FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BBE PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS
Where can I buy a BBE product in Japan?
You can find BBE professional signal processors at nearly every major
music and pro audio retailer in Japan, including Yamano Music and Shimamura
- and many others. The BBE ARS for home audio is currently available only
at Yamano Music and Ippinkan. To find a BBE pro audio dealer nearest you,
please contact:
YAMANO MUSIC COMPANY
15-5 Kuramae 2-chome
Taito-Ku, Tokyo 111
TEL: +81-3-386-28151
FAX: +81-3-386-28686
Which model is right 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, and
in some cases, space limitations. For example, in a guitar rack system,
our model 482 is the most popular because:
1) Guitar racks 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 482 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. Or, if there is no room for rack equipment at all,
then the 264 (available in the US at Guitar Center and Musician's Friend
only) will be the only option, though the sound quality is not quite as
good as the 362 and substantially less than the 482.
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 482 and 882 have the new BBE 4th Generation
Processing chip, but what is the difference between the older 462 and
482 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 and 264 compact models. We
currently do not have plans to introduce this 4th Generation technology
into models below the 482 and 882, as the added cost and complexity of
this technology are not yet possible at lower price points.
I have an older model BBE, 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 482 or 882. 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.
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