BBEs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Magnum Pi
  • Start date Start date
What I'd like to know is exactly what those things do. I've used them before for various purposes and I liked the effect, but I want to know what it actually does from a technical standpoint.
 
I own 2 BBE's,one is in my bass rig (yum!)and the other is the last thing my audio goes through before being burnt to CD.This is as technical as I can get: the incoming audio is split into 3 frequency bands,and the mids and bass are delayed by specific amounts for each band,the treble is not.The idea is to minimize phase cancellation problems common to many lesser loudspeaker designs where the bass and mids muffle the treble.BTW,on most BBE units the knobs should be at about 11 o'clock for a flat response,turning them clockwise increases the level of the phase corrected sound.
 
Yo Ray of Virtuosity:

Sounds like the BBE is a sophisticated type of EQ system?

I've never used one but it sounds interesting.

Green Hornet
 
I also use the BBE at mixdown, it being the last unit in my chain before a cassette deck. I get all my EQ and levels set where the music sounds good then when I'm done with all the tweaking I add-in the BBE and it takes the entire sound and gives is more clarity and definition. However, I also don't know, technically, how it does that.
 
From what I understand, it's kindof an EQ/Delay combo. Basically, it makes the sound hit your hears more 'naturally'. Highs hit first, then mids, then lows. It's supposed to make them hit your ears in that order. but........... the best application I've used it in is running live sound for someone using tape tracks. They all brag about how great the sound was!
 
Yeah!

i completely agree with u sonusman!!!<BR>Check out the <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/SoUnDMasTerZ"><b>Sound PlayGround</b></a> at :http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/SoUnDMasTerZ
 
Re: hmmmmmmmmmm.....

sonusman said:
I have yet to find a use for the BBE Sonic Maximizer that couldn't be done with half way decent gear, and some competence in engineering.....

Ed
Click to expand...
Here, here, Ed....

Bruce
 
I have one and it's truly unusable. Even with judicious settings it tends to mangle whatever I apply it to. Wanna buy one?
 
I have a 462 that I use for live sound only. In fact, it did wonders to our live sound outdoors. We play outside a lot in the summer and it helps our sound be more clearer and it seems to be more audible from farther distance using the same speaker setup without it.

I did use to use it when I was recording with only a tascam 424 and a jvc tape deck. I didn't have eq or compression and that little box did do a great deal for my tapes. I think for someone who cant afford good gear it is a good little tool to use until you can afford some processing.

:D -H2H
 
Calling Mt Olympus (Sonusman et al)

While I have read with interest some of your posts regarding various audio topics,I respectfully submit to you that perhaps you have yet to hear all there is to hear,or solve all that needs to be solved.I use a BBE 862 in the loop of my SWR SM400S running through Speakons into an Acme Sound Low B Series II 2x10 cabinet.I play a Warwick Thumb 5 string bass into this rig,and it sounds better,clearer,and punchier with the BBE engaged than it does without it,any and all of the myriad EQ settings that the SWR is capable of notwithstanding.I do not hold that the BBE is a cure for any audio deficit,but to nonchalantly brush it aside and insinuate that only incompetent persons would see it as having any merit is unfair and unrealistic.
 
Mt.Olympus et al... (funny stuff there V.R!)

The phrase "...I do not hold that the BBE is a cure for any audio deficit..." is key -- what Ed said was that given proper mic/recording technique, it shouldn't be necessary to use an exciter at all - and he's right!

Most novices would use the exciter under the typically incorrect "more is better" methodology -- same way as they would use high-shelving EQ.... as in "...what, it's not bright enough??? just turn up the treble!!"

Using it intentionally as an effect or in a live situation (where you definitely ARE fighting sonic deficiencies), is completely a different story.

The Gods Have Spoken....

:D

Bruce
 
Sorry to disagree, nothing personal....

But virtual.ray, most guys putting a BBE in their rack never have to deal with that over bloated sound at the sound board, in a live situation! I have mixed way too many guitar players that have used them in a lame attempt to get the "Mettalica" guitar sound, or whoever......I have had bass players use them too, and the thing just pretty much made the bass dominate the room, to the expense of the rest of the mix.

I stand behind my comments about the BBE. It does NOTHING that some half way decent gear, and some engineering competence will do for sound. I consider "knowing what sound pretty good, for the whole situation" to be part of engineering competence....:)

But if you are happy with it on your rig, well, have at it friend.

On the other end of things, in very limited situations, an Aphex Aural Exciter can offer something to a dull sounding track. If that is the kind of sound you are looking for. Unlike low end enhancers, high end enhancers tend to translate well out of the studio. I don't really care for their sound much, but they don't kill the mix.

I could go on and on about all the bad experiences in my 15+ years of audio with BBE's and Exciters. It really doesn't matter to those that choose to use them. They go on using them until they don't anymore.

If it is working for you, great! It would be interesting though for someone to finally post something (a mix) with and without the BBE on it, so we can hear the difference. I pretty much know what it is going to sound like (the difference) but many don't. Also, it would open up dialog for people to offer other solutions then running a enhancer on the mix.

I will say this. All the engineers I know agree, after having tried them out on mixes, that they mess up far more then they help.

Sigh....now I get to hear all the "well, this big time guy used one on such and such....blah blah blah" stories....:(

Ed
 
I personaly have no problem with people that use them every now and then.
The only problem I do find is people hearing the effect it has and geting all excited.
The ears get used to the effect and after several hours it will lose the novelty and your ears will grow tired from hearing it.
A mix that at the end of the day might sound great runing theough it, might sound harsh the next mornning.

I use them on old tapes that have lost life. Some times on cymbals or acoustic guitar but very subtle. Rarely on a mix.
Since I move from studio to studio I don't come across them very much and find that most engineers shun them.
I was actuly talking to a couple of engineer's today about this topic after seeing the post, and they were not enthusiastic to say the least.

To quote one of them "if to start your tracks are dull, then with an enhancer your tracks are now excitingly dull".
Eldad Berman 2000 Nov 15th
 
Eheheh...

as i said before i completely agree with sonusman and bvaleria!!!<br>I never "met" a processor that could give the sound what it hasn't...<br>by the way...why dont mixer manufacturers build enhancers (on every channel) on theyr mixers? lol.... joking :)<BR>Check out the <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/SoUnDMasTerZ"><b>Sound PlayGround</b></a> at : http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/SoUnDMasTerZ
 
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