Karaoke Forums

Hi all. A co-worker of mine just gave me a present today. It was a nice surprise, he saw my set up yesterday after our jamming session and thought this would help. It's a BBE Sonic Maximizer model 422A. It looks a bit aged but in a great shape. He said I should put it at the end of the path, loop it before it goes out to my powered speakers.

First, anyone familiar with the model? I didn't get any thing other than the unit. Second, anyone think of a better place to put it other than at the aux send/return at the end on my mixer (Mackie 1402 VLZ Pro)? Thanks.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

Use the Main Insert.  Not sure if the 1402vlz has it but I know my 1604 does.

I have a BBE and think it was one of my best investments.... I run mine thru the inserts of My Bose L1 system.

I talked two other k/J's into getting one ...they love it also.

I know that Lonman uses the BBE 422A's, why don't you ask him as well?

I have a Bose PAS, and a 362 model, but haven't used it with the Bose.  I have been using an Alesis Picoverb for effects.  By what you say, I may get rid of the Alesis, and put the Maximizer in my rack.

Thanks
Bernie

THe 422A is one of the earlier models approx 92-93 era - I had one in my mobile system, these are great pieces you can still pick up on e-bay cheaply & a great upgrade for any system.  I actually like those era models better because the lights actually show you where it is being triggered to enhance as opposed to just meter levels.  Not a whole lot of difference between those & the newer model sonically - maybe a slight bit less distortion.  If your mixer has insert points on the mains, that is a perfect place to patch it, otherwise run it inline before you amp/powered speakers (or before your crossover if you use one).

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The Picoverb is an effects processor for vocals ie reverb, delay, chorus, etc..., the Sonic Maximizer is a sound enhancer which basically is a frequency aligner to help your speakers project better.  You would not want to trade one for the other, Pica for vocals via Aux send/return loop of mixer, BBE for overall mix via main output or main inserts.

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As usual, you are right on with the help Lonman. Appreciate it. So, I can actually use this inline to my powered speakers, rather than have to use send/return of the output? I am running out of places to use send/returns so that would be easier just to send the output from the mixer to this and send the output of this to the power speakers. Thanks again in advance.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

Yes this isn't really a piece that you would use a channel Aux send/return.  You could put it via an 'insert' point of a particular channel if your goal is to enhance that channel only - good for recording mixdowns if you need a vocal to cut through the mix, but live I find it can make the vocals a little too bright.  I prefer mine on the overall mix.  I actually just starting using it again, normally would just leave it off & kick it in when I needed a little extra kick over the crowd - I don't use much, but enough to notice.
RAMBLING....So yes, run the outputs of the mixer (unless you have a main insert point) to the BBE & the outputs of it to the amp (powered speakers).

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One thing often forgotten in a "series" type processor is the input amplitude...The setup on mine is a modified dfx12 with normalled jacks out to a BBe362 and then an Aphex 104. This is right out of the EQ but the EQ is used for the stage monitor. I  run the left channel into one strip and ths FX almost off.. The right channel goes into an adjacent mixer channel and the FX at unity...To apply Fx I use two fingers and vary the faders to keep the same level..I never run the music channels above -3db usually about -6db (these channels are additive) So even though the procs are in series I have a little bit control over the amount of processing by changing the input level....

 Last sat we did the all night farm thing again... A couple of bars closed and migrated out and we sang till 4:30 (I lasted till 4 am)  There is not a system around that comes close to mine and outside one can turn the FX up to max...They have shutoff the farmers wells in favor of the developers and tried to tell us could only have one horse or 2 chickens per acre..(that didnt fly) Oh well thats another thread....

Lonman

Thank you for the correction.  I probably shouldn't mess with the Bose sound in general, and if you think Picoverb is at least as good as the Maximizer for vocals, i'll leave well enough alone.

Bernie

Thanks everyone, specially Lonman, for the assistance. I know what I need to do with this great gift. As usual, great answers at this forum.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

Well I didn't really make the statement that it is as good - they are two COMPLETELY different processors.  The Pica is a vocal effects processor that adds reverb, delay, chorus, etc.  The BBE is a frequency aligner designed to make the overall sound of a PA system sound crisper & cleaner.  I would actually use both.
Just out of curiosity, why the Bose system, those are designed for personal monitors in live situations, not really designed for over music playback & PA system.

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I hate to disagree, but my Bose PAS rocks the joint.  It has far better clarity and reach than the house system where I regularely play.  I am speaking of keyboard playing next to a 20 piece band.  There are segments of the program when I am asked to do vocals, backing myself up.  These vocals are what I was referring to.

More in keeping with this forum, I was thinking of using karaoke disks as a backing track.  I then thought of adding Karaoke as an additinal event .  With that in mind, I just odered an RSQ MK-22 to put in my rack, along with a bunch of disks.  Eventhough going through my portable VGA monitor isn't the best, I already have it along with my sound system.

As a one man entertainer, along with playing dances with the band, it seemed like a natural addition to my arsenal.

But that Bose is the best system I have ever had, and I have been playing 40 years.