BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

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memes_33
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BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by memes_33 » Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:47 pm

hi all- so i can get a great deal on a new BBE sonic maximizer 882i hardware unit ($170) and thinking about taking the plunge. why? cuz i think it could be useful. for what? well, i'm thinking for 1) adding some upper harmonics to sub-bass parts so you can hear them on ipod earbuds (like a Bose wave radio sorta thing) and 2) as a mixdown tool to add some 'sparkle' to the top end (i usually have a distortion send on my mixdowns to hype the high end and add sparkle, so i'm wondering if this would be a suitable alternative to that).

anyone have experience with these units? howsabout for either application listed above. i know these things get mixed reviews and can be overused very easily, but it seems like a useful tool with a little more longevity/resale value than the plugin offerings (still curious about the vintage plugin by waves, though!)

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MacGuffin
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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by MacGuffin » Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:01 pm

afaik the BBE sonic maximizer doesnt add harmonics, it separates highs and lows to delay the high in a way that makes the bass seem tighter.

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by memes_33 » Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:48 pm

well, then i stand corrected! i've always thought that they added harmonics to the low end
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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by MacGuffin » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:01 pm

I think that's the aphex

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by MacGuffin » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:02 pm

http://www.aphex.com/uncategorized/204-aural-exciter/

and I stand corrected on the BBE, here's a review of the plugin (should work on the same principles)
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar03/a ... in0303.asp

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by dj_huck » Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:38 pm

I have the aphex http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Exciter/, and a bbe 462 as well as the art mdc2001, I just got the aphex about a month ago to put in my sound system processor rack to kinda add a little more bottom end. It will live in the studio most of the time though.
I will say that the bbe stuff is cool, but i dont think that it will really fix problems. it is more to make good things sound better imho. I will say that if you like gear the 882 is nice, i would not expect too much from it. I am surprised how bright they can make things sound. I had an 882 in my sound rack for awhile, but the left channel leds failed so i got rid of it, it worked fine other than that, it just annoyed me. it sounded clean and gave me a little more sound without needing to add more power.
Having said that the sonic maximizers sound good and like all things can be overdone. I think that if you like hardware and from what you are saying you want to do you cant go wrong with the bbe I like the aphex a little better because it has a little more control, but i think that both are nice for sure

kinda ranting
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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by Pitch Black » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:02 pm

You know you could buy the BBE plugin suite for $149?

I have these, I use the D82 Sonic Maximizer the most. I like it as a go-to brightener when EQ'ing doesn't to the job I want. I find it very useful for adding "air" to grouped vocals or grouped instruments such as brass or guitars. When you have a lot of similar harmonics that tend to cancel each other out and sound mushy, a dose of BBE can really add clarity.

In measured doses, it is really useful as a tool for resuscitating old mixes, and handy to have in a mastering chain.

But don't take my word for it, you could download the demo plugs and try for yourself. I imagine the software will sound pretty much like the hardware - even if you end up springing for the hw version.

http://www.bbesound.com/products/sonic- ... 82.aspx?s1

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by nathannn » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:08 pm

the sonic maximizer is great! i dont really like what it does to low end but what it does to the high end is like magic.
its really like having a "good" knob. :)
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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by H20nly » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:16 pm

i have the software BBE Sonic Maximizer... no additional numerals etc. it's cool. kinda like what nathann says.. a "good" knob.

it was my first plugin and my only one for years, it boosts things in a clean kind of way not just raising the volume, but accentuating. it's weird though... you kinda look for the "sweet spot" which tends to be between about 5 and 6 on the knob. the interface is so damn simple that you don't think you just turn and listen.

i doubt you'll be too bummed about owning the hardware version but the software plug is pretty 8) IMHO.




edit: i might be in SF Saturday... if so, i could let you fiddle with it on my laptop. :?: :idea:
Last edited by H20nly on Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

3dot...
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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by 3dot... » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:17 pm

get.it.
Image

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by 3dot... » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:19 pm

you know you want it..
Image

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by memes_33 » Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:35 pm

H20nly wrote: edit: i might be in SF Saturday... if so, i could let you fiddle with it on my laptop. :?: :idea:
thanks, and thanks to everyone for responding. i might just DL the demo and check it out for myself. i don't think i'll be around saturday, but appreciate the offer! happy halloween motherfuckerS!!! :lol:
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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by H20nly » Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:52 pm

:wink: back at cha you mothafucka you!!

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by jamief » Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:47 pm

it is old but for me in a chain fx essential

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer - Ever used one? For what?

Post by Piplodocus » Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:34 pm

Used to use one of the Behringer rip-offs of it between my old Digitech guitar preamp/FX and my marshall power amp. Just made things a lot clearer as long as I didn't over do it. Stopped using it when I got decent tube preamps and a much clearer TC Electronics effects in parallel only though. Never tried it on mixes. Imagine it's not as good as the real BBE one though. Maybe I should dig it out the loft!

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