View source for L1® Unofficial Performers' Guide

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<big>'''The Unofficial Performers' Guide'''</big> 
for the {{PAS}}.

If you will be using the Bose System for the first, second, or third time and are looking for quick-hit things you need to know you are in the right place. This is for you in the role of performer who may or may not actually own an  L1® System. <!-- TODO Initially, I will write this with the solo or duo act in mind. There may be another version later for larger ensembles. -->

If you just got your new System then you will want to check out the [[L1™ Unofficial Users' Guide]] which covers things that System owners like to know. 

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[[Image:Bose-Mon8.jpg|Ashland MA Bose-East event photo by Drumr]]

[[Image:Bose-Ashby34.jpg|Ashland MA Bose-East event photo by Drumr]]

[[Image:Bose-Mon2.jpg|Ashland MA Bose-East event photo by Drumr]]
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[[L1® System Benefits]]


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== Setting Up ==
{{Model II icon}}{{Model I icon}}{{Classic icon}}
If you are stepping onto the stage and someone has made all the connections for you skip down to the section about [[{{PAGENAME}}#Performing|Performing]]. 

=== Physical Assembly ===
{{Classic Model I Basic Setup}}

=== Microphone Setup ===
{{Get Plugged In Microphone}}


=== Multiple Performers Sharing One {{L1 no link}} System ===
{{Model II icon}}{{Model I icon}}{{Classic icon}}
Electric guitarists used to play and sing through their amps, but this soon stopped when they started to concentrate on the tone of their guitars.  Now, few musicians are willing to share their amps, based on the idea that any sound other than that of your instrument will somehow corrupt the tone.  This is probably true for guitar amplifiers playing at heavy distortion levels (voice will be heavily modulated due to clipping).  But it is not true of an {{L1 no link}} loudspeaker.

Sharing should be restricted to musicians located near each other on stage, for example, two background singers standing shoulder to shoulder, or a horn line.

Several instruments or instruments and voices can be amplified simultaneously with complete independence of tone and no corruption of any kind, other than having everything come from one source.  Always try to take advantage of the ToneMatch® preset feature. 

{{Model I icon}}{{Classic icon}}
For instance, if you are doing a “single” and have a drum machine and/or sequencer driving a bunch of MIDI modules, use channels 1 and 2 for personal-preference preset settings, like your vocal microphone and, say, an acoustic guitar with a pickup. Then use an external mixer, which you probably have if this example describes your musical work, and put it into channel 3 or 4.


=== Connections General Examples ===
{{Model I icon}}{{Classic icon}}
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<a href="http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/8271015103/rear_panel_walkthrough081705.pdf"><img src="http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/4291033003/upg01a750.gif" alt="rear panel walkthrough" border="0"></a> <br />click the picture above for downloadable PDF version.
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==== Interactive Tour of the Inputs and Outputs ====
{{PS1 Connections Interactive}}


=== Connections for a Soloist ===
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<a href="http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/5331055103/soloist.pdf"><img src="http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/6361065103/soloist600.gif" alt="soloist setup" border="0"></a>  <br />click the picture above for downloadable PDF version.
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=== Soloist with Backing Tracks ===
{{:Vocalist with Backing Tracks L1}}

=== Connections for a Duo ===
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<a href="http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/4101085103/duo.pdf"><img src="http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/6691075103/duo600.gif" alt="duo setup" border="0"></a> <br />click the picture above for downloadable PDF version.
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=== Quick Hookup Guide ===
* [http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/2501026994/hookupGuide_v081705.pdf Quick Hookup Guide] - Print this and keep it handy (especially for people unfamiliar with the system). This is a 6 page pdf document, that you can print and leave at any venue that provides an L1™ Classic or Model I for performers to use. It includes most of the information above.


=== B1 Cables (blue) ===
{{Model II icon}}{{Model I icon}}{{Classic icon}}
* Make sure the Speakon cables (blue) are really connected. Insert and turn clockwise. There should be an audible click. You should have to slide the silver lock and twist counterclockwise to remove the cable. If you can remove it without a twist, it is not really connected.


=== ToneMatch® Presets ===
{{Model II icon}}{{Model I icon}}{{Classic icon}}
* Presets are used to get the best possible sound from your inputs. They are not meant to make something sound like something else (like Guitar processor or instrument patches).  Note: The presets for vocal microphones are based on using ''close microphone'' techniques. 

* [[Gain Staging]] 
* [[:category:Mixer|Mixers]] Connection suggestions for specific mixers. 
* [[:Category:Effects PS1 Powerstand|Effects]] Connection notes for several different makes and models

If the stage is already set up, then it is time to talk about performing.

== Performing ==
{{Model II icon}}{{Model I icon}}{{Classic icon}}
=== Hearing yourself ===
This is a different approach to amplifying your sound. The sound of your voice and/or instrument will come from an {{L1 CR}} located 5-10 feet behind you. Unlike conventional approaches, you will not be behind the main speakers going to the room. 

How does it sound? - It may seem unusual for a few minutes because you are hearing yourself in much the same way the audience is hearing you. This is a big difference because you will be hearing yourself in the context of the room instead of out of context in the monitor. ... [[Hearing Yourself|full article]]

=== Mixing Yourself In Ensemble ===
Using a typical [[Triple Amplification System|triple amplification system]], a professional front-of-house mixer rides vocals, varies the level of horn sections and rides (and often misses) lead solos. They do this because they and not you can hear a mix over the mains “out front”.  ... [[Mixing Yourself|full article]]

=== Microphone Technique ===
[[Image:Microphones.gif|Several Vocal Microphone|right]]
"Sing as loud as you're going to sing with your lips touching the windscreen and adjust the trim so that the LED just flickers RED. (You can do this with the channel and master volumes on the remote turned all the way down. Remember that when you want to be your loudest vocally, you're lips should be touching the windscreen. You can always "work" the mic by backing away from it to lower volume but always remember that when you need to be loudest, you're kissing that windscreen. This technique is true for ANY live amplification system, not just ours. Please stay in touch with us here and let us know how you, er, well, make out." -- Ken-at-Bose 

You will probably find that you hear yourself better with this system than in other live music situations. If you are new to the experience, you may want to back off from the microphone. Try this instead. Get up closer to the mic. Relax and get used to hearing yourself. You will find it is easier to sing when you can hear.

"Many owners, myself included, have found singing through {{L1}}s to be reminiscent of singing in unamplified groups (big family, in my case), but different, sonically better. Unamplified, we control our timbre and dynamics with just our bodies - No mics to ''technique''. With the {{L1}}, staying ''on the mic'' (the simplest of techniques) allows us to sing that way, using our ''head to toes'' as our preamp and our ''lungs'' as our volume control. Here's where it gets better - With much more available volume, therefore much more dynamic range and coverage way out into the room, we can still bring it down to that unamplified-level whisper (and everyone, singers and audience, can hear every nuance - I love that!), then bring it back up to the brink of ''ouch''! Very expressive. Very musical..." - - Chuck-at-Bose

=== Feedback ===
Feedback occurs when sound coming from the Cylindrical Radiator® is reintroduced into the System and amplified again. You typically hear either a high pitched squeal or a low pitched howl. The first usually comes from a vocal microphone and the second is more likely from an acoustic instrument like a Guitar. 

==== Microphone Feedback (squeal) ====
[[Image:MicGoodBad.gif|Microphone positioning on a stand|right]]
* Point the mic above the Cylindrical Radiator® and slightly to the left or right of it 
* Practice close mic technique "eat the mic" 
* Avoid leaving the mic pointed in the general direction of the Cylindrical Radiator® with nothing in between. 
* Check the gain staging. If you have the input sensitivity set too high, it can be difficult to avoid feedback. 
* Use the remote to turn down the highs a little bit. 
* Try presets #03 or #04 (High Gain Bright, High Gain Normal)

==== Instrument Feedback (howl) ====
The most likely source of a low end howl is an acoustic instrument like an Acoustic Guitar. 

* Change the angle of the B1. Just change the direction at which it is pointed. Avoid having it pointed directly at the body of an acoustic Guitar. 
* Use the Remote to turn down the lows a little bit. This will tend to clean up the mix overall even if you are not experiencing feedback. 
* Try preset #44 or #85 (Sound Hole Notch)
Leaving the stage: Always turn down the R1 Remote Control Master Level.

== The Remote ==
[[Image:Remote150.gif|R1 Remote Controller|right]] 
=== Why is the Volume Control in front of '''me'''? ===
Where is the sound-guy? 
 
The R1 Remote gives you the final say about how you will sound in performance.  The System once set properly is very stable and does not require a lot of real time tweaking. It is there for you to use if you want, but it does not have to distract you from doing the show. 

=== What are all these knobs ===
and what will they do for me? 

Find the Master Level (ringed in red - center bottom of the R1 Remote). This is your main control for all the sound coming out of the System. You will want to turn it down when you are not actively using the System. 
Use Channel 1 and 2 Level controls (just above the Master) to work out the balance between the two channels. 

Use the Tone controls. Start with all these straight up at 12 o'clock and adjust to suit you. 

Important: There is a tiny delay between making an adjustment and hearing the difference. Make small adjustments and then listen for difference. Otherwise you may tend add too much EQ. 
Make sure that the Remote is visible and easily accessible to you as you are playing. Use the velcro to make it stationary so you can adjust the controls with one hand.

== Stage Volume ==

You and your audience are going to be hearing your performance in a new way. To be heard and understood you will probably run your stage at a lower volume than you have with other equipment. 

== Getting Ready ==
This section will suggest things that you can do to prepare to use the System for the first time. For example:
Rehearsal

When you are rehearsing, stand or sit in the same positions as you will when performing. You want to hear yourself in the same way in rehearsal and performance so that making the transition from one to the other is relatively easy. One of the features of the System is localization: being able to hear everyone in their relative positions on stage. It is good to get a sense of that before you get to the stage. 

=== Practice Your Microphone Technique ===

If you are a vocalist, one of the single most important things you can do is practice your microphone technique. You get the best [[Gain Before Feedback]] using close microphone technique. The presets for vocal mics are designed for that (close micing) technique. 
 

== Troubleshooting ==
{{:Troubleshooting}}  <!-- this is an inclusion of a separate article -->

== Working with Others ==
[[Introducing Performers to the Bose System]]


[[category:Feedback]]
[[category:Performance]]


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