BBE Sonic Maximizer: Still the best exciter?

[chagzuki]

The only experience I have with the BBE is the plugin version, and in that version phase correction appears to be inextricable from imparting a loudness EQ curve, and that's the only problem I have. If it didn't f**k the spectral balance of material then I'd be interested.

[deaf dunderkwac]

For those of you who hate to use 'gimmicks'... here, have a nice clean sine wave....

now don't screw it up!

[Frippertronix]

I very rarely use EQs when I'm recording or mixing, and I NEVER use them when mastering.

A BBE's the first step in my mastering chain. Not much at all- just a very gentle tweak.

ew

You need .

.. but hey, if this works for you then good for you!

- bManic

Why? Have you heard his masters? I've heard of mastering engineers who only swap tube brands out of tube preamps to change the tonal character of recordings as they master. EQ isn't even supposed to be necessary if you have good enough mics/mic'ing technique, and enough control over your recording environment. For all you know, ew is a better engineer then you. I think you're jumping to conclusions.

Like I said, if it works for him then all is fine but don't expect fixing somebodys mediocre mix by not touching EQ at all. Ask any mastering enginer what is the most important tool and they'll most likely say EQ.

Enhancer and eq are NOT the same thing and should be used accordingly. One does not replace the other.

- bManic

Does he mix for others or just his own material, though. I don't know him well enough to know.

His comment about never using EQ suggested to me that he has a lot of control over the actual recording process. If that's not the case, then I would agree that refusing to use EQ would present some serious challenges in a lot of cases. I'm not sure how he (or she) would overcome those.

I personally don't like exciters, but does BBE excite the high frequencies or just amplify them like an EQ in addition to the phase correction?

[Frippertronix]

I understand all the reservations about enhancers/exciters or whatever kind of "er" word you prefer, but let's not forget that the core of BBE is just the purpose of correcting high/low phase problems presented by dynamic loudspeakers. What can be so bad about that?

[BobYordan]

Hi

I have a BBE Sonic Maximizer 822 (hardware), it is very cool. When I heard the BBE plug the first time I was a bit surprised, because I though that it was something more like the Aphex aural exiter, that I worked a lot with in a recording studio back in the 80:s. But the plug is rather cool for a exiter plug. Even though you have to tweak it very moderate
or you might spoil the whole sound image. I am not so found of the low frequency part of it, though.

My vote is on Spectralive2 when it comes to exiter plugs. It is the best exiter plug released so far,
IMHO. But it should also be tweaked rather defensivly.

Cheers Bob

[bmanic]

I understand all the reservations about enhancers/exciters or whatever kind of "er" word you prefer, but let's not forget that the core of BBE is just the purpose of correcting high/low phase problems presented by dynamic loudspeakers. What can be so bad about that?

Well, to my ears, no matter what they do, it doesn't sound very good. I always ended taking the unit off my mix in the end, always. Who knows, maybe I just suck at using it.

Cheers!
bManic

[Kingston]

I understand all the reservations about enhancers/exciters or whatever kind of "er" word you prefer, but let's not forget that the core of BBE is just the purpose of correcting high/low phase problems presented by dynamic loudspeakers. What can be so bad about that?

...that it's marketing bullshit that also gives away their process. You can knock yer own BBE "enhancer" even in something like SE...

Basically it delays portions of the signal using crossovers and allpass filters. It's a somewhat unusual network off allpassfilters, crossovers and summing. And it sounds like crap and can be extremely fatiquing.

If you need a truly modern version of playing with the phase of the signal, and something that actually sounds *good*, there's voxengo Marquis. Even if the unit is run with the wet/dry knob set "dry", it enhances things. It's more subtle, but it's also something that isn't fatiquing and works anywhere.

[The Chase]

Use what works for you, and get over it if something that someone else uses doesn't. End of arguement.

[Kingston]

There's tube vitaliser by SPL, don't know if it's available anymore. That thing I wouldn't mind using on mixes. It was like aphex exciter on steroids with non-fatiquing sound.

..plus it was painted gold.

[The Chase]

rketing bullshit that also gives away their process. You can knock yer own BBE "enhancer" even in something like SE

Whip it out

[Kingston]

rketing bullshit that also gives away their process. You can knock yer own BBE "enhancer" even in something like SE

Whip it out

bleh. didn't I just say the sound sucks?

[The Chase]

rketing bullshit that also gives away their process. You can knock yer own BBE "enhancer" even in something like SE

Whip it out

bleh. didn't I just say the sound sucks?

the sound of SE or the BBE?

[Kingston]

The sound of the BBE plugin, or the prospective improved remake. It's a problem with the technology, not with the implementation. Google it up if you need the specs.

[Frippertronix]

So this sucking applies to the h/w unit or no?

I don't like the plugin either but they don't sound remotely similar to me.

[bduffy]

This thread is destined for at least 40 pages.

I've asked some pros for their feedback on exciter/enhancers. Nothing yet, curious to see what they say. Someone must like using these expensive things, cos they sure aren't selling them to the just-got-my-first-DAW crowd.