L1 Inputs General Information

Inputs for Various Models

The Bose Portable PA systems have several types of inputs:

• XLR/ 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve combo jacks
• 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve / Tip-Sleeve jacks
• 1/8-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve jacks

XLR

For models without trim controls (or automatic DSP trim), the XLR inputs are microphone-level, and you should avoid using line-level sources

1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve

For line-level, balanced sources

1/4 inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve

For instrument level (high impedance) sources

1/8 inch (3.5 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve

For stereo sources at consumer line-level (e.g., headphone jack outputs from phones/tablets/computers)

For details for a specific model, follow the links to the left.

ToneMatch Mixers (T1, T4S/T8S)

Combo Jacks

• The XLR inputs are microphone-level inputs.
• The 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve jacks are line-level inputs.
• When you connect a 1/4-inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve connector to the 1/4-inch jacks, they are instrument-level inputs.

Note

Unlike the L1, F1, and S1 models, the ToneMatch mixers (T1, T4S/T8S) have input trim controls to adjust the input sensitivity. This means that you can connect line-level sources to the XLR inputs and adjust the input sensitivity with the trim controls.

Aux Inputs

• The T1 4/5 inputs are Aux inputs.
• On the T4S the Aux inputs are 5/6
• On the T8S the Aux inputs are 9/10

These are balanced line-level inputs. Use balanced connections with a 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve plug. Using a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve plug creates an unbalanced connection and loses up to -6 dB gain.

L1 Compact

Channel 1 (XLR)

Channel 1 is microphone-level with a built-in ToneMatch Preset for vocal microphones. Do not connect a line-level source to this input as it will be too hot. Also, you cannot disable the vocal microphone Preset, so this is not generally suitable for full-range inputs.

Channel 2

1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve

• If you connect with a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve input, this is an instrument-level input. If connecting a guitar, set the ToneMatch switch to Guitar (up). For other instruments, set the ToneMatch switch to Line (down).
• If you connect with a 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack, this is a balanced line-level input. Use balanced connections with a 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve plug. A 1/4 inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve plug creates an unbalanced connection and loses up to -6 dB gain. Set the ToneMatch switch to Line (down).

1/8 inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve

This is a stereo input for consumer line-level inputs. The left and right channels are buffered to mono.

L1 Model II/ Model 1S

Power Stand Analog Input

This is a 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack.

It is a balanced line-level input. Use balanced connections with a 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve plug. A 1/4 inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve plug creates an unbalanced connection and loses up to -6 dB gain.

Adjust the input level with the Analog Input Trim control. Set the trim so the LED light is a solid green. If you see red, turn it down.

L1 Pro

Combo Jacks (Inputs 1 and 2)

• The XLR inputs are microphone-level inputs.
• The 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve jacks are line-level inputs.
• When you connect a 1/4-inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve connector to the 1/4-inch jacks, they are instrument-level inputs.

The L1 Pro systems are unique among all the Bose Portable PA systems because a Digital Signal Processor automatically sets the input gain (like an automatic trim control).

Trim: The DSP automatically selects and compensates 0 dB, 12 dB, 24 dB, 36 dB, and 45 dB analog gain steps. This means that you can connect line-level sources to the XLR inputs, and the DSP will adjust the input sensitivity automatically.

S1 Pro

Combo Jacks (Inputs 1 and 2)

• The XLR inputs are microphone-level inputs.
• The 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve jacks are line-level inputs.
• When you connect a 1/4-inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve connector to the 1/4-inch jacks, they are instrument-level inputs.

S1 Pro+

Combo Jacks (Inputs 1 and 2)

• The XLR inputs are microphone-level inputs.
• The 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve jacks are line-level inputs.
• When you connect a 1/4-inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve connector to the 1/4-inch jacks, they are instrument-level inputs.

Aux Input

This refers to the 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve Aux Jack on channel 3

This is a balanced line-level input. Use balanced connections with a 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve plug. Using a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve plug creates an unbalanced connection and loses up to -6 dB gain.

F1 812

The F1 systems have a mic/line level input sensitivity switch on input one.

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