Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
- Thread starter OlinMusic
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frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I've got an old 411 and newer 362sw. The sw is because it has a subwoofer output I use occasionally for my 15" speaker if I need tight, deep lows. Anyway it is great to add, but both of mine can be bypassed. That's key. If I'm going after any kind of vintage tone, I bypass it. They're always worth it, IMO. It's a great tool to clean up the sound, by changing how it hits your ears, and how it exits the speaker. It's not an EQ, although raising the two knobs does result in a treble and bass boost. If you can demo one in a store with a good amp you'll know instantly whether or not you want one.
I've got an old 411 and newer 362sw. The sw is because it has a subwoofer output I use occasionally for my 15" speaker if I need tight, deep lows. Anyway it is great to add, but both of mine can be bypassed. That's key. If I'm going after any kind of vintage tone, I bypass it. They're always worth it, IMO. It's a great tool to clean up the sound, by changing how it hits your ears, and how it exits the speaker. It's not an EQ, although raising the two knobs does result in a treble and bass boost. If you can demo one in a store with a good amp you'll know instantly whether or not you want one.
J
Jeff Dunne
Guest
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
Argh ew stay the hell away from those god awful things!
Argh ew stay the hell away from those god awful things!
lpmarshall
New member
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I have one, it will be up for sale shortly. I have the 362 rack version I believe. I only picked it up because GC was selling a used one pretty cheap.
I have one, it will be up for sale shortly. I have the 362 rack version I believe. I only picked it up because GC was selling a used one pretty cheap.
SwedeNuck
New member
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I love mine for shows, it really balances things out and makes it so I'm not just a high pitch scream machine. The real trick to to be conservative on the dose of process and low contour you put on, they can get pretty over bearing if you're not careful.
I love mine for shows, it really balances things out and makes it so I'm not just a high pitch scream machine. The real trick to to be conservative on the dose of process and low contour you put on, they can get pretty over bearing if you're not careful.
joelap
Red&Goldologist
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I'm on the fence with the BBE. First, to me it does make the sound more "processed" and less organic, but the end result is pleasing when used sparingly. I can see a BBE being very useful for bass and DJs. For guitar, it depends. If I was going to get one again, I'd get a sonic stomp, since its a stombox sized sonic maximizer instead of needing a rack
I'm on the fence with the BBE. First, to me it does make the sound more "processed" and less organic, but the end result is pleasing when used sparingly. I can see a BBE being very useful for bass and DJs. For guitar, it depends. If I was going to get one again, I'd get a sonic stomp, since its a stombox sized sonic maximizer instead of needing a rack
vinterland
New member
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I have a 362 for sale for anyone interested :fingersx:
That said, I can see how some would like them, it's just not for me.
I have a 362 for sale for anyone interested :fingersx:
That said, I can see how some would like them, it's just not for me.
daemon barbeque
Zuhahahaologist
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
so it depends on how you use your guitar ,with wich Pu#s and what gear you use and mostly ,in wich position in your rig you use it.
For Example:if u use it after a distortion pedal ,you will get too much noise ,so if you don't use it i your fx loop ,you will need a noise gate.
It is excelent for mastering,You can buy it as "vst/dx plug-in" too.
But be carefull.It can be really "overpowering" your tone.At the beginning it sounds well.but th sound is too big and too sterile too.And The PU's you use are a very important factor.High-gain "compressed" Pu's are mostly not suitable , at least you have to turn the "just 2" knobs really carefully.
But ,as i said ,i am using it for some recording stuff and it can be really pleasing.You can change the whole atmosphere and make even cheap microphones sound betterOr make the video recording sound better.
Anyways ,as every hardware ,it ha sit's pros and cons.You have to choose the way to make the best out of it!!!
(+):Make crappy sound better ,wider and bigger sometimes.depends on the "mids" of your tone.
(-):as every enhancing device ,it enhances the noise frequencies too.So you need a "clean" output to get a good result.
so it depends on how you use your guitar ,with wich Pu#s and what gear you use and mostly ,in wich position in your rig you use it.
For Example:if u use it after a distortion pedal ,you will get too much noise ,so if you don't use it i your fx loop ,you will need a noise gate.
It is excelent for mastering,You can buy it as "vst/dx plug-in" too.
But be carefull.It can be really "overpowering" your tone.At the beginning it sounds well.but th sound is too big and too sterile too.And The PU's you use are a very important factor.High-gain "compressed" Pu's are mostly not suitable , at least you have to turn the "just 2" knobs really carefully.
But ,as i said ,i am using it for some recording stuff and it can be really pleasing.You can change the whole atmosphere and make even cheap microphones sound betterOr make the video recording sound better.
Anyways ,as every hardware ,it ha sit's pros and cons.You have to choose the way to make the best out of it!!!
(+):Make crappy sound better ,wider and bigger sometimes.depends on the "mids" of your tone.
(-):as every enhancing device ,it enhances the noise frequencies too.So you need a "clean" output to get a good result.
FamousForSustain
New member
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I was all about getting one of these after hearing all the hype about how it boosts your clarity and mix presence. I test drove one at GC through a Mesa Lone Star and... I just don't know. I wasn't able to take the amp up to gig levels obviously, and supposedly that's where the Sonic Stomp shines, but I had it (the amp) pretty loud and the increase in clarity was minor at best with both of the pedal knobs just below noon. I certainly wouldn't characterize the difference as being "like a blanket lifted off of your speakers", which is what a number of the reviews on HC say (it was funny, when the GC guy was pitching this box to me he used that exact line. I was gonna call him on it but he was too nice.).
The tone coloration is definitely noticeable, so if you have any major hangups about that (like I do) I'd find some other way to achieve what this box supposedly does.
I was all about getting one of these after hearing all the hype about how it boosts your clarity and mix presence. I test drove one at GC through a Mesa Lone Star and... I just don't know. I wasn't able to take the amp up to gig levels obviously, and supposedly that's where the Sonic Stomp shines, but I had it (the amp) pretty loud and the increase in clarity was minor at best with both of the pedal knobs just below noon. I certainly wouldn't characterize the difference as being "like a blanket lifted off of your speakers", which is what a number of the reviews on HC say (it was funny, when the GC guy was pitching this box to me he used that exact line. I was gonna call him on it but he was too nice.).
The tone coloration is definitely noticeable, so if you have any major hangups about that (like I do) I'd find some other way to achieve what this box supposedly does.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I remember during a time I had a rack setup, I favored a 31 band EQ over a Sonic Maximizer. I kept it primarily flat, except I could bump up certain frequencies, to fill out the sound. Plus, they're cheaper.
I remember during a time I had a rack setup, I favored a 31 band EQ over a Sonic Maximizer. I kept it primarily flat, except I could bump up certain frequencies, to fill out the sound. Plus, they're cheaper.
James Rock
Active member
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
Get a guitar exciter pedal (not sure of the brand name) they r meant to be really good.
Get a guitar exciter pedal (not sure of the brand name) they r meant to be really good.
Animal
Well-known member
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
I have one. It's good for making your sound very hi-fi, clean, and tight .etc. I would also imagine they would be cool for various studio applications and live performances.
They work best for digital modelers since they are very processed things to begin with. I have an older rackmount version which is annoying.
For the organic tone purist, I would not recommend such a device.
I have one. It's good for making your sound very hi-fi, clean, and tight .etc. I would also imagine they would be cool for various studio applications and live performances.
They work best for digital modelers since they are very processed things to begin with. I have an older rackmount version which is annoying.
For the organic tone purist, I would not recommend such a device.
daemon barbeque
Zuhahahaologist
Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?
Well it is more exciter ,limiter,compressor and eq in one box.It is a huge difference in tone when you really turn the knobs ,but the sustain does not change like a compressor.baritone said:
