I had to buy an L1 Compact, it's a Bose, it's necessary, not for a drummer maybe, but for an aficionado.
It's been nice to have, to loan out to friends who are in it's target market, they've all loved it.
I don't have to worry a bit about anyone hurting it or not being able to figure it out, how nice.
It will be nice for little DJ gigs too.

It worked very well for the low-volume old-country music jam that we do bi-monthly (3-6pc group).
The Porchboard was anemic by itself, but sounds fine in-the-mix with everyone else.
The acoustic guitarist/singer, 70, loved the weight, size, and sound.

The Compact also sounds awesome in my home studio.
I always have kept an L1 system there as an additional mix reference, and for rehearsals and practicing.
It does not work to run the V-drums through at band rehearsals, but is fine for 3 to 4 vocalists.
It takes up less room too, and is more quickly and easily available to go out on a job than a full size L1.

To push the system a bit, we recently tried it with our trio, Dick Tater & The Tots.
In the past we used two Classics for the bass & guitar, and a Model II for me.
Bassist & I each use 4-B1s and Packlites.

Also hoping to lighten up my load, I took the Compact to this large outdoor beer garden gig a few weeks ago.
I ran my kick drum through the bassist's Model II w/T1 & 4-B1s.
John was skeptical, thinking my kick would muddy his bass, but the kick gate made sure that didn't happen.
The Compact was used for my vocal only, and it took the first set to get it tweaked to comfort.
It was a bit of a challenge to be sure, having to get up to adjust my level and EQ.
But once it was positioned and EQ'd, all went very well.

At the gig, I thought the Compact did well...our audience commented on the nice vocals.
However, they were all sitting within 10-40' of the elevated stage.
My video camera was 60' out (zoomed in), off to the guitarist's side of the stage.
According to the videos, my vocal was down somewhat from typical, but not bad.
This was a really large space, outdoor to boot, so "near" perfect is just fine.

On our past videos, I've overpower the other backup vocalist a little, with the Compact we were more "even".
So the Compact helps out in that way.

All in all, the Compact held it's own in this big, outdoor setting, it "got us by" at the very least.
In small rooms, I will take it, but for unknowns and large rooms I will go back to a Model II.
It's nice that I can piggie-back onto the bassist's L1 for my kick, without compromising his sound.

I will no longer need to bring my own Packlite and extra B1s...one will be sufficient for my vocal and any other drums I might want to mic. So this experiment led to a definite lightening of my load, whether or not I use the Compact.

Video Clip #1
Video Clip #2

The Venue:

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

Hey Drumr,

I've sent you a message with questions about some posts you posted a few years ago about kick drum, im not sure if the message sent, first time trying that?...so if it didn't i will post on here. thanks

Replied, thanks Orange.