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Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer
https://mail.karaokescene.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5069
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Author:  Tony [ Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer

I was going through some old stuff today and found the following archive in the good old days of real arguments (Remember BeachHeadBum? :D ) Anyhow I found the following

http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic. ... ght=#24798

Lonman wrote:
What I was trying to get at is that good equipment to begin with doesn't need anything like the Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer. It may help a lower budget system sound a little nicer & that is true. These type processors can actually hurt the sound of a quality sound system. Sound is mainly in the speaker, amps & crossover quality - granted the rest does have it's feed but not as much - I wasn't talking about reverb, compression & the likes, I was talking about a specific type of "sound" processor. If those 3 components (amps, speakers, crossovers - like the Driverack) are of high quality, there is absolutley no need for a Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer.  


Then I went to Lonman's website and found the following in his systems: :shock:
Karaoke rigs - BBE 422A Sonic Maximizer
Recording studio - BBE 422A Sonic Maximizer

Does that mean you have a lower budget sound system? What do other people think about sound processors like the above mentioned?

Author:  Lonman [ Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer

AllStar @ Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:39 pm wrote:
Then I went to Lonman's website and found the following in his systems: :shock:
Karaoke rigs - BBE 422A Sonic Maximizer
Recording studio - BBE 422A Sonic Maximizer

Does that mean you have a lower budget sound system? What do other people think about sound processors like the above mentioned?


I stated that originally, I didn't think my system was great.  It could be better although I have done some major upgrades lately.  Got rid of all the Alesis eq, compressors & Peavey crossover & amps & replaced with Symetrix, dbx, QSC & TDM equipment.  Once I get the new speakers & amps I will take it out of the rack completely, right now it is in the system but with the new upgrades - even so far, I have it completely bypassed - so basically I am not needing or using it  :shock: .
I still COMPLETELY stand by my statement - a GOOD system (meaning consisting of high quality components) won't need a processor like that!  
They help smaller systems achieve a fuller sound or make not as quality system or lower budget system, sound a little better that they really are.

Author:  Tony [ Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer

Lonman @ Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:02 pm wrote:
It could be better although I have done some major upgrades lately.


Toys toys. I know, we get older, and our toys just get more expensive. Wait till the new series of whatever hits the market in 6 months, then we're outdated again!

Author:  Lonman [ Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer

AllStar @ Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:12 pm wrote:
Toys toys. I know, we get older, and our toys just get more expensive. Wait till the new series of whatever hits the market in 6 months, then we're outdated again!


I hear that!   :D

Author:  Guest [ Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer

Lonman is correct....kinda correct, but it's not not just the cost/quality of your amps and speakers, it's also a matter of what they are DESIGNED to do to start with.

For the most part, all pro audio gear is designed to be used by live performers on stage.

Us KJ's/DJ's tend to use pro audio stage gear to provide proper SPL's in large/crowded venues....We do that because that's about all we have to work with....That gear is great for live sound reinforcemnet where you need to mic live performers, drums and instruments, but it ain't best when playing back highly compressed prerecorded music.

Some music industry manufacturers make gear that is better suited for the KJ/DJ....Peavey for one, has the DJS line of speakers that really do sound better when playing back CD+G's....The reason is, the speakers are "voiced" to reproduce prerecorded and highly compressed music ...such cabs don't need much EQ or other processing when playing CD's/CD+G's.....Those cabs are also much cheaper than a comparable Peavey cab designed for live use.....But those same cabs would suffer if used to reinforce a live band.

The Kosmos and BBE are useful if used sparingly....You will notice a difference especially on the mid-highs and highs....Both devices tend to broaden out the coverage of the horns and brighten up the highs.....When either are used on bass, the owner needs to exhibit lots of restraint or he can quickly over tax his bottom end cabs and amps.....Some say a good EQ will do everything a BBE or Kosmos can do, but that really is not the case.

Is the BBE or Kosmos necessary?.....On my system it is....I use Peavey SP2's and large pro audio subs that are designed for live sound reinforcement, so my BBE 822A really makes a differance when playing CD+G's.

I suggest you patch one in and give it a try. Both units have "bypass" buttons...So patch it in and listen for yourself with it engaged and disengaged.....Whatever you do, remember that either unit should be operated with restraint.....If a little bit is good, then too much is not better.

Author:  Lonman [ Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer

They are also 2 completely different processors.  The Kosmos is essentially a spatial enhancer & exciter.  It adds frequencies & harmonics to achieve it's goal.  The BBE is a frequency aligner.  Helping to "fix" the phase correlation between the high & low drivers by time aligning the frequencies.

Author:  Guest [ Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kosmos or Sonic Maximizer

Yep,

I purchased the first Kosmos released by Peavey and gave it away after just one month....I then auditioned the BBE and have had it ever since.

The BBE simply works better on playing back prerecorded music like you find on CD+G's.....And needs fewer adjustments between tracks. The Kosmos does lots of "magic", but in my opinion it's way too complex and requires too much tweeking when compared to the BBE....The Kosmos fersure has more ability, but who needs to be twisting knobs track to track for optimum sound when the BBE will get you almost the same perfection thru the whole night once you dial it in.

The Kosmos is more for the guy who plans to record...Where he has time to really tweek for the best sound.....It can also be used live on separate mics or instruments....It's really great when you need to trim the kick drum or if you mic a 5 string bass cab....But for music playback keep it simple and try the BBE.

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