S1 Pro System Line Out

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Overview and Specifications

The S1 Pro System Line Out is
¼ inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack: Nominal +2.4 dBu, Max +20 dBu
Output Impedance: 9.4 kilo-ohm kΩ
The Line Out is not affected by the Auto EQ. It's the combined output of all three channels (with volume controls, ToneMatch Presets, tone controls, and reverb) and is same whether the unit is in tilt-back, monitor, tabletop or on a speaker stand.
Notes
  • Using a Tip-Sleeve unbalanced cable will result in a drop in the audio level of -6dBu.
  • There is no limiter on this output so you may get more than the rated maximum, but it could sound distorted.

S1 Pro Daisy Chain (one to another)

This is an overview of how to connect one S1 Pro System to another.

  1. On the first S1 Pro turn off the volumes of all channels
  2. Run the LINE OUT to the second S1 Pro system using a balanced cable (1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable
  3. On the second S1 Pro set the volume to 10:00 o'clock. This should give you the same volume on the second unit as the first
  4. On the first S1 Pro bring up the volume to the appropriate level on the channels you are using

S1 Pro Daisy Chain.jpg

There is no reason to turn the second S1 Pro system above 10:00 o'clock because it will be louder than the first system and the signal will clip and distort before the first system does.


On the second S1 Pro System, for each channel you are connecting to the first S1 Pro System use these settings while you are setting up.

S1 Pro Settings for mixer.jpg

  • Reverb OFF
  • Bass at 12:00 o'clock
  • Treble at 12:00 o'clock
  • ToneMatch switch OFF

You can adjust the Reverb, Bass, and Treble after you get your basic sound working.

Gain Staging

Using a Bose device as the source

When connecting a ToneMatch Mixer[1] or an S1 Pro System Line Out to an S1 Pro System channel 1 or channel 2

Set the volume control to 10:00 o'clock with 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve

The signal strength from a ToneMatch Mixer[1] or an S1 Pro System Line Out is sufficient to achieve the maximum usable volume from the S1 Pro System
Control the overall volume from the ToneMatch Mixer[1] or the first S1 Pro System. If you use an XLR cable, set the volume control to 9:00 o'clock

ToneMatch Mixer to S1 Pro.jpg


Using a third-party source (not a Bose device as the source)

For each channel you are using on the S1 Pro System

  1. Turn the channel volume off
  2. Connect your sound source
  3. Adjust the volume of the source device output to the reference or nominal output level.
    • On analog consoles this may be marked as unity or 0 dB.
    • On digital consoles this may be marked as -18 dBFS[2][3]. The exact value (-18 dBFS to -20 dBFS) may vary depending your location[4].
    • Refer to the manual for the source device for details.
    • If the source device does not have metering or indicators, set the output as high as you can without hearing distortion or seeing red indicator lights.
  4. While playing/singing as loud as you will during your performance, bring up the channel volume until you see solid green on the channel indicator light. Occasional flickers of red are okay. If you see solid red or you hear distortion, turn down the volume.

Combo Inputs

S1 Pro Channels 1 and 2 have combo inputs that accept
  • XLR (balanced mono)
    • Microphone or Line-Level inputs
  • 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve connection (balanced mono)
    • Line-Level inputs
  • 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Sleeve connection (unbalanced mono)
    • Line-Level inputs and instruments (e.g. guitars, keyboards, guitar processors, loopers)
When using a third-party device (e.g., mixer or another line-level source) should I use the XLR or 1/4 inch inputs?
  • The S1 Pro 1/4 inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve inputs are best suited for line-level balanced inputs. This is a better match for the signal level.
  • The S1 Pro XLR inputs are best suited for microphones.

When the S1 Pro Channel input lights hit red or you hear distortion, the signal is clipping and you've reached the maximum usable volume. From the source, if the XLR outputs are line-level and the 1/4 inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve outputs are line-level, it won't matter which type of cable you use. They'll both get the job done, although the volume control setting will be lower with the XLR connection. That doesn't indicate more headroom. The maximum usable volume is the same either way.



Connecting a Mixer to an S1 Pro system

Article from Bose Connecting an S1 Pro to a mixer



Connecting the S1 Pro System to a Third Party Device

S1 Pro system Line Out

Connection to Mixers

Connect the Line Out from an S1 Pro System to the input of another device.

If another device (like a third-party mixer or powered loudspeaker) has a 1/4 inch (6 mm) input, and you don't know if it's balanced or unbalanced, it's usually okay to use a Tip-Sleeve cable. If that connection is balanced, then a Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable is a better choice. If you don't know for sure and don't have time to test, use the Tip-Sleeve cable.

Most mixers will accept an unbalanced, line-level device. If you use a Tip-Sleeve cable from the S1 Pro system Line Out, you are providing an unbalanced, line-level signal.

Some mixers will accept a balanced line-level device. If you use a Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable from the S1 Pro system Line Out, then the connection is balanced.

Many modern powered loudspeakers will accept a balanced line-level device. If you use a Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable from the S1 Pro system Line Out, then the connection is balanced.

Connection to Powered Loudspeakers

To connect an S1 Pro System to another S1 Pro System please see: S1 Pro Daisy Chain Settings.

The same principles apply to connect to a third-party powered loudspeaker.

Connection to Passive Loudspeakers

The S1 Pro System Line Out will not drive a passive loudspeaker (one without an amplifier).

Recording

The S1 Pro Line Out is 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve jack. That's balanced mono - NOT stereo. DO NOT USE a 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve splitter like the one shown below. The 1/4 inch (6.3mm) Tip-Sleeve connections will have the polarity reversed and when you try to combine the signals later they may cancel each other.

TRSfromS1Pro14TSx2.jpg

If the recording device has separate balanced mono inputs, the connection is simple. [5]. Use a 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve to 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable and connect to ONE input. Pan the input up the middle and the signal will go to both left and right stereo busses.

If the recording device has a single stereo minijack input[6] you will need to convert to S1 Pro System balanced mono output to an unbalanced signal.

14 dual mono to 18 stereo.jpg

This will provide an unbalanced signal to the LEFT side of the stereo buss.

Do NOT use a cable like the one shown below. It will send the balanced mono output into a stereo input. The resulting signals (left and right) will have the polarity reversed. The two signals will cancel each other out.

14trs to 18 trs.jpg

If you have questions or comments about this article please post them in this dicussion in the community.


  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 T4S ToneMatch mixer or T8S ToneMatch mixer or T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine
  2. dBFS
  3. dBU vs dBFS
  4. dBFS Analog Levels
  5. Example of a device with separate balanced mono inputs. Zoom L-12 Livetrak
  6. Example of a device with stereo minijack input Zoom Q4N