Hey all, I finally got to gig with my new Bose PAS PA, and
can speak about it now at least a bit from experience. I'm in
the 3rd month of my trial period now, have been testing the
unit out off and on in my fairly small (22 x 24'), dead, cozy
studio, and now have heard the PAS perform at least in a
Large room/med hall. In a nutshell, I am thrilled with what I
heard, and have confirmed today that this unit will be a
keeper for me. Yesterday afternoon I packed up all my
previous PA gear to prepare it for sale.
My set Sunday consisted of my 'always-impressing-me' Carruth
000-12C guitar, a vocal mic and stand, a small RCN vocal
compressor, and necessary cabling for these items, along with
the Bose tower of course. The program was performed in a
fairly large (approx. 50' x 75'), carpeted, nursing home
cafeteria (relatively dead--NOT the people, the acoustics!).
The program consisted of about 15 songs, divided between
guitar fingerstyle instrumentals, songs w/ lyrics, and sing-alongs.
I had preset the Bose EQ (it's shelving, but tonally
effective 3-band digital BTW). for both mic and guitar, and
had 2 extra channels I didn't use. There is no built in
reverb, but Bose states because of the unit's design it
generally isn't necessary. Beyond that, EFX are not their
specialty. Quite surprisedly, I was glad to do without
another external box, and was very pleased with the tone just
using the EQ and the natural room acoustics--this is very
cool!
I purchased the add-on subwoofer but decided to do without it
because I felt I was getting plenty of low end for both
guitar and vocals at home. Unfortunately, the subwoofer does
NOT have a separate control, so the jury is still out on that
one for me. It effortlessly makes everything sound bassy
enough but then when I pull back the low end I feel I lose
something from the mids as well. That's often an issue with
shelving EQs.
Here's a breath of fresh air--I did not need a direct box for
the guitar as I usually do for natural tone. With the mid EQ
pulled back to 10:00 or so, the Carruth sounded just as it
does acoustically, except louder, and more articulate as the
very soft notes were more easily heard. I did use an external
compressor on my vox, but probably would have been OK without
it (just taking away one thing at a time here, and for
starters it was the reverb).
There are no speaker cables, stands, or monitors to deal with
on this unit--I had it assembled and 'concert ready' in
minutes--that includes a quicky sound check which needed no
further tweaking than what I had already done in my studio.
Oh, and get this--I DID NOT even turn up the volume levels
from what I was using in my studio because the sound just
seemed to travel in this larger room. Therefore, I know it
has a ton more oomph if ever needed in larger, noisier,
situations, or outdoors (which I can't wait to try).
There were about 45 folks in wheelchairs, etc. People in the
front, people on the sides, 5 or six rows deep --I believe
anyone in the room, was getting pretty much the same
program--this is the unbelievable part, because all those 24
tiny 2' speakers face the SAME direction...hmmm! The system
is smoother than previous ones I have used. I had full
control of the volume without touching controls. I could be
finger picking, strumming, singing, doing sing alongs, etc,
and I didn't change the volume control once (which works well
for my lazy nature--actually, I don't like having to be the
soundman when I'm performing--too distracting and draining).
Not that I couldn't have changed the dial for the EXACT, just
right level, but it just wasn't necessary. Other systems
require fingerstyle to be turned up some, yet when you start
strumming or getting percussive, it can get a little harsh
sounding if not backed off a bit--not with this tower and my
K&K Pure Western setup though. These things could effectively
put some sound persons out of a job.
Oh, did I mention NO monitor was necessary. Because the
performer is positioned relatively close to the tower, you
hear exactly what you are playing, the same way the audience
hears it--VERY cool. My previous monitor set-ups could never
match what was being projected from my Fender PA, so it was
always a step of faith as to the exact expression of my
playing or singing, as well as the volume levels. I would
occasionally ask the audience how the volume was, and then
try to make the most of the varying responses from different
parts of the hall or auditorium! Won't be necessary anymore.
Heard enough?...well I could go on, but I won't. Bottom line
is, I am sold--hook, line, and sinker, on these things and
can't wait for the next gig to use 'em again. Here's a couple
pics (the tower and the soundfield coverage of 1 unit), and a
website link to the Bose PAS for anyone interested:
Bose PAS PA system
Blessings,
Ken T.
Kentotushek.com
