BBE 462 Sonic Maximizer

SIMPLE. 2 knobs.

DEAR LORD this is the greatest peice of equipment i have ever used. i JUST got it 10 minutes ago, and have been using it for only a mere 5 minutes, but felt it was so amazing i had to submit a review asap. this thing rules. What it does is taken your sound, and make it 9843094598432754387 times better. takes a slugy horrible sounding distortion, and make it sound heavenly, crisp, clear. defines every note.

had it for 5 minutes. ive heard it is VERy reliable though. probably should get a rack for it, since i dont have one yet.

dont know

i play punk rock. but i like a really sweet sounding distortion. i use a marshall JCM 900 SL-X 100watt through 4x12 cab, and i thought that sounded good, well when i hooked this up, it was a whole new world. i dont know how i lived with out this for so long.

this baby is simple. 2 knobs and a power button. well 4 knobs, but thats only cause there are two channels but you only need 2 for each. one knob is a bass adjustment and the other controls the amount of processing the baby does. this isnt rocket science, its rock n roll!

This bad boy is absolutely necessary. I honestly dont know why these puppies arent mandatory when you buy an amp. I could never ever, ever, ever, ever play without it. Put it this way, if I plugged your ears with cotton and played some music out of a mono record player it would sound muddy and muffled, then when I pulled out the cotton and played it even louder on a surrouond system you would hear every little detail. Thats what this baby does. Its not a booster! It just makes your tone as perfect as possible. It makes it sound very tight and every note bursts through your amp with 10x the power! I play metal, so this thing makes my palm mutting and all that sound way better. Without this thing I sound like Alvin & the Chipmunks or something. WIth it I sound like Pantera! Enough said!

Its BBE!

Great! AT first I got the 262, and it doesnt work at low volumes so they let me swap for a used 462. Pretty sweet. So I got this baby for the price of a 262. Nice!

bottom line is get this! Just do it. i dont care how you have to get the money. it will totally change your sound. it will give you balls you didnt know you had. if you suck it will make you sound better! and if you rock, it will make you rock harder!

You have to be stupid not to know how to work this thing. Two knobs: Lo-Contour and Process controls... which are basically equivalent to low and high end knobs. Don't think you need a manual how to work this thing. Just connect it to anywhere that has an audio signal: Recording units, Guitar rigs, Your home stereo. All ya need is a 1/4" cable to get things going.

I have this baby connected to my send effects loop in my Crate Stealth 100W amp cause it didn't sound right before the input of the amp. This thing has a bypass mode which I don't even bother turning off but when I did, I was simply amazed how much this ... this... thing worked with my sound. Much cleaner signals and bass are more defined and crisp. I think every single death metal band has this as part of their rig if they want their distortion to stand out from the mud their amps or distortion boxes are causing. Just proves to ya why this is very necessary if ya play extremely heaving distortion.

Absolutely! Played gigs with this before I bought my 4space rack. Rugged, tough, hell... I've placed my 50lbs amp on this thing and it never dented. If i lose thing this, I'd buy myself a new one ASAP!

Never bothered trying cause I should now that BBE are very dependeble if they come out with excellent products

This is DEFINITELY recommended to any guitar players out there who needs to clean up their sound if their amps can't do justice to their sound. If I had the extra cash, I'd buy the new version of this (BBE 482) just because it's newer =) I'm currenly using one channel on this while my drummer hooks up his drum module on the other channel so we basically share the same rack but it works good for the both of us. If there was a rating of 11, I'd go for it but since this is limited, 10 is all I could give for now.

Couldn't be simpler. Just plug in and go. The easy-to-read manual will help guide you in answering the most common question which is, "Should this thing be put in the audio chain before or after the EQ?"

Although I bought the unit to enhance the performance of my band's PA and monitor system, I first hooked it into my home stereo to check it out. Now my stereo sounds pretty damn good as it stands so I wasn't really expecting any great improvement. OMIGOD! It was though I had suddenly upgraded every component to top-of-the-line audiophile gear. Every track, even on extremely dense and processed music, just popped out of the mix. The high end simply sparkled and the lows just bloomed without a trace of muddiness or boominess. Switching the unit out of the chain was like sucking air out of the sound. I nearly cried when I had to disconnect it so I could load it into the PA rack.
The tears vanished when we cranked up the system with the BBE in it, though. The front-of-house gained an astonishing degree of clarity and I was able to back off the overall gain by a couple of db for the same amount of apparent loudness. The very first night we used it, several people who had been following us around for awhile (including a few musicians) remarked on how we suddenly sounded better than we ever had and how distinct the vocals were. On the monitor side, my bandmates have quit bitching about not being able to hear themselves.
I don't think I can recommend this unit highly enough!

This is the upgraded successor to the very dependable BBE-462, so I would anticipate no major problems. Besides, if the thing stopped working during a gig, it can be easily dropped out of the chain.

BBE seems to have a pretty solid reputation, but I've had no dealings with them personally.

Having been in both bands and broadcasting for more years than I care to recall, I consider myself something of a stickler when it comes to good sound. My band plays everything from Sugar Ray to Merle Haggard, so our gear has to sound good under wildly changing situations. Our PA, consisting of Studiomaster board, Alesis processor and one-third octave EQ, ART compressor/limiter and bi-amped into an 850 watt QSC driving SoundTech mains and subs is adequate but certainly hasn't been the epitome of sonic wonderfulness. Adding the BBE has improved its sound dramatically and deferred, if not completely eliminated, any need for more premium speakers or an additional power amp. This is, IMHO, the best $200 we ever invested. Get one. Now.

Incredibly simple to use for the results you get. The 462 is the un-balanced version of the 862 ( I Think!) and works well in all -10 dbu environments. Mine is in the main effects loop of my mixer and is the best sonic improvement you can make for the money. This, or the 862, is a must have.

Go get one. This unit cleverly arranges the different frequency ranges into the proper times (phase) so they appear at your ear correctly arranged. Basically high, mid and low frequencies don't propagate at the same time so without correction the frequencies can overrun each other producing the cassic 'muddy' sound. After proper phase alignment your music will sparkle and amaze you. Again, this is a MUST HAVE!

Rock Solid

Haven't needed them which is a good sign

I use this unit for everything. I have a 16 channel modest home studio and I use the maximizer on all sorts of things including just listening to the stereo. I can't think of anything I don't use it for. NOTE: I have known about these units for quite some time and blew them off as some sort of rip-off. Like what is a sonic maximizer anyay? I was dead wrong and my only regret is that I waited so long to get one. I am currently in the market for a BBE DI box along with an 862 for my balanced applications. I think BBE has a web site that explains their electronics and it was that explanation that finally sold me on the unit. (Yes I'm an engineer and I needed the data to be comfortable in the purchase)

Shortly after buying this product I made a post. I gave the BBE Sonic Maximizer 462 fairly good ratings and described how it brought my 4 track mixes out of their "demoish" sounding shell or hell (however you'd like to interpret that).
Well even though I still have not owned the product for more than a month and a half now, during this time I have really put it to the test and found out a few things and admittedly learned a few things about frequencies/recording. I thought by reposting my new results, it may help someone else out there make a more informed decision on whether it's a sonic maximizer they need or really something else (to fix their muddiness/clarity problem).
And so the story goes...First off I would like to pre-appologize for the shameless plugs for other products whithin this post. It's just a fact of my limited recording life that I ended up finding out that it was other problems within my system that needed fixing/tweaking instead of needing the sonic maximizer as a sort of "crutch" for these deficiencies.
With all that said, I would like to praise the 462 with the fact that it did like I said it did in my previous post. It made my dull recordings come to life. When doing the final mixdown to either cassette or minidisk, I used the 462 and what ended up on tape or md was something that really sounded better than what most 4 track porta-studios can produce (or at least better than what I have heard produced by people). I even tried it out on the guitar itself. I drove the 462 with the proper level via my RP-7 guitar preamp/effects. From the 462 I went straight into the 4-track. It really added some needed grit and punch to my guitar sound.
Right here is where I need to state that while I may have been playing guitar for a while now, using a direct in (only) from a guitar preamp and a drum machine are new concepts for me. Even recording in general is fairly new to me.
To make a long story shorter.....What I found out by analyzing my recording with (I think you call it a spectrum analyzer), I found that all the frequencies above 10k Hz were being truncated (cut off). This was due to the cheezy drum machine I was using that's built into my keyboard. Its signal is very dry (with absolutely no ambiance) and it simply truncates all frequencies about about 10k hz. That's where all the life to a recording is (snare, cymbols, etc.) I even was using too warm of a speaker cabinet simulator on the RP-7 so my high frequency content in my guitar sound was lacking too! By cranking the BBE process to about 5 or 6, it added a much welcome sparkly to my recordings.
My problem with the whole thing is that I was using the 462 to fix things that should have already been right and what I ended up doing was getting an Aleses drum machine (a drum machine with real sampled drums and ambient sound. It also let me have all this at frequencies into the 16k and above range too!!!) This is what was really the problem with my dead sound. I also used a brighter cabinet simulation setting on my Digitech RP-7.
Needless to say being the poor/starving musician, I sent the 462 back to musicans friend.
I feel one of these days, when I have the money, I would probably buy the 462 again to add a bit of definition and/or clarity to my final sound. I would never want to use it for any more than just a subtle enhancment. This is so because in my personal opinion if you crank the bbe process to 5 and beyond in order to let it REALLY enhance/(or fix) your sound like I was doing, YES it adds sparkle to the sound BUT at the expense of making it a little on the grainy side. This added edge makes the sound really "cut through" when you play it back on speakers but through high quality headphones, where the sound is reproduced perfectly, the sound was just too harsh.
The 462 is a good product(it blows the Aphex C3 exciter away, I had one of those too) and after reading some of the other guys posts and if you still decide on the 462 call up musicians frie

2 channels, 2 knobs per channel. 1 1/4 inch ins and outs for each channel, 1 rca type in and out for each channel, 1 bypass switch right on the front with a status light. Very easy to use overall. Whatever you are running thru it, set the lo contour and process for each channel according to what you like.

Think of it this way, whatever your "sound" is, this unit will make your "sound" sound better! It can really add fat, warm, punchy low end, while keeping everything crystal clear and focused. I have used it with my beloved rocktron chameleon into my marshall 9000 series tube power amp,50watts per channel, and it breahthes new life into my rig. I finally got my rocktron chameleon running exactly how i like it, but i was not satisfied with the low end on this unit, it just wasnt enough. I purchased the bbe 462 and run the rocktron into it in stereo. NOw, my chameleon sounds like an earthquake, while being very warm sounding, as well as precise. It seriously makes this rig sound like I am running 4x12 cabs, when I am only running a 2x12. This piece has maximized my compact, and now professional sounding rig. I like it set at 5-8 for the lo contour, and 4-5 for the process. Really adds thump and clarity without messing with the original characteristics of the tones. Also, because it has rca ins and outs for each channel, i ran it in between my cd player and stereo. It does amazing thing for an entire mix, you can hear much more separation between instruments which helps me learn new material.

its 3 days old at this point. Seems pretty good. My only concern is the hardwired power plug and the cheesy little bypass switch. All else seems good. It screwed into my rack right now so it is pretty safe. I expect it will last a long time. The other dud in my band played a 462 also, didnt rack mount it, carried it everywhere, and his always worked great. Ill give it 4 at this point becase it hasnt proven itself to me yet.

NO need as of yet. Very helpfull manaul which explains what this thing does, 800 number in the manual if i need it, web site with email, if i need em, ill find em. I give a 5 because The manual gave enough info to get me up and running, and answer a few basic questions.

I play hard rock, metal, and some eclectic material - this unit helps me tailor my sound to each style - ie - for metal, dial in more lo contour, increase process a little and I can cut thru the mix, for rock and classic rock, dial back the low contour and process and my sound gets a little less precise which is perfect for those styles. Most importantly, i gave this unit what i call the wife test - I a/b the bbe with my wife listening. I play the same lick thru the chameleon without the bbe, then with the bbe. I ask her which sound better. She says it sounds clearer with the bbe, and really sounds "neat with that thing turned on" . IF the wife likes it and doesnt want me to turn it down, its probably ok. I give it an 8 because there is no substitute for a good beginning tone, technique, and feel. If you have all that inline, check this unit out, it can add a polished, professional quality to your allready great sound. Also helps you cut in the mix without turning up louder - definately cool.

Its very easy, just two knobs per channel. One for more or less low end and the other for clarity.

I run my Fender Hardtail into an RP-7 and then into a 4 track portastudio. I bounce externally using a minidisk and when its time to do the final mixdown. I run everything through the sonic maximizer before going digital and onto a CD. It takes away the muddiness from the layered sound produced on the 4 track. I really havn't had it long but I am going to start trying it out on each individual external bounce and see what happens. I have heard that it can make even the individual instruments themselves sound better. I am not planning to try that since I am happy with my Strat/RP-7 marriage

Hasn't broke yet...Knock..Knock...Knock on wood!

Haven't needed any support. Nice Web site however..

Rock/Blues based stuff. Cover tunes and original. Been playing on and off since the early 1990's. Just recently started to record again and even though my recordings are good quality, they still end up sounding a little demo-ish (after all the bounces/final mixdown). The Sonic maximizer cleans it up and restores clarity back into the music so that once I mix everything down digitally to CD,. its kind of hard to tell the stuff was originally recorded with a 4 track portastudio.........

Incredibly simple. with two knobs for each channel and an effect activated/de-activated switch, how can you get lost? it has 1/4 inputs/outputs for both channels and also rca inputs/outputs so you can use it in whichever situation you are dealing with. Also the two channels are independant with their own controls, bassically 2 sonic maximizers in one.

I cannot describe the importance of this unit. It is just as important for your guitar rig as distortion/overdrive and reverb. it is just as important for your PA as the level controls on the mixing board. When you play with this thing in your guitar rig (in the fx loop or before the power amp), you sound professional even if you have been playing for only 1 year. works especially well with, uh, everything! the controls are for lo-contour and bbe process. the low contour doesn't really boost the gain of the lows, but gives it more definition and audibility. a must for metal bands, dj's, and bassically everything. the process control just makes everything sound better: more definition, no mud or mush. it doesn't boost the highs so if you play with your amp with low treble's, you can turn up the process and stil get a smooth sound, it is just that you can hear that smooth sound (or whatever sound you want) much much much better. Buy this if you know what is good for your sound!!!!!

the chassis is 16 gauge steel and the frontplate is thick aluminum. I would gig without a back-up.

i originally bought the 262 cause it cost less money. this did not work for my guitar amp. I called them up and the service guytold me that the 462 was designed for the application better and so i went to Sam Ash and the service dude was right.

BUY THIS!!! THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BUYING ANOTHER GUITAR! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT AT ALL!!!! this is what can bring a jazz cat, a pop star, and a rivethead together. it makes everything sound perfect. and it even reduces a little noise...

Getting a good sound is as simple as turning it on. Adjust the lows and the "BBE process" to your liking and you're done.

I use this mainly with the PA for my band. We run it last right before the power amp. It sounds so good you will not believe it! It's like somebody pulled the pillows from out in front of the speakers. It'll make crappy speakers sound ok and good speakers sounds really good. It really is a magic box. I've also used it on my rack set-up. It does an excellent job there as well. I'm thinking about getting another one for my rack and also one for the home studio to use during mixdown to tape/dat etc.

Been using it for a year. The only problems have been operator error. (dumbass!)

Never needed to contact them.

The best 199 bucks you can spend for bass/guitar/pa/home stereo/studio whatever....it really is a the magic box that I've been trying to find for a long time.