sonic maximizers ?

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snakeoi8u2

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what exactly is a sonic maximizer? what application would you use it(live or studio or both). do you use it on individual tracks or the entire mix?
 
Sometimes you can use it in the studio or live for instance - channel one can be used on the kick to bring out the low or click of the drum and the channel two can be used to bring out the crack of the snare. YMMV.

The sonic maximizer is an off shoot of the famous Aural Exciter, LQQK HERE ,that in it's early years fetched $30. a minute in the studio!
 
It's a tool to fix a problem that shouldn't really happen anymore. It's usually pretty hard to end up with a dull digital recording. Back in the olden days, when you were using analog tape and wearing it out playing it over and over trying to get the vocal take just right, you would end up with something that was really dull sounding because the tape would get worn out after a number of passes. The exciter was designed to put some of that brightness back. Some people over-used it and ended up with a thin, bordering on harsh sound, like on a Boston album.

With digital, that's no longer an issue. Even though, you can get into situations where it might do you some good, the best bet is to always get the right sound at the source.
 
what application would you use it(live or studio or both).
Click to expand...
Outdoor gigs, it's nice to hold notes from blowing away. General live work, nice to keep cases from rolling away. Studio work, it's excellent for holding doors open a certain amount.

Otherwise, I'm with Jay.

If you know exactly what you're looking for, they're not completely useless - A bass with old strings for instance (although unquestionably, new strings would be superior). But they're easily one of the easiest ways to take something that needed "a little sumthin'" and screwing it up completely.
 
You all forgot to mention -- boat anchor! But it's a light unit so you would have to only use it on a calm lake.
 
OK, just received my AT-4040 condenser the other day and wanted to do a test recording recording, When I had my acoustic guitar set up I started playing and here's when I'm stumped. I could hear my breathing in the headphones. Now I know the AT4040 will pickup a fly in the room but I just can't deem to stop breathing for 3 min. LOL The Gain is set to approx. 3/4 on the dial. Guitar is in the standard position. Could someone let me in on what I'm doing wrong as a newb. Thanks.
 
If your recording at a level that is appropriate and you are happy that it's not clipping Just try to breath slowly and through your nose.
 
You can also position the mic so that it points down a little (away from your face) If you can get your breathing more towards the back of the mic, you will be fine.

Also, sit up straight. If you are hunched over the guitar, that puts your breathing right next to the mic.

Try playing a little louder, that will make your breathing quieter in comparison.

I've only ever really had this problem with asthmatics and people with really cheap, quiet guitars.
 
Put the aural exciter in your mouth and breathe around it!
The BBE SonicMaximiser is a much maligned tool - simply because it is a VERY poorly used tool greatly over hyped. It ought to be used very sparingly and very occasionally: John gave an example of a when.
If thrown over the stereo bus of a mix and is sounds like it's made everything wonderful you need to wait a day & listen again to realize it doesn't OR you really need to reteach your ears to listen.
 
It absolutely makes unusable speakers sound incredible. THAT is what it can do.
 
I'm right with you 2424... Every time one of these threads come up I repeat that my sonic maximiser wound up finding a nice home in my home stereo rack, doing just what it was designed for. Although it's designed operation is impossible... it does put a nice smiley EQ across a home stereo speaker output. I was sold mine over thirty years ago when I talked to a salesman about adding some "brilliance" to vocals recorded on a tascam porta-studio
 
This thread should have been called *The Sonic Maximizer hate thread* :D
 
I bought one before I knew better. It does have a decent use though - I put it between my interface and near fields for mp3 (only) playback. Works like a loudness button on a home stereo and makes mp3s sound not all that bad.
 
No lie ..... I have six of them at the shop that have come in from other companies that I have bought out and have only used one to check them out ..... I should hold a buy one get one free sale.
 
One day, someone is going to use one of those on a hit album, and everyone here and elsewhere is gonna be blown away... and then there will be a stampede to include one in EVERYBODY'S rack...

Mark my words.
 
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