I am in an acoustic band that comprises myself on acoustic guitar and vocals, a fiddle player (occasionally also playing piano/keys) and a bass guitarist. The bass player has his own bass amp and the fiddle/keyboard player has his own foldback amp. We may add a drummer/percussionist but he will only play a cut down kit with brushes or soft sticks. We may also have a backing vocalist and occasionally guest instrumentalists. I also would like to have the ability to play along with backing tracks. We have been using a borrowed Yamaha Stagepas 300 in pubs and have been hapy with the results. We want to get our own PA now and I am looking at the Compact L1 as a possibility. We play to audiences up to about 100 people in small to medium pubs. I have also been looking at HK Audio LUCAS system (powered subwoofer and stereo satellites on stands) but see a great advantage in this system due to its light weight and portability. I also like that separate monitors won't be required. Unfortunately I don't have opportunity to try it out where I live in the UK and have a few questions for those that are successfully using it.

1. I want to use a conventional analoue mixer (with effects) to give control over the eq and relative levels of guitar, vocals and fiddle/keys. I don't want to get the T1 as it won't give me the flexibility I need and is too expensive. Does the L1 Compact work fine with a conventional mixer?

2. Compared with a conventional PA e.g. Yamaha Stagepas 300, what is the equivalent power rating or sound output of the L1 Compact. Or to put it another way, what conventional systems have you replaced with the L1 Compact?

3. In terms of monitoring what are the advantages or disadvantages of the L1C compared with conventional wedge type monitors?

4. Some of the pubs we play are very compact and I'm slightly concerned about how close you can be to the L1C. Is this an issue? Can the L1C be put in a corner?

Many thanks in advance

Hi art, and welcome to the forums.
Due to the number of folks in your group, it's my opinion that you will really be *pushing* the Compact to it's limit.
Not saying it's limit won't work for you in your typical venues...but I like to have some headroom.
I would go with a Model I, or better yet a Model II for it's light weight, portability, spread, and slightly shorter height.

There have been a number of posts about low ceiling heights in English Pubs.
For that reason alone, a Compact with it's shortest height of the three L1sw might make it more usable in more places.