cakewalk from Bandlabs.com and it contains all the digital instruments that you need to play back midi files with great sounds. With midi you can change keys (with no tone changes), add or delete or change individual instruments, edit the length of a song, add additional instruments with an inexpensive midi keyboard and many other positive things that make it perfect for live performance. Learn to create midi files in Cakewalk or any DAW then mix and download to an mp3 file that you can use as a backgrounds for your performance. It will all seem overwhelming at first but it's just a matter or learning how to do it. Watch some videos about midi. Go to a site like midworld.com and download any midi file. Open it and it will play through the computers Windows Media Player (unless you are a Mac user then I don't know). It won't sound great because you are not playing back through a good midi sound module your computer is just triggering some kind of sound with your internal sound card but it gives you an idea of what is out there for free. That same file played back in Cakewalk will utilize the built in Roland TT1 sound module and will sound great and is fully editable. Good luck.
@@raydandy4899 Thank you, RayDandy! I appreciate the advice and sources. I've edited MIDI under Adobe Audition 1/2, Presonus Studio One Pro v3, and Reaper which is proving easier to use. It's tedious for me - less so if the tracks lend themselves to a loop approach. I have enough hardware and soft synths. What few MIDI files I've downloaded and played for cover songs, were hit and miss (found through Google). Some are pretty cheesy. And frequently the drum MIDI track doesn't translate to Addictive Drums which I assume is a translation issue I have to work out. I've purchased some respectable backing tracks from karaoke-version.com , unfortunately they don't make their MIDI files available that I've found. One difficulty as a parody writer, is the short shelf-life of a parody - least ways where the parody concerns current events. They require fast production and I don't do fast very well - so a quick one-take acoustic version is as much a production as I can muster in the time allotted. Now retired, I'm trying to improve on my parody performances. I'll check out the sources you've shared. Never heard of the Roland TT1 - though I'm an old Roland VS-840 guy. ;^)
@@ilblues The Roland TT1 is the software version of the upgraded old Roland Sound Canvas with upgraded sounds and is 64 bit. It's included in Bandlab's Cakewalk (Bandlab bought Cakewalk/Sonor from Gibson when they declared bankruptcy and Gibson also had purchased Roland so Cakewalk was using the Roland TT1 in Sonor/Cakewalk and it's still in the newest version as far as I know). I use Reaper and a combination of live and midi files for recording. I have been using EZ Drummer and it plays well on midi files in Reaper. I also found that if you download Cakewalk (from Bandlabs) the VST for the Roland TT1 appears in Reaper on and can be used on midi files. Good luck.
I assume you mean input for a mixer. Yes. I run a Behringer Xynex 1222FX Usb 12 channel my older Mackie Pro FX12 mixer. The newer Bose L1 Pro is even a little better because It has more inputs (with a mixer I don't need more inputs). It also has nice impedance matching switches (mic or line switch) on two of the channels that offer better input choices for each channel.
As an extra thought. Bose sells a "Tone Match" mixer designed for the system but it costs way too much. It's $700 which is ridiculous. My Behringer Xenyx 12 channel has worked great for more than seven years and that's a lot of gigs (almost weekly for at least five years). That mixer new is about $250 and has nice built in effects. My older Mackie Pro is about $400-450 today and also sounds great. $700 for the Bose Tone Match mixer is a terrible choice (unless money is not an issue).
I don't think that the L1 in this video has an option for monitors out. It's a very simple 2 input system. Using an external mixer is helpful but it's not intended to replace a full size PA with mains and monitor outs.
I knew the great BOSE era, the 802, the made in the USA, really fabulous and legendary. Here it breathes, it stinks of made in china. Research done, BOSE does not have a factory in China, it is all under contract and much too expensive compared to the cost of labor.
I suspect you never owned any Behringer Active speakers. The Eurolive speakers are really good. I used those as monitors for about 10 years and they never failed. You could crank them into ridiculous volumes levels with nice full sound and no clipping. Yes the Mackie speakers cost more but I don't think the sound was significantly better. I would say that it all depends on what kind of band you play in and what kind of places you play. We play bars/clubs and our goal is to have our vocals clearly over the instruments and that old system did that. We do songs with a lot of harmony and that system worked very well for us. I have no regrets. I only went to the Bose system because as I am older now moving all the Mackie and Behringer speakers was too much. Thanks for posting your comment.
Yes, you can. There is an input for your Tablet or Phone - either use a 3.5mm - 3.5mm headphone jack cable or you can use a 3.5mm headphone jack to twin RCA (red & white) phono splitter cable. This goes in one channel and your mic will go in the other. I do exactly this.
Of course you retired the Mackies and the Behringer’s. Those are all horrible sounding speakers. I mean, they make sound. But none of them sound good. The Bose at least are reasonable sounding speakers.
Bose L1 is nice but Yamaha DXR serie 10-12 inch is good. If you want cheaper system Electro Voice ZLX 12 is the best for the bucks. But if you have a lot of money and want to buy the best professional system d&b T10 is the best i played on. We Had a disco for 500people with a pair of T10 and a pair of Qsub 18. Dbaudio.com
The 12 channel mixer on the stand next to me and under the lap top is output into the Bose L1's. The lap top is there to play back midi files that I create in my home studio using a Roland Sound Canvas VA software in the computer. This allows us to have addition sounds to augment our live playing. I have been using a similar set up since the mid 90's. The lap top audio out is plugged into the mixer. The Boss 100 (great amp) is not plugged into the mixer. Thanks for asking.
Been using my trusty L1 Compact/T1 Tonematch mixer setup for many years and just upgraded to the new L1 Pro 8. I love, love, love the L1 Compact for the type of gigs I do ...... but the L1 Pro8 is a whole different animal.
For my karaoke gigs. I use 2 L1 compacts for the audience, 2 Bose S1s for floor monitors for the singers. Best system ever!!
Good video....thanks!
Looking how to hook up 1 bose L1 to 2 bose S1 as floor monitors. Can't find a video. Two person band electric and acoustic guitar with streaming music via blue tooth. Any help I would appreciate it!
@@lwebber123 yes. You run your Bluetooth directly toq the s1s. Use the bose app to link both s1s together. Then run a cable from one of the s1s to the L1.
@@borg386 thanks so much will give it a go
@@lwebber123 my pleasure
Thanks for the review and sample of your duo using the L1 Bose System.
Big Bose fan here. I’ve seen these systems on line but never heard them in person. But being Bose, the must sound great!
Hard tell listening on a cell phone. But you guys are great!!
I bought one four years ago when I started to learn how to play guitar and set up a music room. Back then it was $849. In my opinion worth every penny. The sound is awesome. The vocals are rich and deep. Way more power than I would ever need for what I do Just entertaining myself and friends.I could see that if you were a musician traveling around you can carry the whole system Into the venue in one trip.
my friend what kind a mixer you used...???
@@zoks6465 I have a mixer I don’t really like. I’m not doing vocals now. a very difficult piece of equipment to buy in my opinion. I don’t know much about mixtures and would never advise on to someone. Good luck.
Loved the bit and the music! Thanks and fare thee well, mister.
For the size the l1 is a incredible sounding speaker system. I have bose 802s and for the size of unit it's amazing how loud they can go
Our Band PA is two Bose L1 Pro 8 and a Bose T4s mixer, it all fits in the trunk of my car. sets up in about 5 minutes and that's taking my time. I dont miss carrying giants subs and tops anymore. The bose system at 50% is plenty for shows.
I agree. After so many years of lugging speaker cabs, PA amps up and down stairs or long hauls into a club, I was blown away by the Bose systems portability and the great sound. I agree also about the volume. I never used it over 50% either. If it hadn't been for the PA gear I lugged around for 45+ years of gigging I probably wouldn't have needed the double knee replacements I had earlier this year. Good luck.
Does this system support bass and drums?
@@Conversa506 I have a L1 Pro 16 now and I play my bass into it with a real drumset and two tube amps in the room. Barely 50% and had to turn down.
Thanks for the review! Keep on rocking ! That's awesome
This was very, very helpful brother. Appreciate your input as it helped me make my decision on purchasing for my performances.
hey great review, great guitar playing and hey that's a solid drummer you got there, she rocks!
r u having a laugh kid
Totally agree!
Interesting review, thanks. I see that in the latter part when you are playing that the PA columns are actually behind you. I've not seen this done before, but it obviously works without feedback. My band has two LD Systems column PAs and we always have put them out front as per tradition and use floor monitors - but the other guys are stick in the mud traditionalists and changing that is going to take some persuading. Nice guitar amp - I replaced my Marshall DSL with a Katana 50 that sounds as good, is more verstile but half the weight ! As a teenager , I yearned for a full dual cabinet 100W stack but never could afford one - now I'm older and can afford one, I couldn't carry it around! Keep making the music!
I have played with the P/A behind me for the last 40 years , you can hear everything and no need for foldbacks and we play LOUD , since these clips I have purchased 2 x RCF Evox 12 systems and very happy with them , they are no cheap $12,000 Aus but worth every dollar ua-cam.com/video/45e0U5Nu1VU/v-deo.html
❤️ drummer is awesome! Beautiful voice!
Appreciate your review, thank you. You two sounded good at the end! Have a great day.
Dude thank you for the review. My wife and I do acoustic gigs and really considering getting one of these. I’m currently using ElectroVoice powered speakers with a mixer so that’s a lot of set-up! This seems to simplify everything.
A nice presentation and representation of this system. (It convinced me to buy it!)
Your video showed just how suitable this was for my needs. Like you, I have a large system to carry about, and this is light and rapidly set up.
Thank you, and regards from Liverpool, UK. :)
Liverpool. nice. Glad it works for you.
Steely Dan cover! Let’s go! Nice job
Thank you for this video! Very Helpful! I will buy a pair.
I am also the lucky owner of the L1 compact. However, I also own the Boss Katana and now I see your Katana on a stand. Can you share what kind of stand it is? I've never seen anything like it. Hope it's available here in the Netherlands.
Are you plugged into that Boss Katana too in that last clip ? Like Boss Katana then quarter inch cable into one of the L1’s or ? Are the two Bose units sinker or are you using a mixing board ?
The 12 channel mixer on the stand next to me and under the lap top is output into the Bose L1's. The lap top is there to play back midi files that I create in my home studio using a Roland Sound Canvas VA software in the computer. This allows us to have addition sounds to augment our live playing. I have been using a similar set up since the mid 90's. The lap top audio out is plugged into the mixer. The Boss 100 (great amp) is not plugged into the mixer. Thanks for asking.
Gracias. Me ha sido muy útil su información.
Good vid. I know what you mean about down sizing the rig as we get up in age. I use a Bose S1 Pro and Harbinger MLS 800 as a solo musician. 🤙🏼
I have it and love it!
Hey ! nice review... I have a question, may be you can help me, regarding to the max volume that the L1 can gives, how many people do you think this is made for ?
The L1 compact for 100 people max, the L1 model 1s for 300, and the L1 model 2 for 500 ;)
You were using all those speakers before for a duo??
Bose L1 compact has limitations about bass - but we can fix it, by adding a bigger subwoofer and feeding the Bose with frequencies above.
I wouldn't complain, that the notebook PC has a small display and no mouse and small keyboard - and say "Buy a real tower PC" - I would add external display, mouse and keyboard and use this and also keep portability.
I can only judge how this system works for me and my partner and we don't need to boost any low end at all It's got enough for what we do. If it's a DJ system or louder band situation I think the next step up would be better at the job.
As far as computers, the laptop I use just sends midi info to an internal software midi sound module (Roland TTS1 sound module) then out to the mixing board . I have been doing this midi thing since the early 90's when I was using Cakewalk for Dos ver #1 on 5 1/4 floppy discs, an early IBM 386 XT with a mono monitor and a Roland Sound Canvas module. A laptop was a major step up in the late 90's and since has always worked just fine, no issues. I do all my programming at home so I don't need a mouse or monitor on a gig. All I need to see is my list of midi files . Hell, on a gig I still use Cakewalk Pro 9 from about 2001 {the last version of Cakewalk before it became Sonor). My new ASUS laptop with windows 10 will not accept my old 32 bit Cakewalk midi program (unless I use a Virtual Box like program) so I use an older HP computer that to my surprise is holding up well despite how badly it has been treated. The bottom line is that for my needs I could still be using a DOS version to play back midi files as they require very minimal CPU usage and I never need to see anything but a list of file names on a gig (highlight the file and hit the spacebar to start) . Thanks for your comments. It made me relive some old DOS memories and think about how long I have been doing this.
I like the beer stain on the 12" main lol
Fbt vertus cs-1000 is another option
Thanks, Rick, for this great review! I am part of a duo as well (my daughter and I) and buying a pre-owned Bose L1 Compact system. It sounds great in my basement with just my mic and guitar. But, what about 2 mics and 2 guitars? What kind of external mixing board would you recommend to accommodate such a combo?
Thanks for asking. I have several mixing boards including a Mackie, a Soundcraft and a Behringer. I generally use the Behringer because it just works and has decent built in effects. You can see the Behringer board in the live portion of my video. We also are using a nice pair of Shure 87 condenser mics which helps but before that we used Shure SM 58's for many years and they are great mics. The only issue I encounter with the Behringer board is that my modal only has low impedance which worked great on my Mackie speakers but not on the L1 so o I have to use an adapter to get into the Bose L1 input. No big deal. I use midi backing tracks from my laptop and we have played very large clubs and banquet halls with the two Bose L1's and it came through fine. On smaller club gigs we often use just one Bose L1 when space is limited. As far as mixers you might consider a Behringer boards like the 1202FX. It's very reasonable at about $125 and has built in effects. I use a much larger mixer (Behringer Xenyx 1222USB) but I only use a few channels in it and it's really overkill for a duo. You might hear some people talking poorly about Behringer products in general, I can only tell you that most of my gear is fairly high end and I have used a number of Behringer products for both my live system and my home studio and have never had an issue with any of it. That is just my opinion. Good luck.
@@Rickholly74 Thanks, Rick! I have been considering either a Behringer or a Yamaha board. Very helpful reply and I appreciate you taking the time.
Don’t buy it. Purchase the new Bose L1 pro 9. (1200.00) dollars and dramatically better than the L1.
Are you still using this system Rick ?
Thanks for the review really helpful 👍
Do you recommend using a mixer since bose is notorious for their high end harshness
Yes, definately. In this video I was using a Behringer Xenyx 12 channel mixer with built in effects. I'm sure the Bose mixers are high qulity and very nice but they are horribly expensive. You can get a number of quality mixers with more channels and featuress at half the price of the Bose mixers.
@Rick Pearce I tried the Bose last night. I'm a solo acoustic performer, guitar and vocal. I plugged an SM 58 directly into channel one. The red peak light started blinking at about 12 o clock on the dial. I'm hoping the mixer will give me more headroom and more overall volume before peaking.
@Rick Pearce Also, since the speakers have a 180-degree dispersment, and the bar I played at had very little room to place the speaker further away from my head, my ears are ringing. Adding mids to my vocals with a decent mixer will help significantly, I think. With a boost in the mids, at least I won't need to crank my vocal channel so loud.
Great PRACTICAL review for us working musicians that like to see how it's done without all the technical mumbo jumbo u get from sales people and tech heads. I noticed u had the system behind you, so I assume you're also using them as monitors. Do the speakers have a crossover with the Subs? I think it would be important to separate the high end from the low end? Cheers
While I normally get heavily into all the technical side of PA systems this was the first one I have bought where I went mostly on just having heard another two piece duo like I have using the system. We both play regularly in the same room and are very similar in our material. The tweeter array on the poles face various ways inside the poles. One will face direct to the front, another slightly off to the right and another to the left. This spreads the highs very evenly and above most peoples heads. The tweeters are really small but do the job well. I'm sure they come off a crossover. BOSE is very secretive about anything tech wise on these systems. There is no power rating in their literature or much about how the system works. We put them behind us because we can. That's one of the great things about these speakers. In most clubs/bars we play you can get them just a few feet away from the nearest microphone you can use them behind and off to the side . Now we only use monitors in bigger rooms. It' was quite an investment ($1000 each. I use two) but the fact is I am winding down my playing after 50 years and this system weights about 26 lbs. per unit where my Mackie 15"'s weight almost 40 lbs. each. My back was starting to feel it (I am just getting old). More than anything it was step up in terms of quality sound. Good luck.
@@Rickholly74 Thankyou. I know how u feel. I'm getting to that stage too. Atm I use 2 X EV ZX5's - beautiful 15 inch 2 way cabinets BUT quite heavy at 50 lbs each. And 2 EV Sx300's as monitors. I power them with a Dynacord 1600 powermate, which is also quite heavy. Occasionally I take a 700 watt Sub for extra oomph. Throw in all the cabling, mics, stands & instrumentation etc... and my weekly workout is done in one night.
We're in lockdown mode here due to Coronavirus so no gigs for the time being. Spending the time looking online for new lighter gear.
Paul McGowan brought me here!
As I remember Paul didn't have anything good to say about Bose 901's but thought the L1 was pretty good and they are. Also remember Paul comes from a home/studio high quality audiophile background. I was in a band back in the 70's that had four Bose 901 speakers that we used for our PA in small clubs and at that time they were amazing. I never used them for home audio so I can't comment on that. Since I bought my L1 system three years ago they have improved the L1 line even more. Thanks for watching.
Sounds really good!
Thank you. It's a really nice system for someone like me and my partner. We only need to run it less than half way up so power is not an issue, it's plenty loud and amazingly good on the low end. It's only drawback is the price.
What are you playing the midis thru to sound like an mp3?
No mp3. I use a laptop computer and a Roland virtual sound module (TTS-1) so each song is played back through the sounds in my computer and USB out to a small Behringer interface to my mixer. I started creating midi tracks in the early 90's before the internet and mp3's were available so I continue to do it. I have a late 90's version of Cakewalk version 9 (before it became Sonor). That program (using a Windows emulator to run an old version of XP) works great for midi programming and playback. It has a Virtual Jukebox feature that allows me to create sets and playlists of my midi files. I am just an old school midi guy. I like having complete control with the sounds and all the instruments and if I recorded my midi to mp3 I would loose that ability and be stuck with a pre-recorded mix. I know two other duos who create and use mp3's of their midi tracks and it works good for them. After so many years of being in 4-5 piece bands, working with just one or two partners is a lot less headache and allows us to play places too small for a full band but still have a big sound. Thanks for asking.
Great sound !
is it battery operated and wireless too so zero cables?
No, it is not battery operated or wireless.
Love the video brother. Going to try the L1 for my medium DJ system. Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks for watching. I have only used the Bose as a PA system but we put everything through it and it works great. I have never had it over half volume. I don't use the Bose mixer. That's an extra $500 and does not have enough channels for me. I am using a 12 channel Behringer mixer (or my back up Mackie mixer). I have had this system now for about a year and a half and have no issues. It has definitely saved carrying my bigger speakers. If you want more bass you can always add the optional bass module. Go luck. ua-cam.com/video/-myyvYHKSR0/v-deo.html
man it`s great!!!
Thank you Rick for this review.
Useful review, thank you. As a female with upper limb problems I am finding my current set up (only 4 years old) is already obsolete and too clunky to drag about - also no good for very tiny stage areas. Will definitely consider the Bose, which was recommended to me by another musician.
I know it's quite an expense at $1000 per side (I run two so for me it was $2000) but since I did this video I have done jobs with my partner in very small rooms where we only used one and it worked fantastically. Not only has this system saved my back but it allows us to take on smaller venues that we could not play at before because we needed more room. It also eliminated our need to use monitors. The dispersion of sound is unbelievable.
Look at the Maui 5, louder just as clear as the Bose and costs half the price!
Quick question, can backing tracks, vocal AND guitar be put into channel 1? I can send all through one line into channel 1. I want the EQ (treble / bass) but I’m concerned the built in tonematch will make the BT and Guitars sound bad.. any thoughts?
You can buy the Bose systems with or without the Tone Match mixer. I'm sure the Tone Match mixer is very nice but I use a stand alone mixing board not the Bose Tone Match. For one thing, the Bose mixer was limited in the amount of channels (I need at least five) but most of all the cost was ridiculously high. $600 for a four channel mixer is way out of line in my opinion. I have a nice Mackie board and a Behringer Xenyx USB1222board (I use the Behringer more often) and they cost half of what the Bose mixer costs and offer lots more bells and whistles. Thank for asking. ua-cam.com/video/XGKK3nEMQR8/v-deo.html
Thanks Rick so just because it says ToneMatch is on channel one it doesn’t affect the tone of that channel? I like you, do already have my own mixer
@@PeterDunbar Good question. I don't know. I leave the EQ's on the Bse at 12:00 (flat) and use the EQ on my mixer. I found the first time I used the Bose L1 that you cannot use the low impedance input a mixer input. The low impedance input input on channel 1 is not line level it is strictly mic level and much to hot for a mixer line out. I have no issue using the line input on channel two. I use two Bose L1's and I run from my mixer to one of the Bose and then line out from one Bose to the 2nd Bose. I could run to the other Bose directly from the 2nd output of my mixer but since I don't run anything in stereo mode when I do gigs I find it more convenient to just use one out and link the two Bose using one mixer output.
One note; I don't know how much wattage the Bose has but it must be significant., either that or the way the speakers are matched and lined up in the array make it seem really big. We often play fairly good sized rooms and I can't run the Bose more than half way up with my mixer output on 3-4. These Bose systems are really great (expensive but great) and my back thanks me after every gig. Good luck.
I recommend you use F1 Model 812's. They sound way better than L1's.
I am sure they are better. These were not available when I got the L1. You are right and if anyone needs something bigger that would be a nice choice. Thanks.
Keep it up bosss😊
Love it...great review...thanks
Great review Rick thinking of getting definitely one maybe another later on.Love the band footage.
Hey wheres the Firefly guitars,LOL???? What volume level were you at on those songs do you have the tone match console?? Glenn in N.Y.
Thanks for the comments. No I don't have the Tone match mixer. The problem for me was the Tonematch mixer was a four channel mixer with only three of those channels being low impedance mic channels. The lowest cost Tonematch mixer is $299 for four channels when the Behringer eight channel mixer I use cost $229 and has many more features. I do love the Bose system. It's so light weight and very powerful. The room we played in that video was a fairly good sized room with about 250 people in it for a charity event. The Bose is only about 1/2 way up.
Hey Rick.
That's a sweet system, I saw a demo video by a Bose rep a couple of months back and I was skeptical at first because I've seen my share of new "awesome" amps, instruments gadgets, wireless systems, and of course PA's, but this one actually delivered as advertised, and that surprised me because most new "awesome" electronics are anything but, and more like "awful"!
I've been lead vocalist/writer for close to 30 years now, and after a ten year break I've recently started building a new band and we're playing classic rock also.
You're a great guitar player bro, if you ever move to Canada, Ontario I'm North of Toronto on the south east tip of Lake Simcoe, you have an open invite to be in the band!! ')
Also dig the harmonies, she really has a great voice! Harmonies are like boiled cabbage for 99% of musicians, and I've tried my best to train people who I've worked with over the years with a stunning failure rate! lol!
Thanks for the demo Rick brother.
Jack - Canada
Wow. Thanks a lot. I was very skeptical of this system also. Every time I saw a demo of this L1 system it done by a solo artist playing acoustic guitar or keyboard. Fortunately for me I went to see two friends of mine play ( a similar duo) at a club where I also play regularly. They had this system and it blew me away with how it filled the room without being loud. The very next day I went out and bought this system (thankfully it was tax return time). Thanks for the kind words. I wish I had a better live video because my cameras mike doesn't really capture how good this thing really sounds. I don't know if it can compete with a full live band but it just works perfect for me.
You are quite welcome Rick!
Ahhh sweet, sweet tax return season! lol!
I know what you mean about the almost impossibility of getting the true quality of a live performance via video, but I have decades of experience as you do, and so I can pull the real sound out and I was really impressed, which really surprises me because I'm the skeptical Grinch king when it comes to new tech. In my experience things usually don't come out as advertised. This sees an exception.
Bose better keep it down now, I have an evil reputation to uphold! lol!
Take care brother Rick, I really dig your channel.
Jack - Canada
I’m really torn about getting a Boss singer acoustic pro - as would satisfy the effects that I would be looking to use, but then I would also wanting to put a beat buddy mini through it. I realise with this set up I’d likely opt for the mixer and 12” 15” speakers. I can safely get all my components for around £1000
Or, I can opt for the Bose L1 compact. I’ve been offered x2 with a T1 tone match for around £1100. My questions would be, what would the beat buddy sound like through a L1 ? What are the effects like on the T1 Tonematch systems ? I’d obviously look up be switching between acoustic and electric guitar.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
I can't tell you anything about the Tone Match module but I have read decent reviews about it. I am using a 12 channel mixer with built in effects because sometimes I need more than four inputs (I need 3 vocal mics, a channel for my computer midi track output and another for a occasional mic on my guitar amp or maybe a guest singer). The Tone match is limited to four input channels (as far as I know). I also think that for $599 (the price of the Tone Match mixer) you can a much better mixer in my opinion. I don't know anything about the other Bose systems but I love the L1.
As for the Beat Buddy I can't tell you anything about it specifically but I have a similar unit the Digitech Trio. I find it works OK and it's a nice thing for creating songs but using it live would be difficult because it would take too long to change the settings for each song in a live situation. It does what it does well but I can't see it being good for a live gig. Anyway I have been using midi tracks that I create for the past 25 years so I can go from one song to the next immediately with excellent digital sample sounds and even create sets that play automatically. I don't know anything about the Beat Buddy. Good luck.
RayDandy Thanks for the reply ✌🏻
hows the beat buddy? is it any goodd? just bought one trying to get it sorted
I see a katana back there. Nice! Is that the 50 or 100 watt combo?
Katana 100. I my 45+years of playing this is the best gigging amp I have ever owned. Easy to move, lots of power (I have never used anything but the 50 watt setting and that's loud), a ton of programmable Boss effects and a great sound. The foot switch FC pedal is a must for gigging and lets you change up to eight programmable patches then lets you control each patch like a pedal board to turn the effects you have chosen on and off. I have had mine for about almost three years now and done at least a hundred gigs with it and never had an issue. Thanks for watching.
Rick Pearce
I totally should’ve mentioned I own the 100w combo also :) and yes I do agree that it’s a great amp! Especially for the price, it does so much! Cheers 👍
Where is the demo
So are theese made for each individual? Or can a whole band get by with 1 or 2.new to this pa stuff
I think Bose's initial thought was for solo performers or duo's to use this system for smaller clubs. The ads for these usually show acoustic acts but my little duo is far from that doing classic rock Motown to ZZ Top. I heard a three piece band using one in a good sized room and thought if I bought two I would use one on each side. Bose makes a small digital mixer for this system but it doesn't have enough inputs for me and I already owned a Mackie 12 channel mixer and a Behringer 12 channel mixer so I didn't need the expensive Bose Tonematch mixer (it's $500 for 4 channels). The Bose L1 system has two channels on each unit but I run my mixer to one side (line in) and run a line out from the first L1 to the other side (Line in). With the volume set at 12:00 (half way up) these speakers are plenty loud for my use. We do clubs up to 250-300 people with this system. Anything larger I still have my old Mackie active speakers to fall back on. I haven't had to since I got the Bose system.
@@Rickholly74 thanks man.very detailed I appreciate it.
I use to love and promote this system all the time, up until about a week ago. While at an important solo gig where I was showcasing for a corporate manegment company, I was playing threw my Bose L1 compact. I was playing an acoustic guitar and singing while using a looper, I was 3 songs in and than the unthinkable happemed. The Bose L1 compact system started to sound like it had a blown speaker and than gradually by the end of the song the top speker was crapped out and the sound was only coming out of the bottom speaker. I have two of these systems but I'm having bose repair the one that took a dump on me and than selling that and I'm currently selling my second compact system which has never been used. I can't trust BOSE anymore I know it was to good to be true. For the record this is the ONLY system that has ever made a fool of me in front of about 100 very important people and my reputation is worth a lot more than this piece of crap.
That sucks. I've had my two L1 Compcat systems a little over a year now and we gig with it about 3-4 times a month now. If that happened we could limp along with one but we always use two. We haven't had any issues so I'm sticking with it. I love the sound quality in all the rooms we play in. You never can tell. Good luck.
You got a lemon for sure. Sorry that you were traumatized.
Can anyone explain to me why there is a phrase like "No Highs, No Lows, must be Bose"?
Im thinking about buying 2 L1 M2 and 2 B2's.
So far im a single musician playing acoustic guitar and singing but I Hope to expand the size of venues and amount of People in the future. So..... Why NOT Bose?
I don't know since I've never heard that phrase. Sounds to me like someone who has never had a Bose system. Using the old computer term "GIGO" (garbage in-garbage out) might be more accurate. In my experience the Bose does not color the sound as much as most other systems. There is no exaggerated highs or lows. The system just replicates the incoming signal cleanly and loudly. Too many musicians blame their own lack of knowledge about EQ and blame it on a quality product. That's my opinion anyway. Happens with guitar amps all the time. People buy amps, spend 10 minutes trying to get the sound they want by boosting the low end cutting a lot of mids then boosting the treble.when they aren't happy with that immediately they will say the amp sucks. It's more likely they don't know what they are doing, don't understand that most of the sound is in the mids (the ones they cut out) and are impatient and won't put in the time to learn.
I have owned all kinds of PA systems over the past 40+ years from very big powerful club systems to smaller club sized systems. Altec, JBL, EV, Mackie, QSC etc. For what I do the Bose L1 sounds perfect. I use an external 12 channel mixer, either my Mackie 1202VLZ4 board or my Behringer Xenyx 1222 mixer ( another great product that gets an undeserved bad rep). Go hear someone using the Bose system. I know you will impressed.
I like sound and singing
Thanks for the review. If I were still gigging, that's what I'd do. In time I even got tired of lugging my old Carvin Stagemate S400D system around and it's supposedly lightweight and compact. But with a couple lead acid batteries in the main unit, that thing was a heft. I've heard you really don't need monitors with the Bose L1 compact. Has that been your experience? Other Q: is 74 when you graduated highschool? (Same for me, if so) ... ;^) Best to you!
No it's just a number no particular reason. That being said I am older than you (68) and still gigging and the weight of my Mackie system was just getting to be too much to load, unload, set up, tear down, put in the van every weekend (especially when stairs are involved). We have found that the coverage of the Bose L1 system is very defuse and within reason you can use the system behind you (Behind you but off to side not directly behind you) and you can hear it well without feedback. I also own two Behringer B205 (mic stand) monitors in case we need additional monitors. The Behringer B205's fit easily into a small suitcase that I keep in my van for those times. Thanks for the reply.
@@Rickholly74 Thanks Rick. I still have my Carvin Stagemate and a pair of Carvin PM5B mic-stand mount monitors (passive) with separate power amp. It all worked well for AG and vocals when I soloed. What you said about your backing tracks intrigued me. Hope you'll do a video on your process of creating them. As an AG player backing tracks have been difficult to create convincingly. Years ago I used Soundtrek Jammer Pro v4/5 which generates MIDI tracks stylistically and drove a Yamaha MU-50 (XG sound) synth box and a couple drum machines to make tracks. The editing was tedious and on the bass for example, you could tell I was playing it because I brought my guitar style to the bass. It ain't easy being a one-man-band. ;^) Last fall I started writing songs again, in particular parodies for which I've been purchasing Karaoke versions to perform live. Sadly I can't upload those because of licensing limitations imposed by the seller. Anyhow, if ever you did a video of your process for creating tracks, or know of a how-to, I'd be real grateful for the direction. I'm in Sequim, WA BTW.
@@ilblues I have been using midi tracks for about 25 years. When I first started I created all of my own midi tracks from scratch but lately I found it easier to use many of the available free midi files online and edit them for my purposes or pay for a few more complicated ones from sites like Hit Trax at midi.com.au . Pick a song and run the demo version they created (the blue arrow by the song) it will play a sample they created using their midi sounds. There are thousands of free midi files on line. Most are like "soup starter" and need some editing but the benefits of a midi file are extensive. I use an old Cakewalk program to do my midi editing but you can get a free unrestricted version of the newest Cakewalk from Bandlabs.com and it contains all the digital instruments that you need to play back midi files with great sounds. With midi you can change keys (with no tone changes), add or delete or change individual instruments, edit the length of a song, add additional instruments with an inexpensive midi keyboard and many other positive things that make it perfect for live performance. Learn to create midi files in Cakewalk or any DAW then mix and download to an mp3 file that you can use as a backgrounds for your performance. It will all seem overwhelming at first but it's just a matter or learning how to do it. Watch some videos about midi. Go to a site like midworld.com and download any midi file. Open it and it will play through the computers Windows Media Player (unless you are a Mac user then I don't know). It won't sound great because you are not playing back through a good midi sound module your computer is just triggering some kind of sound with your internal sound card but it gives you an idea of what is out there for free. That same file played back in Cakewalk will utilize the built in Roland TT1 sound module and will sound great and is fully editable. Good luck.
@@raydandy4899 Thank you, RayDandy! I appreciate the advice and sources. I've edited MIDI under Adobe Audition 1/2, Presonus Studio One Pro v3, and Reaper which is proving easier to use. It's tedious for me - less so if the tracks lend themselves to a loop approach. I have enough hardware and soft synths. What few MIDI files I've downloaded and played for cover songs, were hit and miss (found through Google). Some are pretty cheesy. And frequently the drum MIDI track doesn't translate to Addictive Drums which I assume is a translation issue I have to work out. I've purchased some respectable backing tracks from karaoke-version.com , unfortunately they don't make their MIDI files available that I've found. One difficulty as a parody writer, is the short shelf-life of a parody - least ways where the parody concerns current events. They require fast production and I don't do fast very well - so a quick one-take acoustic version is as much a production as I can muster in the time allotted. Now retired, I'm trying to improve on my parody performances. I'll check out the sources you've shared. Never heard of the Roland TT1 - though I'm an old Roland VS-840 guy. ;^)
@@ilblues The Roland TT1 is the software version of the upgraded old Roland Sound Canvas with upgraded sounds and is 64 bit. It's included in Bandlab's Cakewalk (Bandlab bought Cakewalk/Sonor from Gibson when they declared bankruptcy and Gibson also had purchased Roland so Cakewalk was using the Roland TT1 in Sonor/Cakewalk and it's still in the newest version as far as I know). I use Reaper and a combination of live and midi files for recording. I have been using EZ Drummer and it plays well on midi files in Reaper. I also found that if you download Cakewalk (from Bandlabs) the VST for the Roland TT1 appears in Reaper on and can be used on midi files. Good luck.
Does this thing come with a rechargeable battery??
This system has no battery power.
@@Rickholly74
Thanks. I wish it did, I prefer the Bose over the JBL Eon One Pro.
why do you need her to play drums when you are already running a drum track
Super
B3B price
OK, I give up. What does B3B mean?
Does it have bluetooth?
My modal doesn't but newer modals might. On the other hand, for my use as a PA system , my mixer would have to be Bluetooth also and it isn't.
Do they have a output to run a mixer
I assume you mean input for a mixer. Yes. I run a Behringer Xynex 1222FX Usb 12 channel my older Mackie Pro FX12 mixer. The newer Bose L1 Pro is even a little better because It has more inputs (with a mixer I don't need more inputs). It also has nice impedance matching switches (mic or line switch) on two of the channels that offer better input choices for each channel.
As an extra thought. Bose sells a "Tone Match" mixer designed for the system but it costs way too much. It's $700 which is ridiculous. My Behringer Xenyx 12 channel has worked great for more than seven years and that's a lot of gigs (almost weekly for at least five years). That mixer new is about $250 and has nice built in effects. My older Mackie Pro is about $400-450 today and also sounds great. $700 for the Bose Tone Match mixer is a terrible choice (unless money is not an issue).
hi im from england great video on bose .. are you hapkido instructor , im 3rd dan hapkido in england
What about for the monitor?
I don't think that the L1 in this video has an option for monitors out. It's a very simple 2 input system. Using an external mixer is helpful but it's not intended to replace a full size PA with mains and monitor outs.
I knew the great BOSE era, the 802, the made in the USA, really fabulous and legendary. Here it breathes, it stinks of made in china. Research done, BOSE does not have a factory in China, it is all under contract and much too expensive compared to the cost of labor.
you cant put crappy Berenger next to anything for comparison
I suspect you never owned any Behringer Active speakers. The Eurolive speakers are really good. I used those as monitors for about 10 years and they never failed. You could crank them into ridiculous volumes levels with nice full sound and no clipping. Yes the Mackie speakers cost more but I don't think the sound was significantly better. I would say that it all depends on what kind of band you play in and what kind of places you play. We play bars/clubs and our goal is to have our vocals clearly over the instruments and that old system did that. We do songs with a lot of harmony and that system worked very well for us. I have no regrets. I only went to the Bose system because as I am older now moving all the Mackie and Behringer speakers was too much. Thanks for posting your comment.
As a singer ,I can do solo shows and use my backing tracks from my TAB4?
What is a TAB4? Let me know and I can answer. Thanks.
Yes, you can. There is an input for your Tablet or Phone - either use a 3.5mm - 3.5mm headphone jack cable or you can use a 3.5mm headphone jack to twin RCA (red & white) phono splitter cable. This goes in one channel and your mic will go in the other. I do exactly this.
you can buy this now for 740
Heavy metal bands should probably use it 90% of the time they're turned up too loud making people leave the venue before you play lol
Of course you retired the Mackies and the Behringer’s. Those are all horrible sounding speakers. I mean, they make sound. But none of them sound good. The Bose at least are reasonable sounding speakers.
the e woman can really SING
Bose L1 is nice but Yamaha DXR serie 10-12 inch is good. If you want cheaper system Electro Voice ZLX 12 is the best for the bucks. But if you have a lot of money and want to buy the best professional system d&b T10 is the best i played on. We Had a disco for 500people with a pair of T10 and a pair of Qsub 18.
Dbaudio.com
Is Karen Carpenter still alive ?
Convenient, yes. Sound good, not so much. There are other speakers that do a better job at a better price point
The sound quality of the band performance in this video is not convincing at all. Based on this demonstration, I wouldn't buy a Bose system.
Maybe if you lost a bit of weight you would find it easier to lug your gear!
Music Islife you're a dick