The BBE is not a fancy EQ. I have used BBE rack stuff for more than 20 years in my recording studio and my live rack. Sound waves travel at different speeds depending on their frequencies. High frequencies will travel faster and reach you ears faster than low frequency sound waves. The BBE time aligns the output signals so the high end is slightly delayed and reaches the listeners ear at the same time the low end waves do. This causes a much cleaner and smoother sound. They are great.
@Rickholly74 Wow. It amazes me that you (a guy who has run a recording studio for 20 years) have such a fundamental misunderstanding of how sound waves travel.
@Rickholly74 Furthermore, your explanation of what this unit does is quite impossible. A 'listener's' distance is not constant. Although the unit does NOT do what you claim, if it did, it would have to magically know the distance at which the sound will be listened to in order to calculate an accurate delay time for upper frequencies. Obviously, this would be quite impossible.
Please don't take this as trolling - Understanding these basics will make you a better sound engineer.
@Rickholly74 You might want to revisit the fundamentals of sonic and oscillation theory. What you are saying makes no sense. Sound speed is determined by the type of medium in which it is produced. It is not dependent upon the sound’s amplitude, frequency or wavelength. For air, it is V=331.4(m/s)+.6Tc where Tc is the temperature in Celsius.
All frequencies travel at the same speed for any given medium. That's not an opinion, it's a basic fact of physics that you should know.
Briansredd-My 462 manual stated that what this unit does,regardless of the signal be it stereo signal or as in my case a guitar signal is that,it splits the lo's/mid's/high's by miliseconds unnoticeable to the human ears and fattens up the sound.It's an EQ.I wish I never sold mine.The 462 is like yours but stereo.
Hey folks, these units will always make your over all Color,Tone,Presence & Punch sound as good as most of you can ever expect because most every one i know (i know hundreds of engineers & professional stereo elites) and they all agree that having either of these "BBE Sonic Maximizer Units"(set correctly & in context ) will enhance all your Sparkling Highs & Lows with absolute brilliance and that;s why these "BBE Sonic Maximizers" are therefore "patented" because of the Value they bring to Music
lol. Brian. Please answer me this question: How many wires go into your speakers? Okay. Now how do you expect any sorting to go on? It's a analog signal bud. Not digital. No sorting possible. Period. All the BBE is is an EQ for dummies.
I usually try not to make negative comments, and this isn't intended to be negative. The technical explanation in this video is incorrect. Sonic maximizer units do not "organize the signal." These units do several things to correct poor (cheap) speaker designs, such as apply EQ (boost highs and lows, cut mids) add some high & low frequency harmonics, and some will slightly delay HF to fix driver alignment. They make bad speakers sound better, and good ones sound worse.
Part 2: Cheap interconnects will not allow the BBE to shine to its full potential. Speakers not properly angled will not sound right, only different with the BBE. I am using litz wire throughout my system. Litz removes that electronic tizzle that solid state is famous for. The BBE is capable of reproducing a very realistic presentation. I am a musician. Most do not know how to properly set up their system, so they reject the BBE because its only exaggerating the flaws in their system.
@genemz5 Hi...I'm thinking about picking one of these up and I wondered if you could answer a couple questions. You mentioned in your prev post about angling your speakers properly. How do you mean.
Secondly, how could I set up my simple system? If I had a black Heart handsome devil (tube), wah, Diamond OD, playing with an Epi LP or Strat? You seem to have a very intimate knowledge of this stuff- just thought I'd ask. THank you!
@YOUareALLasleep I am only talking about an audio system for listening to recorded music, for a more accurate playback. What you are dealing with sometimes will benefit from distortions in sound and effects. Apples and oranges. I have no experience using a BBE with instruments and amplification.
I have been using a Sonic Maximizer since they came out. I have used them tube and solid state equipment. One thing.. it may seem like an equalizer, but its not.
Its not random mid, highs, and lows. The BBE goes after the phase and time distortion inherent in speakers. If you carefully angle your speakers until they lock in you can be in for a shock. One of great realism on a miniature scale. I use the bass contour because of small woofers, and the high just above minimum. More to say...
@quinnmyster The BBE can produce a very realistic bottom end on smaller high-quality speakers that are weaker in deep bass. BBE is not simply a typical bass tone control as some think. Somehow - if not overdone- on good small speakers, it causes them to produce more*quality* deeper bass. On bigger speakers, with large woofers? Probably, of little benefit. A pre-amp bass tone control can not produce this excellent effect. Its doing more than simply boosting bass. Its keeping it in phase.
@genemz5 Oh yeah I understand how it works. I used to own one. But the recording, even through my studio speakers, showed no real example, audibly, of what the BBE can do. But I'm not trying to start a battle. It was a perfect explanation of how the BBE processor works man.
@genemz5 Oh I was referring to how your video did not portray what the BBE could do. But it's really irrelevant cause your camera mic is mono anyway..
@genemz5 Oh, no, it's all good. I'm just curious to hear what they actually sound like in person on a stereo, though I know they are best for live application, as they really modify the original recordings of music = not good for home listening. But live they really brighten and tighten things up. I might get one for my guitar again some time..
@genemz5 Of course the video mic was mono anyways. haha.. But I could hear louder highs. But yeah, the BBE is pretty sick for live application, but not really for home use.
I own a Aphex Aural Exciter Type C and a Behringer Ultrafex Pro EX 3200 (my cousin gave it to me) also an Behringer Edison EX-1 (was dirt cheap).
Do I really need this "sonic maximizer", too?!
My point:: I'm lookin all over the internet and EVERYBODY says how cool this maximizer is, compared to NOTHING in the signal path. But NOONE compared it to other enhancers and exciters...
Nice demo. I know it works, use it in my drum monitor SKB rack. Can get super punchy snare with little effort. Got the 482i myself. Brings out the highs and lows all in one.
It's not possible to organize frequencies within the same cable. You'd need a crossover with independent cables. All the sonic maximizer does is adjusts the phases of the harmonics to try to match the fundamental frequency.
And now kids, an elementary school explaination of a piece of sound equipment. (bunch of kids) YAY!!!! Ok, everyone sit in a circle while I boost the treble and talk about squares, circles, triangles!!!!
hahaha ok i hope that everyone see's this comment BRIAN HAS ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT !!!!! if you need info on any product or piece of gear just go to google even if you cant find what you need google has more reliable answer then guy.
I'm a professional recording and mix engineer. I wouldn't reccomend using a BBE SM, so I still have one in my pile of unused rack gear. anyone wanna buy it? (haha) Use EQ to get the sound you want, Not the Maximizer. It's possible to help a real crappy old track to sound better, but anything modern and well done...a decent EQ will give you much safer results.
I do believe he was making it simple so some of you dummys out there could understand the concept behind this equipment, not the technical jargon, etc............................maybe some of you smart people could tell us all the technical jargon, that way most people won't understand a damn thing you say......
the BBE sonic Maximizer works mostly to re realign the bass frequency time delay shift created by cone speakers,
and also has a high end harmonic distortion additive process, similar thing as an exciter, this amplifies the even harmonics and uneven overtones, which mimics tube type distortion which we generally find pleasing to our ears
@iamexodusnow Actually you're wrong... His explanation of how it works and what it does is complete BS. It cleans up the signal and makes things sound great through compression, limiting, and EQ. Good for DJ's and music lovers. Useless for musicians.
@ohTon I don't care what books say. A good engineer, artist and music lover listen with their ears. They don't read what sounds good. The maximizer does work. Thanks Brian for your help!!
I am listening through KRK K-Rok II studio monitors and I reckon that song sounds better without it engaged. The high frequencies (cymbals) sound harsh and thin and a lot of the subtance from the mid frequencies are gone as a result of boosting frequencies either side.
it also acts as a volume control so you think it sounds better as it becomes louder and more compressed.
lol like it arranges a bunch of squares, circles and triangles into neat rows?? not quite. maybe it will separate the frequencies. An eq could do the same by nothing out the inbetweens. But to tell you the truth an active crossover with a triamped system is more effective at that. the lows go on their own signal path. The same with the mids and highs.
depends on what kind of bass amp you have, if there is one, run a cable from the pre amp out to the sonic maximizer, and then back from the maximizer to the power amp in, otherwise use the effects loop send to the maximizer, and back from the maximizer to the effects loop return.
the reason it sounds better bypassed is this is a mix that is done and mastered. It might already have the BBE on it . when you turn it on it sounds like theres too much high end shrill. put it on a mix that hasnt' been mastered yet, or an insturment.
you have to remember the audio path this is taking. from his shitty computer speakers -> even shittier camera mic -> YOUR shitty computer speakers...kinda hard to make any judgement.
sorry but this piece of equipment is basically useless. In my forty years as a professional, i have never seen these things in a band that actually knows how to set up and listen to what they play. Good professional equipment has high quality crossovers, etc., built in ,why inject the cheap quality of a maximizer into the signal chain? There are a lot better ways to improve sound.I have one of these that's been gathering dust for years. Anyone interested in it? Let me know....
Ur right, it's just a simplified EQ machine. Basically, it picks up the bottom and hi end curves, giving it that more open and clear sound, as opposed to a flat line or treble sound. They work well for mono (guitars, bass, etc.) but not so well as a mastering tool. They also are a nice add on for DJs playing MP3s as a separate EQ or for a cheap home speaker system. For DJs, good sources and good amplifiers take care of that though.
@waveriderz Yeah because Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Scott Ian, Phil Emmanuel, and Elliot Easton to name a few , ALL must not know how to set up or listen to what they play because this pedal is on every single one of their pedal boards. Just because the electronics aren't in a rack doesn't make them "cheap". I'll tell you what's cheap and useless, idiot gear snobs like you that don't know what the hell they are talking about.
Yeah, Thats not really what it does... They might be good for DJs, and I have the Sonic Stomp on my Pedal Board, But a high quality FOH setup would not have something like this.
uh... im in a couple local bands, I have worked tech crew at the Rave millwalkee and let me tell you EVERY BAND WITH A GUITARIST WORTH HIS SALT HAS ATLEAST 1 OF THESE IN EVERY RACK as well as many other digital effects please dont make claims that you dont know first hand or from a reliable source - you can find sonic maximizers in Slipknots guitar rigs, disturbed, Emure, Joe satriani, john 5 and rob zombie, The black eyed peas, and every other band i have had thelucktoseewhileworking backstage
So judging by your diagram, if the Sonic maximizer sorts out the highs, lows and mids and sends them to the correct speaker, then this pedal will have little or no effect on an amp with only one speaker? Or say, a 4x10 with four of the same speakers?
Not necessarily true look at your cab the way the speakers are wired creates a very simple passive crossover sorting the lows to the lower two speakers and the highs to the upper two when you have a stack it then works by sending the highs to the first cab in the series and the lows to the second. The pedal also has a mid boost set at i think 25,000hz providing more definition and helps slightly with sustain.
This info may be correct if you're a DJ and use a PA but if you're a guitarist, do not buy this fucking thing. It will make your beautiful amp sound like a digital piece of shit!!!!!!!!!!
I am looking to build my self a bass rig all rack mount stuff so I can close it and roll it away.I want to use a furman power first then my line 6 floor pod,then into a rack mixer,then into a maximizer,then into a rack amp,,then into the speakers RIGHT,am I going the right way with this?
I think the best sound you can get out of your speakers is when you have as little processing etc in between your sound source & speakers. I use the KISS method & it has never let me down.
I have one and it's ok. It's not the be all end all. And this is not a true by pass. So what you are getting is BBE suck knob in a button. They want you to think that they are doing wonders by pressing the by pass but all in all it's affecting your signal. That said it is a way of eqing your sound and has it's uses.
i have 3 outputs on my mixer two for my tops and 1 for my sub as my mixer has a built in active crossover how would i go about setting a sonic maximiser up. i have to amps one for my tops and one for my sub. would i just not use the maximiser for my sub and just connect it up for my tops?
i am interested in purchasing one of these you see!
Problem is you've basically got 3 channels (sub+L+R) and you'd need an extra sonic maximizer for the extra channel. *IF* the sonic maximizers could work effectively with that at all (they might need a full spectrum; not sure). I suggest you try to get a normal stereo out from your mixer (there has to be one) and buy the BBE sonic maximizer that has the crossover built in (look on the BBE website) so you end up with the same result.
hey awesome vid. Im thinking about getting this. Does this take the place of an EQ or is it just another extra? Also does it hook up before or after the mixer?
oh this is hard to see! that's not how it works. you can not "organise" frequencies in a cable hehe
what it really does is it's a multiband compression and lots of eq. the compression rises the loudness level and eq just makes it sould fuller. lots of dynabic range is lost with the copression but that's good with small speakers so you can turn em up louder before clipping and eq adds sparkle. perfect for PA systems, really work well! but using it on studio monitors is a bad idea.
It's not exactly accurate but it's a useful explanation.
But compression you say? There's adjustable EQ but no compression going on in the sonic maximizer. You're providing false info here... what's the source of this what you're saying?
well, i'm just generalizing here. every maximizer is different and every brand has their own little tricks.
the thing is that those things are used to make it sound "better", so boosting the highs and lows is a good idea to compensate what general hifi and pa speakers lack and compression to increase the loudness without increasing the volume and taking away peaks that may distort the speakers. they sometimes can add clarity as compression boosts lower signals that might get lost.
he doesn't explain it right, the highs mids and lows aren't sort out by the bbe (how can you sort that out through just one cable?), it just processes the highs faster so it will hit your eardrum earlier than the lows and mids, that's what gives it its clarity.
Cool piece of gear but your explanation is completely wrong. What it actually does is add a very slight delay to the bass frequencies to bring them into correct phase with the highs.
I'm thinking about getting the BBE Stompbox version of the maximizer for my guitar rig. I was wondering if a 4X12 cabinet would have a passive crossover? Because there's no horn or anything, just 4 speakers. Thanks.
I'm thinking of getting the BBE Max-X2 2-Way Stereo Crossover, but does it go before the 15-band eq I have or After the eq. I know it goes after the mixer obviously but does it go before my eq. Don't worry bout all the haters out there, keep up the good work Brian.
so basically these are more useful with PA systems running a lot of signals like bass/vocals/guitar all at once. cool! maybe i don't need to get a new PA lol
Well, I don't have any of the hardware versions, but I got the plug-in one and it's great! It's really just like an EQ but it makes my guitar recordings sound much much better.
hey Brian i use a peavey cosmos , it enhanses the tones with bass boost and it will take old 50's 60;s "sounds" and improve them if you get my drift, i love it do you think the maximiser is comparable. thanks Ron
its not supposed to do a lot for the sound. It really just aligns your waves so that the speaker gets hit with everything at the same time. It just adds more clarity and the increase in highs can be controolled with the contour. This is a staple in EVERY studio. its ok live but more for studio use for guitarists.
I just searched through a few high end studios and didn't see a single BBE listed on any of the equipment lists. Seems odd that something that is as revolutionary as people think wouldn't be used in every room and on every record... right?
you clearly havent been looking at the right studios. my cousin's friend's band mate owns his own studio and he has one for guitar, bass, vocals AND drums!!! deathrockstudio, the best in alabama!
Studios will use different equipment then what the average dj may have. A sonic maximizer is more used in the playback of sound then in the recording of it. Guitarists may use it for their amps but that is also for the playback output of the sound.
Why couldn't I just use a preamp & 10-band EQ, for instance? It doesn't seem like it does all that much for the sound. I noticed a slight boost in the highs & that's about it...??
For DJ's playing back pre-recorded music, it sounds better than most EQ"s and is much easier to use. The BBE does in fact, ad a ton of bass! But most of all they clean-up the sound by time-alligning the frequencies so that they hit your ears at the same time. Normally, high frequencies hit you must faster! In fact, some boom boxes and even TV sets and car steros have built in BBE technology. Another company, Aphex, boasts a similar product "The Big Bottom" which provides even greater bass.
Brian....the video is incorrect in explaining what it does.
I have used BBE's maximizer in systems since it was first introduced.
What it does is simple as can be heard from your video with it on.
It is actually a frequency delay in the order of milliseconds to the individual hi-mid-low of the speaker.
For example depending on which unit u have, I have always used the 3 way version, not the one u have there. It allows for tremendous frequency separation through frequency delay prosessing.
hey bro, i have a bbe sonicmaximixer also.. my connection on the mixers is i put it on the aux just like the reverb effects.. is it posible? pls tell me the details thanks...
The sound coming out of mixer is not random.
ken444444 1 day ago
It's not "sorting" anything. It's basically an EQ that only ridiculously boosts the bass and high noises driving any sort of audience or fans away.
byouno93 1 month ago 2
The BBE is nothing but a glorified EQ. It's very evident that you have no idea what a BBE does.
N0JoC0 2 months ago
The BBE is not a fancy EQ. I have used BBE rack stuff for more than 20 years in my recording studio and my live rack. Sound waves travel at different speeds depending on their frequencies. High frequencies will travel faster and reach you ears faster than low frequency sound waves. The BBE time aligns the output signals so the high end is slightly delayed and reaches the listeners ear at the same time the low end waves do. This causes a much cleaner and smoother sound. They are great.
Rickholly74 2 months ago
@Rickholly74 Wow. It amazes me that you (a guy who has run a recording studio for 20 years) have such a fundamental misunderstanding of how sound waves travel.
jbealsmusic 1 month ago 2
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Stratomacaster 2 weeks ago
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Stratomacaster 2 weeks ago
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@Rickholly74 Furthermore, your explanation of what this unit does is quite impossible. A 'listener's' distance is not constant. Although the unit does NOT do what you claim, if it did, it would have to magically know the distance at which the sound will be listened to in order to calculate an accurate delay time for upper frequencies. Obviously, this would be quite impossible.
Please don't take this as trolling - Understanding these basics will make you a better sound engineer.
Stratomacaster 2 weeks ago
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@Rickholly74 You might want to revisit the fundamentals of sonic and oscillation theory. What you are saying makes no sense. Sound speed is determined by the type of medium in which it is produced. It is not dependent upon the sound’s amplitude, frequency or wavelength. For air, it is V=331.4(m/s)+.6Tc where Tc is the temperature in Celsius.
All frequencies travel at the same speed for any given medium. That's not an opinion, it's a basic fact of physics that you should know.
Stratomacaster 2 weeks ago
it maybe would work for DJs to get some quality in their parties but for studio recording is trash explanation
zirokiller00 3 months ago
@zirokiller00 sorry for bad english!
zirokiller00 3 months ago
No lol the maximizer does work and does work well. but that is not at all how it works.
nemojuanowski 3 months ago
hes like BUT MY TONE ITS SOOO GOOD IN MY SHED IN MY BACKYARD WHEN I PRACTICE BY MYSELF!
Exhume2Consume 4 months ago
@iamexodusnow I dont think @ohTon was saying that the Sonic Maximizer doesnt work...I think he meant that this guys explanation sucks...
mboersma91 5 months ago
Thanks Brian for your awesome explanation and recommendation. I was having some trouble with my system and the 362 cleaned it up well. Thanks again.
iamexodusnow 5 months ago
That Maximizer sounds like crap. But, It sounds like $84.00.
DavidHill333 5 months ago
"it sorts out the signals into an orderly fashion" are you fucked in the head dude? this is going in my "bullshit statements" book
insonicbloom 5 months ago 5
Briansredd-My 462 manual stated that what this unit does,regardless of the signal be it stereo signal or as in my case a guitar signal is that,it splits the lo's/mid's/high's by miliseconds unnoticeable to the human ears and fattens up the sound.It's an EQ.I wish I never sold mine.The 462 is like yours but stereo.
MrJohnnyDistortion 6 months ago
So basically from what I've got out of the comments. This cuts your mids.
Basically what we can determine from that... Is that it makes your once shitty scooped tone, even shittier and more scooped?
CasualDiscussion 6 months ago
Brian, this isn't true...
BenisFTW 7 months ago
Hi, I like your VDO. I want to buy PA system for one man band with loud but small. please help. thanks, Peter
JebBorJum 7 months ago
..i actually meant that "BBE Corp." has the Specialized Electronic Circuit "Patented"!!!
CaptAntiGravity 7 months ago
Hey folks, these units will always make your over all Color,Tone,Presence & Punch sound as good as most of you can ever expect because most every one i know (i know hundreds of engineers & professional stereo elites) and they all agree that having either of these "BBE Sonic Maximizer Units"(set correctly & in context ) will enhance all your Sparkling Highs & Lows with absolute brilliance and that;s why these "BBE Sonic Maximizers" are therefore "patented" because of the Value they bring to Music
CaptAntiGravity 7 months ago
lol. Brian. Please answer me this question: How many wires go into your speakers? Okay. Now how do you expect any sorting to go on? It's a analog signal bud. Not digital. No sorting possible. Period. All the BBE is is an EQ for dummies.
Proud2playitloud 9 months ago
I usually try not to make negative comments, and this isn't intended to be negative. The technical explanation in this video is incorrect. Sonic maximizer units do not "organize the signal." These units do several things to correct poor (cheap) speaker designs, such as apply EQ (boost highs and lows, cut mids) add some high & low frequency harmonics, and some will slightly delay HF to fix driver alignment. They make bad speakers sound better, and good ones sound worse.
lbrentevans 9 months ago
The BBE is not just good for live application. Its good for correcting inherent weaknesses found in how speakers interact with an audio signal.
genemz5 10 months ago
Thanks Brian, now I clearly understand why do I need this box.
alwizard11 11 months ago
Brian...
What kind of speakers you have on the shelves on the wall?
genemz5 11 months ago
Part 2: Cheap interconnects will not allow the BBE to shine to its full potential. Speakers not properly angled will not sound right, only different with the BBE. I am using litz wire throughout my system. Litz removes that electronic tizzle that solid state is famous for. The BBE is capable of reproducing a very realistic presentation. I am a musician. Most do not know how to properly set up their system, so they reject the BBE because its only exaggerating the flaws in their system.
genemz5 11 months ago
@genemz5 Hi...I'm thinking about picking one of these up and I wondered if you could answer a couple questions. You mentioned in your prev post about angling your speakers properly. How do you mean.
Secondly, how could I set up my simple system? If I had a black Heart handsome devil (tube), wah, Diamond OD, playing with an Epi LP or Strat? You seem to have a very intimate knowledge of this stuff- just thought I'd ask. THank you!
YOUareALLasleep 11 months ago
@YOUareALLasleep I am only talking about an audio system for listening to recorded music, for a more accurate playback. What you are dealing with sometimes will benefit from distortions in sound and effects. Apples and oranges. I have no experience using a BBE with instruments and amplification.
genemz5 11 months ago
I have been using a Sonic Maximizer since they came out. I have used them tube and solid state equipment. One thing.. it may seem like an equalizer, but its not.
Its not random mid, highs, and lows. The BBE goes after the phase and time distortion inherent in speakers. If you carefully angle your speakers until they lock in you can be in for a shock. One of great realism on a miniature scale. I use the bass contour because of small woofers, and the high just above minimum. More to say...
genemz5 11 months ago
looooooooooooooooool. can i buy copies of those diagrams? i'd like to frame them.
evilsnakes1 11 months ago
sounds like the box is just adjusting the eq. So with a same priced eq box, you could get the sound even better im thinking......
kevjones93 1 year ago
This video started out great until the example. Can't even hear a difference besides the highs. But the explanation of how it works was perfect.
quinnmyster 1 year ago
@quinnmyster The BBE can produce a very realistic bottom end on smaller high-quality speakers that are weaker in deep bass. BBE is not simply a typical bass tone control as some think. Somehow - if not overdone- on good small speakers, it causes them to produce more*quality* deeper bass. On bigger speakers, with large woofers? Probably, of little benefit. A pre-amp bass tone control can not produce this excellent effect. Its doing more than simply boosting bass. Its keeping it in phase.
genemz5 11 months ago
@genemz5 Oh yeah I understand how it works. I used to own one. But the recording, even through my studio speakers, showed no real example, audibly, of what the BBE can do. But I'm not trying to start a battle. It was a perfect explanation of how the BBE processor works man.
quinnmyster 10 months ago
@quinnmyster I can not say why your studio speakers did not reveal what the BBE can do. On the systems I have used it was evident.
genemz5 10 months ago
@genemz5 Oh I was referring to how your video did not portray what the BBE could do. But it's really irrelevant cause your camera mic is mono anyway..
quinnmyster 10 months ago
@quinnmyster It was not my video as you claimed. I simply own a BBE for my home stereo.
genemz5 10 months ago
@genemz5 Oh, no, it's all good. I'm just curious to hear what they actually sound like in person on a stereo, though I know they are best for live application, as they really modify the original recordings of music = not good for home listening. But live they really brighten and tighten things up. I might get one for my guitar again some time..
quinnmyster 10 months ago
@genemz5 Of course the video mic was mono anyways. haha.. But I could hear louder highs. But yeah, the BBE is pretty sick for live application, but not really for home use.
quinnmyster 10 months ago
I own a Aphex Aural Exciter Type C and a Behringer Ultrafex Pro EX 3200 (my cousin gave it to me) also an Behringer Edison EX-1 (was dirt cheap).
Do I really need this "sonic maximizer", too?!
My point:: I'm lookin all over the internet and EVERYBODY says how cool this maximizer is, compared to NOTHING in the signal path. But NOONE compared it to other enhancers and exciters...
DrUmSensitive 1 year ago
this video, and demonstration, is very stupid. VERY stupid.
groscaca69 1 year ago
IF YOU SAY PIECE OF GEAR ONE MORE FUCKING TIME, I SWEAR TO GOD
Also, op is a fucking tweaker. look at his eyes and all those goddamned circles and shit he drew
NexIuguolo 1 year ago
Nice demo. I know it works, use it in my drum monitor SKB rack. Can get super punchy snare with little effort. Got the 482i myself. Brings out the highs and lows all in one.
drumsonly2002 1 year ago
do you have a djx 400 from behringer?
thomasie3 1 year ago
Dude, your a dumb ass. Not even close!!!
rickymann402 1 year ago
hey brianredd do i need maximiser for each amp i have ??
DJTAKTICA 1 year ago
@DJTAKTICA they are dual channel so you need one for every 2 amps you have, if u want
guitarsbunch347 1 year ago
It's not possible to organize frequencies within the same cable. You'd need a crossover with independent cables. All the sonic maximizer does is adjusts the phases of the harmonics to try to match the fundamental frequency.
fingerboy18 1 year ago
I give credit to you Brian. Nice job.
12ealDeal 1 year ago
nice difference! sounds good
sixvideos 1 year ago
I don't think you understand how sound works, Briansredd...
Preeemo 1 year ago
a Maximizer is in essence a multiband compressor
Ikkepop 1 year ago
niceeeee really good sound in this video NOT!!!
billyultra 1 year ago
niceeeee really good sound in this video NOT!!!
billyultra 1 year ago
And now kids, an elementary school explaination of a piece of sound equipment. (bunch of kids) YAY!!!! Ok, everyone sit in a circle while I boost the treble and talk about squares, circles, triangles!!!!
heavymetaldood91 1 year ago 3
This is complete the Bullshit, Please people watch another video and save your time!
danukenator123 1 year ago
LMAOOOOO!!! OHHH HELLZ NAH...
PLEASE DO NOT DO VIDEO TUTORIALS ON GEAR U DO NOT KNO...
dthustla 1 year ago
hahaha ok i hope that everyone see's this comment BRIAN HAS ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT !!!!! if you need info on any product or piece of gear just go to google even if you cant find what you need google has more reliable answer then guy.
Chris25toepher 1 year ago
What if you rack up the sonic maximizer upside down, and then plug in your rca cables backwards?
Would I have to mount my speakers upside down and point them away from the dance floor?
fredfon 1 year ago
I'm a professional recording and mix engineer. I wouldn't reccomend using a BBE SM, so I still have one in my pile of unused rack gear. anyone wanna buy it? (haha) Use EQ to get the sound you want, Not the Maximizer. It's possible to help a real crappy old track to sound better, but anything modern and well done...a decent EQ will give you much safer results.
stevenmcnair1897 1 year ago
very well done i like when u make videos to help the dj knw his "stuff"
melpol2005 1 year ago
cool vid, thanks!
rickgut2004 1 year ago
if you have good eq , etc, ya won't need one
hickrystyk 1 year ago
I do believe he was making it simple so some of you dummys out there could understand the concept behind this equipment, not the technical jargon, etc............................maybe some of you smart people could tell us all the technical jargon, that way most people won't understand a damn thing you say......
hickrystyk 1 year ago
I used one of these once, and it rearranged the sounds so much, that the song came out of the speakers backwards.
techmaster242 1 year ago
@techmaster242 Have you tried running your speakers upside down?
proubuntu 1 year ago
hey brian how do you connect tha maximizer to the mixer and amp? what wires to use? pleeeeease help!! j.d.
dukeluna 1 year ago
what in the world has this guy been smoking?
this is absolutely not the way a BBE works
the BBE sonic Maximizer works mostly to re realign the bass frequency time delay shift created by cone speakers,
and also has a high end harmonic distortion additive process, similar thing as an exciter, this amplifies the even harmonics and uneven overtones, which mimics tube type distortion which we generally find pleasing to our ears
it has nothing to do with 'random' anything!
watchtheskies 1 year ago 2
haha these things align phasing and reduce amplitude distortion, lots of pros use em, I want one.
MrROTD 2 years ago
haha he's funny.
halimski 2 years ago
LMFAO. Sorry man, you got no clue. Where did you get that explanation from? It's complete BS.
Chan163 2 years ago 30
@Chan163 You are wrong. The maximizer does work. It totally cleaned up my system as well. His explanation is right on the money.
iamexodusnow 5 months ago
@iamexodusnow Actually you're wrong... His explanation of how it works and what it does is complete BS. It cleans up the signal and makes things sound great through compression, limiting, and EQ. Good for DJ's and music lovers. Useless for musicians.
jbealsmusic 2 months ago
die -.-
slrerapz 2 years ago
Bullshit. Please...Brian...read some books.
ohTon 2 years ago 23
Yeah hes totally wrong, theres actually little gnomes inside that reproduce the signal instantaniously , only better lol
MrROTD 2 years ago
@ohTon I don't care what books say. A good engineer, artist and music lover listen with their ears. They don't read what sounds good. The maximizer does work. Thanks Brian for your help!!
iamexodusnow 5 months ago
@ohTon When you post a thread regarding audio that gets 71,117 hits be sure to let everyone on this page know.
iamexodusnow 5 months ago
I'm tempted to ask.....what's the difference with using the BBE vs just adding HI's on the EQ?
KJEboys 2 years ago 2
I am listening through KRK K-Rok II studio monitors and I reckon that song sounds better without it engaged. The high frequencies (cymbals) sound harsh and thin and a lot of the subtance from the mid frequencies are gone as a result of boosting frequencies either side.
it also acts as a volume control so you think it sounds better as it becomes louder and more compressed.
HairyScaryMark 2 years ago
its hard to believe he listens to this...
ctjoao 2 years ago 2
it delays the high frequicies so they arrive at the same time as the lows. they work wonders on guitar amps.
clayton5150 2 years ago
lol like it arranges a bunch of squares, circles and triangles into neat rows?? not quite. maybe it will separate the frequencies. An eq could do the same by nothing out the inbetweens. But to tell you the truth an active crossover with a triamped system is more effective at that. the lows go on their own signal path. The same with the mids and highs.
ChrisW12208 2 years ago 3
notching
ChrisW12208 2 years ago
Nice demo Brian. I have a bass guitar, a tuner and a bass amp connected to my bass cab. Where would I put the BBE in the signal chain. Thanks!
bassdogg77 2 years ago
depends on what kind of bass amp you have, if there is one, run a cable from the pre amp out to the sonic maximizer, and then back from the maximizer to the power amp in, otherwise use the effects loop send to the maximizer, and back from the maximizer to the effects loop return.
bikeandike111 2 years ago
hi brian, how can i connect my sonic maximizer on my powered mixer..? the speaker is connected directly to my powered mixer.?thanks a lot...
badjudge2004 2 years ago
the reason it sounds better bypassed is this is a mix that is done and mastered. It might already have the BBE on it . when you turn it on it sounds like theres too much high end shrill. put it on a mix that hasnt' been mastered yet, or an insturment.
HIDEPlatonic 2 years ago
you have to remember the audio path this is taking. from his shitty computer speakers -> even shittier camera mic -> YOUR shitty computer speakers...kinda hard to make any judgement.
Markn951 2 years ago
Why do he blink so much???
castorriver 2 years ago
It sounds better with the maximizer bypassed.
Edward3D 2 years ago
so what does it do technichally? does it make it louder in a way or a cleaner sound?
gundamfan100 2 years ago
Got one a few weeks ago. Also the basic one. Great device!! thx 4 the tip.
bpxdjcremo 2 years ago
Getting one is awsome! Thanks Great video P and E :0)
Csvncool 2 years ago
wow thats sweet.
do u think one of these can be hooked up to a car audio system?
XBTechno 2 years ago
sorry but this piece of equipment is basically useless. In my forty years as a professional, i have never seen these things in a band that actually knows how to set up and listen to what they play. Good professional equipment has high quality crossovers, etc., built in ,why inject the cheap quality of a maximizer into the signal chain? There are a lot better ways to improve sound.I have one of these that's been gathering dust for years. Anyone interested in it? Let me know....
waveriderz 2 years ago
But give some facts or sth please. I'm willing to hear, as I was considering one of these for my rack.
OneisneO 2 years ago
ill buy it.
d3tach3d 2 years ago
Ur right, it's just a simplified EQ machine. Basically, it picks up the bottom and hi end curves, giving it that more open and clear sound, as opposed to a flat line or treble sound. They work well for mono (guitars, bass, etc.) but not so well as a mastering tool. They also are a nice add on for DJs playing MP3s as a separate EQ or for a cheap home speaker system. For DJs, good sources and good amplifiers take care of that though.
slytown 2 years ago
@waveriderz Yeah because Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Scott Ian, Phil Emmanuel, and Elliot Easton to name a few , ALL must not know how to set up or listen to what they play because this pedal is on every single one of their pedal boards. Just because the electronics aren't in a rack doesn't make them "cheap". I'll tell you what's cheap and useless, idiot gear snobs like you that don't know what the hell they are talking about.
fishbowlfire 9 months ago
Yeah, Thats not really what it does... They might be good for DJs, and I have the Sonic Stomp on my Pedal Board, But a high quality FOH setup would not have something like this.
LProcker4me 2 years ago 2
btw , as a DJ .. i dont know :)
geganobo 2 years ago
thats obvious....
PlumfulPixie 2 years ago
plz people dont be fooled.
there isnt 1 band that uses this, and they look for ways to perfect their sound al the time
geganobo 2 years ago
uh... im in a couple local bands, I have worked tech crew at the Rave millwalkee and let me tell you EVERY BAND WITH A GUITARIST WORTH HIS SALT HAS ATLEAST 1 OF THESE IN EVERY RACK as well as many other digital effects please dont make claims that you dont know first hand or from a reliable source - you can find sonic maximizers in Slipknots guitar rigs, disturbed, Emure, Joe satriani, john 5 and rob zombie, The black eyed peas, and every other band i have had thelucktoseewhileworking backstage
Djfritzer 2 years ago 3
lmao at this guy....
PlumfulPixie 2 years ago
So judging by your diagram, if the Sonic maximizer sorts out the highs, lows and mids and sends them to the correct speaker, then this pedal will have little or no effect on an amp with only one speaker? Or say, a 4x10 with four of the same speakers?
Bargeonin 2 years ago
The noticible effect is just the bass and treble boost
Leftyguitarplayer123 2 years ago
Not necessarily true look at your cab the way the speakers are wired creates a very simple passive crossover sorting the lows to the lower two speakers and the highs to the upper two when you have a stack it then works by sending the highs to the first cab in the series and the lows to the second. The pedal also has a mid boost set at i think 25,000hz providing more definition and helps slightly with sustain.
Djfritzer 2 years ago
the music sounds like something you would hear on a Nissan commercial.
thatssogay88 2 years ago
This info may be correct if you're a DJ and use a PA but if you're a guitarist, do not buy this fucking thing. It will make your beautiful amp sound like a digital piece of shit!!!!!!!!!!
snapascrew 2 years ago 2
Omg! Buyin 1...
BloodRelic101 2 years ago
I just got the BBE 882i. I through the equalizer out of my rack, it didn't seem to be needed anymore.
You still using this? I see the video is kind of old now.
Where would you put it if you're using subs? I don't have any yet, but if I do........
FunkyRob 2 years ago
put it right before your crossover
(the one that should be in your rack if your using subs =P )
Djfritzer 2 years ago
My class A audio friends say these are a joke.
BUT ..... if Brian says it works, Im gonna get one.
doctordeejay 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I am looking to build my self a bass rig all rack mount stuff so I can close it and roll it away.I want to use a furman power first then my line 6 floor pod,then into a rack mixer,then into a maximizer,then into a rack amp,,then into the speakers RIGHT,am I going the right way with this?
rinoldkirk 2 years ago
wow that does make a massive difference
dirtydogdiscos 2 years ago
how do i hook it up to my computer?
hurt918 2 years ago
So is it true bypass then? If not, do the same test without having it in the signal chain at all and video that one. Cheers, Lucius
GuitarLucius 2 years ago
Comment removed
kartooned2 2 years ago
It is a P.O.S.! I owned one!
bmg2000 2 years ago
Coo demo, nice diagram..we have a sonic 482i, and it truly has enhanced our sound, amazing!...Mobile's, do your clients a favor, get one!
nnoyz1 3 years ago
no...sonic maximizers don't change the electrophysical properties of electrical components like transistors and shit..-_-
I think maximizers add a terrible digital touch to guitar tone. I prefer them for hi-fi systems
boblong101 3 years ago 2
I think the best sound you can get out of your speakers is when you have as little processing etc in between your sound source & speakers. I use the KISS method & it has never let me down.
(K.I.S.S.) Keep It Simple Stupid
DJshittyloadin 3 years ago
haha my math professor says that
DomeShot101 3 years ago
would you recommend the BBE 822?
Soundtrackzz 3 years ago
your friend shoulda turned you on to crack instead yuppie
jesusjerkoffisgod 3 years ago 2
will this make my powered speakers any better
i have jbl eons and they sound pretty good right now
will this make em any better?
sainifabulous 3 years ago
I have one and it's ok. It's not the be all end all. And this is not a true by pass. So what you are getting is BBE suck knob in a button. They want you to think that they are doing wonders by pressing the by pass but all in all it's affecting your signal. That said it is a way of eqing your sound and has it's uses.
Cycopath74 3 years ago
i have 3 outputs on my mixer two for my tops and 1 for my sub as my mixer has a built in active crossover how would i go about setting a sonic maximiser up. i have to amps one for my tops and one for my sub. would i just not use the maximiser for my sub and just connect it up for my tops?
i am interested in purchasing one of these you see!
robjcrowston 3 years ago
Problem is you've basically got 3 channels (sub+L+R) and you'd need an extra sonic maximizer for the extra channel. *IF* the sonic maximizers could work effectively with that at all (they might need a full spectrum; not sure). I suggest you try to get a normal stereo out from your mixer (there has to be one) and buy the BBE sonic maximizer that has the crossover built in (look on the BBE website) so you end up with the same result.
Koen75NL 3 years ago
actuley it is a foarm of a eq. what you said is totaley wrong brian. i got a good laff at what yur drawings.
onehotlex 3 years ago
hey awesome vid. Im thinking about getting this. Does this take the place of an EQ or is it just another extra? Also does it hook up before or after the mixer?
Soundtrackzz 3 years ago
Excellent explanation !!! I was wondering to get one of this (882i). I'm convinced now.
cesmen30 3 years ago
oh this is hard to see! that's not how it works. you can not "organise" frequencies in a cable hehe
what it really does is it's a multiband compression and lots of eq. the compression rises the loudness level and eq just makes it sould fuller. lots of dynabic range is lost with the copression but that's good with small speakers so you can turn em up louder before clipping and eq adds sparkle. perfect for PA systems, really work well! but using it on studio monitors is a bad idea.
chDiago 3 years ago
It's not exactly accurate but it's a useful explanation.
But compression you say? There's adjustable EQ but no compression going on in the sonic maximizer. You're providing false info here... what's the source of this what you're saying?
Koen75NL 3 years ago
well, i'm just generalizing here. every maximizer is different and every brand has their own little tricks.
the thing is that those things are used to make it sound "better", so boosting the highs and lows is a good idea to compensate what general hifi and pa speakers lack and compression to increase the loudness without increasing the volume and taking away peaks that may distort the speakers. they sometimes can add clarity as compression boosts lower signals that might get lost.
chDiago 3 years ago
he doesn't explain it right, the highs mids and lows aren't sort out by the bbe (how can you sort that out through just one cable?), it just processes the highs faster so it will hit your eardrum earlier than the lows and mids, that's what gives it its clarity.
HammondB200 3 years ago
Cool piece of gear but your explanation is completely wrong. What it actually does is add a very slight delay to the bass frequencies to bring them into correct phase with the highs.
yzmotoxer807 3 years ago
I'm thinking about getting the BBE Stompbox version of the maximizer for my guitar rig. I was wondering if a 4X12 cabinet would have a passive crossover? Because there's no horn or anything, just 4 speakers. Thanks.
silvercade 3 years ago
no, it's just split to 4 speakers.
iVai777 3 years ago
Good explanation, I'm somewhat of a "noob"
adil2552 3 years ago
hey how would u hook it up ig u have a EQ a crossover n a am n mixer
hassyhassy2448 3 years ago
does it help get rid of the harshness when listening to metal on loudspeakers?
clint2777 3 years ago 2
I'm thinking of getting the BBE Max-X2 2-Way Stereo Crossover, but does it go before the 15-band eq I have or After the eq. I know it goes after the mixer obviously but does it go before my eq. Don't worry bout all the haters out there, keep up the good work Brian.
original92882 3 years ago
so basically these are more useful with PA systems running a lot of signals like bass/vocals/guitar all at once. cool! maybe i don't need to get a new PA lol
Activethrasher00 3 years ago
imo it is only an EQ, which enhances higher mids..
kernythelibretter 3 years ago
is this one BBE?
ESPPsycho 3 years ago
It sounds like its been EQ'ed really well. I assume it has that effect on everything that runs through it?
dithindious 3 years ago
wow dude thanks for making this video your a good man helped alot!!
tokyorose999 3 years ago
that diagram was a bunch of bullshit
Tzuqris 3 years ago 5
it was fucking great....TRILAGANELS
Passitivity 3 years ago
very helpful thanks alot
pimpolo 3 years ago
Well, I don't have any of the hardware versions, but I got the plug-in one and it's great! It's really just like an EQ but it makes my guitar recordings sound much much better.
CrunkSoulja 3 years ago
hey Brian i use a peavey cosmos , it enhanses the tones with bass boost and it will take old 50's 60;s "sounds" and improve them if you get my drift, i love it do you think the maximiser is comparable. thanks Ron
ronnysdj 3 years ago
will this help with low end
bodetyl 3 years ago
lovin' the technical mumbojumbo and the diagram;)
jhachey222 3 years ago
its not supposed to do a lot for the sound. It really just aligns your waves so that the speaker gets hit with everything at the same time. It just adds more clarity and the increase in highs can be controolled with the contour. This is a staple in EVERY studio. its ok live but more for studio use for guitarists.
SpartanShredder 3 years ago
I just searched through a few high end studios and didn't see a single BBE listed on any of the equipment lists. Seems odd that something that is as revolutionary as people think wouldn't be used in every room and on every record... right?
faintwhitenoise 3 years ago 3
you clearly havent been looking at the right studios. my cousin's friend's band mate owns his own studio and he has one for guitar, bass, vocals AND drums!!! deathrockstudio, the best in alabama!
Descendeight 3 years ago
Studios will use different equipment then what the average dj may have. A sonic maximizer is more used in the playback of sound then in the recording of it. Guitarists may use it for their amps but that is also for the playback output of the sound.
zbunn82 3 years ago
lol pos camera piece of shit camera lmao thats what u meant right?
OzzmanX30 3 years ago
Why couldn't I just use a preamp & 10-band EQ, for instance? It doesn't seem like it does all that much for the sound. I noticed a slight boost in the highs & that's about it...??
FattyArbuckle1981 3 years ago
For DJ's playing back pre-recorded music, it sounds better than most EQ"s and is much easier to use. The BBE does in fact, ad a ton of bass! But most of all they clean-up the sound by time-alligning the frequencies so that they hit your ears at the same time. Normally, high frequencies hit you must faster! In fact, some boom boxes and even TV sets and car steros have built in BBE technology. Another company, Aphex, boasts a similar product "The Big Bottom" which provides even greater bass.
bassman5123 3 years ago
362 blows get the 482i
unknown9193 3 years ago
362 is for djs. 482i is for guitarists and the like.
EngageTheKnot 3 years ago
362 blows get the 482i
unknown9193 3 years ago
Can that be used in my home stereo without a mixer?
92ES5sp 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
yes it can
amrjr007 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
yes it can
amrjr007 3 years ago
Brian....the video is incorrect in explaining what it does.
I have used BBE's maximizer in systems since it was first introduced.
What it does is simple as can be heard from your video with it on.
It is actually a frequency delay in the order of milliseconds to the individual hi-mid-low of the speaker.
For example depending on which unit u have, I have always used the 3 way version, not the one u have there. It allows for tremendous frequency separation through frequency delay prosessing.
amrjr007 3 years ago
hey bro, i have a bbe sonicmaximixer also.. my connection on the mixers is i put it on the aux just like the reverb effects.. is it posible? pls tell me the details thanks...
badjudge2004 3 years ago
I think it extends the low end too?
valgrathblak 3 years ago
that was a very bad song to demo this piece of gear, because there was a filter constantly editing the voice
HammondB200 3 years ago 4
Well explained. Thx.
killthepixelnow 3 years ago