Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

[frankfalbo]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

It's irrelevant to a compressor. It's not a dynamic processor. What you have to understand is that it's a phase correction device. The fact that it has knobs that boost the treble and bass doesn't make it an Equalizer. Sure they boost the highs and lows if you crank them, but mine never make it past 12:00. And they're not just boosting the highs and lows. What they're really doing is boosting the amount of BBE process to those areas, too.

BBE's change the timing of when and how various frequency bands hit the speaker, in microseconds. So it makes the way the speaker vibrates more efficient. Anyone who likes vintage tones knows that more efficient isn't always an improvement. A Pod is a much more efficient use of energy than an old Bassman, but I'll take the Bassman.

I wouldn't use it anywhere else in the signal other than the loop, or before the power amp in a rack. The "Stinger" was kind of a toy, and I wouldn't judge anything based on that either. The new Sonic Stomp looks okay, but the good thing about it is the hard bypass. Just remember that even though it's a stomp box it shouldn't go before the amp IMO.

FFS-In the Lonestar, was it in the FX loop?

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

Let's try this another way

If I use it SPARINGLY in my FX Loop along with a TC Electronics G Major, will it let my amp breath but give it a little bigger tone, and little nastier bottom end?

 

[FamousForSustain]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

FFS-In the Lonestar, was it in the FX loop?

To be fair, it wasn't run through the loop as the GC goon didn't feel like giving me the three patches necessary to do it like that, and I didn't want to push him since I didn't have the money to buy it that day. I've heard a few people say it works better in front, others say it's strictly for the loop. If it'd had less of an influence on the tone I would've been inclined to try it in the loop, but the coloration really turned me off to the idea of further demoing. I knew it wasn't something I was going to shell out $100 for.

However, I'm a lot more picky about coloration than most people- case in point, I recently sold off the "totally, unbelievably, you-wouldn't-even-know-it-was-there transparent" ISP Decimator because of the slight sterilization it imparts onto your tone- so YM will probably V.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

Let's try this another way

If I use it SPARINGLY in my FX Loop along with a TC Electronics G Major, will it let my amp breath but give it a little bigger tone, and little nastier bottom end?

YUP! That's exactly what it will do.

FFS-As for the pedal coloring the sound, remember it's completely reorganizing the phase relationships. Putting it before the preamp is extremely likely to impart more tonal coloration than in the loop. It will actually screw with how the amp handles harmonics and overtones. Maybe some are recommending it in front of the amp, but I'll be the first to say it will wreck any good tone if used in front, even if you were running the amp clean. Ona cheap amp, it might be a good toy in front, to manipulate and excite the overdrive, but not on a good tube pre like the Boogie. I'm not trying to convince you or anything. I'm with you on the coloration, that's why I true-bypass mine. But when they're engaged, they do exactly what Olin is anticipating they might do.

 

[FamousForSustain]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

But when they're engaged, they do exactly what Olin is anticipating they might do.

I don't doubt it, and I will say that the low end seemed to benefit from having the BBE kicked on. Like I said, if I were to use it it no doubt would go in the loop, since I don't like anything in front of the amp anyway, and due to the nature of the pedal I'll take your word that it colors less in the loop. Still, every pedal I've ever used retains most of it's coloration whether in the loop or in front (i.e. the Decimator), and the BBE has enough that I couldn't recommend it personally based on that one test drive (although usually my policy is not to yea or nay a piece of gear until after I've owned it, gigged it and gotten past the honeymoon period with it). Just my .02. I'm glad you're able to get a good effect out of it, though, and I know there's a ton of other guys who do too.

 

[Kev]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

are you talking the pedal or the plug in?

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

I bought the 462 used on Craig's for $40 2 miles from me.

Hooked it in. It CAN make you sound processed. Used lightly, it beefs up my Shiva and makes it a little bigger. I use it before my FX. I THINK it's a keeper. it has a bypass, so if I do not like it I can tune it out.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Does anyone use a BBE Sonic Maximizer?

I have a 482 in my Mesa rack but I don't use it all that much and sparingly when I do. With the Mark II and Mark III voices it nails the Metallica thing in spades.

I don't do hard-core metal that often but when I need to put the kiddies in their place it's a cool toy to have.