Condenser Mikes & Bose or JBL Stick PAs??

Bill Reid · #1 06-10-2019, 04:19 PM

Just when I thought upgrading my stage gear was going to be simple (not counding coming up with a grand or so): I was just about to pull the trigger on a Bose L1 Compact or a JBL Eon or Eon Pro when it occurred to me that they may not have phantom power for my condenser mikes! The Bose L1 Compact specifies that there's no phantom power, and Sweetwater recommends against a mixer other than the Bose brand (ouch!). Does that mean I'm stuck moving to dynamic mikes with either PA system? I might want to stick with my little Fishman Loudbox!

gfa · #2 06-10-2019, 04:25 PM

You can get an external phantom power supply.

Gordon Currie · #3 06-10-2019, 08:18 PM

I don't know why Sweetwater would recommend against an external mixer for the Bose L1C, but I can tell you plenty of people use external mixers with the Bose L series.

I use a Behringer XR12 which has phantom power.

The Bard Rocks · #4 06-10-2019, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Currie

I don't know why Sweetwater would recommend against an external mixer for the Bose L1C, but I can tell you plenty of people use external mixers with the Bose L series.
.

Sweetwater readily sold me one to use with my Compact. that was just your particular salesman talking (or mine).

D41Fan · #5 06-10-2019, 08:36 PM

I have no problems using an Allen and Heath mixer with my Bose L1C.

pieterh · #6 06-11-2019, 10:18 AM

Using a different brand mixer is not an issue and will give your mic phantom power as well as a good mic preamp (assuming you get a decent mixer). You can also buy separate mic power units (Rolls does a double channel one for example) but to be honest you might as well invest in a simple but decent mixer.

Bill Reid · #7 06-11-2019, 12:37 PM

Looking now at a Fishman SA330 with subwoofer and 4-channel expander. I'm familiar with the SoloAmp 220, and it looks pretty good. Comments?

Chriscom · #8 06-11-2019, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Reid

Looking now at a Fishman SA330 with subwoofer and 4-channel expander. I'm familiar with the SoloAmp 220, and it looks pretty good. Comments?

The Fishman SA330x is another great unit, and at some level when it comes to comparing it to a similar-ish Bose it's like a debate between red and white wines.

However fwiw as noted multiple times above, non-Bose mixers work just as well with all the Bose systems. I have a Bose L1 Compact (and a generally unused L1 M2), and love the sounds I've gotten out of it both with my T1 Tonematch and Yamaha MG10XU. And for whatever reason--maybe they hate menus as much as I do--I rarely if ever see T1s used around here for live performance with either the Compact or the L1M2.

lkingston · #9 06-12-2019, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriscom

...

However fwiw as noted multiple times above, non-Bose mixers work just as well with all the Bose systems...

Sometimes better. The feature I missed most on my T1 mixer was a high pass filter, especially with the larger B2 subwoofer. With a boomy mic or guitar pickup you were just sort of stuck. Yeah you could pull out bass, but that takes the low end rather than just the mud. I ended up switching from the T1 to a different mixer mainly just to get channel high pass filters.

jomaynor · #10 06-12-2019, 01:02 PM

The EV Evolve 50 has phantom power for condensers. Bluetooth, as well.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews...oice-evolve-50

Bill Reid · #11 06-12-2019, 01:54 PM

Thanks to all for your help! Just ordered an SA330x with subwoofer base and channel expander. A little expensive, but it has everything I need, and the controls are familiar from a previous Fishman SoloAmp (pre-220).

Stringmaster · #12 06-12-2019, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jomaynor

The EV Evolve 50 has phantom power for condensers. Bluetooth, as well.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews...oice-evolve-50

Except that it's only 15 volts so another component would be needed to add enough power. I was hot to get an Evolve, but got talked out of it by the salesman--he said the DJ's were liking them with the output and bass content with the sub, but not so much for an acoustic setup--and the sub is pretty heavy. But my needs were mostly solo/duo acoustic stuff, so YMMV

Stringmaster · #13 06-12-2019, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Reid

Thanks to all for your help! Just ordered an SA330x with subwoofer base and channel expander. A little expensive, but it has everything I need, and the controls are familiar from a previous Fishman SoloAmp (pre-220).

Congratulations! Please report back!

Silly Moustache · #14 06-12-2019, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Reid

Just when I thought upgrading my stage gear was going to be simple (not counding coming up with a grand or so): I was just about to pull the trigger on a Bose L1 Compact or a JBL Eon or Eon Pro when it occurred to me that they may not have phantom power for my condenser mikes! The Bose L1 Compact specifies that there's no phantom power, and Sweetwater recommends against a mixer other than the Bose brand (ouch!). Does that mean I'm stuck moving to dynamic mikes with either PA system? I might want to stick with my little Fishman Loudbox!

Hi, I have a "used" L1 which didn't have a Bose mixer unit. I bought the smallest mixer I could find ( A Yamaha) and it worked fine, but the shop that sold it to me has a damaged but functional Bose unit and will trade for me. (it's even smaller than the Yamaha.

I use a "Mk 1" Rode NT1 which has servd me faithfully for many years.