C
CrazyMetalBeer
New member
thanks. that was helpfull.gusfmm said:CrazyMetal,
I perhaps have a similar rig and SITUATION as you, I use Mesa (Triaxis, 20/20, 3/4 cab), and some other stuff including a 482. I still am of the same opinion as you with respect to the BBE, since I mostly do studio playing and recording. And IMHO, my rig sounds just great the way it is now.
However, I was involved in a similar discussion (even quite a bit more heated up) about sonic maximizers in a thread a few weeks ago. The only really reasonable and with perhaps practical foundations comment made came from Fairview. I'd recommend you listen to what he's saying and just give it a try whenever you get a chance. Set a couple of hours just to fiddle with your gear and try switching off the BBE. Also, play with the EQ in your pre-amp (as much as you can) and your power amp (if it's got it). Try to find out more about parametric EQs as I WOULD GREATLY RECOMMEND ONE to shape and fine tune your pre-amp's sound. See what happens. Although I still use the BBE and haven't had the chance to try my sound w/o it at high volumes (which is what I think might make any difference), I'm decided to do so after Fairview's comments. It may be right for you or me, it might not.
However, I've spent great amount of time playing with my multiFX 5-band parametric EQ and it's done an amazing difference. I'd never realized it would be so important. I also had an ART 351 (still do, but use it marginally, right before the amp just in case of unwanted feedback or anything) but realized it could have never given me the results I'm achieving with the parametric. Because what happens is that you "comb" the sound on those specific frequencies but you still leave in many other you might be trying to somehow modify. That's why a graphic EQ won't help you (much) at all. Hope this helps.
Summarizing, I think your sound from the pre-amp is the most important part of your set-up.... besides your playing as someone else well said before
I have messed with my settings a lot. I hear what you are saying about how the BBE is a band aid, and when its turned off, the sound sounds duller than it is. I just prefer the bite of the processed tone. Unprocessed gives me more raunch and more of a mid-gain, which I love and will use in certain parts of songs my band has, and the BBE will also come into play.