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Author Topic: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?  (Read 27977 times)

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realdealblues

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #30 on: Time Format »

Do they say anywhere what the eq expand actually does ? (what freq's it affects etc).

From my understanding it scoops the mids, like a 4db cut around 1khz or something.  Either way it sounds damn good.  I'm actually getting ready to do some more trial and testing work on the ADA, the Carvin DCM and a few other things I've got laying around.  I've got a couple new ideas of how to make it sound a little better.  If it works I might try to make a video or at least record out some good sound clips.
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RobbHell

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #31 on: Time Format »

To BBE or NOT To.BBE. Do not use BBE. Get a Good EQ.
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rnolan

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #32 on: Time Format »

Or a MP2 which includes 2 good eqs... and great gain  >:D
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RobbHell

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #33 on: Time Format »

Your better off with a EQ. Yes it does a  Mid Scoop which sounds muddy. Its actually a delay unit. Its sounds good un theory but when you've actually use them they make the guitar and or your Mixes sound shittier. Presonus made a great 3 band parametric EQ.   Gary Holt uses them with his Engl Powerball and Invader. They straight slay period. Sell you BBE and get a couple presonus's.
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jarrodthebobo

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #34 on: Time Format »

I run an eq unit as well as the BBE. Without the BBE my setup sounds absolutely lack-luster (and I've tried various different EQ settings with both the EQ unit on and off). The rest of my setup is also in no means cheap or low-end, so its not the fault of the rest of the setup, but just due to the fact that the MP-1 to my ears does not sound all too great without the BBE.

The MP-1 to my ears is incredibley thin and has the bass frequency set way too high to be as effective as it should be (or for it to sound good, for that matter). The BBE helps to fix this issue however, adding a large amount of low end and general fullness to the overall sound, and I have zero problems with the mix when I use the BBE. In fact, my guitar sound in mix sounds a hell of a lot BETTER with the BBE.

Tweaking all the sliders on the EQ unit, with the BBE off, has not lead to results as satisfying as with the BBE on. Bass boosted, mids cut/mids boosted, highs tweaked, etc etc. everything you would typically do to help pull a better tone out of a thin setup just did not satisfy me as much as the BBE did. Honestly sometimes an EQ is just not the end-all to tonal problems.

The fact of the matter is most of the people who complain about the BBE and tell everyone to throw them out and "get a good eq" probably don't/haven't used the BBE correctly. It's supposed to be used subtly as a TOOL, not as an overall effect. Turning the process knob anywhere above the 9oclock position leads to a very processed, mid cut, tinny sound, and pulling the lo knob up above 2-3oclock leads to a bassy mess.

You need to work with the unit to find the correct settings that work with your unit... not sit back and complain that its a P.O.S when you cannot find the correct way to utilize it; subtly.

The BBE, contrary to popular belief, does not NEED to turn your tone into a processed mess. Using the unit SUBTLY with my VH patch leads to a very organic tone reminiscent of a genuine marshall head. Many people who complain about the ADA mainly say that you can tell that its a preamp, that it doesn't have 'the sound' that a real head does. I can agree with this statement... until I add in the BBE however.

...This is all person taste however... so you cannot take everything I say as 100% fact. However, this also means don't blindly listen to people spewing hate about the unit, especially those who overuse the effect (which many of the people who've complained about the unit have likely done).

Peace.

-Jarrod
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RobbHell

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #35 on: Time Format »

I know what your getting at. To be perfectly honest if your using a BBE and a EQ you should probably upgrade your rig. Try a poweramp that actually produces a solid  punchy lowend.  I could A/B  Bbe and EQ. EQ is gonna win everytime. Here's the main reason I got rid of my BBE's still have one laying around. The Tone Pad is pretty cheap honestly that a Mod on my its Cheap Cap and Quad Amps. But hey if it works for you "Party On Dude!" Lol.
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RobbHell

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #36 on: Time Format »

I've used BBE on and off for the last 16 years so I have plenty experience enough that I can say the older Blue models sound better than the newer Red ones.  My best experience with BBE  is that it will make Cheap/Harsh shitty P.A. Drivers sound better.  If you have a bad ass amp don't BBE. Maybe if it a had a selectable Mid Freq and Level I might go back but, I've moved on and never looked back.
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rnolan

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #37 on: Time Format »

Interesting rave, I've not used/heard a BBE but if it makes/helps make  "your" tone hey use one.  I'm a bit bemused though coz when I had a MP1 it was F%$K**g awsome (really simple, guit > MP1 > mixer L/R, aux 1/2 Quadverb > rtrn > mixer, aux 3 to IPS33 > rtrn mixer) > B200s > 2 x ADA slant split stacks (so all in stereo). Never had an issue with bottom end/ thinness etc.  Now I run much the same though with MP2 mmmm, I've slotted in a midiverb 4 in the MP2 loop. hardly ever turn it on though...
And I'm a stickler for - use as little sound polluters as possible (unfortunately, every additional device pollutes the sound/and adds noise).  But if it sounds good use it. Your ears are the judge...

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jarrodthebobo

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #38 on: Time Format »

Maybe there is something wrong with my unit then... because even with the bass near maxed out on the MP-1 its still a very thin sounding unit, and becomes rather muddy.

I'll record a clip or two with the BBE on and the BBE off in order to illustrate the difference in tone.
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rnolan

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #39 on: Time Format »

Hi Jarrod, if you pull it back to basics how does it sound ? (guit > MP1 > amp > cab(s) you running in stereo yet ?? lol).  I found recently working with MikeB and my old MP1 that we were chasing some more bottom end a gig levels.  Turned out that when we changed the rig patching to use the Art Spilt mix and "mix" in his TC Gmaj and not chain through it, the bass improved quite a bit (as did the whole dynamic).
Thin and muddy sound like tubes going but, IIRC, you re-tubed it not long ago ?
Thin and muddy can also be gain structure issues, everything you chain through has an effect, even on bypass/off.

There are some other posts regarding changing the MP1 eq centre frequencies with trim pots, seems like turning the bass one as low as you can would suit what you are chasing ?

To me, thin MP1 with nothing else but amp/cabs means somethings wrong.  Again I'm not saying yey or nay to BBE, if the BBE is any good, it should sound even better with the MP1 cooking.
Cheers R
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finstah

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #40 on: Time Format »

I remember using it at band practice,  and engaging the BBE would instantly cause my tone to disappear in the mix.

....never again

haha the very reason I sold my 885. Personally I feel it destroys your tone more than anything.  :dunno:

jarrodthebobo

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Re: BBE Sonic Maximizer: Necessary?
« Reply #41 on: Time Format »

Hi Jarrod, if you pull it back to basics how does it sound ? (guit > MP1 > amp > cab(s) you running in stereo yet ?? lol).  I found recently working with MikeB and my old MP1 that we were chasing some more bottom end a gig levels.  Turned out that when we changed the rig patching to use the Art Spilt mix and "mix" in his TC Gmaj and not chain through it, the bass improved quite a bit (as did the whole dynamic).
Thin and muddy sound like tubes going but, IIRC, you re-tubed it not long ago ?
Thin and muddy can also be gain structure issues, everything you chain through has an effect, even on bypass/off.

There are some other posts regarding changing the MP1 eq centre frequencies with trim pots, seems like turning the bass one as low as you can would suit what you are chasing ?

To me, thin MP1 with nothing else but amp/cabs means somethings wrong.  Again I'm not saying yey or nay to BBE, if the BBE is any good, it should sound even better with the MP1 cooking.
Cheers R

Even with everything running direct the mp-1 doesn't sound all too great... and yes, I retubed it not too long ago with some new JJ short plates.

The Trimpots only adjust the od1 and od2 input levels dont they? And the other trim pots you dont touch unless you have an oscilloscope yes? The bass center trimpot is only found in the mesa mod/3.666 mod/ whatever those other mods are hahah... i think at least...
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