FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BBE PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

Where can I buy a BBE product in the US?

You can find BBE professional signal processors at nearly every major music and pro audio retailer in the United States, including Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Sweetwater Sound, Pro Sound & Stage Lighting - and many others. The BBE ARS for home audio, however, is currently available only via our online store. For a complete listing, go to US Dealers.


Which Sonic Maximizer model is best for my application?

We offer several models, though for most applications there is not one "right" model to use. It's more a matter of your budget. For example, in a guitar rack system, our model 482i is the most popular because:

1) Instrument racks (guitar, bass, keyboards etc.) are generally unbalanced systems (-10dBu), and
2) Each channel can be adjusted separately, such that a user could use one channel for a signal going to the amp and another going to a mixing board in a live situation
3) The 482i has the best sound sound quality, better than the the 362 (or 362NR).

However, if a guitarist is on a limited budget, then the lower priced ganged-control 362 unit will be fine.  Though the sound quality is not quite as good as the 362 and substantially less than the 482i.

The point is that for a given application, a user can generally choose from several BBE models, and in some cases any BBE model will work. Your BBE dealer can help you reach a decision taking prices and features into account.


Do BBE Sonic Maximizer processors create any harmonics like exciter and enhancer effects units?

No. BBE technology does not work like exciter and enhancer effects. Typcially, exciter effects are associated with creating artificial harmonics through small amounts of overdrive in the high frequency band. This can prove useful in some recording studio situations, particularly in remastering older analog tapes. However, in today's recording and playback audio environments, there is no need to artifically simulate high freqencies lost through degradation of the original source tapes.

Enhancers are generally associated with equalization, however there are some products which attempt to combine exciter and enhancer effects with the result being harsh and fatiguing to the ear with no actual improvement in clarity and definition. Generally, enhancer products are marketed to appear as though they are more sohpisticated than multiband or parametric equalizer units, however, this is seldom true.

BBE is totally different than exciter and enhancer effects units. BBE High Definition Sound technology is not an effect, but restructures the signal in such a way which allows speakers to more correctly and faithfully reproduce the signal. The best analogy for BBE technology is like eyeglasses for your audio system.

I know the 482i and 882i have the new BBE 4th Generation Processing chip, but what is the difference between the older 462 and 862 models?

The 4th Generation Processing chip offers greater warmth, with a more naturally detailed midrange. We view this as a significant step forward in our patented technology. The earlier 3rd Generation BBE technology is still available in our current 362 series. We currently do not have plans to introduce this 4th Generation technology into models below the 482i and 882i, as the added cost and complexity of this technology are not yet possible at lower price points.


I have an older model Sonic Maximizer, and I was wondering if I should upgrade.

This is a very subjective question, and instinctively a manufacturer's response is to say "yes". However, if you have a 462 or 862, then that generation of our technology is still up-to-date, in that either of those discontinued models offers higher performance than any of the current 362 series models and much better than the compact 264 model.

However, if you need the best sound quality available, then it is well worth upgrading your 462 or 862 to the latest 482i or 882i. For example, touring sound companies serving major artists must have the best, most modern equipment. Mobile DJs need the best sound quality to remain competitive. However, these desires should be offset against the user's budget.

If you have a much older model, such as 402, 802 or similar generation from about '86 - '89, then the latest versions offer a large improvement in sound quality and specification. These '02 models are now 3 generations old, and their ability to process low level signals, or signals with a wide dynamic range, is not nearly as good as the current BBE models. Owners of these early units should seriously consider upgrading to a current model.


I heard that BBE can not fix some older models. Is this true, and if so, which models can not be fixed?

The core of all BBE signal processors from back is the BBE processing chip(s). When a BBE signal processor fails, the part most likely in need of replacing is the BBE processing chip. Two channel models with independent controls for each channel require two BBE processing chips.

While we have done our best to maintain stocks of earlier generation BBE processing chips, supplies eventually do run out. However, these models affected are so far behind the current level of BBE technology that it is impractical to spend money on repairing such older units. For example, it would be difficult to find a replacement CPU for a 286 PC computer from the late '80s, and even if the parts were available, processing technology has evolved so far that it doesn't make economic sense to repair such an old unit.

Discontinued Sonic Maximizer models using BBE processing chips that are no longer available are: 822, 802, 402, 202, 2002

Discontinued Sonic Maximizer models which use BBE processing chips that are still available are: 862, 462, 822A, 422A, 422, 411, 401, 1002.