maximizers?

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tylerxxx

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i have a BBE sonic maximizer that i used to use for my guitar, and i'm just wondering if there's any point to using it while recording?
 
Nope. Throw it off of a building. Don't even use it for guitar. Seriously.
 
Well, does it make your guitar sound better? If so then use it:)
 
tourettes5139 said:
Nope. Throw it off of a building. Don't even use it for guitar. Seriously.
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i don't. i have it a box, along with an EQ that i never use. but for some reason i don't want to get rid of either.
 
Live sound yes; recording no

I have a Maxcom that has a maximizer circuit that I use in my live rig. It's a great inexpensive limiter for live work; the maximizer is effective at giving a little presence - but a little goes a long, long way. It's easy to screw everything up with it.

The limiter does a hell of a good job at keeping me out of trouble. I run a mono signal to the mains through it and then through a 31 band EQ. Ditto for the monitors on the other channel; I only have one monitor mix so that's easy. Problems with knarly rooms pretty much went away with that combination. I don't use it when recording unless its live and I'm doing sound as well.

Not sure I'd have a use for a maximizer by itself.
 
I was under the impression that the maximizer that we are talking about here is either the guitar pedal version, or run inline with your guitar signal. Meaning that you hear the effect of the maximizer through your cab. Is this the case? If so, I would use it if it really makes your guitar sound better. I would be a little more hesitant to use it come mix down, but that is my own paranoia. Truth be told, I do use the sonic maximizer plugin on occasion. I like it on some kick drums, and some bass guitars (sparingly of course). I have even used it before on some heavy guitars. There really is nothing wrong with using one so long as using it gets you closer to the sound you want, and not farther from it or does not create some new problems. What I never use them for is complete mixes. I also don't use them live except on the occasional kick drum.
 
I love it when people speaks in absolutes. Maximizers are tools that are meant to be used as such. The overuse of any tool is typically not a good thing. Just because a maximizer works does not mean the original signal was bad. They have their good uses and they have their bad uses. If you buy one because you bought all the hype and plan to use it on everything, than that is probably a problem. I you have one however and use it as a tool to enhance something in it's intended fashion, than there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
 
xstatic said:
I love it when people speaks in absolutes. Maximizers are tools that are meant to be used as such. The overuse of any tool is typically not a good thing. Just because a maximizer works does not mean the original signal was bad. They have their good uses and they have their bad uses. If you buy one because you bought all the hype and plan to use it on everything, than that is probably a problem. I you have one however and use it as a tool to enhance something in it's intended fashion, than there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
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If you have some old cassettes to brighten up, it is a fine tool for that. That still falls under the catagory of fixing something that's fucked to begin with.

I use one occasionally as well. Most of the time on bass guitar when the guy hasn't changed his strings in 2 years. That still falls under the catagory of fixing something that's fucked to begin with.

Do I need to go on?
 
It doesn't change the fact that if it sounds better with a mzximizer, than it is better. I agree that that are uses for it just as you described, but that does not mean that it can not be a useful tool. To make such a broad statement about it though just seems a little ignorant to me. Like I said, it is a tool. When used properly it can and will have its uses. I do agree to point though in that many people overuse things like that instead of properly fixing something. You may not care for it, but thats your perogative. That does not make it wrong for someone to use it though.
 
for modern and NU METAL the bbe is nice. you are right about it adding something to the sound good or bad. it doesnt fix anything. thats what i like about it. if you are stuck in the past then just get a vibro champ and start pluckin and pickin. if youve moved on from boring generic 70-s rock tones then feel free to experiment.
 
It must be a decent tool or BBE would not still be going strong after all these years. Hype plus crap product does not keep a sound gear company in business. Musicians who find the products useful and helpful do. And on the whole musicians are very adept at finding a piece of gear's true quality thru all the hype.
 
soundchaser59 said:
It must be a decent tool or BBE would not still be going strong after all these years. Hype plus crap product does not keep a sound gear company in business. Musicians who find the products useful and helpful do. And on the whole musicians are very adept at finding a piece of gear's true quality thru all the hype.
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Behringer is still going strong, too.
 
I think the key is to use th BBE/Aphex units sparingly and not on an entire mix. Using them on a specific part like vocals, drum buss, guitars, or whatever can be cool. You can get stuff to stand out a little bit without having to bump up the volume.

They are neat little tools, but slapping it across the mix is not the best use of it in my opinion.
 
scrubs said:
Behringer is still going strong, too.
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Is there any theory that does not have at least one exception?? I knew someone would bring up Behringer.........Maybe they are still in business because it's easier to get Behringer in Europe than it is to get real gear?? Even McDonalds will stay in business if it's the only restaurant for 500 miles in any direction.....
 
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