BBE Sonic Maximizer 482i

BBE claims that the sonic maximizer will "replace lost mids in your signal that get lost in speaker to ear discourse" or something like that. Honestly, I remember reading the literature a while back and coming to the conclusion that BBE's advertising for this product was overly wordy and geared toward people who weren't smart enough to figure out what they meant anyway. BBE's mumbo jumbo aside, in layman's terms this is a compressor/eq basically. Don't be fooled. This isn't some kind of rocket science at work here.



UTILIZATION

Look at the front panel. That controls are simple. You can use this on guitar, bass, or in a live/studio mix. It doesn't matter. BBE basically designed it to improve the tone of anything. It's not hard to setup. Just follow BBE's instructions and turn the knobs till it sounds good.

SOUND QUALITY

Here's where I think this unit falls flat. A lot of people swear by this thing. I know a few guitarists and bassists that say it just makes them sound better. I used one of these on guitar years ago. If you aren't playing live, it does make you sound better. But when you start playing with a band, the BBE tends to suck your mids in a way that removes you from the mix. This is true especially when you turn the knobs higher. I found the BBE to be like an addictive drug. You can stick it on an instrument and turn the knob up and perceive it to sound better the higher the knob goes. In reality, the higher it goes the less you get heard in the mix.

The bottom line is, the BBE is really a fancy compressor/eq unit. In moderation, it can add some punch to certain things. But once you go overboard with it, you run a huge risk of being totally lost in a mix.

OVERALL OPINION

Considering what the sonic maximizer really is, I can't give it high ratings for value. It would probably be a better idea to spend your money on a good compressor instead. At least it wouldn't be pretending to be anything it's not. The BBE is advertised as magic. Maybe that's because it magically makes you dissapear from the mix. It may seem like I'm knocking it. I'm not. It's still usable. I just think a lot of people misuse them.

The effects are very simple: it manages the bass and treble 2 channels with 2 knobs on each channel, and a button to activate the process or not.
The 482i version is symmetrical XLR version.


USE

Setup could not be simpler. He can be a bit of noise ..... which is smothered by diffusion.

SOUND QUALITY

In my case, I used to "improve" a system triphonic Powerworks powo. (Behind a DJM 400 and a Soundcraft EFX 8)

This system of PA 600 wa too garish acute (piezo) and low lgres a bit.

Well pressing the "magic" button I find a second life my powo!

I rgle the knobs of bass for about 14h: the bass is deeper and wider.
For acute, I rgle the processing about 11 am: satellites are more-operating, plsu "crystalline" and less aggressive.

In short, the sound gains in clarity.


NOTICE GLOBAL

Used for about 3, 4 evenings with great satisfaction.
I want to change my sound system for FHR and I hate to see what it gives with better quality speakers.
This also gave me the urge to acqurir EQ types DBX 1231 even worked my sound.
When we start putting fingers in it ....

Enhancer 2 channel, 1U. Few pronfond (15/17 cm)
Inputs and outputs: RCA and 6.35
Knob by two channels: lo contour and process (bass and treble in fact!)
Red and chrome, it is the most beautiful effect in the rack

Here are his presentation more "technical" jack on the net:

The Sonic Maximizer 482i improves brilliance and clarity of the sound by eliminating the deficiencies of reproduction loudspeakers in two stages: it adjusts the phase relationships between frequencies, midrange and bass by adding a progressively longer delay time in the low to neutralize the effect of phase distortion from the speakers. Then it increases the bass and treble extremes where the speakers are less efficient.

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use, the manual is not necessary ...

SOUND QUALITY

Unquestionably efficient!
I use it between my and my JMP1 Velocity 120 ... that's great! One channel baffle (I have two 2x12).
The bass is more present and the sound is "bigger", more accurate ...
I mostly use it in distortion.
In a little less clean, even if the rendering is good.
on the other hand, do not abuse it, that's all! Especially since the pots are relatively accurate.

OVERALL OPINION

I have 2 years, and certainly for a while yet!
I have tried that on my config mentioned above!
It's too bad we can not engage in the foot ... but hey, as I only use it at home, I quibble about nothing!

Almost 200 euros new, it is perhaps not cheap! But the sound is there.
It remains the Cygnus anyway ...