I fire my mic through the keyboard, thereby taking advantage of the keyboard's vocal processor. The only time I use the L1 Compact's mic input is when I have a job that requires someone to make announcements.

My laptop's audio output is connected to the 1/8-inch stereo input on the L1 Compact, which takes care of MP3s when I need them.

On the rare chance that I have a guest singer, I carry an Alesis Multimix 6FX mixer in the car. In the time I've owned both Bose L1 systems, the mixer has never come out of the car.

Good Luck,

Gary