NPAD (New PA Day)

Spike · Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:31 pm

Well, I took an unsupervised trip to Sweetwater today and came home with a Bose L1 Pro16 array PA system. I started out gigging with my trio with the L1 compact, upgraded to the L1 1S model (then bought second for larger gigs). One of my L1 1S systems started acting up and I was having a hard time trying to find anyone that repairs them local so....I upgraded again. We have a gig on January 17th and I can't wait to see how it handles it. Based on what I have read, it shouldn't be a problem. It's a bit easier to handle than the L11S and one less bag to carry so there's that.

Bose L1 Pro16_opt.jpg

tonebender · Mon Dec 02, 2024 5:38 pm

Congrats on the new PA. My band uses a Bose PA system and it does the trick. Two of my band mates have the same one but we only use one most of the time. I have the LI Pro8 for all the acoustic gigs both solo and duo. I use the Bose T8S 8-channel mixer and it is just plug and go. It is hard to beat the Bose PA systems but I did find myself drooling over the EV Evolve 30M over the weekend in Sweetwater's site. That thing has a built in 8-channel mixer, effects, bluetooth, etc. I bet it can be controlled by cell phone app via bluetooth. I like having the mixer right next to me so I can mute the effects when talking. I suppose I could do that with the phone but I do like the mixer. I have an EV powered 10" speaker that I control with my phone but it only has 2 inputs. I use it around the house for practice. Most of my acoustic gigs I have a cajon player that also does some harmonies so I need at least 4 inputs.

Spike · Mon Dec 02, 2024 5:44 pm

I was debating between the Pro8 and 16 but ended up with the 16. I use the T8S mixer as well and LOVE it! You’re right. Plug and play. Makes it much easier.

tonebender · Mon Dec 02, 2024 5:49 pm

I was just looking at the Evolve 30M again and it has a footswitch jack on the back and I bet it is for muting the effects.

tlarson58 · Mon Dec 02, 2024 9:41 pm

tonebender wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2024 5:49 pm I was just looking at the Evolve 30M again and it has a footswitch jack on the back and I bet it is for muting the effects.

I just might have found a Christmas present to start lobbying for.

tonebender · Tue Dec 03, 2024 3:49 pm

Good luck @tlarson58. If I were making the purchase today I just may have opted for the EV over the Bose now that the EV has all those input channels.

Spike · Tue Dec 03, 2024 7:19 pm

tlarson58 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2024 9:41 pm
I just might have found a Christmas present to start lobbying for.

I would grab a 3.5mm adapter for your phone and go to your local music store and do a side by side comparison.

A friend of mine told me Pentatonix mix of Daft Punk is a great demo song for sound system stress tests.

Good luck!

Tonray's Ghost · Tue Dec 03, 2024 9:08 pm

Spike wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:31 pm Well, I took an unsupervised trip to Sweetwater today and came home with a Bose L1 Pro16 array PA system. I started out gigging with my trio with the L1 compact, upgraded to the L1 1S model (then bought second for larger gigs). One of my L1 1S systems started acting up and I was having a hard time trying to find anyone that repairs them local so....I upgraded again. We have a gig on January 17th and I can't wait to see how it handles it. Based on what I have read, it shouldn't be a problem. It's a bit easier to handle than the L11S and one less bag to carry so there's that.

Bose L1 Pro16_opt.jpg

Interested in how you are using it: are you micing a live amp(s) or going direct in with a multi-fx or amp in a box type thing ?

Spike · Thu Dec 05, 2024 2:29 pm

Tonray's Ghost wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2024 9:08 pm
Interested in how you are using it: are you micing a live amp(s) or going direct in with a multi-fx or amp in a box type thing ?

We are an acoustic trio. We run 3 vocal mics, and two acoustic guitars through the Bose T8S mixer out to the L1. The bass player just brings his amp and sets it up in the back.

tonebender · Thu Dec 05, 2024 8:31 pm

I bought the L1 pro8 first and just ran right into it with my vocal and guitar. When I got the mixer I just ran the right channel output to a powered speaker in my living room and started adjusting EQ and effects until is sounded like I desired. Later I broke out the Bose speaker just ran the right output to one if the inputs. It sounded awful to my ear so I started adjusting the mixer and it still sounded bad to me. Finally I realize the tone controls were stacked because they were still set from before. Once I set the controls on the speaker to a neutral position and turned the reverb off everything was fine.