I have 5 singers in the band. Currently I am putting all 5 plus some (3 to 5 more mics)ancillary mics into a Yamaha mixer (digital not powered) and into the tone match via two groups (into inputs 1 and 2). Seems to work fine. Is there anything i can do to maximize the output.. or minimize feedback issues? We are setting the tower behind us 10 feet back ....but since there are 5 vocalist with open mics... we get some feedback issues. There is more room on the main volume and channel volume levels... both at half when i start getting feedback.

Hi Mhs,

Thank you for your post, and welcome to the L1 forum!

Microphone feedback is an issue that can occur with any speaker or PA system. The L1 is generally better at avoiding that feedback due to it's line array configuration. However, having the speaker directly behind you, although generally recommended, can contribute to this feedback.

Having multiple microphones also compounds this problem, as multiple mics in the same area have a cumulative effect on their gain.

That being said, there are several tips and tricks you can try to eliminate this feedback.

If reducing the number of microphones is not an option, simply placing the system a little off to the side as well as behind you (at a diagonal) may help get the mics out of the path of the speaker.

Gain staging is another thing to consider. Again, remembering they are cumulative, you would have an individual gain (or trim) for each microphone channel on your mixer, then you would have the channel levels, output levels of your mixer, input trim on the tonematch, then channel level and master output of your tone match before you get to the actual amplifier. With all these gain stages it is important to keep your volumes in line.

You would want to set the trim for each mic individually and then bring up your channel levels and see how it sounds.

There is an excellent article on our L1 Wiki dealing with the topic:

Microphone Feedback

There are several different techniques listed that could be useful to you, but be sure to check out the sections on Gain Staging and Open Microphones.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

Hi Adam, thanks for the instructions on reducing feedback when using the L1 with a mixer. Another issue has just come up... my on/off switch at the base of the tower is not clicking OFF...it is always on... I have to unplug it to power down. Is it possible for me to replace that switch? or can you suggest something? It is not "clicking" like it used to.. just a soft "waddle" back and forth... at least it is stuck ON and not OFF... but it concerns me that it will decide to stay off sometime... ouch. I have gigs coming up and I cannot be without the L1...so sending it in for factory repair is a BAD option... so can i avoid that?
Thanks
Mark

Hi Mark,

I’m sorry about the issue you’re experiencing with the power switch. Correcting the issue would require service by Bose. For information on repairs or to set up a repair, please give our L1 support team a call. Our contact info is listed below.

Thank you,