BBE Sonic Maximizer---With or Without

[jackstrat]

There is some controversy regarding the merits of the BBE Sonic Maximizer. I have been playing around with the VST plug-in version, and like the clarity it adds.

I recorded a clip and then ran it through the BBE Max:

BBE Sonic 1: Employed on both tracks (stereo)
BBE Sonic 2: Employed on one of the tracks
BBE Sonic 3: Same track, no BBE

Music page of Jack Loganbill - MP3 music page on SoundClick

JackStrat

[RoyJeeBiv]

while it adds clarity, it really makes the noise floor stand out...i dunno, there's a definite difference, but it seems you could get the same result with compression and EQ.

maybe it's just me. it's a good shortcut, i guess...i'm just not into it.

but awesome playing, man.

[Necromancer]

Funny because I assumed that the tracks were listed from top down with 1 at the top (I read the descriptions from your post).
And I really like the 1st one listed on the page (which happens to be BBE-Sonic-03) - which is the one without the Sonic Maximizer even though I at first thought it had the treatment.

[sparqee]

I agrees with Necromancer. On this particular track the BBE is just too much. If there was a drum track with bright cymbals & you wanted the guitar to cut through then the BBE might be just the thing. I also agree with RoyJeeBiv in that I usually reach for EQ & compression before I do a BBE but there have been times that I want a harp track to cut a bit and BBE is just the thing (a single plug with minimal tweaking required).

By the way, I really enjoyed your track. Just the sort of thing to start a nice Sunday morning.

- Sparqee

[Vulconizer]

I definitely like the playing. Some excellent chord choices and execution throughout.

The guitar was well recorded with a very nice articulation and clarity, I thought.

As far as the main point: I'd say that's an each to his own kind of thing. The BBE may have uses in certain cases and may have times when it's not the best choice. Just from listening to one track, I'd be hard pressed to say what any of those cases would be either way.

[drago]

There are definitely advantages to both the unaffected track and the maximized track. Maybe the best way to go would be to use the maximizer but then try and smooth it out a bit with other plugins.