BBE sonic maximiser - how does it sound exactly??

[lwi]

I read rave reviews everywhere about this little thingie.. and I read the technical information on BBE's site.. but none of this tells me how it sounds!!

It has to be more than a 2-button EQ right? I mean, if the unit is not bypassed, and the High and Low buttons are at 'middle' position (if such a thing exists on the unit), how is your sound different than if it were bypassed?

It probably is too much to ask, but I'd really like to hear 'before' and 'after' sound files... I've been looking for this on the 'net, without succes.

Any input would be appreciated.

[wyldbill]

If you have Shockwave, there's an online demo here. There's a general explanation of the technology there as well. If you've got more questions, let us know...

-bill

[tommy west]

It really cleaned up the rack setup i have. For the price you really can't go wrong. I believe it is phase correcting.

It seems to add a warmth and life to your sound. I have not used it except in rack configurations. Not a lot of info, but I would recommend it. For whatever that's worth.

[tomizm]

Here's what I learned from a sound guy who ran a show for Warrant once (after they dropped from the limelight). *PS - I was doing "roadie work" for the sound guys running that very show.

Treble waves and bass waves are different lengths and travel at different speeds. *The sonic maximizer synconizes the two waves together, so they hit your ears at the same time and sound better.

[rbjammin]

I used the sonic maximizer with my drum machine and sampled bass guitar sounds and it really warmed up the sounds. *However, when I used it with my Mesa 50 head and 2x12 cabinet (loaded with 25 watt greenbacks) it didn't enhance the tone at all. *I ended up returning the maximizer.

[lwi]

Thanx for the input guys... I checked the demo on BBE's site.. it's kind of crappy, sice the sound files are really compressed and the only discernable difference the maximizer gives is a boost in highs and lows.

I guess I'll have to test-drive one at the store.

rbjammin: it seems to me that the 'enhanced high' could make your guitar/rig sound really harsh and uhh.. painful. *I am actually quite happy with my sound, I have a simple rig: voodu-valve thru -> home made hi-fi power amp -> marshal 4x12 cab.

But when I record w/the speaker sim on the voodu valve (which is quite good imho), there is still a little harshness to the sound, and I am believe, from what I hear, that the Maximizer would only heighten this harshness...

am I completely off track?

Lwi

[rbjammin]

Iwi, I think you're on track. *Everyone's ears are different though.

I would recommend testing the BBE with your voodu valve and your guitar. *Call the store ahead of time and try to arrange so you can have an hour to test the BBE. *Most stores I've dealt with will allow this.

If the store isn't an option, there are a few catalogs that have decent return policies.

[bduersch]

First the bad... I've never had good luck using the BBE with my guitar rig (the past 2 rigs I've had)--it adds a little more thump at the expense of making the overall sound more harsh--it does interact with distortion well.

On the positive side... I've had excellent luck using the BBE with my former bass rig and current keyboard rig--the increased amount of clarity in the low-end is amazing!

I have a 362NR (2 channel BBE w/ Noise Reduction), and it's my second favorite piece of studio gear (second only to the ART Tube Channel preamps). It really fills out a mix like nothing else. I run almost all of my home recordings through the BBE towards the end of the mixdown process. Sometimes, if I'm listening to cassettes or poorly mixed/mastered CD's, I'll even connect the BBE in between the CD player/tape deck and the receiver to clean up the mix. Night and day, I tell you.

--Brent

[wyzenhymer]

I have the BBE-462 model in my rack between my Rocktron Chameleon and Rockron Velocity 300 power amp. I use it full time, but at low settings. When I click it in and out there is a very pronounced change in sound, but it is hard to describe. I seem to use it as a bass/ treble boost, which is kinda redundant with the Rocktron gear, but it does add a brilliance to the sound I haven't found without it.
*To be totally honest, if I didn't have it, I would not miss it. With my rig I could add the same tone via the preamp. It's kinda fun to have tho!
*The 462 also features 1/4" and rca inputs/outputs so you can use it with lo-budget stereo recordings.
*If I was to spend the same $200 I would buy the Furman PL-Tuner (which is also in my rack!). It is a very cool rack tuner/ power source/ light module which does everything it promises.
My band tunes a whole step down and it tracks very well.
My 2 cents. G.M.
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