T4S to L1 Pro and L1 Legacy

Introduction

To connect the T4S to an L1 Pro (any model) and a Model II or Model 1S there are a couple of approaches.

The T4S has two ToneMatch Ports. If you use a T4S to control two identical L1 systems, then you can use both ToneMatch ports. However, if you have an L1 Pro (any model) and a Model II or Model 1S you may want to use the right ToneMatch port to the L1 Pro and the Analog Left Output to the Model II or Model 1S. See below for details about why you would choose one approach over the other.

Digital and Analog Connection

Use this method if you are running stereo or Dual Mono and you need to adjust or balance the volumes of the two L1 systems.

• Use the ToneMatch cable (included with the T4S) to connect the Right digital output to the L1 Pro ToneMatch port. Power will be supplied by the L1 Pro
• On the L1 Pro, turn down the volume and/or mute any unused channels
• Use a 1/4 (6.3 mm) TRS cable to connect the T4S Left (analog) output to the Model II or Model 1S analog input
• Set the Input trim on the Model II or Model 1S to 10:00 o'clock
• Adjust the Trim to set the volume of the Model II or Model 1S in relation to the L1 Pro

Analog Connection (Green)

¼ Inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve (balanced) to ¼ Inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve (balanced)

A balanced connection is preferred and will provide better noise rejection over greater distances than the unbalanced connection.

¼ Inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve (unbalanced) to ¼ Inch Tip-Sleeve (unbalanced)

This should work fine but a balanced connection (immediately above) is preferred especially if you will have cable runs in excess of 20 feet (6 meters) or if you hear line noise, hum or hiss.

Two Digital Connections

Use this method if you don't need to control the relative volumes of the two L1 systems. This would be typical of a Multi Mono setup. For example: If you are sending two inputs to the L1 Pro, and two inputs to the Model II or Model 1S. Then you will use the T4S channel PAN and volume controls to manage the mix.

• Use the ToneMatch cable (included with the T4S) to connect the Right digital output to the L1 Pro ToneMatch port. Power will be supplied by the L1 Pro
• On the L1 Pro, turn down the volume and/or mute any unused channels
• Use another ToneMatch cable (or equivalent) to connect to the Model II or Model 1S ToneMatch port
  Note: The trim control has no effect on the signal at the ToneMatch port. Leave the trim control off (fully counterclockwise) unless you have something connected to the analog line in
• Adjust the relative levels using the T4S channel pan and controls

ToneMatch Cable

Overview

The Bose ToneMatch cable comes with the T4S ToneMatch mixer (and the T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine}. It is an optional accessory for the T8S ToneMatch mixer and the L1 Pro systems.

ToneMatch Cable

The T4S and T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine uses a digital connection to the L1 Pro and L1 Model 1S/L1 Model II Power Stands. This is labeled ToneMatch®. The T8S ToneMatch mixer can connect to the L1 Pro systems via the ToneMatch port, but not to the L1 Model 1S/L1 Model II.

The connecting cable has a male Ethercon connection at each end that looks like this.

CAT5 or CAT6 or CAT7 or CAT8 cable

If your ToneMatch® cable gets damaged or lost  you can use a computer network cable type CAT5 or CAT6 or CAT7 or CAT8 cable. There's no compelling reason to choose higher category cables. All should work.

The T4S and T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine come with a Pro Ethercon cable, with robust metal connector shells and an almost memoryless 18' black cable.

However, in a pinch, should you forget the cable, or if say a huge Hammond B3 gets dropped on the cable and severs it, you can use and ordinary Ethernet cable and it will work fine.

Later in that discussion Hilmar-at-Bose tells us:

Any CAT5 (or CAT5e, CAT6, or CAT7 or CAT8) cable will work just fine without any degradation at least initially. The downsides are that most ethernet cables don't coil particularly well and that the connectors wear out over time. After a a few hundred uses you may notice the occasional drop out, at which point it's time to get a new one.

It's certainly a quick and cheap way to get a spare for an emergency.

Bose recommends you do not exceed a fifty foot cable run.

Convert Cat-5/6/7/8 to Ethercon

NE8MC EtherCon® Cable Connector Carriers (retrofit over an existing RJ-45 Connector).

Example vendor http://www.fullcompass.com/product/255589.html

Cable Length

Up to 50 feet

A technical note from Bill-at-Bose

A 33 or 50 footer will not cause any problems, either with the digital audio (ones and zips) or the power.

The technical reason follows, for those who are interested : A 24 gauge wire (the size typically used in ethernet cables) has about 2.5 Ohms of resistance per 100 feet. The T1 draws roughly 1/4 Amp on each of two supply wire pairs (+/-18V nominal).

For a 50 foot run, each pair of wires (made up of a plus and minus lead) totals 100 feet. A quarter Amp of current across 2.5 Ohms gives, per Ohm's law, a voltage drop of less than one volt (V=IR = 0.625 Volts). Because of the margin we built into the system, it can handle this voltage drop easily.

In fact, although we don't recommend it and can't guarantee it, the digital audio has been tested up to 100 feet in average conditions (for example, no undervoltage on the AC supply at the gig), and quite happily continued to make music.

Over 50 feet

MikeZ-at-Bose added in a later discussion:

Bill at Bose stated you could run 50' of ethernet cable no problem at all. Success at distances longer than that would start to depend on outside factors, for instance the voltage of your power source.

Another option for you is to run the T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine off of the optional power supply, and then run a balanced line from the Master Out on the T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine to the balanced 'analog input' on the L1 Model II. This method would be able to transmit over a hundred feet, perhaps much more.

¼ Inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve (balanced) to ¼ Inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve (balanced)

A balanced connection is preferred and will provide better noise rejection over greater distances than the unbalanced connection.

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