BBE 482i Sonic Maximizer (1/4" TS and RCA Connections)

No longer available at zZounds
Clean up murky sound with this BBE 482i Sonic Maximizer. This stereo unit has unbalanced 1/4" and RCA I/O, 5-segment LED metering, and hardware bypass.

Anyone who's heard a PA system with and without the BBE Sonic Maximizer 482i in line knows that it adds definition, clarity, sparkle and punch. But what exactly does the BBE 482i Sonic Maximizer do? For starters, this sophisticated processor adds delay times to lower frequencies on a curve, to make up for the natural phase delay between the bass and treble that can result in muddy mixes. This phase realignment means the whole signal reaches the listener's ears at once, making the sound coming through the speakers more like experiencing the acoustic instrument right in front of you. What's even more amazing is how easy it is to use the Sonic Maximizer.

How It Works: Lo Contour and Process Knobs

It's easy to "maximize" your signal with the BBE 482i. Start with both knobs in the middle, then tweak your Lo Contour to control the amount of phase-corrected low frequencies. Next, tweak the "Process" knob to regulate the amount of phase-corrected high frequencies. A little goes a long way -- this subtle shift in time-alignment can brighten and boost your sound, improving the clarity and intelligibility of voals and instruments dramatically. Electric guitarists report better definition and bite. Bassists say they get deeper lows and crisper high harmonics. And mastering engineers say the BBE Sonic Maximizer livens up a final mix.

Two Channels of Unbalanced RCA and 1/4" I/O

The BBE 482i model gives you true dual-mono operation: two independent Sonic Maximizer signal read more processors rack-mounted in one chassis, so you can process a stereo signal or two separate mono signals (like a guitar and bass) with their own individual controls. With unbalanced 1/4" and RCA I/O, the 482i version is great for semi-pro applications that don't require balanced inputs and outputs. Try it in guitar, bass, or keyboard rigs, as a processor in your home studio.

Features:

- BBE Sonic Maximizer processing realigns phase and frequency, adding clarity to your signal
- 2 channels of process for stereo or separate mono mixes with individual channel controls
- 5-segment LED output meters
- 18 dBu headroom
- Unbalanced RCA and 1/4" inputs and outputs
- Hardware bypass switch for comparison of processed to unprocessed signal
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Frequency Response:
Process Mode: Program controlled
Bypass Mode: 10Hz to 50kHz, +/- 0.5dBu, 10dBu input

Signal to Noise Ratio: 112dB Process IN

THD:
Process mode: less than 0.025% at 20-20kHz
Bypass mode: less than 0.002% at 20-20kHz

Maximum Output: +18dBu (may vary due to control settings)

Input Impedance: 47K Ohms, unbalanced 1/4" phone jack or RCA jack

Output Impedance: 1K Ohms, unbalanced 1/4" phone jack or RCA jack

Sensitivity: -45dBu for maximum process

Maximum Process: +12dBu boost at 5kHz, -10dBu input

Lo Contour: +12dBu adjustment at 50Hz, -10dBu input

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-897-6766

BBE 482i Unbalanced Sonic Maximizer

Have you ever wondered why music sounds better live? The wizards at the BBE company have pondered over that and have sunk gazillions into research to get an answer to that Zen-like question. Amazing as it is, they've unlocked the secret, and now we can all reap the benefits.

What those engineers discovered (and we're going to very roughly paraphrase this deep technical explanation) is that depending on the environment in which we are listening, we hear different frequencies at different times, because the sound is radiating in all directions and our brain processes these frequencies individually. Whereas, when the same music is pumped through any loudspeaker, the sounds are all coming from one place at the same time, losing that difference that allows us to perceive clarity in sound. A saxophone (or singer, or guitar, or whatever) sends sound in 360 degrees; a loudspeaker has a 12 in. (or other) window to shoot the sound out. There are other characteristics of loudspeakers that rob music of clarity as well, including the relationship of transient response in regard to phase response, but that's getting into that deep technical category. In plain terms, these guys figured out the problem, and built a box to fix it.

BBE learned which frequencies are delayed by what factor, and how to properly send this revised information through a loudspeaker. Any signal sent through a BBE processor sounds clearer, cleaner, and better. A vocal signal processed through BBE jumps out of a mix, and any acoustic instrument regains that vibrant quality that is lost in the recording process. Sending an entire mix through the thing sharpens it up in ways that defy description. "It adds sparkle" and "it makes a mix sound like a CD" are two of the most often-heard descriptions of what this miracle box does.

Who needs this box? Recording studios of any size, for starters. If there's somebody singing or speaking, you'll wonder how you survived without it. If you record any acoustic instruments as well, stop reading this and order one now. In this age of CDs, cassettes are starting to show their limits. When you put this box between your master source, and your cassette deck, it gives the venerable little cassette a sonic fighting chance. If you are a mobile or nightclub DJ, this unit will kick everything up a notch. Sound reinforcement companies, large and small, it's a no brainer how you can use it. Finally, if you have a rack as part of your rig, whether you're a keyboard, guitar, or bass player, you need this as the final stage before your signal goes out.

With the 482i model, you can get stellar sound for a very down-to-earth price. The 482i is perfect for semi-pro applications not requiring balanced jacks. (If you need balanced inputs, check out the 882.) Since it has true dual-mono operation, the 482 is 2 independent Sonic Maximizer signal processors in one chassis. Use it on a stereo signal or process 2 mono channels separately with separate controls. Rack this baby up and use it to liven up the sound of just about anything: live bands, home studios, mobile DJ systems, nightclub sound systems, individual instruments like bass, guitar, or keyboards - even your home stereo will sound like it cost twice as much through the 482i! The unit is really easy to use - basically, just hook it up and set the enhancement to your taste. Presto! - your stuff sounds completely amazing! It's really not fair to the ones who don't have the Sonic Maximizer, but somehow we think you'll live through the guilt.

Features:

- 2 channels of process for stereo or separate mono mixes
- 5-segment LED output meters
- +18dBu headroom
- RCA and 1/4 in. inputs and outputs
- Hardwire bypass
- Bypass switch for comparison of processed to unprocessed signal

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. (47 ratings)
Submitted May 13, 2003 by a customer from optonline.net

"High quality, low cost...easy to use."

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Since I just got this thing I'm not looking for a replacement and I'm still learning how to use it. I think the only thing I would ever want to replace it for is probably a newer version sonic maximizer. From what I can tell, BBE is hard at work creating better versions of this technology, so if they make anymore breakthroughs, I might want to check it out. I can't really compare the 482i to anything else because its the only thing like it on the market. I have yet to find another product that does exactly what this one does, or even, another product that claims to be able to do it. If this thing were stolen, I'd flip out because I just bought it and spent a lot of money on it. I think I would replace it eventually, but I don't think I'd rush right out and buy another because you can do without it. This product, although it is great...it is an "extra" and not essential to a guitar rig.

Sound
This is a cool piece of gear. I've only had it for 1 day now, but I can already see its potential. The knobs themselves are very easy to use and their effect on the actual sound is very obvious. The only thing you will have to do is dial in a sound you like and play with the knobs a bit. The only place that you might really have to work to get a nice sound is with the effects loop of your amp(if you are using it with an amp). I am running my maximizer in the effects loop of my mesa/boogie dual rectifier and the sound changes drastically depending read more on the amount of the processes signal i put into the mix. Other than that, getting this thing to improve your sound should be no problem at all.

Features
It's all pretty simple...there are two seperate channels, 2 knobs per channel and a button in the middle to switch the processing on and off(so you can hear the difference between processed and un-processed). Nothing else came with the maximizer except the manual and these little sticky things to put on the bottom of the unit, which I suppose you could use if you don't plan on putting it in a rack. The box itself seems very sturdy and probably would handle well on the road, especially after it gets in a nice sturdy rack.

Quality
Everything on the maximizer is in perfect condition and of high quality. Seems to be very sturdy and also manages to look very cool. It's probably not as tough as a stomp box, but this thing wasn't meant to be kicked at. Put it in a quality rack and leave it there, it should last forever.

Value
I ended up paying 155.99 at a guitar center and I must say, it was well worth it. At 199.99 it's slightly expensive and on top of that, I would go the extra mile and buy some high quality 1/4" instrument cable to connect it, but all in all it's worth the money.

The Wow Factor
This product is a very good looking product, very sleek and compact. I wouldn't say it's something that everyone would want because it is something I picked up just to see if I could enhance my live sound. It is not a necessary piece of equipment, but from what people have told me so far, it definately livens up my guitar rig and gets rid of the muddiness that I used to have. So if you have any problems such as muddiness or any other issues with clarity, this product is something you should really look into.

Musical Style:
Pop Rock/Pop Punk...Power Pop
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