As one of the most misunderstood audio processors on the market, BBE sonic maximizers have taken a lot of negative press from some folks who may have been expecting something totally different. It’s important to understand what a sonic maximizer is designed to do before you can properly judge the unit. I wanted to share this information with anyone interested about these mysterious devices to unveil their truths, and how to go about using them as they were intended. I hope this information serves useful.
As a metal guitar player, I run one of these in the effects loop of my amp. I do understand what it does from a technical standpoint, but for those who don't understand all that and just want a simple explanation of how it sounds. It sort of leaves midrange frequencies alone, but it makes your low-end frequencies sound thicker, richer, and just bigger altogether, and takes the top-end frequencies and makes them sound brighter and more cutting, but it sounds overall, more balanced and controlled. Then you have a level control for each of the corrected frequencies. Overall, I think the change in sound with the BBE is subtle. Its more of a big deal to the user when its turned off.
I don't know what anyone else does with one of these but I have played in metal bands for decades and this is a semi-secret weapon for guitar players. Get your best, fiercest guitar tone and then run the BBE through your effects loop... it's like fire. A lot of friends used the BBE, but I actually used a similar effect in my guitar rig by Aphex called the Aural Exciter... 30 yrs later that same Aphex unit is in my current bass rig. Whether playing guitar or bass it's one piece of gear I will not part with.
I think the hate comes from going to crazy with the lo-contour and process controls. I run them both pretty close to noon, or just a hair below or just a hair above noon. It's a good tool to brighten a overly dark guitar tone, or darken an over bright guitar tone
I use this in my guitar rack, home high end stereo, final out of live mix and in a individual multi track mix. it's like wiping that film off the inside of your windshield!
I use a BBE Stomp Sonic pedal between my two multi effects units on my pedalboard, two BBE 462 before and after my two 31 band Eq's in my rack, a BBE 362 in the effects loop of my Digitech 2112 SGS Rack Processor and a BBE 482 in the effects loop of two Crate Power Blocks. I play everything from Blues, Heavy Metal, Classic Rock, Neo Classical Metal, Power Groove Thrash to Funk. My Acoustic simulators, Sitar simulator, clean tones and overdriven/distorted tones are very, very articulate and I get compliments on my tone of my live sound, all tge time .
*Bro your videos look like they were recorded 20 years ago... LMAO, it throws me off every time, I have to relook at the release date... hella informative YES!*
8:27 I think this just answered the question I was gonna ask, but feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken. Should this sonic maximizer be placed just before my drive rack, and after the tube preamp/compressor..? Or should it be before the tube preamp/compressor (right after the main outs from the mixer?)
Hola dude,your the best out there explaining all studio stuff. What would you recommend for a drummer singer guitarist pianist who wants to record demo songs to a high standard. I am 44 and only understand the process in th analogue way.i was thinking of buying a tascam model 12 or zoom r20.your recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Peace
This area is very subjective because so many folks work differently. I would strongly suggest watching the external hardware multitrack "Versus Videos" on this channel. They are designed to provide the type of information your looking for. Also check out my presentation "Home Studio Builds & Updates: How to Discover Exactly What You Need", as that should help too. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
Need your help if you don’t mind. I picked up a used 882i today. When I connect via mic channel insert (Y cable), 882i does not pick up any signal-lights not coming up. But When I connect via aux sends.. it works fine! I am using a powered mixer Behringer UB1622FX Pro. What am I missing or doing wrong? Why does it not work on inserts?
Don't use a Y cable. Connect with a single point cable and try again. If the insert does not work, you may need to get your unit serviced. thanks for watching.
Im SAD !! My BBE max x3 crossover ,which has a sonic maximizer , just blew its power supply and actually STUNK ! No capacitors looked bad , but I opened it up and the transformer was so hot I couldnt touch it ! 😲
As one of the most misunderstood audio processors on the market, BBE sonic maximizers have taken a lot of negative press from some folks who may have been expecting something totally different. It’s important to understand what a sonic maximizer is designed to do before you can properly judge the unit. I wanted to share this information with anyone interested about these mysterious devices to unveil their truths, and how to go about using them as they were intended. I hope this information serves useful.
As a metal guitar player, I run one of these in the effects loop of my amp. I do understand what it does from a technical standpoint, but for those who don't understand all that and just want a simple explanation of how it sounds. It sort of leaves midrange frequencies alone, but it makes your low-end frequencies sound thicker, richer, and just bigger altogether, and takes the top-end frequencies and makes them sound brighter and more cutting, but it sounds overall, more balanced and controlled. Then you have a level control for each of the corrected frequencies. Overall, I think the change in sound with the BBE is subtle. Its more of a big deal to the user when its turned off.
Thanks for watching and sharing, it's appreciated.
I don't know what anyone else does with one of these but I have played in metal bands for decades and this is a semi-secret weapon for guitar players. Get your best, fiercest guitar tone and then run the BBE through your effects loop... it's like fire. A lot of friends used the BBE, but I actually used a similar effect in my guitar rig by Aphex called the Aural Exciter... 30 yrs later that same Aphex unit is in my current bass rig. Whether playing guitar or bass it's one piece of gear I will not part with.
Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
I think the hate comes from going to crazy with the lo-contour and process controls. I run them both pretty close to noon, or just a hair below or just a hair above noon. It's a good tool to brighten a overly dark guitar tone, or darken an over bright guitar tone
I use this in my guitar rack, home high end stereo, final out of live mix and in a individual multi track mix. it's like wiping that film off the inside of your windshield!
I use a BBE Stomp Sonic pedal between my two multi effects units on my pedalboard, two BBE 462 before and after my two 31 band Eq's in my rack, a BBE 362 in the effects loop of my Digitech 2112 SGS Rack Processor and a BBE 482 in the effects loop of two Crate Power Blocks.
I play everything from Blues, Heavy Metal, Classic Rock, Neo Classical Metal, Power Groove Thrash to Funk.
My Acoustic simulators, Sitar simulator, clean tones and overdriven/distorted tones are very, very articulate and I get compliments on my tone of my live sound, all tge time .
Good job, simple and understanding, thank you..
Excellent explanation. Thank you!
Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
The BEST informative video on this! Thanks!
Thank you. This was very helpful.
Great info. Thanks.
Thanks so much for watching. 👍🏿
New subscriber. Great videos. You're an excellent host. Keep up the great work.
Will do. Thanks for the kind words and for your support. It's appreciated. 👍🏿
*Bro your videos look like they were recorded 20 years ago... LMAO, it throws me off every time, I have to relook at the release date... hella informative YES!*
I love it when a plan comes together! Thanks for watching, appreciated.
8:27 I think this just answered the question I was gonna ask, but feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken. Should this sonic maximizer be placed just before my drive rack, and after the tube preamp/compressor..? Or should it be before the tube preamp/compressor (right after the main outs from the mixer?)
Great explanation, thank you! I have one question. Like you said before PA, so I can place it between Pre-amp and Power Amp?
Yes, just not after a power amp. Preamps exist in various places in your chain already.
I noticed that the sound brightened up a bit...
You vids are great! I
Can it be replaced by the Electron Analog Heat?
What's the difference between a maximazer and an exciter?
so it is a phase shifter; not a frequency (pitch) nor an amplitude (volume) editor?
Good Rock'N Morn'N!!! ♫♫♫♫♫♫♫
And the same to you! Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Hola dude,your the best out there explaining all studio stuff. What would you recommend for a drummer singer guitarist pianist who wants to record demo songs to a high standard. I am 44 and only understand the process in th analogue way.i was thinking of buying a tascam model 12 or zoom r20.your recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Peace
This area is very subjective because so many folks work differently. I would strongly suggest watching the external hardware multitrack "Versus Videos" on this channel. They are designed to provide the type of information your looking for. Also check out my presentation "Home Studio Builds & Updates: How to Discover Exactly What You Need", as that should help too. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
How do you use and hook it up when you have a Bluetooth power speaker which the sound come from a computer or a phone device?
Would this be a better tool than a Lake?
Which is better compressor limiter then maximizer or maximizer then compressor limiter?
My suggestion is to have the maximizer last in the chain. Thanks for watching.
@@PowercoatMusic maximzer before power amplifier?
I Like the song at the end its yours? Thanks ♫
Yes it is and thanks so much. You can hear the full version here on this channel. 👍🏿
Need your help if you don’t mind.
I picked up a used 882i today.
When I connect via mic channel insert (Y cable), 882i does not pick up any signal-lights not coming up.
But When I connect via aux sends.. it works fine!
I am using a powered mixer Behringer UB1622FX Pro.
What am I missing or doing wrong? Why does it not work on inserts?
Don't use a Y cable. Connect with a single point cable and try again. If the insert does not work, you may need to get your unit serviced. thanks for watching.
Im SAD !! My BBE max x3 crossover ,which has a sonic maximizer , just blew its power supply and actually STUNK ! No capacitors looked bad , but I opened it up and the transformer was so hot I couldnt touch it ! 😲
Greater
That’s why I sold that unit...
🤣🤣🤣