BBE Sonic Maximizer

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13th_Omen

13th_Omen

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Does anyone have any helpful advise on using a BBE? I have heard a few things about using it for a single instrument or for the entire mix. Any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated!
 
They're very good at keeping papers from blowing off of a table if you position it properly. They work well as door stops too.
 
Best course of action is to use mic selection/placement to get the sound you want, rather than reaching for EQ or "sonic maximizers"...

They're useful as an alternative to EQ in a mix situation where re-tracking is not an option, but there's really no reason for them to be used at the tracking stage.
 
Like Blue Bear said,It can sometimes be useful as an alternative to EQ when all else fails......but to be honest,in small doses I like the effect it can sometimes impart.........on Bass Guitars in particular :)

But when i say small doses........Im talkin like maybe a db of "lo-contour"and maybe half a db of high end "process"......maybe not even that much.

And i would never use it across a full mix even if someone payed me......It's a single track only affair with this puppy.IMO It only really works for Bassline stuff........I assure you it will rip the unholy hell out of any drum or vocal track,not in a good way either!

Electric Guitars can sometimes benefit....more so with distorted guitars,but Acoustics just plain flat out DO NOT.
 
I used to use one for mixing down from my old tascam 4 track to cassette.Also ran my drum machine through it when tracking, because the drum sounds were so wimpy.
 
Well then... seeing as I don't need a paper weight or a doorstop i guess I won't waste my time with a BBE! I was basically looking for a way to clear up some of my mixes and add a little extra volume without sending it out for mastering. Basically just for songs that I record that I want to listen to in my car so that I can hear all of the changes to the song that I want to do. Thanx for the input!
 
If you run a 1KHz singal through one and monitor it with an o'scope, you'll see it's little trick visually.

A 1KHz sine wave is just that...a sine wave.

The output of the BBE inverts the low and high peaks. Basically, instead of having a "mountain" looking positive wave, the wave's top will be inverted having a "smile" at the top rather than a crest.

Fun to play with on the scope, but as stated, they make great paperweights.
 
a while ago my dist. guitars sounded like poop. this plugin saved it a bit, and it was useable. but one stuff that already sounds good, i wouldn't use it too often. it actually hurts my ears sometimes.
 
Yeah the Sonic Maximizer gets old very fast. I have found it useful for bass, and once used it on a vocal where it actually improved the way it sat in the mix. But overall, I think it has an artificial qualiy which limits its usefulness.
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
Best course of action is to use mic selection/placement to get the sound you want, rather than reaching for EQ or "sonic maximizers"...

They're useful as an alternative to EQ in a mix situation where re-tracking is not an option, but there's really no reason for them to be used at the tracking stage.
Click to expand...

Morgoth wrote:
Electric Guitars can sometimes benefit....more so with distorted guitars,but Acoustics just plain flat out DO NOT.

Frankly, I'm a bit surprised at the dissing the BBE is getting here.
I have 3 of them.

#1 for use in a guitar rig (which also includes acoustic)
#2 for use in a stereo system
#3 for use in a home theater system

I think it prudent to state that:
The BBE is used to control envelope distortion, frequencies
from speaker systems reaching your ears at different times.
It does do exactly that, in my estimation, and there is some
EQ advantage also from a listening perspective.

I cannot attest to any advantages using it for mixing, as I
haven't used it for that purpose. Usage has to be judicious
as with everything.

For what I use it for, I'm satisfied.
Just my two cents thrown into "the mix".

60's
 
60's guy said:
I think it prudent to state that:
The BBE is used to control envelope distortion, frequencies
from speaker systems reaching your ears at different times.
It does do exactly that, in my estimation, and there is some
EQ advantage also from a listening perspective.
Click to expand...

To be honest I've never quite understood why 'frequencies
from speaker systems reaching your ears at different times' is a problem and if so how does a BBE know how far away from the speaker you are going to be?

If you use Monster Time Alligned cables does that mean you don't need a BBE?

If you use Monster Time Alligned cables AND a BBE can you actually hear the sound before it's produced?
 
TexRoadkill said:

If you use Monster Time Alligned cables AND a BBE can you actually hear the sound before it's produced?
Click to expand...
I just wet myself.
 
Hey Texas & Track Rat,
I was simply offering up my observations and what pleases
my ears.
If you know something on a higher technical level, then say
so.
I'm not being nasty. You may have me at a disadvantage here
knowledgewise.
Enlighten me, please. Set me straight. Eager to learn.

60's
 
60's guy said:
By the way guys, I do use Monster cables.
I can afford 'em.
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:

You must also like wasting money then... for while they are good cables, they are also horribly, horribly overpriced!


As to your comments regarding the BBE.... you are primarily talking about using them at the listening stage -- that's fine - whatever gives you the sound you like to listen to.... it's really not too different than listening with the loudness button on or using EQ controls. Personally - I find if I would need to use a BBE on my home stereo to make it sound good, then it's some element of the the home stereo that isn't up-to-par.... same with a guitar rig - why can't you get the sound without it? Plenty of people do very well without it...!


As for its use in a recording environment, it is fundamental element of best recording practice to capture the sound properly at at the source - with minimal signal chain - rather than resorting to extraneous outboard gear .... or even worse - using EQ/outboard in place of mic selection/placement due to lack of recording skills. So this is why its use is discouraged - particularly for novices who haven't developed the ears/skills to make the distinction between a well-recorded sound and an overly hyped recorded sound.
 
60's guy said:
Enlighten me, please. Set me straight. Eager to learn.
Click to expand...

Hell if I know. The BBE and Monster Cable time alignment pitches just always seemed like BS to me. I think the BBE has it's uses for making really bad recordings have a little more punch but I don't see the purpose in it putting it on a perfectly good recording.
 
TexRoadkill said:
I think the BBE has it's uses for making really bad recordings have a little more punch but I don't see the purpose in it putting it on a perfectly good recording.
Click to expand...
AS usual -- Tex said it better and in less words than I did!

I agree 200%!!!!!!!
 
I have this, my dad gave it to me a long time ago 'cause he didn't need it. I admit, I use it quite a bit, mainly just for vocals when we are playing in my basement because I haven't good speakers for vocals and the BBE helps out the sound.

I've used them on drums and the one thing I find is if I was playing on my ride cymbal and a bass drum hit comes into play the ride would cut out and then the final product sounded like a drum machine.
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
:rolleyes:

You must also like wasting money then... for while they are good cables, they are also horribly, horribly overpriced!


As to your comments regarding the BBE.... you are primarily talking about using them at the listening stage -- that's fine - whatever gives you the sound you like to listen to.... it's really not too different than listening with the loudness button on or using EQ controls. Personally - I find if I would need to use a BBE on my home stereo to make it sound good, then it's some element of the the home stereo that isn't up-to-par.... same with a guitar rig - why can't you get the sound without it? Plenty of people do very well without it...!


As for its use in a recording environment, it is fundamental element of best recording practice to capture the sound properly at at the source - with minimal signal chain - rather than resorting to extraneous outboard gear .... or even worse - using EQ/outboard in place of mic selection/placement due to lack of recording skills. So this is why its use is discouraged - particularly for novices who haven't developed the ears/skills to make the distinction between a well-recorded sound and an overly hyped recorded sound.
Click to expand...

Blue Bear,
I'll take your comments one at a time if you please:
#1 - No! I don't like wasting money. If you have a better cable
choice as opposed to Monster, then tell me and everyone
else what your preference would be.
#2 - Yes! I do use the BBE for listening purposes. I'll expound
on that a bit later.
#3 - I know what a loudness button is. I'll expound on that a
bit later.
#4 - EQ - tough one there! Two letters of the alphabet I think?
#5 - If something isn't up to par..it's my golf game and not much
less than that.
#6 - Everyone's guitar rig is lacking something in their own
estimation (I'm sure). Who is ever really satisfied?
#7 "As for its use in a recording environment, it is fundamental element of best recording practice to capture the sound properly at at the source - with minimal signal chain - rather than resorting to extraneous outboard gear .... or even worse - using EQ/outboard in place of mic selection/placement due to lack of recording skills. So this is why its use is discouraged - particularly for novices who haven't developed the ears/skills to make the distinction between a well-recorded sound and an overly hyped recorded sound."
Forgive the requote, please.
And please, if you will:
Never assume again that someone new to this site is:
#1 - Dumb
#2 - Ignorant
#3 - Inexperienced
#4 - Suffering from under-developed ears
#5 - Lacking skills
#6 - Not capable of distinguishing good sounds from bad
#7 - Willing to put up with intimidation

To expound further:
I use what I use to help me hear satifactorily.
Elders do that to overcome hearing loss from years of
playing.
I remember when "loudness" button first appeared.

Simply put:
Read your bio. You have a great job. Impressive to say the
least. You have a great deal of knowledge to pass along.
So, pass it along without the put downs on everyone.
I'm not taking about just me here, but, rather, quite a bit
of what I have read. We all enjoy a bit of ribbing here and
there. Myself included!
If you want to dish it out, be prepared to get some of it
back.
As I said, never assume.
I was out of school and making music JUST at the time
you came into this world.

Lighten up kid! You know a lot and many can learn from you.
Myself included!

p.s. I won't take it personal if you think of me in any harsh way
 
I learn stuff everyday, I guess we are all in the same boat together, we all want perfectly recorded stuff. As far as developing ears, I feel this is important. I listen to music differently now than I did a year ago. I listen to what the artist is doing, how it was recorded, what parts I liked and didnt. I notice the vast discrepiences in recorded music on the market today, I listen to the way the mix sits, I listen to the way frequencies mix and match, especially in the low end. I guess its a never ending project to improve your ears. Use them everyday, dont let them get rusty.
 
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