BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

lex666

lex666

New member
After reading alot of glowing reviews of this pedal, I had to try it out. I heard alot of pro's use it to make their live sound more "studio" or "precise".

Anyways, I understand this is a very subtle effect. Can anyone tell me the difference between the "LO" knob and the "PROCESS" knob, or share your settings with me? Its sooo subtle, I hear very little difference.

Thanks,
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

A friend of mine lent me the rack-mount, dual-channel version. You're right, it is a subtle affect. Its easiest to think of "LO" and "Process" as bass and treble. Thats a bit of an oversimplification, but it works. There's some phase maniplulation going on, and some bass/treble boost. It was a "nice" affect, but I could get close with simple EQ adjustments. If I had money to burn, I'd buy one. In reality, I didn't. ;)

P.S. And I love gadgets.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

They add predetermined, and well thought out EQ. They do a simple phase-manipulation of the high-end to create a "widening" affect. But they do it well.

If you want to hear for yourself, and if you use WinAmp or VUPlayer as your MP3 player of choice, download iZotope's Ozone for media player. I believe they still do a trial version. Select the preset called "warm and airy" and you have the BBE Sonic maximizer.

Edit: I just thought of something . . . give me 'til tomorrow morning. I'll post an mp3 with and without.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

I used to use the rack unit a long time ago, it really did add some "life" to my tone. Shortly, I'll be trying it with my Marshall rig. Before I can try it, I'm getting an FX loop mod to my 2204. No worries, I'm not drilling any holes, I once saw a mod like this where a simple "box" with 2 jacks (in and out) was affixed to the back of the head with 2 sided tape. This way, it can be removed and the amp returned to stock. But I do want the loop for a couple of reasons.

Anyhow, when I used the BBE before, it was sweet, can't wait to hear it on this rig.

That being said, I can't see running it in front of an amp, it's gotta be in a series loop to have any real effect.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

I like to use a BBE 882 for mixdowns, but placed directly in a guitar amp's f/x loop or rig? I don't like it. maybe for electric bass or synth rigs, but not guitar.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

:headbang: Dudes! That bald guy uses one. I saw the ad. It must RAWK!:headbang:


:rolleyes:
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

I use one as the last pedal before the amp. It really cleans up a muddy sound if the mud is due to over use of pedals. It needs a good signal to work with.
It gives me a little more crispness, a little more detailed bass.
For my ears, it does a better job with my Strats than with my Ibanez humbuckers.
Typical signal chain would be... Guitar >> Tubescreamer >> AC Booster >> Verbzilla >> Voodoo Labs Chorus >> Sonic Stomp >> Marshall Bluesbreaker or Fender Bassman.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

It depends on the amp. It should only go in the effects loop. On a solid state Marshall Valvestateit really opened up the ampand turned it into a s sick metal machine, think Dave Mustaine....

I haven't found a use for it with my tube amps- the Marshall JCM800 or Carvin V3. The effect is much more subtle on those amps so I really don't see a need for it.

It adds a hi fi sound
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

Stratman said:
Waste of money.
Click to expand...

+1. I had the rackmount version because I heard so many good things about it. Used it for about 6 months. Got rid of it. Added a very 'solid statey' type of sound to my tube amps. When I stopped using it, I was like, "Oh, there's the tone."
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

I play bass, and was curious - found a 482 on eBay listed by an aspiring female DJ in NY... It was 'broke', and got it for $43. One of the spider nuts that holds on the PCB came off and was rattling around inside, pristine otherwise.

Hooked it up a few different ways (examples in the instructions) and settled on running it out of the final amp (pre everthing in the efx chain) as suggested for instruments. At lower volumes in the studio, I sensed the sound - tighten, different from compression. The knobs act as Lo freq and High freq process.

However, as the volume increased, I quickly lost that feeling. Tests were conducted under different conditions, and this was always the case. A friend played one out live a few times and sold it.

Now, if you are doing mixes in a studio, or using it with a PA, especially for the vocals, I could hear the BBE unit actually enhance the output. Input?

Art didn't buy mine, so I listed it on eBay. Sold it to a guy in Italy for $158 US, and got a set of SD Antiquity II's ... And that my droogies was the best move I ever made when throwing money toward enhancing my sound. Damn I love them!
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

Technically, I believe it's a frequency-based delay. IIRC, bass frequencies travel from the source to the ear a little more slowly than higher frequencies, so the BBE slightly delays the higher frequencies. That way, everything hits you at once.

Can anyone confirm whether or not my recollection of this unit is correct?

- Keith

P.S. I think it sounds great in a metal setting or for mix-downs.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

Even more technically ... All music that is amplified through a loudspeaker suffers some loss of fidelity - or subtle distortions - caused by the inherent characteristics of the loudspeaker itself. The BBE system addresses these problems by compensating for phase and amplitude distortions and, in effect, delivering the signal to the speaker in a form which allows it to reproduce the original live performance more fully and more faithfully.

http://www.bbesound.com/technologies/BBE%5FHDS/

In other words, you can buy what that bald guy in the ad is selling, but you have to practice twice as much as he do. Nappy!
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

Here's my take

IF you have an amp and you want a little more sparkle, or a little more hi fi tone, or a little more bass get one.

IF you like your amp's tone, don't bother.

Used just a touch you can get some subtle EQ, else it will start to sound very processed like it was in Pro Tools, only its in person. It can give a dead amp a little more 3D tone, but it's not an organic 3D richness like a swirly thing you get with a Matchless, et el. All in all, it's a cheap way to improve a dead amp.

Hardcore metal players tend to like it when trying to add rude thump etc. I have one I got for $40, 462 model. It made my Shiva sound a lot bigger and more modern, but generally I like the Shiva to sound vintage and organic.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

For the rack, solid-state, hyrbid, or digital modeler player looking for a more tight and clear modern tone, a Sonic Maximizer can be a very useful tool within the signal chain. Cleans things up very nicely.

If you're the kind of guy who likes an "organic" sound then you're wasting your time.
 
Re: BBE Sonic Stomp/Sonic Maximizer

There is a similar device (only in rack form) that behringer sell but it it has tubes in the chain so this might be a warmer more organic version (or just a sale gimmick) just thought i'd let people know.
Added note: It is cheaper then the BBE too.
 
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