Stereo Mixer to Mono L1®
Contents
Using a stereo mixer with an L1
- General principles for connecting a stereo mixer to the mono input on your L1 .
The inputs on the L1 Model 1S, L1 Model II, and the Compact Channel 2 ¼ inch jack are MONO. Check to see if your mixer has a MONO output. If it does, then use that.
If your mixer does not have a mono output pan all your inputs to one side (e.g. LEFT) and take the LEFT output and connect that to your L1 .
For best results do NOT use any kind of Y-adapter to connect stereo outputs from a mixer to a mono input on an L1 . See Why Not Wye for details.
If you have questions or comments about this article please post a note in the Bose Forum - Technical Questions.
L1® Inputs
L1® Model 1S Analog Input
- Set the Trim control on the power stand to the 0 (zero) position.
- Connect the audio source to the Analog Input
- Adjust the volume of the audio source to the maximum output without distortion.
- While playing the source, increase the Trim level so that the Signal/Clip indicator glows green or yellow.
- If the Signal/Clip indicator glows red, decrease the Trim level so that it glows only green or yellow.
Model II Analog Input
- Set the Trim control on the power stand to the 0 (zero) position.
- Connect the audio source to the Analog Input
- Adjust the volume of the audio source to the maximum output without distortion.
- While playing the source, increase the Trim level so that the Signal/Clip indicator glows green or yellow.
- If the Signal/Clip indicator glows red, decrease the Trim level so that it glows only green or yellow.
L1® Compact Channel 2
The Compact is different from the Model 1S and Model II because it can accept stereo inputs on the Channel 2 1/8" and RCA inputs.
Stereo Inputs on Compact Channel 2
If have RCA outputs from your mixer you can connect to the Compact Channel 2 RCA inputs. It's likely that the RCA outputs on the mixer are recording outputs and you may have control the output level separate from the mixer master faders. Please see your manual for details.
If you have a way to convert the mixer stereo output to 1/8" stereo jack then you can connect to Compact Channel 2 1/8" stereo input.
Use a cable like this from your backing track source (iPod, Computer, CD / DVD player)
Click picture for details
or if your cable has RCA (phono) jacks you can use a cable like this.
Click picture for details
Mono Input on Compact Channel 2
Start with the Volume set straight up and adjust so that you get a solid green signal. If you see red, turn the trim down.
The ¼ inch jack input accepts a balanced or unbalanced connection.
- Can a stereo signal be used with the ¼ inch jack input?
A ¼ inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve connector carrying a stereo signal should not be used with the analog input on the L1 Compact.
Even though a ¼ inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve connector can carry a stereo signal this is not how this physical connection is used on the L1 Compact.
The ¼ inch jack input on the L1 Compact is balanced, and will therefore subtract the Left and Right signals on a stereo cable and you will hear almost no signal in the L1 Compact.
- The 1/8 inch jack is STEREO not Balanced
The L1 Compact Channel 2: 1/8-inch jack is STEREO not BALANCED.
The written documentation is incorrect. It says:
- 1/8-inch stereo input - Balanced analog input for connecting audio sources such as portable mp3 players, satellite radio, laptop computers, video projectors, and smart boards.
Correction
- 1/8-inch stereo input -
BalancedStereo analog input for connecting audio sources such as portable mp3 players, satellite radio, laptop computers, video projectors, and smart boards.
Source Neil-at-Bose
General Principles
It's easy to make this work. You can pan all your inputs hard LEFT and take the LEFT output and connect that to your L1 . If you have a stereo source and two stereo channels, then you can
- Run the left side of the stereo source to the left input on one stereo channel,
- Run and the right side of the stereo source to the left side of another stereo channel.
- Pan any other inputs hard left
- Use the left output of mixer and connect that to the L1 Analog input.
Connections
Where possible use a balanced connection between the mixer output and the L1® input.
XLR Mixer to 1/4 Tip-Ring-Sleeve L1®
The output side is XLR so you will also need a converter or cable that is XLR female to Balanced ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve.
Female XLR to 1/4" Male TRS Balanced Adaptor Cable (audiopile.net)
1/4 Tip-Ring-Sleeve Mixer to 1/4 Tip-Ring-Sleeve L1®
The output side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack and the input on the Bose side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack. Use a cable like this.
.
1/4" TRS Balanced Patch Cable (audiopile.net)
Here are a some examples of how you can get a mono output out of your stereo mixer.
Specific Mixers
Allen & Heath ZED 10-FX
Use a cable like this:
The output side is XLR so you will also need a converter or cable that is XLR female to Balanced ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve.
Female XLR to 1/4" Male TRS Balanced Adaptor Cable (audiopile.net)
Alto Live 802
Use a cable like this:
The output side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack and the input on the Bose side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack. Use a cable like this.
.
1/4" TRS Balanced Patch Cable (audiopile.net)
Behringer Eurorack UB1222FX
Use a cable like this:
The output side is XLR so you will also need a converter or cable that is XLR female to Balanced ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve.
Female XLR to 1/4" Male TRS Balanced Adaptor Cable (audiopile.net)
Mackie 1402 VLZ4
Mackie CFX-12
Mackie ProFX8
Mackie ProFX12
Presonus Studio Live 16.0.2
There is a Mono output.
Use a cable like this:
The output side is XLR so you will also need a converter or cable that is XLR female to Balanced ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve.
Female XLR to 1/4" Male TRS Balanced Adaptor Cable (audiopile.net)
If you don't have access to cable like the one above, you can use one of the ¼ inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve balanced outputs. You can pan all the inputs to the LEFT side and use the LEFT output.
Presonus Studio Live 16.0.2 Owners Manual
Yamaha MG10
The output side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack and the input on the Bose side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack. Use a cable like this.
.
1/4" TRS Balanced Patch Cable (audiopile.net)
Yamaha MG82CX
The output side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack and the input on the Bose side is 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack. Use a cable like this.
.
1/4" TRS Balanced Patch Cable (audiopile.net)