BBE Sonic Maximizer blows my ears off... no, literally!
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- KVRAF
- 19156 posts since 13 Feb, 2003 from Vancouver, Canada
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- KVRAF
- 14740 posts since 19 Oct, 2003 from Berlin, Germany
I'd also say it's not a good idea to always use it. It depends on the material. Th ebetter you mix, the less you need an exciting tool, unless you use it for a certain effect (bass enhancing, then again here the Elogoxa Baxxpander is a nice deal, too).
Other tools that you can look into:
Crysonic nXtacy (pure exciter module), Crysonic SpecraQ (the big EQ uses the nXtacy "module" in individual bands), Voxengo HarmoniEQ.
I won't tone down the BBE, it was used on a lot of tracks back in the day. But you have to admit it that in the VST world, it's just outdated and too harsh. So I say that I'm glad that there're alternatives that won't cost you a fortune.
Other tools that you can look into:
Crysonic nXtacy (pure exciter module), Crysonic SpecraQ (the big EQ uses the nXtacy "module" in individual bands), Voxengo HarmoniEQ.
I won't tone down the BBE, it was used on a lot of tracks back in the day. But you have to admit it that in the VST world, it's just outdated and too harsh. So I say that I'm glad that there're alternatives that won't cost you a fortune.
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- KVRAF
- 19156 posts since 13 Feb, 2003 from Vancouver, Canada
Yeah, BBE should really update that plugin, if they ever want to sell more. The installation is a real PITA too.Compyfox wrote:I'd also say it's not a good idea to always use it. It depends on the material. Th ebetter you mix, the less you need an exciting tool, unless you use it for a certain effect (bass enhancing, then again here the Elogoxa Baxxpander is a nice deal, too).
Other tools that you can look into:
Crysonic nXtacy (pure exciter module), Crysonic SpecraQ (the big EQ uses the nXtacy "module" in individual bands), Voxengo HarmoniEQ.
I won't tone down the BBE, it was used on a lot of tracks back in the day. But you have to admit it that in the VST world, it's just outdated and too harsh. So I say that I'm glad that there're alternatives that won't cost you a fortune.
Funny, I was never impressed with that Elogoxa stuff; I know you really dig them, though. Maybe I'll check them out again.
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- KVRist
- 157 posts since 23 Dec, 2005
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- KVRAF
- 8749 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
Hmmm...yeah, when the plugin first came out, I thought it was pretty damn good. Thought it had nailed the sound, but now I'm not so sure. I was comparing it to memory of how the h/w BBE sounded. I actually unpacked my BBE and fired it up, and I must admit, when I A/Bed them against each other, the plugin did seem fairly harsh compared to the real deal. There was a kind of fluidity missing as well. The plugin is still pretty good...it's one of those FX you either like or don't and I always preferred the BBE method of enhancement to things like SPL Vitalisers and Aphexes. I found Vitalisers extremely harsh... 
Just my preference though.
Somehow I doubt an IR would do it justice. I can't see it injecting any fluidity into it...I can't explain the effect any better than that - it just sounds organic to me through the h/w. Only harsh when you overdo it, but at low levels very pleasing. It might be added circuit noise....I don't know. For sure the h/w BBEs weren't the quietest units ever made, although if you set it up properly they're not too bad. But as with other h/w units...you can never be sure how much distortion and noise is adding to the character.
I got rid of the plugin after getting used to my h/w BBE again. Now of course, I use the Crysonics enhancer, so the BBE is back in the box.
....oh dear...I'm starting to sound like Ttoz.
Flip-flopping around my enhancers.
Just my preference though.Somehow I doubt an IR would do it justice. I can't see it injecting any fluidity into it...I can't explain the effect any better than that - it just sounds organic to me through the h/w. Only harsh when you overdo it, but at low levels very pleasing. It might be added circuit noise....I don't know. For sure the h/w BBEs weren't the quietest units ever made, although if you set it up properly they're not too bad. But as with other h/w units...you can never be sure how much distortion and noise is adding to the character.
I got rid of the plugin after getting used to my h/w BBE again. Now of course, I use the Crysonics enhancer, so the BBE is back in the box.
....oh dear...I'm starting to sound like Ttoz.
Flip-flopping around my enhancers.
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- KVRAF
- 14740 posts since 19 Oct, 2003 from Berlin, Germany
If Spectralive would have a better manual in terms of the modes, a different frequency response (20Hz to 20Khz? Come on! On 44kHz Stereo files?) and if it'd work under Wavelab, maybe I'd use it more.
Then again, I got used to Elogoxa X-Citer and lately the Crysonic CryQ and nXtacy, too. So yeah, I'm pretty much satisfied and only use exciters subtle if ever - depending on my material to engineer of course.
Then again, I got used to Elogoxa X-Citer and lately the Crysonic CryQ and nXtacy, too. So yeah, I'm pretty much satisfied and only use exciters subtle if ever - depending on my material to engineer of course.
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- KVRAF
- 1616 posts since 26 Jun, 2005
Yesbduffy wrote:Is that a good idea? To have an exciter on your master bus at all times?
I have it there but turned off, so it hardly uses any CPU but I can switch it on and see (well..hear) if it does any good or not.
To be honest: I use it always
It gives something nice to highs and makes the bass fuller, so why should I bother?
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- KVRAF
- 14740 posts since 19 Oct, 2003 from Berlin, Germany
An exciter doesn't make you a better engineer - this is why you should bother. Good productions really don't need them.
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- KVRist
- 298 posts since 23 Nov, 2003 from nj
I'm so happy I'm reading this thread, cause I thought I was going crazy or something is wrong with my FLS setup 
That noise is terrible, and I usually get around this by muting my audio output when I load the project with BBE. Hit play and than stop, and wait until this noise goes away before un-muting and starting the editing work. I had this plugin from awhile ago, but rediscovered it again last year after reading Computer Music's Mixing Guide (they used it on every instrument). Than, I noticed they use it in almost every issue in there. I have tried a lot of different freebies, but never felt they stand up to a quality of BBE in terms of adding this ear-friendly brightness which breathes a new fresh live into dull VSTi instruments. I do produce all sorts of dance/house/trance music, so it works well for me. BUT, I never heard of CLAS and happy that people offering it as an alternavite to BBE. Will definitely check it out!!! Also, I would never put it on the master. Maybe if you are mastering your final wav in audio editor for A/B comparison. Otherwise when you are mixing a track, this will give you inaccurate EQ of different parts of the song (lead, bass, strings/pads, etc.) or can add some unnatural harmonics to vocals.
That noise is terrible, and I usually get around this by muting my audio output when I load the project with BBE. Hit play and than stop, and wait until this noise goes away before un-muting and starting the editing work. I had this plugin from awhile ago, but rediscovered it again last year after reading Computer Music's Mixing Guide (they used it on every instrument). Than, I noticed they use it in almost every issue in there. I have tried a lot of different freebies, but never felt they stand up to a quality of BBE in terms of adding this ear-friendly brightness which breathes a new fresh live into dull VSTi instruments. I do produce all sorts of dance/house/trance music, so it works well for me. BUT, I never heard of CLAS and happy that people offering it as an alternavite to BBE. Will definitely check it out!!! Also, I would never put it on the master. Maybe if you are mastering your final wav in audio editor for A/B comparison. Otherwise when you are mixing a track, this will give you inaccurate EQ of different parts of the song (lead, bass, strings/pads, etc.) or can add some unnatural harmonics to vocals.-
- KVRAF
- 19156 posts since 13 Feb, 2003 from Vancouver, Canada
Twister, did you try using the DirectX version instead? It should work fine.
Glad you got some info from this thread. Make sure you check out all the enhancers mentioned here; Crysonic is doing some particularily exciting stuff.
Glad you got some info from this thread. Make sure you check out all the enhancers mentioned here; Crysonic is doing some particularily exciting stuff.
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- KVRAF
- 6478 posts since 16 Dec, 2002
I'm not sure wether it has been pointed out already but.twister wrote:I never heard of CLAS and happy that people offering it as an alternavite to BBE
1) CLAS is a carbon copy of the original BBE process and plugin
2) done by todays quality standards
3) done by a brilliant developer
In every way possible, CLAS is superior to the heavily outdated BBE plugin.
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- KVRAF
- 19156 posts since 13 Feb, 2003 from Vancouver, Canada
I didn't know it was a "carbon copy"! It certainly sounds smoother than the VST/DX, no doubt about it.
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- KVRist
- 298 posts since 23 Nov, 2003 from nj
I don't use DX version cause starting with v5 of FLS, fruity's wrapper messes up any DX pluggins with some grey boxes around it and oversized window. Another pain-in-the-arse 
I demoed Crysonic, but CPU load was enormous (probably due to it being SynthEdit) and some enhancements were not as ear friendly. Lately, due to a baby in the house, I do a lot of mixing with studio headphones (yeah, not the best idea, but I got a hang of it). So, when I use exciters which add extra harmonics to lows/highs, I can not monitor correctly all the unwanted frequencies to remove them with parametric EQ. I found that after BBE I never had to do any additional Eq smoothing. But, who cares now, I'm looking forward to test driving CLAS!!! Thanks again for the pointer!!!
I demoed Crysonic, but CPU load was enormous (probably due to it being SynthEdit) and some enhancements were not as ear friendly. Lately, due to a baby in the house, I do a lot of mixing with studio headphones (yeah, not the best idea, but I got a hang of it). So, when I use exciters which add extra harmonics to lows/highs, I can not monitor correctly all the unwanted frequencies to remove them with parametric EQ. I found that after BBE I never had to do any additional Eq smoothing. But, who cares now, I'm looking forward to test driving CLAS!!! Thanks again for the pointer!!!-
- KVRAF
- 19156 posts since 13 Feb, 2003 from Vancouver, Canada
Ah, I see. I thought FLS was DX-friendly, no?twister wrote:I don't use DX version cause starting with v5 of FLS, fruity's wrapper messes up any DX pluggins with some grey boxes around it and oversized window. Another pain-in-the-arse
I have to use headphones primarily at work, so I know your pain. Anyway, I think you'll be very pleased with CLAS; it's just insert and go! Sounds nice every time.