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Sonic Maximizer
- Thread starter xCOFFMANx
- Start date
they are awesome, but its something you really have to try for yourself before you can really decide if its for you.
They're really good for that genre, I got a 482 sonic maximizer used on ebay for 80 bucks! They'll keep your downtuned/low b really boomy and defined.
I have the B-max too, and its noticeable what it does.
It makes everything sound clearer and more natural, and adds some bass too if you want it.
It makes everything sound clearer and more natural, and adds some bass too if you want it.
I do not claim to know anything more than I had read about it on here...but...
There was a massive thread on it, where the OP said it really was a marketing gimmick and the terms that they used were BS and such, stating that all it essentially is, to be honest, is an automatic EQ button or an overglorified presence knob.
I will say that it's worth putting in some time to learning the science of EQ'ing your RBI or Mesa to get the kind of sound you need for different places, because 95% of the time your rig will sound totally different depending on the place you play at....even if your EQ settings are dead-on identical.
I will look for that thread I talked about before, because it got pretty technical and I don't think I could accurately summarize it, but it was pretty intense lol.
There was a massive thread on it, where the OP said it really was a marketing gimmick and the terms that they used were BS and such, stating that all it essentially is, to be honest, is an automatic EQ button or an overglorified presence knob.
I will say that it's worth putting in some time to learning the science of EQ'ing your RBI or Mesa to get the kind of sound you need for different places, because 95% of the time your rig will sound totally different depending on the place you play at....even if your EQ settings are dead-on identical.
I will look for that thread I talked about before, because it got pretty technical and I don't think I could accurately summarize it, but it was pretty intense lol.
I'm sorry, I cannot find it for the life of me...it's hard to miss when searching (it had like 4238743510 replies) but I couldn't find it. I do remember the argument being about how the sonic maximizer "delays specific frequencies" so that they don't mud up your sound and how that is debatable but other than that, I can tell you no more. I'm sorry if this conflicted with your decision, but with an RBI I wouldn't think you'd have clarity issues.
But yeah, here comes the same advice everyone gives people...go try one out yourself. I'd recommend looking for a buddy that has one (or convince one to buy one! lol) and try it at a few gigs or practice sessions and see if notice a difference. I would look into some sound engineer tips on EQ-shaping though, it can really affect your presence with a band and how you sound at a gig quite a bit...I noticed all the difference in the world when my band actually got a GOOD sound guy that we brought with us to shows.
I've also heard lots of people saying the Sonic Stomp wasn't good. and I say get the regular rack version.
I have used a SM, and I have its rival (the Bass Exciter) and I find that you have to be pretty careful with the amount of "Maximizing" to your tone, it is very easy to over do it and get a super scooped tone.
IMO the Bass Exciter seems like a more tweakable version of the Sonic Maximizer allowing you to select which frequencies you want to enhance.
IMO the Bass Exciter seems like a more tweakable version of the Sonic Maximizer allowing you to select which frequencies you want to enhance.
They sound great the first time you use em. Such a massive change, all at the mercy of two knobs.
Mine crapped out on me quite some time after I got it and was in awe with it, so I bypassed it. After hearing my rig without it in it's chain, I'll never use one again! Just as when you over eq anything, you lose SO much!
Mine crapped out on me quite some time after I got it and was in awe with it, so I bypassed it. After hearing my rig without it in it's chain, I'll never use one again! Just as when you over eq anything, you lose SO much!
I really hope it is for me because I just got a sonic stomp on ebay without having tried one first. Killer price though, 52.99!
I use one and was amazed at the heavier sound I got with it on vs off. As advise though, try one out first bla bla bla bla.....
I got mine for $50 +tax from GC. It is no longer on my board. My biggest gripe; and the usual argument against it on these boards, is the mid scoop it seems to have. With the preamp and amp I'm running it is really not that necessary in my rig.
I will say that it should take a mediocre rig and make it sound better; same with the Aphex.
PS here is a good thread about The BBE.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491224
I was using the BBE pedal for a while to clear up my tone a bit. It helped me cut through when my drummer was just about overpowering my rig. It reminds me of the loudness switch on some older stereos. I don't use it anymore and I've changed my approach to EQing my rig. I can't say whether it is or is not "just a mid scoop" but I suspect that a nearly identical effect can be achieved with a good eq.
No, there are some differences.
They serve the same function though, I think the Bass Xciter is a better pedal (quality is a little iffy though thanks to the pcb mounted plastic jacks) as you can control what frequency you want to manipulate.
The key to the whole thing is using the manipulation at conservative levels, too much low end manupulation gets too boomy and can clip the amp easily. Too much high end manipulation can get too clanky and also clip the amp, too much of both makes a big scoopy sound.
I wouldnt use the lo-end process too much as it can make you bass sound too overpowering (just boom).
Personally, I would get an Aphex 204 unit. The Sonic Maximizers and Aural Exciters do similar things, but you get way, way more control with the Aphex than you do with the BBE. I spent a good hour or so just messing around with my Aphex yesterday - the Big Bottom circuit can get ridiculously overwhelming, but the aural exciter part of it sounded great with a fuzz pedal. I wanted more of a trebly crunch a la John Entwistle, and it's helping me get that much closer.
Since you do have one on your way, make sure you know how to use it.
First off, if you run it into your RBI/Mesa rig, you probably won't notice much of a difference. You need to put it as late in your signal chain as possible, so if you can velcro it into your rack and put it in your effects loop, that would be best. When you have it running after drive, you'll notice a lot more grit and bite.
Also, as the other guys have mentioned, the key with the SM is a light touch with the knobs. Noon is not flat; all the way down is. You probably aren't going to want to have either of the knobs up past about 11:00, or your tone will start to get really artificial and overly scooped sounding.
First off, if you run it into your RBI/Mesa rig, you probably won't notice much of a difference. You need to put it as late in your signal chain as possible, so if you can velcro it into your rack and put it in your effects loop, that would be best. When you have it running after drive, you'll notice a lot more grit and bite.
Also, as the other guys have mentioned, the key with the SM is a light touch with the knobs. Noon is not flat; all the way down is. You probably aren't going to want to have either of the knobs up past about 11:00, or your tone will start to get really artificial and overly scooped sounding.
