bbe sonic stomp ~ yay or nay?

McThumpin · #1 06-12-2008, 06:37 PM

Just wondering how many of you guys use one, and what your thoughts are on it.
I've found opinions vary depending on setups; how favorable do you think it'd be in mine? (p-bass, ric > GK 400rb-III > bag end 2x10)
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!

HollowBassman · #2 06-12-2008, 06:43 PM

I use it and I like it very much.

I don't play without it if I can help it. As for how it will sound with your setup, I can't help you.

FronTowardEnemy · #3 06-12-2008, 06:51 PM

My first experience with one was in a VST plug in. After hearing what it did for the final mix of my bands demo I researched and found it to be very useful on bass. I picked up the Sonic Stomp the first time I saw it available.

I use it and it is always on. I run Fender Jazz bass > Opto Stomp > VFB2 > EHX Double Muff > looped back to the VFB > EHX Small Clone > BF3 > Sonic Stomp > Tech 21 Landmark 300 Head > Tech 21 B410 Cab.

When I switch between my HW1 and MIA Jazz the Sonic Stomp brings evenness to my tone that I tend to like. It is usually set to 12:00 high and tweaked ever so slightly. Every time I have gigged this year, I always had people (bassists) come to me and ask me about my setup and tone.

I think of it more as an EQ and adjust it to whatever room I am in. As with any effect it is just a matter of opinion.

playibanez · #4 06-12-2008, 08:25 PM

i have the 482i its the rackmount version. i love it tightens up the low end perfectly. i run the process(high end) not that much and lo contour(low end) is a little under half.

dogbass · #5 06-12-2008, 10:43 PM

I won't suggest you buy it....but for me it provides a noticeable, albeit subtle, clarity to my signal. I like to punch it in when I'm looking for more Hi-Fi than my P bass/GK700RB (with the Boost booosted) would otherwise give me. YMMV. It does what it purports to do. Whether you notice it or not is subject to your playing style and ear.

Swift713 · #6 06-13-2008, 07:01 AM

My guitar player gave me his and it has made a huge difference. It doesn't change my tone but makes it clearer. It has really helped in rehearsal, I no longer think I "need" a louder amp. It's always on.

RickenBoogie · #7 06-13-2008, 08:09 AM

Mines always on, along with a couple of other gadgets. It adds back alot of bottom and top from a long signal chain. I wish I didn't need it, I could use the space, but it's a keeper.

wordsmith4u · #8 06-13-2008, 12:35 PM

It's the one pedal I can't do without. On all the time--in fact, I run two channels (clean/dirty) yet both terimate into this before going to the amp.

Zooberwerx · #9 06-13-2008, 12:40 PM

Cleans up the mids when used correctly. I just "donated" my ancient 462 to our PA rig and its made a world of difference. Its "instant EQ in a box".

Riis

jimmy rocket · #10 06-13-2008, 12:52 PM

+1000
Mine is always on. It's one of those deals where you really notice it when you turn it off. The Sonic Stomp adds a clarity to the sound that is transparent enough, but you'll miss it if it's not there.
It really helps the presence of the bass in the mix. You can finally hear the bass without blasting the volume.

Would'e? · #11 06-13-2008, 01:10 PM

I had one and liked it quite a bit, but didn't find indispensible, meaning when I had to liquidate gear to make room for something else, it was the first thing to go. It does improve clarity for bass or guitar , but it is rather subtle. Where the BBE really shines is in the PA with the whole mix going through. I do have an original unit in my home audio system that makes a huge difference. That's really where you get the "pillows off the speakers" results.

Valerus · #12 06-14-2008, 04:52 PM

I had it and didn't need it. Depends on who's using it.

Crabby · #13 06-15-2008, 01:11 AM

"clarity" to some people is "scooped mids" to others. No disrespect to anyone who uses the BBE process and loves it but its basically a low end and high end boost. It can make a honky signal sound very modern and crisp.

McThumpin · #14 06-16-2008, 05:08 AM

Many thanks for the responses. Good stuff. I feel like my rig is lacking some clarity on the low end, and it sounds like this could help. Nothing left to do but try one for myself! Maybe I can find one used....

ritterbass · #15 06-16-2008, 11:17 AM

I have the 482i rack mount version and i'll say yay! for sure great unit cleans everything up I found...I also have an Ashly CLX 52 comp which also helps.

Andy V. · #16 06-16-2008, 08:57 PM

I used to have one.
I was really cool, but I sold it.

It's a tough decision when you have a bad gas case for a crazy effect, no money and a very subtle pedal.

chicago_mike · #17 06-16-2008, 09:44 PM

I know peeps who use he rack version in the rig. I have an aphex pedal but am also considering the bbe. Used subtley its a nice little thingy.

fede162162 · #18 06-23-2008, 10:16 AM

it seems strange....

presence in the mix is due by the mid freqs...
and you say that the bbe carries out the bass throug the mix....

thus it seems strange to me that it simply boost bass and high freqs!

Would'e? · #19 06-23-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fede162162

it seems strange....

presence in the mix is due by the mid freqs...
and you say that the bbe carries out the bass throug the mix....

thus it seems strange to me that it simply boost bass and high freqs!

It doesn't. But some, including here on this thread, continue to perpetuate the myth that it boosts highs and lows and scoops mids.

What it does it isolate the various frequencies and then add a slight amount of delay to the low frequencies. Since loudspeakers inherently deliver lower frequencies to the ear quicker than high frequencies, this process makes all frequencies arrive at the ear simultaneously, the way sound arrives at the ear when speakers are not part of the formula.

Especially on a whole mix through the P.A. the effect can be quite startling in the increased clarity you get from correcting the way the frequencies are delivered.

Zooberwerx · #20 06-23-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fede162162

it seems strange....

presence in the mix is due by the mid freqs...
and you say that the bbe carries out the bass throug the mix....

thus it seems strange to me that it simply boost bass and high freqs!

It doesn't, that's why it seems strange. The BBE process de-muddifies (my term) the entire range resulting in greater articulation / clarity. The resulting effect is more pronounced in the low and high ends IMO.

Proof of the pudding is in the pie: I just loaded an older BBE 462 in our PA rig a few weeks back. Fired up Santana's "Supernatural" in the CD player and stuck our guitarist in the back of the venue. Engaged the BBE about halfway through the first track. You shoulda seen his face light up!

Riis