BBE Sonic Maximizer: Love Hate?
 

I used to run a BBE Sonic Maximizer, I thought it made my bass sound AMAZING. Until I played without it, and I realized it worked like a bandaid, covering up what I couldnt fix myself at the time, how do you guys on TB feel?

I tried the SM when I was fairly new to bass playing. It took me about 2 weeks to hate it.

Love it solo, hate it in a mix.

$49 bucks today Wednesday Stupid Deal of Day musiciansfriend

Great for vocals, not so much for bass, IMO.

Only real application for one of these is a DJ gig, honestly. Does nothing to me for bass tone.

Its basically just a really big, expensive 2 band eq.

Dont waste your money. Whenever I see one of these units i know the owner bought some snake oil ;)

Used in large doses, yes, it might seem like a snake oil 2-band eq, but if you dial it back and use just a touch of it, it adds presence and rounds out the bass in a way that no other equipment I've used can. I have the hardware version, but I also purchased the plugin version to use with my DAW, and in small doses on the master buss it gives my mix a little extra "oomph" and clarity. Just my two cents.

I like a little on a stereo mixdown of electronic music, but I do not think it's worth anything on bass guitar.

I liked the plugin version too much, actually. When I discovered it I'd just add the plugin to every single track in a mix.

Then I got tired and went back to regular EQ. :D

It works by delaying everything below 2kHz by 2ms (so treble hits first) and an eq boost centered at 10kHz. It's intended to compensate for treble transient delay when micing a speaker, and it does make a considerable difference. On anything but guitar you should compare it against just a 10kHz EQ boost. Much of its "advantages" are from convincing people to ignore the fact that EQ boosting is to be avoided in favor of mic technique. I stopped using it years ago, would never use it on bass.

I use a rackmount. Sparingly. Sometimes.

Love it. Best investment I ever made with an "effect." In fact, it should not sound like a effect at all. It simply adds clarity and punch.

i leave it on all the time. I think most people use it incorrectly or OVER use it, in which case you'd be better off without it.

I also use the plug in for recording and it simply makes EVERYTHING sound better -- guitar drums, vocals. Don't believe those who say it's just a highs and lows boost. It is not.

I use it to DJ. I never thought about using it playing bass. Might have to try that.

I used the one in my BMax preamp when I ran that years ago and it was okay. Cranking it gives you a nice mid-scoop, but I can see how just a pinch could seem to make a positive difference. That said, I sold it and haven't thought twice.