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The app is a no brainer and pretty much indispensable. Remote control AND access to the ToneMatch library
Portability, sound quality and power basically. Line array systems break away from convention in that you don’t have speakers (usually two) placed on each side of the stage. Bose really pushes the portability/performance factor of the L1 Pro8 and with good reason. Technically you could carry this with one arm/hand and leave the other free for instruments etc. Once you hook up the L1 Pro 8 with the app, this is where things get really good. When you fire up the app, you’ll see it’s an exact replica of what’s on the mixer section on the unit itself. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are two ways of accessing Bose’s full ToneMatch library.Instead, line arrays are vertically oriented; you have just one single ‘tower’ comprising a woofer at the base and mid-range/high frequency speakers at the top of the array.
Just make sure when you plug a mic in, that you select ‘mic’ for the ToneMatch option and ‘inst’ for a guitar or similar. You can turn this functionality off. Bluetooth Each L1 Pro system features a built-in mixer, so you can connect various instruments, microphones and other sources easily. You get two combo XLR-6.4 mm phantom-powered inputs, 6.4 mm and 3.5 mm (1/8") aux inputs, plus Bluetooth streaming capability. Illuminated rotary encoders give you instant access to volume, tone and reverb settings per channel. Select between optimised system EQ presets for live music, recorded music and more. And add in even more instruments and other audio sources via a dedicated ToneMatch port—one cable provides both power and digital audio between the system and a Bose T4S or T8S mixer (optional). The L1 Pro8 gives singer-songwriters and DJs both setup simplicity and supreme clarity—the power to sound your best and simply perform. On channel 3 in the same row, we have a Bluetooth pairing button. This is really neat because here you’ll pair your device with the Bose system which you can use for remote control via the L1 Mix app. Or, you can pipe music from your phone through the P1 Pro 8. Or you may have beats on your phone which you can play along to through the PA. A multitude of uses!This may be useful if you’re playing on a raised stage and want to reduce overall height to ensure optimum sound dispersal via the array or if you’re using it indoors as a Bluetooth sound system for example. The jewel in the crown here however is that the mixer is accessible and controllable remotely via an app. We’ll get onto that later as part of this comprehensive Bose L1 Pro 8 review. Moving down the panel, next up are mute buttons for all three channels. Pretty self-explanatory. Then, on channels 1&2 only, we have ToneMatch, which essentially is where you select the input source. Connectivity And with the intuitive L1 Mix app, you get complete wireless mixer control from your smartphone or tablet too.
In its simplest form, ToneMatch is available on the front panel of the mixer. As we’ve already seen, you can select between ‘Mic’ ‘Inst’ and ‘Off’ which automatically sets optimum EQ settings for the mic/instrument you’re using. At 300W, the L1 Pro8 is ideal for smaller venues like coffee shops, cafes, bars and restaurants but it also has enough juice in the tank for small halls and events – outdoors and inside. OK, working from top to bottom on the mixer section – first we have illuminated rotary encoders on channels 1, 2 and 3. On 1&2, the encoders control volume, treble, bass and reverb. On channel 3, it’s volume, treble and bass.
Assembled, the overall height of the L1 Pro 8 is 78.7” (2m) but the array extension spacer section is totally removable.
Bose equipment across the board is renowned for its sound quality and in the L1 Pro8 they’ve managed to successfully combine true portability with easy set up and excellent sonic performance. This is what you’ll see. In the ToneMatch section. It affects channels 1 and 2 but let’s tap on Channel 1. They provide extra channels for more inputs, effects and full access to the ToneMatch library to provide EQ settings for the microphone or instrument you’re using. You could even use a ToneMatch mixer with two L1 Pro systems for a stereo output (remember the Bose L1 Pro8 is a monophonic system). Moving swiftly down the mixer controls – next, on channels 1&2 we have phantom power. This is a really welcome – and frankly quite rare – inclusion because it means you can plug in condenser microphones without having to worry about finding the necessary juice to power them. This is a selectable via and on/off switch and when engaged provides 48V of power to channels 1&2.Mic’ provides a generic preset for a handheld dynamic microphone. ‘Inst’ offers a preset for a piezo acoustic electric guitar. There’s more Moving swiftly along, we now come to the ToneMatch port which enables connection to a Bose ToneMatch mixer (T4S or T8S) via a ToneMatch cable. These mixers certainly do extend the basic functionality of the system, but they’re not cheap and to be honest, most people probably won’t need them. This neat little app has two basic uses and it connects to your L1 Pro 8 via Bluetooth. Simply press and hold the Bluetooth button on the L1 Pro 8 until it starts flashing, then connect it to your device. Line array systems are not just about aesthetics – there’s science behind their innovative design and it’s centered around efficient sound dispersion. The problem with conventional side of stage speaker arrangements is that there’s a sweet spot in terms of sound coverage.
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