Can Helix create BBE Sonic Maximizer effect?

[boynigel]

Has anyone here had any success in creating the BBE Sonic Maximizer effect with their Helix?  I saw a post on the Fractal forum where a guy used an EQ curve to achieve it.  From his post:

 

For the 'Lo Contour' (bass) knob, enter the following values for each of the parameters in the first band on the first page of the PEQ block:

Freq 1: 50.00 Hz

Q1: 0.248

Gain 1: 1.50 dB

Frequency 1 Type: Peaking

For the 'Process' (treble) control, enter the following values for each of the parameters in the second band on the first page of the PEQ block:

Freq 5: 9000 Hz

Q5: 0.248

Gain 5: 1.50 dB

Frequency 5 Type: Peaking

 

So, I gave it a try using the Helix’s Parametric EQ block, but I wasn’t really hearing it.  The EQ in the Helix doesn’t have the ability to select Peaking as on the Fractal…I’m not so sure how much of a factor that would be (or not).  To a lesser degree, the Helix would only allow me to input single-digit values for the Q values so I just created two different block settings- one with the Q rounded down to  .2, and one rounded up to .3.

Then of course there’s BBE’s claim that their “effect” re-aligns the low and high frequencies w/each other so that they arrive at your ear at the same time.  Perhaps, or maybe that claim is just hype and it’s really just an EQ curve, which is what brought me here.

 

@craiganderton ?

[brue58ski]

On 5/6/2024 at 7:02 AM, boynigel said:

 

Has anyone here had any success in creating the BBE Sonic Maximizer effect with their Helix?  I saw a post on the Fractal forum where a guy used an EQ curve to achieve it.  From his post:

 

For the 'Lo Contour' (bass) knob, enter the following values for each of the parameters in the first band on the first page of the PEQ block:

Freq 1: 50.00 Hz

Q1: 0.248

Gain 1: 1.50 dB

Frequency 1 Type: Peaking

For the 'Process' (treble) control, enter the following values for each of the parameters in the second band on the first page of the PEQ block:

Freq 5: 9000 Hz

Q5: 0.248

Gain 5: 1.50 dB

Frequency 5 Type: Peaking

 

So, I gave it a try using the Helix’s Parametric EQ block, but I wasn’t really hearing it.  The EQ in the Helix doesn’t have the ability to select Peaking as on the Fractal…I’m not so sure how much of a factor that would be (or not).  To a lesser degree, the Helix would only allow me to input single-digit values for the Q values so I just created two different block settings- one with the Q rounded down to  .2, and one rounded up to .3.

Then of course there’s BBE’s claim that their “effect” re-aligns the low and high frequencies w/each other so that they arrive at your ear at the same time.  Perhaps, or maybe that claim is just hype and it’s really just an EQ curve, which is what brought me here.

 

@craiganderton ?

 

I have one and yes, the claim was ,as the signal changed, one of the frequencies was "slower"  than the others (hi mid lo) so it would dynamically delay a band so the hi mid, and low sound waves were realligned. I do think it sounded different from a plain EQ. I remember hearing that the reallignment thing was just hype. I have not used it since I've gone to Line 6. Here's one of the best articles about how it works that I've seen. It's from Sweetwater but it really is accurate and not a lot of hype.

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/what-bbe-effective/

 

[jester700]

I remember the original device, marketed in Stereo Review, High Fidelity, and other home Hi-Fi mags for home hi-fi use. Their main point was the frequency alignment thing, with illustrations of woofers & tweeters in a typical floor standing speaker setup. This, of course, has nothing to do with the usual positions of PA speakers & monitors, headphones, or guitar cabs, so in reality the "bass compensation" and "dynamic EQ" are the REAL effect.

I mean, who doesn't like goosing the bass & treble a bit?

[boynigel]

On 5/6/2024 at 1:12 PM, jester700 said:

I mean, who doesn't like goosing the bass & treble a bit?

Right, and i get that it's a polarizing effect w/most people.  I used to run one (rack mount 462) in the effects loop of my Mesa Trem-o-Verb way back in '94, and i probably overused it LOL.  Adding to BBE's polarizing reputation is that it slightly boosts the effected signal, and we all perceive louder as being better, right? 

 

That said, in small amounts it really can add the little extra "special something" to your sound in certain situations, and that's what i'm hoping to experiment with if i can get a convincing replication of the effect out of the Helix.