View source for Gear Myths and Pitfalls

== Is The BBE Sonic Maximizer Simply a Bass and/or Treble Boost? ==
The BBE ''Sonic Maximizer'' is a highly controversial piece of gear that always seems to make its way into guitar discussions.  It features only two variable controls, one of which boosts low frequencies ("Low Countour") and one that boosts highs ("Process"), and an on/off switch ("BBE Process").  It is often assumed that with the variable parameters set fully counter-clockwise, the unit is not doing anything - thus, it is no different from cutting midrange and boosting volume.  Since midrange is the most important part of a guitar signal, the devices have been referred to as nothing more than "tone sucks" that cause your guitar to get "buried" (inaudible) in a mix.

BBE on the other hand claims the unit is compensating the signal for phase misalignment and timing delays between frequencies that is inherent in the nature of speakers.  See their own description of their product:

{{quote|Loudspeakers have difficulty working with the electronic signals supplied by an amplifier. These difficulties cause such major phase and amplitude distortion that the sound reproduced by a speaker differs significantly from the sound produced by the original source.

In the past, these problems proved unsolvable and were thus delegated to a position of secondary importance in audio system design. However, phase and amplitude integrity is essential to accurate sound reproduction. Research shows that the information which the listener translates into the recognizable characteristics of a live performance are intimately tied into complex time and amplitude relationships between the fundamental and harmonic components of a given musical note or sound. These relationships define a sound’s “sound”.

When these complex relationships pass through a speaker, the proper order is lost. The higher frequencies are delayed. A lower frequency may reach the listener’s ear first or perhaps simultaneously with that of a higher frequency. In some cases, the fundamental components may be so time-shifted that they reach the listener’s ear ahead of some or all of the harmonic components.

This change in the phase and amplitude relationship on the harmonic and fundamental frequencies is technically called “envelope distortion.” The listener perceives this loss of sound integrity in the reproduced sound as “muddy” and “smeared.” In the extreme, it can become difficult to tell the difference between musical instruments, for example, an oboe and a clarinet.|[http://www.bbesound.com/products/manuals/882i_manual_rev4.pdf BBE 882i Reference Manual]}}

However, BBE fails to go into detail on what exactly the product does to fix this outside of generalizations such as their description of the problem above, and what to expect when using the products.  Many perceive no difference in tone unless dialing up the low contour and process controls, which reduce relative midrange frequencies and make guitars more difficult to hear in a mix.  So what's actually going on? [http://jvmforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6146 Here is an excellent analysis of the ''Sonic Maximizer's'' circuit on jvmforum.com.]

''Essentially, BBE's claims about what their device does are true''.  There is phase shifting that varies on frequency from 20 - 20,000 hZ and group delay that gets progressively larger - ~2.4 ms at 40 hZ to ~0.4 ms at 400 hZ.  These are fixed values - they are not changed by the variable low contour or process controls, and they are no dynamically reactive to the nature of the input signal.  ''However, I have yet to read a single post or find a single audio clip where any of this makes a perceivable difference to the listener.''  The only audible changes that are noticed are when the unit has "low contour" or "process" set off of 0 (fully counter-clockwise).  And in that case it is simple EQ - and one that is always increasing the volume of bass and treble, making the tone sound more "hi-fi" or modern, which is usually unnecessary or detrimental to a guitar tone.

'''Bottom line: A BBE ''Sonic Maxmimizer'' is likely no more influential to your guitar tone than a simple EQ with bass and treble controls.  While BBE's claims about what its product is doing are true, they are impercievable, at least for guitar applications.'''

Furthermore, the ''Sonic Maximizer'' is not the only device that performs similar phase shifting or group delay.  Thus, it may be "overcompensating" or "undercompensating"; and there is no way to adjust this.  Even if there was, you would have to analyze every piece of your signal chain to know the "correct" value; and BBE would have to provide the technical details of how their product works for you to dial it in.  It seems they are instead content to keep the device shrouded in mystique and hype, perhaps hoping to fool gullible customers who don't take the time to really test their claims into believing they are improving their tone.

I have personally owned the ''Sonic Stomp'' pedal, and I found it to be useless for guitar applications.  For reference, the Low Contour control's EQ is centered around 50 hZ and the Process's around 5 khZ.

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