The BBE SONIC MAXIMIZER, do you use it?

I've never used the plugin, but I used to have the outboard box and I really loved it. I'd be interested to know how the plugin stands up. I only used it on drums, with a little on synth *sometimes*, but I found it had a way of tightening up the drum kit if it was used sparingly. I've been wanting to get that functionality back without having to use any outboard gear.

I use it sparingly, but always, on the master bus of my tracks

Have the hardware box for live work, but to be applied very sparingly if at all.

For plugins, the new kid on the block for enhancement is Crysonic SpectraLive.

Edit: Added link

Sorry guys, but this plug-in is number one on my list of "Software I Wish I'd Never Bought". It almost invariably sounmds harsh and abrasive to my ears, no matter what I do. I think I've actually used it twice in maybe 3 or 4 years.

I have a Peavey Kosmos in my Studio that can add some very tight punch if applied correctly but I've also wondered about the plugin & how it works... Judging by Geoff's response, I'd not likely try it but the Kosmos is very cool when working in a live situation. Wildman

ORIGINAL: b3gsus@msn.com
I have a Peavey Kosmos in my Studio that can add some very tight punch if applied correctly but I've also wondered about the plugin & how it works... Judging by Geoff's response, I'd not likely try it but the Kosmos is very cool when working in a live situation. Wildman

Nick .. on reflection I think I should expand on my earlier grumpy and somewhat dismissive comments. 95% of what I record is acoustic music - country, blues, bluegrass, folk, etc. That's what I specialise in. For this niche, I have never found a real use for Sonic Maxiniser. For other things, it might be the ant's pants .....

Best
Geoff

Patrick:

I've owned both the hardware and software, and like other posters, generally use it only on the main mix with sometimes two exceptions: (1) Electric guitars and hardware synths (haven't played much with the software synths yet!). I find, particularly with electric distorted guitars, that BBE can really make those tracks shine. With synths it can add some needed liveliness. Of course, it depends on what frequencies you have available in the overall mix; make sure you're not stepping on the frequency(ies) of other key instruments.

Hope that helps.

I've recently had a piano player insist I tell him how I got the killer piano sound... I'll never tell...judicious use of any plugin is the name of the game, and yes a little pricey. It doesn't synthesise highs however, it provides envelope correction. Thank goodness for the Lo Contour.

imo bbe is like a microscope for audio. it just makes everything clearer - gives the instruments more separation, makes the quiet sounds less obscured by the loud sounds.

i have heard of 2 golden rules for bbe -

1. only one stage of bbe is allowed (cant bbe anythings thats allready bbe'd)
2. if you have it on the output buss, then dont turn the treble boost above 3:)


m

The BBE does wonderful things to the low frequencies; very useful for mastering in that regard. The high frequencies can get harsh quickly, so I tend to either shut them off or use *very* small amounts of high frequency processing.

Rallen, Cryosonic works pretty well but as always it's how you apply it which is the same using the BBE or the Kosmos I have... JMHO Wildman

That Crysonic plug looks cool.

Sorry guys, but this plug-in is number one on my list of "Software I Wish I'd Never Bought

Me too. Somebody wants it?. Mine is for sale.

bbe is one of the most used and popular exciters of all time, more used than any other i'm sure. Bbe has been used on countless pro commercial artists tracks that we all come to love from rock to pop.Many may not know it was on them tracks but i assure you it helped bring them out. You just have to know how to use it, i agree it is'nt the greatest plugin i've heard but it has a fattening ability unlike no other plugin i've heard. Check out the extremely long list of artists who have used it. http://www.bbesound.com/users/index.asp It is a powerful effect when used right, all these big named stars did not use it for nothing. I earlier refered to bbe as an exciter but actualy it is not, and bbe does not add anything to your audio when processing it.

Sorry guys, but this plug-in is number one on my list of "Software I Wish I'd Never Bought". It almost invariably sounmds harsh and abrasive to my ears, no matter what I do. I think I've actually used it twice in maybe 3 or 4 years.

A former bandmate always insisted on using a hardware BBE (462, IIRC) in his signal chain. I hated that thing. The proverbial "suck knob". Maybe it was just pilot error, but it always added noise, made things a tad harsh, and had little other perceptible effect.

A software plugin version I might like better, actually, since I have to imagine the pink noise "feature" would not have been carried through?

I believe that this is the SOS article for anyone who is interested:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/may97/exciters.html