Recently, I was asked to play a few tunes for an audience filled with music lovers, music cogniscenti and high-level musicians. It was a totally pleasant event, very relaxed. I was honored and delighted and jumped at the opportunity. The setup was a big 9' Steinway in good tune with a good house system, good condenser mics and a monitor. This was the first time in probably 3 years that I've actually played in a triple-system setup, actually since the time we did an amazing A-B test for Dr. Bose himself. (This particular test switched between the best sound we could get over a triple system v/s the best sound we could get using a prototype of our L1 system, with a 4-piece amplified ensemble. When the systems were switched, I'm sure my poor brain was twitching. It was very disorienting and hard to play.

So, for me, it was a very poignant revisit to what my old former life was like, after all these years and hours playing behind the L1.

I'll have to say that the most profound difference was the feeling of separation from the audience. I mean, I heard them respond and all. They got the music, delivered by a very accomplished mix engineer. But all the sound of my performance was around me in a bubble and all around my head. The sound was fine as the monitor was head-level. But not knowing what the audience was getting was very disorienting, after playing so long with the L1 system. When I use our system, I know that the sound I hear is passing me and going on to the audience. It's actually the one fact that really connects a player using the L1 to the audience.

This is all based on my recall of the experience. When you play, no matter what the situation, it's all concentration and heart-attack seriousness. You play the music and forget the sound. So you do the best you can and that's the end of the story. I heard afterwards that some of the audience got a very dull version of my performance. These were people off to the side, sitting out of the radiation pattern of the house speakers. This was nothing I had any control over.

Since I normally play a digital piano, the sound was also unfamiliar and I found myself playing more conservatively than I normally do. It wasn't a Steinway grand, like what you get when you play such an instrument without amplification. It was an electric piano consisting of the direct sound of the piano itself, the mics, the mixer, the monitor's sound and the feedback loop. The lid was wide open. I never had that unfamilar-sound experience with our system. We played all over the US, Canada and Europe with the L1 system, not to mention countless rocket-ship shows with the Linemen here in Framingham, and it was always the same, even with unfamiliar-sounding digital pianos I had to occasionally use on the road. I know that other players complain too about different sound every night on various music tours.

It's not that I would never do this again. I knew what I was getting into, I accepted the invitation and I did the show as good as I could. Of course if I had the opportunity to play more music for any fine audience, I would be happy to do it. My point is that there's no question which system I'd rather play through. If I ever get to play for a really large audience, one requiring a large house PA, I'd still use the L1 if I could so I could at least be sure of a familiar-sounding stage environment. At least there would be a better illusion of contact with an audience and I could play more openly.

quote:

I'll have to say that the most profound difference was the feeling of separation from the audience.

I know what you mean, Cliff.

Thinking back over 2 1/2 years ago, that separation/isolated feeling was something that we lived with every time we gigged. It was always there, so it was just "normal". We had no basis for comparison.

I never thought of a sound system as an immediate extension of myself and my instrument, until we started using L1 systems.
And since every detail of my performance is being heard by myself and the audience, it provides that wonderful connection to the audience that was so lacking before.

Thanks, Cliff, for looking for a better way, and for finding it.

Jeff
www.theunmentionables.com

quote:

...some of the audience got a very dull version of my performance.
These were people off to the side, sitting out of the radiation pattern of the house speakers

That's just something we, as audience members,
were all accustomed to and expected in the old days.

That's why we paid more for the good seats in the sweet spots.

Pete!

Can you hear it?

"... where every seat in the house, is in the sweet spot"

Ah yes, no cheap seats!

Thanks for the story Cliff.

Dan

I feel a new series of slogans coming on.

The L1™
refining everyone's expectations.

The L1™ experience: where every seat is a good one.

ST,
My favorite slogan of yours is in your reply to Cliff's other recent post on the "player's and audience's experience".

quote:

It's just me only louder.

Chris

Thanks, Cliff. You made my day - as always.

I just had this discussion with a co-worker the other day. Now that I know what the L1 can do, hearing any other small venue sound situation just PALES in comparison. I watched a quality cover band in Montana the other night. With an old set of ears, it would have been acceptable...even good. With the ears I have now to the possiblities, it was everything I could do not to go up to the band during their breaks and try to put an L1 in their hands (there are no brick and morter dealers in Montana). I didn't want to be "that guy"

Instead of being that guy, I knew where the guitarist worked (music store) and went by there a couple of days later and talked about the L1. We'll see if he makes the move.

quote:

The Bose® L1™ system.
It's just me only louder.

Good T-Shirt.