Connecting Gear
Introduction
- Integrated systems
All the current Bose Portable PA systems are
Complete Integrated systems
with built-in mixers, digital signal processors, power amplifiers, low-frequency and mid-high frequency drivers. Provide a sound source (microphone, instrument), and you have a complete sound system.They can be part of a larger signal flow with components in front of, and following them in the signal chain because they have inputs and outputs.
Example
Microphones & instruments → mixer → L1 Pro → Front of House PACore Principles of Signal Flow
This article will discuss signal flow, cables and device names in this order:
- Source to Destination
- Throughout this site, we talk about connections by following the signal flow from the source to the destination.
Examples
- Microphone → Mixer → Loudspeaker
- Guitar → Guitar Modeler → Mixer → Loudspeaker
We will NOT say
- L1 Pro → Mixer → Microphone because the sound signal does not travel this way
- L1 Pro → Mixer → Guitar Modeler → Guitar because the sound signal does not travel this way
It is valid to say
- Microphones and Instruments → Mixer → S1 Pro+
And it's also possible to use an S1 Pro+ as a personal monitor and send its output to a Front of House sound system.
- Microphone and Instrument → S1 Pro+ → Front of House
The Simplest Thing That Could Possibly Work
- Throughout this site, we talk about the simplest thing that could possibly work.
Short version: Choosing the simplest, fastest solution that still has a realistic chance of achieving the desired outcome—without over‑engineering or adding unnecessary steps.
Longer explanation:
This phrase is often used in technical troubleshooting, product support, and knowledge‑building environments to describe a problem‑solving strategy based on:- Speed over perfection
- A viable solution—not guesswork
- Iterative troubleshooting
- Avoiding complexity unless necessary
More details: The Simplest Thing That Could Possibly Work
Principles
Bose Systems General Information gives you all the details about
- Combo inputs
- ¼″ (6.3 mm) Tip‑Ring‑Sleeve
- ¼″ (6.3 mm) Tip‑Sleeve
- XLR
- Line level vs mic level
- Inputs vs outputs
Common Scenarios
L1® Model II with Mixer to Analog Input
L1 Model I with Mixer to Analog Input
Mixer to L1 Model I or L1 Model II
Mixer to Share Presets on S1 Pro
Mixer to S1 Pro as Monitor Mixer to ToneMatch Mixer S1 Pro to a Third Party Mixer
ToneMatch Mixer to S1 Pro T8S ToneMatch Mixer to T8S ToneMatch Mixer
T8S ToneMatch Mixer Aux Output to S1 Pro
There are several different forms of "trouble". At least initially, let's break them down into Acoustics, Gear, Venue, Power.
- In general, troubleshooting is the identification of, or diagnosis of "trouble" in a system caused by a system failure of some sort. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining the causes of these symptoms.
— Source: Troubleshooting - Wikipedia
See Troubleshooting your Bose system