sonic maximizer

[liv_rong]

ok, im sure this is more of an opinion kind of thing but i have a question.

i am planning on purchasing a sonic maximizer 882i for its balanced inputs/outputs. i want to use it for recording vocals and mic apllications. i was planning on running a small chain, mic to pre, pre to maximizer, maximizer to mixer.

would this be benificial? or should i just get the plug in and use it after its already recorded?

i already have the 482, i use it in my guitar rig for an acoustic as well as a tube pre, and it really makes a significant improvement. i was hoping for similar results with vocals and other recording scenarios.

anyone use the 882i for recording vocals?

[mikeh]

Most engineers are not big fans of maximizers. I have an older unit, but I only use it for a few select applications 1) when dubbing cassette tapes (something I don't do much anymore) and 2) in a guitar effects chain (I find I can add some definition to guitars parts that have heavy distortion - and can also help with acoustic guitar parts.

You indicate you like the maximixer in your guitar chain (and I can understand that), but I don't think I would want a maximizer in a vocal chain.

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by liv_rong

i am planning on purchasing a sonic maximizer 882i for its balanced inputs/outputs.

So long as you disengage / bypass everything else between those balanced INS/OUTS ... then I don't see anything wrong with that idea.

.

[TexRoadkill]

Instead, spend the money on room treatment.

[Trell Blaze]

I would definately recommend against recording anything with a maximizer. Like TexRoadkill said, you'd be better off treating your room with that money.

But if you feel you MUST have a maximizer, use it post recording. And I remember reading somewhere that a good rule of thumb when using one is: If you compare it to the unprocessed signal and hear a dramatic difference, there's a good chance you're using too much...

[MadAudio]

Mic placement comes into play quite a bit, too, so experiment. Take advantage of proximity effect (which is that with a cardiod mic, low end response increases the closer the mic is to the source) when you can. Once you learn how your mics respond in relation to the sound you want to capture, half the battle is won.

[liv_rong]

Originally Posted by Trell Blaze

But if you feel you MUST have a maximizer, use it post recording..

so, if i am going to use it post, then should i get the plug in? i dont think i can support running my signal out, and then back in, but i am new to this.

maybe ill just invest a small amount of coin in room treetment, and then investigate different techniques while recording.

thanks for the info everyone, this has deffinetely swayed my desicion quite a bit

[Trell Blaze]

Originally Posted by liv_rong

so, if i am going to use it post, then should i get the plug in? i dont think i can support running my signal out, and then back in, but i am new to this.

maybe ill just invest a small amount of coin in room treetment, and then investigate different techniques while recording.

thanks for the info everyone, this has deffinetely swayed my desicion quite a bit

Eh...I'm trying not to be too opinionated on this since I fall into that category of engineers who absolutely dispise maximizers and anything resembling them.

But yea...if you must have one, get the plugin. Even in the hands of a trained user, those things can be tricky (their purpose is to fool the ear).

What happens if your vocalists gives the performance of his/her life and u chose a poor setting that causes instant ear fatigue to the listener? Yea...that's pretty extream, but definately possible...

[XLR]

Originally Posted by liv_rong

...chain, mic to pre, pre to maximizer, maximizer to mixer.

Better to track without.

...get the plug in and use it after its already recorded?

Yep. Whatever plugs or hardware, use them after tracking clean.

[MadAudio]

Originally Posted by Trell Blaze

Eh...I'm trying not to be too opinionated on this since I fall into that category of engineers who absolutely dispise maximizers and anything resembling them.

But yea...if you must have one, get the plugin. Even in the hands of a trained user, those things can be tricky (their purpose is to fool the ear).

What happens if your vocalists gives the performance of his/her life and u chose a poor setting that causes instant ear fatigue to the listener? Yea...that's pretty extream, but definately possible...

Originally Posted by XLR

Better to track without.

Yep. Whatever plugs or hardware, use them after tracking clean.

+1 on all of that. If you're going to mangle the audio, do it in mix down.

[Micter]

Sonic maximizers have their place in the recording studio contrary to what a lot of people say. They make the perfect door stop.

[MadAudio]

Originally Posted by Micter

Sonic maximizers have their place in the recording studio contrary to what a lot of people say. They make the perfect door stop.

Right next to the Alesis 3630!

[Trell Blaze]

I suppose they would make a decent anti-theft device. Imagine the look on a burgler's face as he's about to run off with your best mic and finds a BBE Sonic Maximizer hurling towards his face. That's the first thing I'd throw at 'em...

[punkin]

I'm gonna hang it out there and say, I've got one and like it BUT...as everyone else seems to be saying, for limited purposes. The place I like it is after my Line6 POD amp modeller. I know it seems counter intuitive to have a digi-signal run through another digi-thingy but it seems to liven up the POD sounds a bit.

I've also used the thing on post mix stuff which really seems to work like a compressor/EQ combo but without all the control that you'd really like to have. A dab will do ya.

Oh, and like everyone else has been saying, unless you're totally hooked up with a great place to work and all the other gear you might really need, your money could be better spent else where. Put it on your birthday wishlist and get someone else to buy it for you

[Lectric_Lab]

well it holds my only window open almost a foot and as said can be hurled, but it sez MaxCom on it...and I like red.

[SonicAlbert]

I don't understand why you say you will be using it for it's balanced inputs and outputs. Your preamp will be outputting a balanced signal. Are the inputs on your mixer balanced?

I own a BBE Sonic Maximizer, and also Aphex Aural Exciter. I like both of them, and I find that either can be useful on vocals. But I only use mine when mixing, not recording. I'd be very cautious about locking in to an effect like these when recording your tracks.

[pipelineaudio]

The plugin version of the BBE is one of the closest models of hardware in any plugin Ive ever heard.

Theres a good APhex type plug as well here : http://www.stormrecordingstudio.co.uk/

Its more the style of the single rack ones, not the "rent by the program minute" ones

[Massive Master]

Originally Posted by Trell Blaze

I suppose they would make a decent anti-theft device. Imagine the look on a burgler's face as he's about to run off with your best mic and finds a BBE Sonic Maximizer hurling towards his face. That's the first thing I'd throw at 'em...

On a related note, if you keep the restroom locked (like at many service stations), you could tie the key to the power cable of the BBE so no one would ever want to run off with the key.

[superspit]

geeeeesh!...and there I was considering purchasing one.....

[Trell Blaze]

Originally Posted by Massive Master

On a related note, if you keep the restroom locked (like at many service stations), you could tie the key to the power cable of the BBE so no one would ever want to run off with the key.

lmao...nice. That would make one expensive key chain, though...

[steveintampa]

I use an Exciter stomp on my bass and acoustic guitar for live sound, and have a rack mount to put a touch on vocals, again for live sound.

One fun and interesting way to use one is on track regions for effect on like a shaker or djembe.

I would not color an entire mix with one.