Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 05/19/2013:  04:06:45

Guys,

Do any of you have some experiences setting up this "engine" for a banjo - using a dynamic or a condenser mike?

I´ve lately purchased a BOSE L1 Compact system bose.com/controller?url=/shop_...index.jsp - to be used primarily as my personal monitor system for my tenor banjo and my tenor/jazz guitars - when playing with various pro-jazz bands - plus I might use it as a small PA-system, when playing solo-gigs.

Its two built-in channels - including their ToneMatch presets - are indeed, as intended, fantastic for vocal and electro-acoustic guitar - but I have some problems using the mike channel for my banjo and the guitar channel for my guitars with magnetic PU´s.

So I´ve ordered the additional mixer/audio engine bose.com/controller?url=/shop_...h_acc.jsp - I´ll get it in two days.

Any of you familiar with these products will know, that we´re here talking really high-tech and advanced "stuff". Plus costly of course - LOL!

Normally I prefer using a SHURE SM-57 dynamic mike for my banjo - 10-12" in front of the bridge - like this:

Do any of you guys have a suited preset for this mike and the BOSE "engine"?  Or possibly a condenser mike? I have several types "in stock".

And how about a full- or semi-body jazz guitar - with magnetic PU´s?

Thanks in advance - for any advice/info

Polle

Alex Z - Posted - 05/19/2013:  08:32:04

" . . . I have some problems using the mike channel for my banjo and the guitar channel for my guitars with magnetic PU´s."

What problems are you experiencing?  Do you not like the tone?  Is there some type of electrical interference?

For banjo and acoustic guitar, SM-57s have worked well for us without any of the built -in tone presets.  The most natural tone for acoustic instruments I've ever heard through an amplified system.  

Since they go through a mixer first, we back off the bass control on the mixer for the guitar, just a little, to cut the inherent boominess of the mic and get a more balanced sound.

I don't have the Tone Match, just offering my experiences.  Have not plugged in a guitar pick-up.

BDCA - Posted - 05/19/2013:  10:40:16

Here is a recent shot of BHO member Joe Newburry and his band, Big Medicine. (Excuse the crappy phone cam shot)

You may want to drop him a PM.

Cya!

Bob

DJBob - Posted - 05/20/2013:  18:18:47

I actually have 2 Bose L1 Compacts and have owned the L1 Model 1's. I used them in my wedding DJ business.

If you are trying to plug an instrument into the mic input, that is going to give you trouble and vise versa with a mic into the 1/4"/RC jack/3mm jack.

The only instruments I have tried on mine are a guitar and a ukulele but never had a problem when using the 1/4" jack and I have used a Shure 56 mic to amplify my banjo but the mic was plugged into the XLR jack.

I have used the tone match controller but I'm not sure I would have made that investment for what you are trying to do. I believe you can just use a simple 4 channel mixer that will have an XLR input and 1/4 input and output a 1/4" to the instrument jack on the Compact. (That is actually what I do in the DJ business and can run both Compacts, 2 mic's, and 2 computer outputs.)

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 05/20/2013:  23:43:51

Thanks Guys,

You´ll have to know - I´m an experienced sound engineer and producer - I have my own studio and till 7-8 years ago I had a PA-rental company. I do still own several pro-PA-systems - from 1-10 kW - to be used for both my own and other bands.

However - this BOSE system is as mentioned meant to become my personal monitor- and mini-PA system. The L1 Compact is born with 2 channels - inclusive of factory preset ToneMatch engines - one channel for a dynamic vocal mike á la SM57/58 and one channel for either an electro-acoustic guitar (with the TM engine on) or various line signals (with the engine off).

And YES - it´s indeed a fantastic system with an unsurpassed sound quality - when as meant used for vocal and f.ex. an electro-acoustic guitar - and it´s in fact intelligent - it automatically adjusts various DTP-effects, EQ, limiter etc. to the actual stage/venue.

BUT - the fixed factory presets are not especially suited for a miked-up banjo or a guitar with magnetic pick-up´s. The sound of the banjo becomes very shrill and misses a boost in the low mid range- and the guitar is very muddy/bassy.

Convinced by the superiority of BOSE´s audio techniques in general - as also experienced when using this small system as meant - I decided to expand it with the T1 ToneMatch digital mixer/audio engine. It comes with numerous factory presets for channels and stage set-up - and you can also create your own presets in details. I can easily find suited presets for my guitars, but I´ll have to make my own preset for the banjo.

That´s why I asked for advice here - and if possible for any suited preset for a banjo - using either a dynamic or a condenser mike for a close mike-up.

I could of course use a standard mixer with DTP-effects - as mentioned and as often used by bands - but I do really like the fantastic BOSE sound and the automatic ToneMatch engines. The latter gives me the opportunity presetting it at home - I´ll not have to adjust it at stage. Thus I can concentrate on playing my instruments.

The T1 arrives today - my next gig is on Saturday - I do foresee some busy days/evenings - LOL!

Polle

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 05/21/2013:  05:53:57

PS!

Oh Dear!

I´ve now tested and experimented intensively for almost 2 hours - this BOSE T1 ToneMatch™ mixer/audio engine is for sure an incredible device.



As mentioned I am highly/deeply impressed by the L1 Compact system as-is - when used for vocal and electro-acoustic guitar as meant to - plus of course the larger BOSE systems also - but the T1 adds multiple dimensions to their performances.



This is true State-of-the-Art technology and performance - over the years I´ve spent fortunes for the best possible analog and digital equipment - for both my studio and my pro-PA-systems - but this tiny apparatus beats them all - mind you an all-in-one device at the size of an iPad - I do already now consider it - besides my Holy Grail banjos - my best investment ever - LOL!

Once I´ve created my own presets for banjo etc. - this or next week - I´ll save and gladly share these - if anyone will be interested.

I´m one very happy guy today - LOL! Thanks Mr. Bose!

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 05/21/2013 05:56:44

Stiv_MacRae - Posted - 05/21/2013:  15:52:01

Please keep us up-to-date on your experience. I'm very interested in this system, and there appears to be a wide range of opinion on its performance. Since you are both an experienced sound engineer and acoustic performer, your opinion will mean something.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 05/22/2013:  04:10:14

Stiv,

I will for sure!

I´ve noticed, how many acoustic bands, soloists etc. worldwide have started using these fantastic, yet somewhat costly systems - we´ll simply all have to share our experiences with them - they are so very different from the classic FOH + monitor systems.

I´m just now setting up a few different scenes - to be used at a gig Saturday with my classic jazz band - the coming weeks I´ll refine these - plus set up some more for various combos, bands, venues etc.

Polle

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 05/22/2013 04:11:21

Stiv_MacRae - Posted - 06/18/2013:  06:20:17

quote:

---

Originally posted by Polle Flaunoe

 

Stiv,

I will for sure!

I´ve noticed, how many acoustic bands, soloists etc. worldwide have started using these fantastic, yet somewhat costly systems - we´ll simply all have to share our experiences with them - they are so very different from the classic FOH + monitor systems.

I´m just now setting up a few different scenes - to be used at a gig Saturday with my classic jazz band - the coming weeks I´ll refine these - plus set up some more for various combos, bands, venues etc.

Polle

---

Any update on your experience?

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 06/21/2013:  04:15:32

Stiv,

I´ll get back to you early next week - guests will arrive in a few minutes - and I´m packing for gigs over the weekend.

For now - here is a picture of my mike stand - besides a beer holder, an iPad in a holder (I´m a jazz banjoist/soloist) and an AKG C1000 (with the hyper cardoid adapter) now also with the Audio Engine in its holder. Vocal mikes etc. are not plugged in at the pic.

For many decades I´ve used and preferred a SM57 for my banjo - but via the AE I can now control and benefit from a condenser like the C1000.

More next week - but let me tell for now - this is indeed one fantastic apparatus - LOL!

Polle

Stiv_MacRae - Posted - 06/21/2013:  09:11:30

That's a snazzy mic stand...love the beer can holder!