Pultec vs Sonic Maximizer vs Xciter.

[Goose55]

So, I learned about the Pultec some months ago. And from what I know, most Pultec kind of units are big rack consols. There however also a pedal that does the thing.
But now my question, how different is rhe low end compaired to the BBE Sonic maximizer and the Aphex Xciter?
All 3 say that they tight up the low end. Is one more perfered to the other?
What do you all think?

 

[Phagor]

They all do different things.

The Pultec is a passive eq. It allows you to boost and cut the low frequencies at the same time. Sounds counter-productive, but the boost and cut curves are different, so the result is still a low end boost, with a cut in the low mid frequencies. As it's a passive circuit, the two parts interact with each other in interesting ways. Add some valves and huge transformers and you have a characterful low end. The high boost is great for bass too - you can accent your pick/slap attack in a really pleasing way. The high atten lets you do a broad high frequency cut which works nicely to tame fizzy distortions.

The Bass Xciter splits the signal and compresses the low frequencies for a solid sustained low end, and adds saturation to the high end which you hear as a bright, crisp treble.

The Sonic Maximiser uses an all-pass filter to delay the low frequencies a tiny amount. The theory is that this aligns the high and low frequencies when reproduced by a speaker for a punchier sound. It also adds up/down compression to the high end and low end boost at 50 Hz for a more hyped sound.

The Pultec is very musical and you can use a little or a lot without overdoing it. I have a slight reservation about the pedal versions - they can't fit the valves and transformers inside that give this effect a lot of its character. Haven't tried them though.

I've had a Bass Xciter for years, but don't use it often - it's easy to get carried away and get a very unnatural, over-processed sound. The Sonic Maximiser should probably be used carefully for the same reason.

Depends on what about your low end you want to tighten up. I wouldn't rule out 1) a high pass filter to remove rumble below 30 - 40 Hz 2) a compressor, maybe a with a sidechain filter to let low notes breath.

Disclaimer: I haven't used the Sonic Maximiser, although I've used its techniques on bass for years and have prototyped a plugin using the method.

Disclaimer 2: I built a Pultec-inspired plugin for Darkglass Anagram called Cognate Pultrick.

 

[trout fishing]

One small correction with regards to @Phagor 's post: Broughton has the Pultec Mastering EQ with a transformer. It's no longer being made for now, and it probably fetches for too much on the used market, though.

As for the other pedals, I've tried the ZeroFive. It sounded absolutely amazing… when playing alone. The mid scoop was too much with the band, unfortunately.

 

[coyote1]

So, I learned about the Pultec some months ago. And from what I know, most Pultec kind of units are big rack consols. There however also a pedal that does the thing.
But now my question, how different is rhe low end compaired to the BBE Sonic maximizer and the Aphex Xciter?
All 3 say that they tight up the low end. Is one more perfered to the other?
What do you all think?

I've used both the Maximizer and a Behringer version of the Exciter.

The Exciter wins by a long shot IMO. To my ear, it adds harmonic content without messing with your basic tone or dynamics - and that content is pleasing and natural.

The Maximizer, otoh, did something undesirable to the basic sound. It was…. weird.

I don't use either for bass at this point. But I use that Behringer on my Hammond emulation, and it adds just the right touch of 'life' to the sound. You don't know it's on til you switch it off.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Pultec is the current flavor but I have no firsthand experience. The SM has its place in a marginal PA when used judiciously . I had an Aphex 104 rack mount (Xciter) but, other than the bass boost, I was unable to discern much of a difference when engaged.

Riis

 

[KevInDaBassment]

As was mentioned prior, the option of HPF and Compressor shouldn't be ruled out. Pair those with a graphic EQ and I'd wager with a little time you can get the same effect, plus much more tweakability if you so choose.

 

[logdrum]

There are actually 2 Pultec , the one being discussed and probably what is used for the Pultec Trick i the EQP-1A
The mid range one is the MEQ-5 , which is the midrange equalizer

I do not have hands on experience with the real deal. I may have worked in a studio with one but I was ignorant way back in the early 90's,

I have a Lindell Audio equivalent of both in 500 series format. I think they do have transformers but good quality opamps are used instead of tubes. I think it is better than the Broughton and still available but it is really a recording studio device but sure I could lug along my lunch box but no I won't. The price without the 500 series enclosure is around 300 but I got mine cheaper during COVID. The MID-500 is discontinued and currently because I only have a small enclosure, I do not use it as I do not have space. My signal change is usually mic pre-amp ( from DI or use the Hi-Z input if the preamp has one ) into the EQP-1 clone,

Source Audio makes the ZIO bass DI with a Pultec Switch -- which is their take on the most common curve used for electric bass. I A/B'ed it against common presets for bass in Logic and paid Lindell and Universal Audio plugins and it's a bit too much in the high end for me but works good in live situations. They also have the original ZIO and I like the Studio Mode which is also a Pultec Trick. It is different from the GK contour or the Ampeg Ultra Low

So if you are needing an EQ similar to the Sadowsky approach of only having Bass and Treble, a variable HPF, transformer type grit and a curated Pultec Switch plus a DI, I would recommend the Source Audio ZIO Bass DI.

The are not easy to use and you easily mess up/ The concept of boosting and attenuating at the same time takes a while to grasp. How I learned to use the Lindell Pultec Clone is I just look at the presets in the plugins. Honestly they are good enough. You can also introduce weird interactions if you have an active bass.

WARM Audio also makes a 500 series and may even a pedal version for live use or pedal format as they do the compressor. If you get a pedal or lug around a rack or 500 series version, be prepared for frustration and make sure you tell FOH and work with them

It's been a while since I used the BBE Maximizer. I do not like them. Sounds like a car stereo bass boost

 

[bassbrad]

Sonic Maximizers/Exciters are interesting but I prefer not to use them on bass or other instruments saving it instead for vocals or other acoustic voices that might otherwise be lost in a mix.

The "Pultec trick" really works on bass but it is a very specific sound that may or may not work in context. Many players are using more than one preamp/EQ in their signal chains that are in essence doing much the same thing but offer a broader range of possibilities. I've tried a coouple of the available boxes and was most impressed by the Source Audio Zio Bass Preamp overall.

 

[Wasnex]

My experience is with the BBE 383 preamp. I think it cost me $79 new around 1990. So not exactly a high-end piece of gear.

IME it's likely that the unprocessed signal passing through the BBE will be degraded. Engaging the processor does make the sound better, but it's not necessarily better than taking the unit completely out of the signal path. I believe results can vary somewhat depending on which processor or preamp you have, but it's widely reported to be true with several models of BBE gear.

 

[vvvmmm]

I don't have a Pultec, but love the 1.3 Q standard whenever I can apply it, as well as that cut/boost thing.

I have the Sonic Maximizer in pedal and rack.

They are fun as an effect, and the rack may be somewhat more usable inna low-end PA set-up, but I would not use any "always on", and frankly no longer use it at all.

I also have the Xciter pedal, fun as an effect and can sound very cool in the right setting, but I would not use it even onna board without a specific song or two in mind (or mebbe inna reggae band?) and again not as full time, altho' I like it better on bass than the other, which was better on guitars, or even a mix.

And I have the Exciter rackmount, same opinion.

(I'll note I bought the rackmounts in my cassette multi-track days and they were sometimes useful to brighten a mix (in the days when I would sometimes record w/ Dolby engaged but mix with it off) - the bottom was almost always too much for that. They are now boxed in the garage.)

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Zerofive Audio and Broughton Lowtec I use both are great at what they do. Zerofive is simpler to use Lowtec is more versatile. Never tried the others mentioned. But I recommend both Zerofive and Broughton offerings neither is an always on option for me but both maintain a spot on my pedalboards.

 

[pbass2]

The "Pultec trick" really works on bass but it is a very specific sound that may or may not work in context.

I use the Pultec emulation in Logic all the time on bass, kick, full kit, etc even on some full mixes. Have used the hardware unit in the studio as well during mixing. But for live use....I wouldn't want it as part of a bass rig. Too easy to eff up your tone you're sending FOH, tying their hands. I'll leave that kind of EQ to the guy/gal out front.

 

[thumbslapper]

Zerofive Audio and Broughton Lowtec I use both are great at what they do. Zerofive is simpler to use Lowtec is more versatile. Never tried the others mentioned. But I recommend both Zerofive and Broughton offerings neither is an always on option for me but both maintain a spot on my pedalboards.

+1 with what Maxi said here - I have both as well and they both sound great - they are really good at restoring low end after going thru a bunch of pedals. Both are on pedalboards I'm using and are on all the time. The broughton's 5k treble cut is def more useful then it sounds ("what bass freq are up at 5k?").