Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Best $40 Of My Life!
Posted by: Chris S. Jul 8 2015, 01:55 AM
Saw a semi-vintage (guess that depends on how old the person is who calls it vintage 
) BBE 462 Sonic Maximizer for $40 and WOW what a great buy 
It was 10 minutes until close so I figured why not for $40, I can always bring it back if I don't like it:
https://soundcloud.com/stortzmusic/bbe-462-quick-tone-test
I played the first part without it and then the second part with it. It's a pretty bare bones interface but it does the job. I like it because I can use my EQ and then follow up with this to give even more life to it.
So far I have only spent about 30 mins with it so I haven't even really figured out the best way to dial it in but the sound clip I posted shows its potential.
Overall - I didn't waste $40 (FOR ONCE!!!)
EDIT: As usual it sounded awesome with my headphones but crummy through laptop speakers - so you might not be hearing it's full potential 
Plus I didn't realize the mix on my FX loop was set to split 50/50 from the original signal with the fx loop signal... such a noob at this
Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jul 8 2015, 07:25 AM
Cool, there's a big difference. From that clip it seems low end and low mid range has been cleaned up.
These kinds of tools don't provide a jaw dropping effect, it's rather professional tone shaping tool. Generally speaking, effects that make a big difference to the sound, are usually to aggressive for that final tweaking which makes all the difference.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 8 2015, 02:47 PM
I could hear a big difference. I'm sure it'll sound great in a mix too 
Posted by: Mertay Jul 8 2015, 07:49 PM
Sonic maximisers have been used in studios for a very long time now. In studio usage these are a bit tricky cause they are so easily over used, meaning while tweaking it might sound great but after a coffee break one might notice its too much
For guitar you probably noticed there is a stompbox version of it and I believe it shouldn't be very different from what you have considering tone.
Its works nice as an "always on" fashion; set the amp eq first as best as possible and then use it for detailed adjustments, at least this is how I used it while getting familiar. It sure can make extreme differences when needed but this may not always work for every mix.
Posted by: Chris S. Jul 8 2015, 08:06 PM
For guitar you probably noticed there is a stompbox version of it and I believe it shouldn't be very different from what you have considering tone.
Its works nice as an "always on" fashion; set the amp eq first as best as possible and then use it for detailed adjustments, at least this is how I used it while getting familiar. It sure can make extreme differences when needed but this may not always work for every mix.
UPDATE:
So I returned the 462 and got a deal on the newer version 882i with true bypass - still trying to get used it.
Also picked up a used tube screamer and AKAI compact pad controller
My growing studio - gonna need a bigger desk!
Posted by: Mertay Jul 8 2015, 09:04 PM
eheh slowly turning into a real studio indeed
Posted by: Socky42 Jul 8 2015, 10:52 PM
Very cool, never seen a real one before. I have a plugin version of it and use it over my entire mixes adds that 'pro sparkle'; but like Mertay said very easy to overuse and fatigue your ears.
Posted by: Chris S. Jul 8 2015, 11:17 PM
Yeah I just tweaked a patch on my 11 rack - spent 30 minutes on it and was like "oh yeah! Eric Johnson would envy this tone!" ...
Came back from a bathroom break and was like "did I really think this sounded good?!"
Funny how that works
Posted by: Mertay Jul 9 2015, 12:03 AM
Came back from a bathroom break and was like "did I really think this sounded good?!"
Funny how that works
No worrys you'll get used to it
as said, just remember to keep it subtle then all will be fine
Posted by: Chris S. Jul 9 2015, 12:45 AM
Quick question although slightly off topic:
So in my picture you can see I have a second monitor hooked up to my laptop for an extended screen - however the monitor is on the left and my laptop is on the right.
To get to the monitor I have to scroll my mouse to the right of my laptop screen which is getting to be pretty confusing. I can't swap positions - is there anyway to change it so that I can scroll to the left of my laptop and my cursor will jump to the left monitor?
I know that I can set the monitor as my "Main" and when I scroll the cursor over to the right it will jump to the laptop but I would prefer to keep my laptop set as the "Main" screen.
Does this make sense? Is it possible?
Windows 7 - 64 bit if that helps.
Thanks
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 9 2015, 09:33 AM
Sure Go in to your display settings and just set which once
should be left and which one should be right.
Enjoy your BBE! They can be a grea way to add some sparkle and boom to your guitar tone especially at bedroom levels. You can get nice crisp high tones without turning your amp up all the way which is nice WHen you turn if off, it can sound like someone put a blanket over your speakers!! Some folks really diss the bbe units but I personally have one and think they can do great things when used right As a matter of fact, my rocktron velocity power amp has something similar built right in to as do many nice power amps!
Posted by: Chris S. Jul 9 2015, 11:31 AM
Go in to your display settings and just set which once should be left and which one should be right.
Enjoy your BBE! They can be a grea way to add some sparkle and boom to your guitar tone especially at bedroom levels. You can get nice crisp high tones without turning your amp up all the way which is nice
WHen you turn if off, it can sound like someone put a blanket over your speakers!! Some folks really diss the bbe units but I personally have one and think they can do great things when used right As a matter of fact, my rocktron velocity power amp has something similar built right in to as do many nice power amps!Yeah I read a lot of "this thing is lame sauce, just get an EQ pedal it's the same thing" reviews - but it's not an EQ pedal.
I set the graphic EQ on my 11 Rack and run the BBE through te fx loop at the very end of the signal change and it's quite an improvement
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 9 2015, 12:01 PM
I"m with ya! There is a LOT of hate on the BBE but I suspect it's folks who just didn't use it properly. It can really give nice boom and sparkle when used properly I"m using a tube preamp in the fx loop of my 11 rack and it gives it punch that NONE of the built in fx can match.
I set the graphic EQ on my 11 Rack and run the BBE through te fx loop at the very end of the signal change and it's quite an improvement
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 9 2015, 03:22 PM
I gotta check this BBE Sonic plugin out! I wonder if there is a demo.
Posted by: Chris S. Jul 9 2015, 04:30 PM
I"m using a tube preamp in the fx loop of my 11 rack and it gives it punch that NONE of the built in fx can match.What tube pre amp are you using?
I've been wanting to add some tube-based gear to use with my 11 Rack but the only thing I've come across is a Laney Ironheart Studio - which rocks but I don't have $500+
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 11 2015, 01:15 AM
I"m using a custom/hand built Myasnikov preamp that's a Soldano super lead clone. They are made by a guy in Russia using real tubes and such It sounds AMAZING is the FX LOOP of the 11 rack. He has them on sale for $370! Here is a video of mine (the prototype) with my 11 rack where I have the amp block turned off and use the myasnikov in the fx loop.
I've been wanting to add some tube-based gear to use with my 11 Rack but the only thing I've come across is a Laney Ironheart Studio - which rocks but I don't have $500+
Posted by: Chris S. Jul 11 2015, 01:17 AM
It sounds AMAZING is the FX LOOP of the 11 rack. He has them on sale for $370! Here is a video of mine (the prototype) with my 11 rack where I have the amp block turned off and use the myasnikov in the fx loop. I should have know that - silly me
Glad you're digging it - just a random question though: why through the fx loop - would running the output from the preamp be too hot to run through the front input of the eleven rack?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 11 2015, 01:24 AM
Of course there's demo Here is the link!
http://nomadfactory.com/cgi-bin/_dlpro/download.cgi?Download&file=bbeSWOPpc64
here is the link to download all the demos from the company that deals with bbe and wads of others. Mac and Pc
http://nomadfactory.com/downloads/index.html
Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jul 15 2015, 12:38 AM
I like what BBE Sonic Maximiser does to tone, never had a chance to fiddle with the hardware unit though (only plugin). We used the plugin for spicing up the tone of band rehearsals where we were playing all instruments through the mixer and going into computer for processing and then back to headphones for each band member. The plugin was light and worked without latency and it helped us get instant "produced" tone for the master mix in the headphones while playing. I do see a lot of potential of this effect being overused and creating distortion. If you can hear a noticable difference, you are probably using too much of it.
BTW - if I remember correctly, in display properties you should be able to drag the monitors to left and right to positoin them to match how physically they are positioned so that you can move your mouse to the left in order to move to the left monitor on your desk.
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)