Warning for Djs using Bose ToneMatch T4s or T8s
First, a secondary or external mixer is in most cases highly recommended for DJs using all-in-one DJ mixer/controllers. An external mixer means you have more headroom, perhaps better microphone preamps than what’s built into your DJ mixer, or more inputs if you only have a 2-channel DJ controller.
Why Bose L1 Pro DJs Need a ToneMatch
While any external mixer is an advantage, the ToneMatch is a logical addition for DJs using the L1 Pro because of how it “talks” to the portable array system.
The L1 Pro delivers powerful, portable audio with a tiny footprint, but the ToneMatch mixer unlocks its full potential. While live musicians/bands might find more use for the full suite of features packed into a T4s or T8s, there’s plenty for DJs to love when used properly with a DJ mixer or controller.
Precision-Tailored Audio with ToneMatch Processing:
The L1 Pro boasts impressive sound quality, but ToneMatch takes it a step further. This mixer utilises proprietary Bose digital signal processing (DSP) specifically calibrated for each L1 Pro model. This DSP meticulously fine-tunes the system’s response, ensuring pristine highs, clear mids, and deep, impactful bass. The ToneMatch detects your system – Pro8, Pro16 or Pro32 and automatically applies the correct DSP settings. Top 40 and EDM or the classic wedding hits, the ToneMatch guarantees it sounds right.
Streamlined Setup for Optimal Efficiency:
Gone are the days of wrestling with tangled cables. Depending on your configuration, a ToneMatch T4s or T8s can connect seamlessly to your L1 Pro system with a single cable providing both power and audio. This not only simplifies setup but also saves valuable time before your performance. ToneMatch’s multiple inputs allow for simultaneous connection of your DJ controller, microphone, and even an additional music source, offering ultimate versatility for your setup.
Pro-Grade Sound Control at Your Fingertips:
ToneMatch empowers you with comprehensive sound sculpting capabilities. Built-in, high-quality EQs allow for precise tonal adjustments, enabling you to tailor the sound to your musical style and the venue’s acoustics. You can even save “scenes” for some of those acoustically challenging venues – next time you’re there, just dial up the saved scene and everything willI be recalled from your last visit.
Best ToneMatch settings for DJs?
Here’s the warning part. Most advice in online groups is to connect your DJ controller or mixer to the AUX inputs on your ToneMatch. On the T4s this is channels 5 and 6, on the T8s it’s channels 9 and 10. While these channels will work and will give you some headroom while allowing for additional input sources (mics, band instruments, etc) on the main channels, the AUX inputs have none of the ToneMatch magic. No EQ, no high-level/low-level music presets, no “DJ” preset. The AUX inputs are pass-through connections and bypass almost every ToneMatch setting.
Some even suggest a ToneMatch is a total waste of money for DJs if they’re mostly using channel 5/6 (T4s) or 9/10 (T8s). You’re getting none of what makes the ToneMatch special!
My advice? Either use two of the main inputs (ch 1 and 2) or set your DJ controller to mono and run your DJ master out into channel 1 on your ToneMatch. This still leaves you three spare faders on the T4s, or seven spares on the T8s.
By running your DJ controller into the main ToneMatch inputs, you’re taking full advantage of the ToneMatch EQ and presets including the DJ mode built into the ToneMatch settings.
Set the channel gains and pan if required and then use the master or the DJ controller to adjust your overall volume as and when needed.
Bose ToneMatch T4s Mixer Connections
How to connect Bose T4s mixer with the L1 Pro8, Pro16 or Pro32
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of establishing connections between the Bose T4S ToneMatch mixer and L1 Pro systems for various configurations. It outlines the procedures for achieving both focused mono setups for single L1 Pro systems and captivating stereo experiences for dual L1 Pro system deployments.
Mono Setup for a Single L1 Pro System
-
Source connections: Connect your microphones, instruments, or DJ controller directly to the designated input channels on the T4S mixer. Microphones ideally use XLR, everything else should be 1/4″ or 6.3mm TRS jacks. Mute the inputs or turn the gains down.
-
ToneMatch Cable Connection: Use the included ToneMatch cable to establish a digital link between the ToneMatch port labelled “L” on your T4S mixer and the ToneMatch port on your L1 Pro system. This high-quality cable guarantees lossless audio transmission for unparalleled sound quality, and it also powers the Tonematch T4s meaning no additional power supply is required for the mixer.
-
Mono Channel Panning: For mono audio, adjust the pan knob for each channel on the T4S mixer fully to the left. This configuration directs all audio information to the left channel, the only channel connected to an actual speaker and ensures nothing is missed or lost.
Dual-Mono Setup for Two L1 Pro Systems
-
Mic/Instrument/DJ: As with the single/mono L1 Pro setup, connect your microphones, instruments or DJ controller to the various input channels available on your T4S mixer, and of course turn the gains down or mute the inputs. Microphones ideally use XLR, everything else should be 1/4″ or 6.3mm TRS jacks.
-
Digital Audio Link: Use the ToneMatch cable for a digital audio connection between the ToneMatch “L” port on your T4S mixer and the first L1 Pro system. This cable maintains a digital audio connection and also powers the T4s mixer, meaning no additional power supply is required.
-
Mono Channel Panning: As with the single L1 Pro setup, pan all channels on your T4S mixer completely to the left. This ensures a dedicated mono signal is delivered to both L1 Pro systems, resulting in an identical mono sound across both speakers.
-
Daisy Chain L1 Pro to L1 Pro: Connect an XLR cable between the LINE OUT port on the first L1 Pro system to any available input on the second L1 Pro system. This cable effectively carries the mono audio signal from the first system to the second speaker.
Important Note: When connecting to channels 1 or 2 on the second L1 Pro system, ensure the ToneMatch selector for that specific channel is deactivated.
Stereo Setup for Two L1 Pro Systems
- Mic/Instrument/DJ: Similar to the single L1 Pro setup, connect your microphones, instruments or DJ controller to the various input channels available on your T4S mixer. As always, mute the inputs.
-
Left Channel Routing: Connect a ToneMatch cable between the ToneMatch L (left) port on your T4S mixer and ToneMatch port on the first L1 Pro system. This also powers the T4s so no additional power supply is required for the mixer.
-
Right Channel Routing: Connect an additional ToneMatch cable to the ToneMatch R (right) port on your T4S mixer to the ToneMatch port of your second L1 Pro system.
Important note for DJ controllers: Many DJs using the L1 Pro and a ToneMatch mixer instinctively connect their DJ controller outputs to channels 5 and 6 on the T4s. Note that The ToneMatch offers little or no EQ or effects for channels 5 and 6 and are essentially just “pass-through” inputs. To take full advantage of the ToneMatch built in presets and EQs, consider running a mono signal into channel 1 through 4 (any channel) or for stereo, use ch1 and 2, or 3 and 4 together.
Tonematch T8s and L1 Pro
Connecting Your Bose T8S ToneMatch Mixer to the L1 Pro32, Pro16 or Pro8 Systems
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of connecting a Bose T8S ToneMatch mixer to L1 Pro systems for various configurations. Whether you require a focused mono setup for a single L1 Pro system or a captivating stereo experience for dual L1 Pro systems, this document outlines the necessary steps for optimal audio performance.
Connecting to a Single L1 Pro System (Mono Setup)
-
Input Signal Routing: Connect your audio sources (microphones, instruments) directly to the designated input channels on the T8S mixer.
-
ToneMatch Cable Connection: Utilize the dedicated ToneMatch cable to establish a digital connection between the ToneMatch port on your T8S mixer and the corresponding port on your L1 Pro system. This high-quality cable ensures pristine audio signal transmission.
-
Mono Channel Panning: To achieve a centered mono sound, adjust the pan knob for each channel on the T8S mixer fully to the left. This configuration directs only the left channel audio to the L1 Pro system, ideal for scenarios requiring a singular, powerful sound source.
Connecting to Dual L1 Pro Systems (Dual Mono Setup)
-
Mic/Instrument Input: Similar to the single L1 Pro setup, connect your microphones or instruments to the input channels available on your T8S mixer.
-
Digital Audio Link: Employ the ToneMatch cable once again to establish a digital connection between the ToneMatch port on your T8S mixer and the first L1 Pro system. This cable ensures a seamless and uncompromised digital audio signal transmission.
-
Mono Channel Panning: As with the single L1 Pro setup, pan all channels on your T8S mixer completely to the left. This approach guarantees a dedicated mono signal is delivered to both the first and second L1 Pro systems, resulting in a powerful and synchronized mono soundscape.
-
System Signal Chain: Utilize an XLR cable to connect the LINE OUT port on the first L1 Pro system to an available input on the second L1 Pro system. This cable effectively carries the amplified audio signal from the first system to the second, creating a continuous audio stream.
Important Note: When connecting to channels 1 or 2 on the second L1 Pro system, ensure the ToneMatch selector for that specific channel is OFF.
Connecting to Dual L1 Pro Systems (Stereo Setup)
- Power Supply Connection: Using the included power supply, connect the T8s to power.
-
Right Channel Routing: Using an XLR cable, connect the Main Out R (right) XLR socket on your T8S mixer and an input on your L1 Pro. Ch 3 means you won’t accidentally apply the L1 Pro built-in ToneMatch settings found on Ch 1+2.
- Left Channel Routing: Connect another XLR cable to connect the Main Out L (left) pocket on your T8S mixer to an input on your second L1 Pro system.
Important Note: Ensure that the ToneMatch selector on the corresponding channel (channels 1 or 2) of the second L1 Pro system is set to OFF for both left and right channels.
HEY DJS!
Input channels 9 and 10 on the T8s mixer bypass all EQ and effects. While you can control EQ and effects on your DJ controller, it almost eliminates the need for a T8s mixer if you’re not using other sources (microphones, band instrument mixing, etc). If you have enough spare inputs, consider running into any of the other channels (1 through 8), either a single one for mono or two channels for stereo. That way you can make full use of the magic that is built into the Tonematch. This really brings your L1 Pro to life!
Is the Bose L1 mono or stereo?
All of the Bose L1 systems can accept a STEREO input, but as they are designed to be used as a singular stand-alone sound system, they output everything in MONO.
If you run a stereo input from any stereo source such as a phone, laptop, or DJ mixer, you can either run a “stereo cable”, or run left into ch1 and right into ch2.
But the L1 Pro will sum or “combine” all of the inputs and make a single mono output.
For those used to using traditional speakers on stand setups, it can seem odd or completely foreign to not be using “stereo”.
But here’s the thing – your audience doesn’t care. More importantly, they won’t be able to tell.
Here’s why:
Part 1 – the original audio: To generate true stereo sound, you need a different signal or tone or sound in the left compared to the right. Live bands are generally mono because the guitar or drums or singer can’t play and split their output to supply a slightly different sound in each channel. Even with two speakers, it’s the exact same sound in each one.
If the live band’s sound engineer was to be fancy with the mixer and put all the vocals on the right speaker and the guitar on the left unless your audience is dead centre of the stage/room/between the speakers, they will not be able to hear the other channel. They will be missing out on the vocals, or even worse – the guitar!
As a side note, there are ways for band audio engineers to run “stereo” audio at a live show. This usually involves utilising a number of large stacks or arrays, at least four. The two stacks on at stage left would actually be left and right audio, one channel in each stack, and on stage right, the same again – two stacks, left in one, right in the other. Arguably this isn’t so the audience thinks they’re hearing stereo, but so that they don’t miss any part of the audio no matter where they’re standing. It’s incredibly complicated and often involves high-end line array systems worth tens of thousands each.
Part 2 – recorded material, ie DJs: Even if the original recording is stereo, your audience will have to be dead centre between the left and right speaker in order to hear true stereo. If they are on the right of the room, they probably won’t hear everything coming from the left. While the output would be stereo, the audience won’t HEAR stereo.
All that aside, the Bose L1 systems are designed to be easily used singularly. Due to the 180 degrees of sound dispersion, in many venues or scenarios, you only need one anyway. The sound to the left or right or straight out in front is the same so no matter where your audience is dancing, listening, or stumbling, they hear everything.
