How Not To Hear What You've Got

This is a few words of advise about getting to know your new L1 .

The Simple Version

In typical A/B comparisons we try to leave everything the same except for the one critical factor we are comparing.

If you want to compare your sound with/without the Bose System, then compare:

• Your entire (old) signal chain (everything after the source to the listeners' ears)

to

• The Bose System (just the source plus the Bose System).

The Back Story

When I got my L1 System I was anxious to hear it and compare it to what I had laying around here. I wanted to be fairly scientific about the comparisons and in some cases, completely missed the point.

Don't

• Just make the Bose System the last step in your signal chain. That is... do what you've been doing before and take that last cord that would have gone to a mixer or power amp and put it into one of the inputs on the Bose System.

Do

Think of the Bose System as your entire signal chain, (this is a lot simpler), and then listen. That is:

• Just take your input (a mic is a good place to start) ,
• Choose the appropriate preset on Channel 1
• Set the gain (see the manual)
• Turn up the volume and listen
• Work the tone controls on the Remote to tweak what you hear

If you want to add effects or processors add them one at a time and listen carefully at each step along the way.

Mistakes/Corrections I made along the way

Mistake: Assumed the L1 was like any other PA

I plugged the last output from my chain of vocal effects into the Bose System

Result

Every flaw and over compensation in my old signal chain was amplified flawlessly. I assumed that the problems I was hearing were in the Bose System.

I eventually realized that most of what I had been doing was compensating of problems that simply ceased to be issues with the new System. It was like sprinting with crutches after the broken leg had healed.

Mistake: Effects

I plugged outboard compression, EQ, and other compensatory devices into the L1 . The result - same as above: Every flaw and over compensation in my old signal chain was amplified flawlessly.

I assumed that the problems I was hearing were in the Bose System. I have since dropped all that other gear. It is just no longer necessary.

Mistake: Guitar Effects

I ran my Guitars through my old chain of effects.

Result

I could now hear the problems being introduced in that chain and found greater presence and clarity by simplifying and drying out the sound. (dialing back a lot on the reverb and delays).

Mistake: My old Bass Preamp

Ran my Bass through my old Bass preamp. Found that running the Bass directly into Channel 1 or 2 sounded much better.