Yesterday`s L1 demonstration was a most interesting one, to reinforce the sound of a Bassoon.
The musician concerned is fluent in both the classicial and jazz styles and is a leading and respected teacher, composer and performer not only on the Bassoon but all the saxaphone family as well.
The Bassoon is a most unusual instrument in its construction in that the sound holes are all over the place from the micing up point of view.
Everything had been tried previously to get an even pickup pattern, from one to as many as six microphones.
Obviously other concerns arise with the use of six microphones, but the point is made that the Bassoon is not a simple instrument to amplify succesfully.
This paticular instrument has been fitted with a tiny dynamic microphone in the metal crook or Bocal as it is correctly termed.
The player has never been really happy with the sound produced by the installed microphone.........until now.
Enter the L1.
Whilst conceeding the lack of the wooden sonority as heard at around one metre away, the distinctive timbre and tones that make the instrument so unique were all there and with an evenness unobtainable with the use of external microphones.

My friend also plays a Yamaha Wind Controller and that was the next instrument to try through this new and amazing system.
WOW....was the inital reaction. The patches he had in the controller did sound amazing, especially the bass response with the single B1.


The dispersion and response of the system that we all know and love, impressed the performer and his technician to such an extent that the system will be used for an upcomming gig with the hope that such a real world experience will mean another new owner and believer.

I will keep you informed.

Thanks for the great report IanHB.

A couple of questions:
1. Did you try one or two additional microphones in addition to the bocal mic to try to get back a little of the woodiness?
2. To what module and/or software was the Yamaha Wind Controller midi-ed (the controllers make no sound on their own)? I'm curious whether you were testing synthesizer sounds (Moog or other analog/virtual analog) or realistic sounds (Yamaha VL70m, Roland sample-based modules, etc.)
Finally (for completeness sake!), which Yamaha controller (WX5, WX7, WX11...).

Thank you.

Sorry to take so long to answer the questions, but here goes.
Yes we tried the use of one additional microphone (Rode NT1a) large diaphragm condenser unit, but deceided the hassle/benefit ratio made it not worthwhile. The Bassoon character was evident without it, especially when enveloped within a jazz or chamber group.

The Yamaha controller was the WX7 model with the VL70M module playing the standard Logic sounds.
Does that make any sense? I am a little outside my knowledge base here.
I will try to get my friend the Bassoon player here to answer any further questions.

Thanks for making this topic! I have been looking into buying a custom pick-up mic outlet for my Fox 240 short bore, and this is proof that saving up for the L1 will be worth my first several paychecks.... whenever I start looking for an actual job. lol

I have played bassoon for 7 years, and just started working on a Jazz Bassoon piece from 1987.

Again, thank you thank you THANK YOU!

Hi, Anne! Welcome to the Bose L1 forum.

I'm a bassoonist, too, from a ways back. I haven't been playing it in recent years (like ... geezzz ... 12+ years ??) but I hope to get back to it sometime before too long.

Of course, we'll have to watch out that we don't grab the L1 and try to stick a reed on the end of it !?!

Hi!
I am thinking of getting one of the L1 systems and am wondering since this thread is from two years back if there have been any recent developments that I should look out for (new models and so on)
Its sounds like such a great buy - but it is quite an expensive piece of equipment so I don't want to get it wrong...
any help would be appreciated.


http://www.mychordspace.com/

Hi, Tamara17! Welcome to your first post on this forum -- and a warm welcome to another bassoonist!!

quote:

Originally posted by Tamara17:
I am thinking of getting one of the L1 systems and am wondering since this thread is from two years back if there have been any recent developments that I should look out for (new models and so on) Its sounds like such a great buy - but it is quite an expensive piece of equipment so I don't want to get it wrong... any help would be appreciated...

Yes, there are two new models of L1, but they all have the same great sound. The Model I is (for all practical purposes) identical to the original (i.e.: "Classic") L1, whereas the Model II has a smaller, lighter base support, improved sound dispersion, and has removed the "internal mixer" -- that "internal mixer" capability is now embodied (in a greatly improved fashion) in the small "T1" ToneMatch mixer.

If you haven't checked back to the official Bose site ( www.bose.com/musicians ), then do that.

There are also a number of threads on this forum about the differences; both models are virtually indistinguishable when you close your eyes and listen to them in actual use. This 'bassoon' thread *is* rather quiet, but the overall forum is quite active.

Yes, the L1 can be seen as a significant "one-shot" investment ... but then you'd have a "whole solution" for amplification -- one that can be satisfying for years to come.