Makes amplified acoustic instruments sound more natural.
3-band recording-console-quality EQ with sweepable mid and low frequency notch filter. Phase reversal, ground lift, line level out, dedicated tuner out, TRS effects loop, and even a pre/post switchable DI output with pad make this a true studio-quality device that shines onstage. Hardwire bypass, non-slip rubber bottom, included 12V power supply.
The BBE Process-"What it Is"
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 the speaker differs significantly from the sound produced by the original source.
In the past, these problems proved unsolvable and were thus relegated 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.
BBE Sound, Inc. conducted extensive studies of numerous speaker systems over a ten year period. With this knowledge, it became possible to identify the characteristics of an ideal speaker and to distill the corrections necessary to return the fundamental and harmonic frequency structures to their correct order. While there are differences among various speaker designs in the magnitude of their correction, the overall pattern of correction needed is remarkably consistent.
The BBE Process is so unique that 42 patents have been awarded by the U.S. Patent Office.
BBE Acoustimax Sonic Maximizer/Preamp Pedal Features:
3-band EQ with sweepable mid LF notch filter
Phase reversal
Ground lift
Line level out
Dedicated tuner out
TRS effects loop
Pre/post switchable DI output with pad
Hardwire bypass
Non-slip rubber bottom
12V power supply
This thing will make more difference in your sound than you can possibly imagine. Order today and be amazed.
BBE Acoustimax Sonic Maximizer/Preamp Pedal Specifications:
Just wanted to add my praise for this little box of magic!
Not only is the EQ excellent, but the frequency adjustability and the notch/cut filter is pure MAGIC for my sound.
I'm running it through my Parker PM20-pro and Vox AD30VT amp and it cleans up the sound like nothing else can. Once you figure out how to use it, it will do your sound wonderrrrs!!!
It does take some tweaking to figure out how it affects your sound, but you really can use it to clean up a lot of muddiness and boominess. Unfortunately I JUST figured it out after 2 years - but it was because I didn't bother trying until now!
Only other gripe is the wimpy AC adapter cable.
Besides that, this thing is Gold, no regrets in purchasing for me!
Overall
Quality
Features
Value
Really good with a full band
Posted by Jason Lester from Amarillo, TX on Jan 9, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Worship leader/Professor
Reviewer's Play Style: Alternative, Folk, Acoustic
This is a great sounding preamp for my acoustic guitar, and it has a nice solid build. Our worship group that I lead consists of drums, B3, electric, bass, keys; and the sonic maximizer really helps my guitar cut through the mix without sounding too harsh or changing my guitars tone. It is not a super smooth sound by any means, and the attack can get too strong if you use to much of the process, but it has proved very valuable for live perfomances. I run my acoustic through the BBE to a CE-20 chours and then to an ART tube mp studio preamp, and I could not be happier with my setup. I highly recommmend any acoustic guitar playing through the BBE Acoustimax.
Overall
Quality
Features
Value
What die hard acoustic players have been waiting 4
Posted by Anonymous Musician on Jan 10, 2007
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Professional
Reviewer's Play Style: N/A
If you've been looking for a processor that will give you back all that a solid state P.A. amp has been stealing from you over the years, then this is it. The only thing that BBE could have done to make it more complete would be to include some digital reverb and delay.
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Quality
Features
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Thank you BBE
Posted by TheCrux from OK on Jul 1, 2006
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Professional
Reviewer's Play Style: Contemporary Worship
This EQ/Preamp/Sonic Maximizer/DI is just what he PA Doc ordered. This unit is quiet and the Sonic Maximizer really cleans up you sound. The EQ dials in great tone and the mute with tuner out is very handy. If BBE would have added reverb and delay features this would be the complete acoustic pedal.
Overall
Quality
Features
Value
close, but not quite
Posted by dave from Minneapolis, MN on Mar 14, 2006
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: active musician
Reviewer's Play Style: mine
The features on this thing are terrific... a mute switch (yay!), phase switch, notch filter, XLR and low-level out, and of course the BBE effect. BUT. The thing is completely dependent on its 12v wall-wart! If BBE made it operate from phantom power, batteries, or standard 9vdc, it'd be a lot handier. I hate my sound depending on the reliability not of the pedal, but of the cheap wall-wart that operates it. As a smaller criticism, it's too big to fit into a guitar case - heck, it even eats a lot of pedalboard space.
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