Hello,

I'm new here and wanted to say howdy.

I've been reading the forum and I have a question for you folks who use one or more L1's. How well do the L1's work in an outdoor performance situation? My trio (guitar, bass and banjo) play small, medium and large venues as well as outdoor events where a PA wouldn't already be there for us, such as parties, etc... I've heard groups using the L1 indoors and I love the sound, but I haven't heard or used one in an outdoor setting.

Sorry, if I've missed a thread or FAQ with this information.

Thanks,
David

Hi David,

Thank you for joining the message board.

If you do a search for "outdoors" you'll get lots of discussion.

Here is one to start.

Outdoor Gigs

more: Search results for "outdoors"

Enjoy.

YES!

Hey David,

My two centavos is that I probably enjoy using the L1 outside even better than indoors. For your trio - preferably two systems or best three - would work and sound great in each of the scenarios you describe. Even for a really big venue, where your L1's are for you onstage (and the close listeners) and lined-out into a bigger PA. My larger louder classic rock band just did a roaring success show where we used ONLY L1's - one per player, plus an extra system for drums, and extra system for the announcer, plus a powered sub for bass and kick - just great clear sound.

For your acoustic group - you'll love it, in the great outdoors.

Best luck! Mike

ST - thanks for the assistance! I appreciate the help!

thanks for the help folks! I appreciate on directing me to threads already posted on outdoor sound!

If you search for "Park" you get another series of topics, many about using L1's outdoors.

Hi pickerdd,

I've got an outdoor gig this Saturday, so I set up my L1MII, 2-B1's, outdoors today just to check it out and adjust as necessary. (I've used the L1 outdoors several times, but it was a small beer-garden type of venue, probably 20' by 30' - it worked wonderfully there).

This gig is a very large BBQ cook-off, I have no idea how large an area (probably 1 by 2 blocks). Obviously, I am not supposed to cover the entire area with music. But it should be loud and fill my end of the place. I'll let you all know how it went.

Anyway, checking it out today, I was impressed. With the master on the T1 about noon or less, I could hear clearly with fairly full fidelity a good 50' out. The bass dropped off a bit compared to up close, but my guitar still sounded pretty good, not real thin. I would have gone farther, but my wireless was dropping out.

I did notice that if I boosted the bass to make it sound better far away, it tended to be a little to bassy for me, up close where I would stand. I'm sure a balance could be found. I also assume a second pair of B1's with a Packlite would help that out, I don't know.

I think you'll probably do fine. For a pool party size area, the L1 will shine.

PS: I found this quote by Ken Jacob of Bose on another thread, re:loud stage volume:

quote:

...it is possible to be "fooled" by the L1 system. If it projected like a conventional system (it does not) then the right level on stage would indeed often be not enough in the audience. But because it projects sound much further, a good level on stage should produce a good level in the audience.

The result of this is that it is possible to overplay (too loud on stage) thinking you're not loud enough in the audience when you really are.

Just something to keep in mind (me too!) when you're evaluating the L1 outdoors, if you're not used to the L1 system...

Thanks Tres. I appreciate the info. I'll definitely keep this in mind when we're evaluating the L1's.

Thought I'd include a couple of photos of the L1® System being used outdoors, perhaps in a different context than just musical performances. I work at the local community college and our President, once he was introduced to the L1® System and its abilities, now requests our A/V department to always provide it whenever he gives a presentation, a speech at a dedication event (like the photos below) or when dignitaries come to campus for special conferences. It is a MAJOR improvement over the old "cheap mic on the podium - speaker on a stick" system which used to be used.

Here's the view of the audience the single L1® system was covering outdoors. Spoken word only, with plenty of headroom for volume. Notice how the people are spread out all around the event. Yet, everyone was able to hear what was being said without problems.

Most of my L1 gigs are outside. I think this where the system really shines. It is amazing the even coverage outside. My 2 cents.

quote:

I think this [outdoors] is where the system really shines.

This is what I find to be true as well.
I just did a demo for a 5pc rock band outdoors,
three L1s, and the sound was smooth throughout the entire park area...a whole block.

Having done several outdoor events I am very pleased with the sound coverage and clarity. No "hotspots" for people to complain about loudness. Want to impress yourself? While you have some music playing, just walk the perimeter of the area you are performing in and notice how well the sound is dispersed. The only critter I have had issues with concerning sound is a stiff WIND since we don't play if there is fire or water!