Bose L1 with Mixing Board -- How To
A Call for Help
Orchestra Director Steve Vutsinas has accomplished amazing things in his first year at a brand new high school.
When he first talked with us about a 12 person electric violin group, we focused on the choice of instruments. As the concert approached, he was not sure what to use for amplification. Electric Violin Shop offered to provide sound for this concert -- helping out the school and giving us a chance to see if the Bose L1s could work in the context of an amplified orchestra concert.
Blaise consulted with Bose technicians and had Horizon custom make two cable snakes to make it easy for a strings teacher to set up. We had to upgrade to Next Day Air - and the UPS driver met Blaise before his normal deliveries so he could get on the road to Virginia!
All the components of the sound system worked together well, and both the players and the audience enjoyed the performances.
Technical Highlights
A 24 channel Mackie mixer was used to EQ and balance the instruments, and send the mixed signal back to the Bose speakers on the stage.
Layout from the rear showing how easy the connections are on the Bose L1. The signal from the mixer was sent back through the snake to the Bose towers.
Two signal snakes were custom built for this type of ensemble. Each had 8 instrument inputs with built-in direct box conversion and 4 XLR inputs. Having two snakes allowed the 12 electric violinists to spread out across the stage and not get into cable spaghetti tangles.
Stage layout, showing cables fanned out to avoid tangles, and allow players to find their color. This image also shows both cable snakes, as well as direct boxes for the guitar and keyboard.
EVS supplied instrument cables with many different colored ends, so it was easy to identify each player.
Close up of mixer, showing channels labeled with each player's name and instrument color. Red stars mark those who will solo, so it is easier to find them to turn up their volume. Notice all sliders (also called faders) are at "unity". This means the input levels have been adjusted so that the faders are at zero. This makes it easy to return a level to blend with the ensemble after the player has taken their solo.
The excess length of the snakes can be easily coiled on the ground near the mixing desk. Vital accessories for this concert included headphones, extra cables, and a "talkback" mic, so the musicians could hear instructions from the sound technician -- this was very important for tuning the violins and getting the volumes balanced. And, of course, a water bottle -- always be prepared!
All the equipment fit into Blaise's sporty car - the director was incredulous when he saw it! No van needed! Try getting a conventional PA system for 17 people into a two-door convertible!
Breaking a Paradigm
Since the sound aesthetic of a school orchestra concert is very different from a rock band, be prepared to re-educate any sound professional you hire to help. There is a built in prejudice against the Bose system on the part of professional sound engineers who mix loud groups. They are used to loud sound pressure levels in order for people at the back of a hall to hear. After decades of running sound this way, they may resist your efforts to have clear sound with moderate volume levels. Since the players use the Bose L1's as their monitors, the maximum volume should be determined by those on stage, not those at the PA board.
Division of Tasks
Conductor
Sound Technician
Stage Manager
Producer
Lighting Director
Contact Blaise for free consulting to help fulfill your amplification dreams. Toll free 866-900-8400.