BBE Sonic Maximizer
BBE Sonic Maximizer
If people say they cant hear a difference, then they really probably never tried one... i had people tell me way back in the day you wouldnt notice the difference until after playing with it for an hour, then turning it off. So i got one cheap, played with it, noticed the difference, then i turned it off after like 5 min i was like "wow, bigger difference than i thought"
for the price, its the best piece of gear i own. i find it more valuable in my tone then pick ups and guitar. with saying that i mean... switching my pick ups, or guitar im using, the different sound i get out of my amp isnt as much as i would get with adding a BBE to my rig. it helps lots, and i fully suggest getting one. especially if you play metal.
I like the Sonic Maximizer. I have the 482i that I use with my Line 6 HD147. It does have varying effects on different amps. Many tube amps can be mid-saturate. I notice, and have heard from users here that the BBE can ignore the mids. On some tube amps this might be a good thing, on my HD147 I didn't like it. I bought a rack mounted EQ to put right before the maximizer and boost the mids a bit with good results. You may be able to achieve something like that normally with an amp, but with Line 6 amps the EQ knobs don't respond like typical EQ knobs.
What I noticed as far as tone improvements with the maximizer is that it seems to focus your tone more. It added a tightness to my low end. I also noticed my cleans sounded nicer. When I would turn the maximizer on and off I would definitely notice a positive change with it on.
If you have a stereo effects loop at all, I would recommend the 482i. The 482i has two channels that you can run independently or in stereo. If you have a stereo effects loop, and two cabinets, you can tweak each cabinet differently and obtain a fuller sound.
I like the Sonic Maximizer. I have the 482i that I use with my Line 6 HD147. It does have varying effects on different amps. Many tube amps can be mid-saturate. I notice, and have heard from users here that the BBE can ignore the mids. On some tube amps this might be a good thing, on my HD147 I didn't like it. I bought a rack mounted EQ to put right before the maximizer and boost the mids a bit with good results. You may be able to achieve something like that normally with an amp, but with Line 6 amps the EQ knobs don't respond like typical EQ knobs.
What I noticed as far as tone improvements with the maximizer is that it seems to focus your tone more. It added a tightness to my low end. I also noticed my cleans sounded nicer. When I would turn the maximizer on and off I would definitely notice a positive change with it on.
If you have a stereo effects loop at all, I would recommend the 482i. The 482i has two channels that you can run independently or in stereo. If you have a stereo effects loop, and two cabinets, you can tweak each cabinet differently and obtain a fuller sound.
Thanks for the advice, TSA! so, when you say that it ignores the mids, does that mean it scoops them out, or it just leaves it the way you set it on your amp? I'm going for the scooped sound anyway, so if that is the case, then all the better.
I like the combo of both, the Maximizer does things that that EQ doesn't.