BBE sonic maximizer
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Posted on Mar 15, 2009 11:04 am
stratwizard
Member Since: Nov 19, 2008
I am looking into BBE's sonic maximizers and I don't quite understand the difference between 482i and 882i.
What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced inputs/outputs? And what benefit does it do when they say bigger headroom? What does it mean?
I am planning on using it in my home studio and if it is possible carry it around with my guitar amp when I am going to perform.
I heard that the sonic maximizer can be used on any instrument to clarify the sound...
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TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 15, 2009 01:00 pm Blech. I'm pretty biased against the use of a Sonic Maximizer. They can sound OK towards the end of your guitar's signal chain in a live situation, but that's about the only use I can endorse. Even then, there's other ways to achieve the same sound.
I especially would advise against using it in your recording setup. Anything that a maximizer can achieve, you can achieve through simply listening to your mix and adding EQ, subtle reverb and/or delay, and compression.
But enough of my personal bias...to answer your questions:
- a balanced input/output depends on you using a particular cable that has 3 conductors (TRS 1/4" or XLR). The signal is sent on one conductor and is also sent 180 degrees out of phase on another conductor (or actually its polarity is inverted, but to us audio folks it makes more sense to think of it as 180 degrees out of phase). Any noise that's introduced anywhere along the run of cable is going to be the same on each conductor. When the balanced signal is received, the out-of-phase signal is flipped back in phase, along with any noise. Now when the signal from the 2 conductors is summed together, the original signal is left intact since its 2 in-phase signals being summed. But any noise picked up along the way is cancelled out since its the sum of a signal plus the same signal 180 degrees out of phase. Balanced inputs/outputs allow you to use very long runs of cable in potentially noisy situations and still minimize the amount of interference picked up by your cables.
- Headroom is a term that relates to how loud you can turn something up before it hits its limit. "Clean headroom" refers to how loud you can turn something up before it starts to distort. Think of a guitar amplifier rated at 20 watts on its clean channel. You can only turn up the master volume so far (and only get so much volume out of it) before it starts to distort. Now take a different amplifier that's rated at 200 watts. You'll be able to turn it up noticably louder before it starts to distort. So between the 2 amplifiers, you'll be able to tell which has more clean headroom.
Anyways, about the sonic maximizer. What are you hoping to accomplish by using one? What all applications are you wanting to use it for? Its just that there may be other, better ways to accomplish the same result without having to use a gimmicky gadget like the BBE sonic maximizer.
Mar 15, 2009 02:09 pm I was planning on using it mainly for my cheap behringer amp. I like its sound but i get the feeling that it sounds as if there something blocking the front of the speakers that takes away the clarity (i hope that makes sense)... other than that I heard that people use it for just about anything; from vocals to drums to bass... And I thought instead of buying the stompbox version for only my guitar rig I would go with a stereo rack model (they also say that the rack one sounds better and less noisy)... I am just too green when it comes to gadgets but this looked like a good addition to my setup and something that could improve the sound I got from my current amp.
And also when you say 1/4" TRS does that mean I can NOT connect my 1/4" line out or my effects loop from my amp?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 15, 2009 03:46 pm A standard TS-type instrument cable will still work in a balanced input/output jack, you'll just lose the "balanced" part of it. There'll be no noise-cancelling signal carried on a TS cable. But it'll still work just fine.
Honestly though, I'd put the money you would spend on the BBE towards a new amp. It might work as a band-aid to help your amp sound better when you're playing by yourself, but most of what you're hearing is the bass boost it adds to your sound. Put that in a mix and the level of mids relative to the bass will make it more difficult to mix that guitar into a song with other instruments. Google around some and you'll see a LOT of people bash the sonic maximizer, mostly for the same reason.
Mar 15, 2009 06:52 pm I will agree that the Maximizer can and is over done... But, adding a little to your chain is a good way to add some bite... But, DON'T over do it.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 15, 2009 07:33 pm I will agree the BBE SM is a bit overused sometimes. But I still keep an older 822A in my rack. If you can I would look for an older model like the 422 or 822. They have a much less processed sound when used. And are much better suited to exactly what you want to do. It can still push the bottom end, but it had a much better sound that could work the high end a lot better then the newer units do.
And yes, you can use it in your effects loop.
I use it on occasion when Digitizing older analog cassettes or 8 tracks that have been turned to mush.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Mar 16, 2009 11:57 am I used the plugin to fix a poorly recorded (dark, no bright) guitar track from a live show. I'd leave the low contour alone though unless the guitar is extremely thin sounding.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Mar 16, 2009 12:22 pm i've had my BBE for almost ten years and i dig what it does. like any other effect don't over do it, but it's a matter of oppinion. I keep the low contour turned down and i don't turn up the highs past 12 oclock.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Mar 16, 2009 01:22 pm I used to use one in my guitar rig, back when I ran Ctate amps. Now, it's at the end of my vocal-rack-chain, just before the compressor. It cleans up my vocals... adds silibance.
Like all have said... don't over-do it. : )
Mar 16, 2009 08:13 pm thanks guys for all the inputs :) i really appreciate the help
