I'm considering getting a compact mainly for the purpose of scaling down the amount of stuff I take to a gig. I already have an L1 Classic with 2 B1s but would like something a bit smaller and quicker to set up. How will the compact hand the bottom end of my keyboard sequences that I play and sing along with as compaired to what I currently have. Is the Compact mainly meant for accoustic guitars? or will it handle the full range of base that a keyboard puts out. I appologize if this issue has been addressed before. I have been really busy and not hanging around the forum as much as I'd like.

Hi Tony,

I bought two l1 compacts to do the very same job,but found that it lacked bass(my own preference)compared to my other system, it has a tight bass,not the low end you are used to with the B1's.

If you are playing small venues, you may get away with the compact.

The fact you already have the l1 classic and 2 B1's, there is no comparison between the two for bass.

Also, i find there are more acoustic Guitar/ vocalists using them than, keyboards/sequence/backing track setups.

Regards

ScotAl

Tony,
Will a L1 compact offer the same thing as a model 1? No, not any doubt.

However, I and many have found that there is an amazing amount of instances when the L1 compact can offer what I need for an event.

The ease and weight make it very very tempting to want to use the compact as often as you can.

The only way to know for sure if the L1compact is going to be a welcome addition to what you need is to try it for yourself.

Hi

I play keyboards and bypass the Tonematch eq settings and use my keyboards internal settings. All I can say is that the base, mids, and highs of the keyboard are in my opinion a clear acoustic marvel thru the compact. I would not hesitate to buy the compact and hook it up to anything through the tonematch.

AJ
Music is neither new or old.....it just "is"

That did it AJ... I am picking one up today and a good A/B switch.... maybe do it for YouTube.

Hi Tony,

Just picking up on this;

quote:

Originally posted by Tony:
What if you would use the compact with a Pack Lite and just 1 B1. I don't know much about the PackLite maybe it's not recommended that you only use 1 B!?

You won't hurt the PackLite doing this. You will get about the same output power as you do when you run your Classic with a single B1.

Since you are in the US, you can get the Compact and rely on the 45 day return policy if it doesn't suit you. See: See: Bose Returns and Exchanges for details.

Once you have the Compact you can test the different scenarios with your Classic taking the place of a PackLite.

Simulating the PackLite Experience

You can run the Classic without the Cylindrical Radiator® so that you would be hearing only the B1s.

Then take the Compact line out and run that to the Classic All Amps In. This basically bypasses all the signal processing in the Power Stand and should give you a pretty good idea of how the PackLite and B1(s) will sound.

Compact or Classic
I completely understand the desire to scale down the amount of stuff you take to a gig. Whether or not the Compact will do what you need is something you can best figure out by getting one.

I have found the Compact to be very well balanced across the frequency range. Initially I missed that lower half octave (the B1 goes down to 40 Hz, and the Compact goes to about 65 Hz) but this was only when I was using a PorchBoard Bass. Now that I have been working with it for awhile I am finding that for the venues where the Compact suits me, the low end is fine. I was just used to hearing the B1s. My point here is: The Compact sounds great. The big L1®s do a better job for me in larger spaces or if I really need low end support.

I now understand when I will be happy with the Compact and when I would be happier with the big guys. Even though I have a PackLite and extra B1s I could take to a gig with a Compact I never do. If I need more than the Compact can give me, I just take a big L1®. It is so much easier to work with things the way Bose designed them to be used.

I think you will probably have to get a Compact so you can go through the same process to figure out where and when it will work for you. At least you have all the gear so that you can simulate the PackLite option.


Does that help?

Hello ,this is my first post on this site but i have got alot of great info on here. I just recently puchased a L1 compact and a T1. I play keyboards ,a Yamaha s900 and a Korg I2 through it. I play in a country band part time , small venues and plan to run vocals and keys through it. So far I am very impressed with the system..I thought in a few instances it was a little shy on the bass end also so i hooked up a Soundtech Revo 15 in powered sub to it and WOW what a difference.I think it will do a great job for me.. Just thought i would throw in my two cents worth. Thanks for all the good info.

quote:

Then take the Compact line out and run that to the Classic All Amps In.

Wow! Thanks ST for taking the time to explain how to simulate the PackLite experience. My only question is what do you mean by the "Classic All Amps In"? I don't have mine in front of me. is their a jack that says that on the classic? I think I'm going to get a compact on Saturday. I don't gig much anymore but I have two coming up that would be perfect to try the compact out. For the first one I am playing for a halloween party for a retirement community, very small room. This will be my wife and I singing accompanied by midi sequences from my Motif ES. The second one I will be the DJ for a 40th birthday party for a crowd of about 75 people. They have the compact at the bose store near me.

Hi Tony,

On the Classic (only, not the Model I) there is an input jack labelled All Amps IN

It is on the right side of the input panel, in the white section.



Close up.



Closer



Find it?

Thanks! I've never used any of those connections on that side except for B1 and R1. Never even bothered to find out what they were for. Is it Saturday yet?

I own an original L1 and a Compact. I spent almost all of the summer playing through the Compact (guitars/vocals/banjo on occasion). There is a definite difference in sound. In some venues, I've preferred the Compact.

Last weekend I decided that I would bring out the L1 for a pool party. It sounded fine as usual but man oh man... was I educated regarding how simple and LIGHT the Compact setup is. My back hurt the next day from lugging the extra weight around.

For things like a wedding ceremony/cocktail hour that I have in three hours, the Compact is the clear choice for me for great sound and simple, light-weight setup.

Thanks. I hope I have the same experience. Tomorrow is the day.

Isn't it a HOOT how we all got these L1's X years ago, RAVED about how "little" and "light" they were to carry around, and NOW... with the Compact (or in my case SoloAmp) - we moan about the "massive", "heavy" Model I's and II's!

NOT pointing fault at all, just a cool progression :-)

Boy, there's still nothing like the brilliant sound and power of the good ol' L1 Classic. I never got into the Mod-II, and I see it, the T1, and Compact as nice, logical extensions and evolution, but they're certainly not as drastic of an improvement to overall sound as what Cliff and Ken brought to the party in December 2003. I know *I* would not still be performing music in public if not for this contribution - thanks guys!

So true Mike.... I still have my classic... we have gone through a lot together... this new Compact sure spoils me with a quick LIGHT set up, indeed we are getting spoiled. And I like it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kramster,

quote:

play keyboards ,a Yamaha s900 and a Korg I2 through it. I play in a country band part time , small venues and plan to run vocals and keys through it. So far I am very impressed with the system.

Hi Kevin:

I just took delivery of a Yamaha prs90o keyboard yesterday and hooked it up to the Compact thru the tonematch. So far I am very very pleased! I only can imagine how it's going to sound when I hook it up to my ModelI 2/bins/tonematch.

AJ
Music is neither young or old....it just "is"

ya it is pretty impressive. The s900 has some serious bass in some of the rythms. The L1 compact does a real good job on most of the bass but with the extra bass speakers it kinda knocks your socks off...lol

Well Since I started this particular discussion I will post my first impressions with the compact here. Bottom End????? Why was I worried? For what I do the compact has plenty. Listened to it in the Bose store playing Don Fagen's latest CD which is bass heavy to begin with and was really impressed. My Classic has a little more warmth and I hear more mid rannge than with the compact but I'm will to sacrifice that for portability. I actually think some of the patches on my Motif ES, mainly piano in a mix, sound a bit better on the compact to my ears. I'm very happy with my purchase. Do the extensions get easier to pull apart with increased use? One of my extensions has a connection that feels a little loose. Do I need to tighten it? Very happy with my purchase and won my wife over too.

Tony, I definitely agree about the Compact having less mid-range. Sometimes, I like that. It seems to cut the noiser crowds better. Could all be an audible illusion but seems that way.

quote:

It seems to cut the noiser crowds better.

Mid-range is where the crowd is talking. If you play with less, you are not competing with their conversations, therefore they will not talk louder to compete with you.