Sorry it's taken so long to reply...
Here's what I've found: first, the version of BBE software that I have is actually simply called "Sonic Maximizer" (circa 2002!), not the D82. As reported, the DX version behaves badly even when using Direct Show DSP Filter. To my amazement, the VST version works perfectly with MC 17 (so I would imagine the newer software would work fine also) I must say, after searching for a downloadable trial version of the software, I was terribly disappointed. It can be found from third party sites, but it is not the current version (2.4) and the downloads are infested with adware! BBE is pushing a new bundle of 3 products including the Sonic Maximizer called System Sweet. It can be had from Amazon and some Musician sites for $99. I can find no reliable source for a downloadable trial version. This seems like a huge mistake to me. What better way to convince someone that your product works than to let them experience it for themselves. To make matters worse, BBE now only seems interested in marketing to pro sound and production folks, while the original Sonic Maximizer hardware was clearly marketed to owners of home high fidelity systems. I've been listening to music via BBE processing simply because it enables me to feel closer to the music. Again, how it works and what it does is best explained by the manufacturer. But I'll try to answer Scolex's question this way: The tools included in MC's DSP processing allow adjustment in various parameters of sound reproduction such as EQ, Image enhancement, Room correction, etc. BBE doesn't adjust these parameters. BBE identified a weakness in the reproduction chain and engineered a solution for it. The BBE process makes playback through loudspeakers sound more realistic by applying a set amount of time delay at specific crossover points that are not user adjustable. They claim much research led them to choose the amount of delay at certain frequencies with the goal of correcting an inherent flaw in loudspeaker reproduction. It may take a leap of faith to believe such a weakness exists in loudspeaker playback, but I have tried many times to prove that the BBE process doesn't work by making A/B comparisons. People will claim that the unit merely boosts the gain or alters the frequency response. I can honestly say that I prefer the sound processed through the BBE even at a lower volume than the unprocessed sound. This test can be easily accomplished by switching the unit in or out of the signal chain and using its output level control to match the output (or lower it) compared to the unprocessed signal. In my opinion, BBE confuses the real benefit of its technology by including tone controls on the unit and labeling them as "Lo Contour" and "Process". These controls may prove useful, as the Lo Contour control only affects Bass response below 125 Hz or so and the Process control affects only the highest frequencies. But I still think they're mislabeled. The true magic of the BBE process happens when the Process button is engaged. The Lo contour and Process controls must be set to 5 (12 o'clock position) to make them flat. On the old hardware version at least these controls were flat when set to the 12 o'clock position and simply labeled decrease or increase when deviated from this position. The software now comes with gimmicky presets that simply move the tone controls to predetermined positions. Again, I believe the Process BUTTON is where the real benefit of this strange signal processing lies. If I didn't hear it for myself, I wouldn't believe it. Another strange twist to all of this is that "BBE" can be found on home and auto electronics, much the same way as "SRS" is widely found nowadays on televisions for image enhancement. Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Author
Topic: Direct X Host skips in MC16 and MC17 (Read 5629 times)