Sonic Maximizer ?

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 16 Jul 2001 6:41 pm

Does anyone use one of these? My son has been raving about this but I'm not familiar with it. He describes it as something similiar to the Hilton pedal for tone but it's a rack unit.

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 16 Jul 2001 9:54 pm

I have heard one of these thru a P A system. It really brings things out ,kind of like a deluxe enhancer.I just wonder what it would do for steel guitar?

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 17 Jul 2001 3:26 am

When I had a rack this was a necessary component. The BBE thing is addictive, a magic bullet that will encourage you to leave it on all the time. It isn't the same at all as the kind of effect that using a buffer amp will provide. It doesn't change the frequency response at all, it simply does a frequency based time delay, so that the treble frequencies arrive at the ear slightly sooner than the bass frequencies. It also has a bass control which seems to affect the low midrange (punch) frequencies.

If I had a rack I would include one, but I have gone back pretty much to the simple go through and amp approach.

John Paul Jones · Post by **John Paul Jones** » 17 Jul 2001 9:18 am

Dan wrote

it simply does a frequency based time delay, so that the treble frequencies arrive at the ear slightly sooner than the bass frequencies.

The literature that came with my 2 BBEs states that an amplifier handles low frequencies more efficiently than high frequencies. The result being that after amplification low frequencies reach our ears slightly ahead of the higher frequencies which makes the musical content sound muddy. The BBE processor delays the lows slightly - among other things - so that the frequencies reach our ears at about the same time.

I own 2.

One is a rackmount stereo unit that I have used for sound system applications. It works great. Now I primarily use it for cleaning up old recordings. It works wonders for this, too.

The other is in single-channel stomp-box unit designed for guitar, etc. I've used it with steel guitar and it blows away anything I have heard for cleaning up your tone, sound, etc.

I highly recommend them for all applications.

John Paul Jones[This message was edited by John Paul Jones on 17 July 2001 at 10:19 AM.][This message was edited by John Paul Jones on 17 July 2001 at 10:21 AM.]

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 17 Jul 2001 10:54 am

I use a BBE DI-100 direct box that has one built in. It does make the steel sound better. When I switch it out, the sound doesn't seem nearly as clean.

Martin Abend · Post by **Martin Abend** » 17 Jul 2001 12:50 pm

John Paul,

what is this stompbox called? I couldn't track this unit...

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Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 17 Jul 2001 3:50 pm

I use a BBE Sonic Maximizer with a Crate Surround Sound module in my PA system and makes the vocals extremely clear. I never tried the BBE with the steel but I will.

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 17 Jul 2001 4:11 pm

If you can afford it, and you have one extra rack space....try the BBE. They're clear as a bell, and seem to sweeten what you hear almost like tubes.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 18 Jul 2001 7:36 am

I'd suspect the 'BB' is Barcus-Berry. The inventor of the BBE technology (Bob Crooks) was employed by Barcus-Berry and they, G&L Guitars, and BBE are all part of the same company called BBE Inc.

Could be Barcus Berry Electronics, but I'm not sure. I agree with the others -- this is technology that WORKS. Excellent product.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 18 Jul 2001 7:37 am

BBE = Barcus Berry Electronics (I think)

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 18 Jul 2001 9:34 am

These gizmos are technically called
"aural exiters". I think there's
a few different companies that make 'em.

John Paul Jones · Post by **John Paul Jones** » 18 Jul 2001 1:25 pm

Martin and B Cole
The stomp-box is by BBE and is called a "Stinger". The only made a few of them. By the time I heard of them BBE had quit making them.

Larry
I Think you are right, that BBE means Barcus-Berry Electronics.

Jeff
You are so right. I wouldn't take $1,000 for either of mine if I couldn't buy another one.

Jay Ganz
"Aural Exciter" is the registered trademark name of a device that accomplishes basically the same effect, but uses a different method to do so.

John Paul Jones [This message was edited by John Paul Jones on 18 July 2001 at 02:27 PM.]

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 18 Jul 2001 10:04 pm

Did G&L Guitars get bought out?I know Leo passed on in 1991.Is George still with them?

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 19 Jul 2001 6:07 am

BTW, the BBE web site is: http://www.bbesound.com/home.htm

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 19 Jul 2001 8:29 pm

The BBE 482 really sweetened the sound of my ProFex II, almost a tube-like sound. Any of the models will do a good job, some are stereo. Well worth the money !

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Doug Earnest
Zum2000U12,Sierra12,Sho-Bud ProII D10

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 21 Jul 2001 9:32 am

If you ask the companys or read the lit., this is suppose to be in the effect nowdays. You must read the differences between the BBe and the Aphex. I have the Aphex for guitar and it gives me tones without the EQ. hiss. Also It brings out the frquencies that are week. It is a nice effect but read about them or try them first.

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 22 Jul 2001 3:43 pm

I just ordered one of these. Can any of you guys tell me where you place it in the chain? Is there any settings that you can recommend as a starting point?

I'll be using it with a Tubefex and a Stewart World 1.2 power-amp.

Thanks!

Tony

John Paul Jones · Post by **John Paul Jones** » 22 Jul 2001 4:27 pm

Tony,

To me it's logical to have your sound as clean as possible before going into your effects, so I use mine this way: guitar --> BBE 362 or my BBE Stinger stomp-box --> effects --> volume pedal --> amp.

It works so good I've never tried it any other way.

BTW, I used Aphex enhancers on my sound systems for years before BBEs came out. Now I use BBEs exclusively. I think they sound better. But, maybe more important, I had a lot of feedback problems using Aphex that I don't have using BBEs.

John Paul Jones

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 22 Jul 2001 5:53 pm

Mr. Cole, I guess I would look it up on the BBE or the Aphex website. YOu might try Harmony Central for faqs and info on BBE or Aphex. There is a difference, but they are derived differently.
As far as settings, always try the dry then add you settings, this works great for me.

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 22 Jul 2001 5:55 pm

But do try the Hilton pedal, that pedal has some magical powers to bring out the sound. I have heard some guitars smooth right out with the Hilton Pedal.

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 23 Jul 2001 7:09 pm

I have a BBE Sonic Maximizer which I no longer use, mainly because they don't travel real well and on mine the input (output?) jack got bumped and cracked the PC board causing an open circuit which is very difficult to properly repair. All that money down the drain. Yeah, they make your steel sound big, but to me they're a hassle just like stompbox effects, something else to go wrong. I've got good amplifiers so I just plug straight into them and to heck with effects other than a touch of amp reverb. My advice is, if you travel a lot don't waste your money on a BBE unless it is permanently rack-mounted and fed to/from a patchbay. On the other hand, if you like effects and have the money to spend, go ahead and buy one because they do give you a BIG sound. But handle the dog-gone thing with kid gloves.

Just MHO,

Tim R.

Martin Abend · Post by **Martin Abend** » 23 Jul 2001 10:50 pm

Has anyone tried the Behringer exiter (Dualfex, Ultrafex, whateverfex)? They're petty cheap, but can you compare them with the BBE?

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martin abend my homepage chicotarde@web.de
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 - Regal RD45 - fender hotrod deluxe