Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

[Axl H]

I saw a old video with Vivian Campbell, where he described his rack, and he had a BBE 482 rack unit to maximize his sound, and I really liked the effect it had.

How good is the Sonic Stomp compared to the rack version? And I havent tried it IRL, how does it really work? What does it do?

It seemed to fatten his tone up alot

Thanks.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I have a BBE Sonic Maximizer. I used it with my Marshall Valvestate amp through the effects loop and it was great. On my Marshall JCM800 and Carvin V3 it was useless.

Basically it produces a delay where the highs and lows hit the speakers at different time, creating more clarity. Good if your setup is a bit muddy or lacking clarity.

 

[Axl H]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I am thinking of using it with my JCM2000 DSL 100watt head.

My sound isnt muddy, I just find leads to be a tad thin sometimes and a bit undefined, so I thought about trying this thing.

You think it would be something for me?

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

.....sigh...you never get smarter....

 

[Axl H]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

.....sigh...you never get smarter....

Just because you dont like it, doesent mean I perhaps could?

You know I love 80s guitar sounds, and if I remember correctly this thing was used by alot in the 80s.

 

[lex666]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I have the BBE Sonic Stomp. I've never used the rack version, so I can't complain.

The effect is real subtle. When its on, you can't hardly tell that its working. Its not until you turn it off, that you realize that it really does help. I hear it mostly on the low end, it does help make my bass tones seem more tighter and focused. There's no loss of tone, nor does it change your tone. Its really kind of hard to verbalize exactly what it does for your sound but it did make a big difference for me.

I'm using it with mostly humbucker equipped guitars to my Marshall TSL602. I play alot of Metallica and it really helps to keep the sound of my low end rthym playing tight.

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I would recommend you steal or borrow one just long enough to try it. It's really hard to explain the effect because it changes the attack in a subtle way. I decided I like it better for PA usage. The circuit was designed to compensate for the shortcomings of two or three way PA speakers. That said, try it, you may like it.

 

[lpmarshall]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I have the rack version, and I used it for about two days when I had my Mesa Nomad 55. At first it sounded awesome, then I got tired of it. It makes the sound processed and your amp sound won't shine through.

 

[lex666]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I have the rack version, and I used it for about two days when I had my Mesa Nomad 55. At first it sounded awesome, then I got tired of it. It makes the sound processed and your amp sound won't shine through.

I'm not being sarcastic, but turning down the "process" knob usually helps.

 

[Animal]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I'm pretty sure Anthrax, Megadeth, and Pantera back in the day used BBE's. They give can a very "hi-fi" and even almost industrial feel if they're pushed to their limit. Wayne Static from Static-X also used to use BBE with his Marshall Valvestate amps.

For high-gain applications, especially with solid-state, digital, and rack mount amplifiers they can be very useful in balancing out your sound and spreading it evenly over the spectrum. As it adjusts the phase relationship of the sound as it comes out of the amp, the sound becomes tighter and much punchy. Consequently it makes the tone more compressed. Not something you'd use for an organic or 3D dimensional tone but for cleaning up a muddy/undefined tone into something more modern, a sonic maximizer can be beneficial. They can be a great "band-aid" solution for really buzzy solid state amps but for high-end rigs the effect is much more subtle.

Although you'll be at the mercy of the low quality audio, these clips might be able to give you a better idea of the type of "sheen" the BBE units can provide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us_IxW5LcvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdWPV19pKKg&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZveEyg_GmQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqzZoAu3XsM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YczYC2yHTM

 

[Travis]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I've got a BBE 422A in the loop of my 5150. It made an enormous amount of difference in the sound of this amp. In fact, I really think that the 422 was designed with the 5150 in mine. It really opened up the sound. I can't comment on the other models or on the stomp version. But if they do anything with other amps half as well as the 422 did with my 5150, then I'd say a BBE would be a very safe investment.

 

[Saggy]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I have a 462 and have used other rack model BBEs in the past.. couldn't live without it.. love the sonic MAX!!!!!

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

I had a stomp and I returned it. May have been defective. I couldn't hear a difference on or off, and I gave it a LOT of time too.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

The rack mount version is better. I have been using one for the last 20 years. The rack mount version is good to use at the end of a signal chain to clean things up, but before an amp it doesn't really do anything! Unless the BBE pedal was at the end of your pedal chain and before the amp.

 

[Saggy]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

The rack mount version is better. I have been using one for the last 20 years. The rack mount version is good to use at the end of a signal chain to clean things up, but before an amp it doesn't really do anything! Unless the BBE pedal was at the end of your pedal chain and before the amp.

Interesting conundrum!

I use mine at the end of my FX loop and it seems to work best there. Since it F's with the frequencies by making bass reach your ear faster I think it's best in the loop, otherwise it may overdrive a clean signal with too much mids scooped out of your pups before the preamp.

 

[Axl H]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

It sounds good with all the opinions. I am gonna get one, and I have a 8day return if I dont like it

Thanks alot for all your help bros

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

Interesting conundrum!

I use mine at the end of my FX loop and it seems to work best there. Since it F's with the frequencies by making bass reach your ear faster I think it's best in the loop, otherwise it may overdrive a clean signal with too much mids scooped out of your pups before the preamp.

Actually we are in complete agreement! It is best at the end of the chain to take out the mush. Although with some amps it might take away too much and leave it sounding cold. Me I like the punch!

 

[Sirion]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

It sounds good with all the opinions. I am gonna get one, and I have a 8day return if I dont like it

Thanks alot for all your help bros

Tell me what you think! I am interested in one of these as well. Besides, when it comes to 80s questions like these, the two of us have a little online hideaway where such questions could be asked as well

 

[Axl H]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

Tell me what you think! I am interested in one of these as well. Besides, when it comes to 80s questions like these, the two of us have a little online hideaway where such questions could be asked as well

Of course.. I am so forget ful at times

 

[Stratman]

Re: Experiences with BBE Sonic Stomp/Maximizer?

It's junk - you want mine?