Today was the first time I've played my S975/Bose L1 Compact combo outdoors.
(I was located in a courtyard and experienced the visual handicaps caused by sunlight and clouds, which is another story.)
I tend to run my Master EQ and Compressor-related settings at moderate levels. Yet all I had to do today was increase my compressor setting of STANDARD to the DANCE FLOOR setting and increase the GAIN setting from 1 to 2. The result was a fuller sound with a non-intrusive "punch" that carried well throughout the courtyard.
The point I'm wanting to make is that if the settings you normally use seem inadequate for outdoor playing, don't overlook experimenting with the Compressor and Gain controls.
(This has stirred my interest in what other players have done/tried at outdoor gigs.)
- Royce