BBE BMax: Compressor > Signal Path?

[Zooberwerx]

I recently acquired an essentially NOS BMax (...SS, not the "T") for my rehearsal rig...bonus points as it's the MIA model. Did a search but having some difficulty determining where the compressor resides in the signal path. As it stands, I have to dime (fully clockwise) the control for any LED confirmation that the threshold is being crossed. I'm of the impression that maybe I need to "goose" either the EQ or gain as I'd like the compressor to kick at a lower setting. Is that the nature of the beast or am I missing something? Pic below and manual attached.

Riis

 

[InkCow]

I know they’re totally different products, but maybe some of the same design choices were held over from the 383?

Its manual helpfully was from the days when they included schematics: http://www.bbesound.com/products/manuals/383_manual.pdf

 

[Zooberwerx]

I know they’re totally different products, but maybe some of the same design choices were held over from the 383?

Its manual helpfully was from the days when they included schematics: http://www.bbesound.com/products/manuals/383_manual.pdf

That does help and thank you.

Riis

 

[GMSweet]

The manual isn't completely clear, but there are some things that we have to think about differently with the BBE.

The signal seems to flow left to right, but the gain as the first knob is a bit odd. It's not gain into the Fender tone stack EQ, but after it (according to the manual and in practice). That first EQ, if you drop the all the controls to zero passes no signal. I run the mids full up since it gets very scooped very fast. From my testing years ago, the actual flat setting is closer to 0T-10-.8B with slight cut on the para mids at 375Hz. I'm currently running it at 1T-10M-2.5B with the para mids set around 2:30 (around 500Hz) boosted at 2:00 to flatten out the dip. My gain after the first EQ stage is set at noon and my bass, while active, is not exceptionally hot signal wise.

The comp has a soft-knee, but I still get the peaks to tame with the comp level set at "3" on the dial (whatever that means). I do not run the BBE process, but that seems to be after the comp and before the final master.

There's a thread worth reading that includes comments from @judd levison who originally spec'd the unit. If you want to know more, that's probably the best source material on Talkbass.

-Matthew