BBE Sound Sonic Maximizer BBE 882, 882i, 882 SONIC MAXIMIZER User Manual

User Guide

and

Reference

Manual

SONIC MAXIMIZER

882

i

1

Important Safeguards ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………i
BBE Process Explained ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
Product Description ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2
Applications ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2
Front Panel Controls ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Rear Panel Connections …………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Specifications ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
General Operation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Application Diagrams…………………………………………………………………………………………………………6-10
Service /Warranty / Maintenance ……………………………………………………………………………………………11
Calibration Procedures …………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
Schematic Diagrams…………………………………………………………………………………………………………13-16

Congratulations on your purchase of the BBE 882 Sonic Maximizer—a balanced, two channel signal

processor that will benefit any recording or sound reproduction system. You now own a very unique

signal processing device with no equal in the audio world. Whether you purchased the BBE 882 for

your recording studio, P.A., DJ system, or instrument rack, you will find the 882's rugged construction

and careful electronic design a welcome addition to your sonic arsenal.

Thank you for your purchase, and for the trust that you've placed in BBE. We are committed to

bringing you the finest products, with useful and unique features to serve your audio needs.

The BBE Process—"What it Is"

Loudspeakers have difficulty working with the electronic signals supplied by an amplifier. These difficulties cause such
major phase and amplitude distortion that the sound reproduced by the speaker differs significantly from the sound
produced by the original source.

In the past, these problems proved unsolvable and were thus relegated to a position of secondary importance in audio
system design. However, phase and amplitude integrity is essential to accurate sound reproduction. Research shows
that the information which the listener translates into the recognizable characteristics of a live performance are
intimately tied into complex time and amplitude relationships between the fundamental and harmonic components
of a given musical note or sound. These relationships define a sound's “sound”.

When these complex relationships pass through a speaker, the proper order is lost. The higher frequencies are delayed.
A lower frequency may reach the listener's ear first or perhaps simultaneously with that of a higher frequency. In some
cases, the fundamental components may be so time-shifted that they reach the listener's ear ahead of some or all of
the harmonic components.

This change in the phase and amplitude relationship on the harmonic and fundamental frequencies is technically
called “envelope distortion.” The listener perceives this loss of sound integrity in the reproduced sound as “muddy”
and “smeared.” In the extreme, it can become difficult to tell the difference between musical instruments, for example,
an oboe and a clarinet.

BBE Sound, Inc. conducted extensive studies of numerous speaker systems over a ten year period. With this knowledge,
it became possible to identify the characteristics of an ideal speaker and to distill the corrections necessary to return
the fundamental and harmonic frequency structures to their correct order. While there are differences among various
speaker designs in the magnitude of their correction, the overall pattern of correction needed is remarkably consistent.

The BBE Process is so unique that 42 patents have been awarded by the U.S. Patent Office.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Product Description

The BBE 882 is a dual channel, single rack space device for use in +4dBu balanced line applications. Each of the two
independent channels has a Lo Contour control, Process control and a 5 segment LED input level meter. A single
function button switches the BBE process on or off in both channels, which is useful for comparing the processed sound
to the unprocessed sound. An LED next to the function button glows green when the BBE process is on and red when
the process is off. The Lo Contour controls are for adjusting the level of phase corrected low frequencies in the program
material. The Process controls are for adjusting the level of phase corrected high frequencies in the program material.

Things to Remember

The BBE 882 is designed to work with +4dBu signal levels. This is suitable for use with professional P.A. systems,
recording studios or nightclub sound systems. The BBE 882 drives load impedances down to 600 Ohms and supplies
a maximum output level of +23dBu. Plugging a guitar, microphone or other high impedance device directly into the
BBE 882 will not work properly as its input impedance is less than 14.7K Ohms.

Set-Up

The BBE 882 is connected into the signal chain in series with the signal path the same way a graphic equalizer or
limiter would be. The output of a mixer, pre-amp, or other sound source feeds the input of the BBE 882. Setting up the
BBE 882 as an echo send device like a digital reverb is not recommended as the processed effect is not fully realized
when summed with the original source audio.

APPLICATIONS

Music and P.A. Systems

The BBE 882 is a welcome addition to any live sound P.A. system because the BBE circuit dramatically improves the
clarity and intelligibility of vocals and musical instruments. Night club and mobile DJ systems will also benefit greatly
from the BBE Process, with more depth, detail and punch over the entire mix. The 882 can be hooked up to any P.A.
or DJ sound system exactly like an equalizer would. When using in conjunction with an equalizer, the 882 should be
added after the equalizer in the signal chain. In the event that the equalizer is being used for drastic tone alteration,
then insert the 882 before the equalizer in the signal chain. Placement either before or after an equalizer should have
no negative effect on the 882 unit or its processing ability, however most users find they prefer more modest use of
their equalizers once the BBE 882 has been added to their sound systems.

Instrument Racks

The BBE 882 will deliver surprisingly good results in guitar, bass and keyboard rack systems. Electric guitars have added
“bite”, “chunk” and improved definition. As Guitar Player magazine said, “BBE is the most cost effective improvement
you can add to your rig”. Acoustic guitars processed with the 882 have a breathtakingly natural sparkle and presence.
Bassists will delight in the BBE 882's ability to bring much more punch to the bottom end without muddying up the
midrange. The 882 is also great for keyboard rigs, with everything from the latest samples to a vintage Rhodes
benefiting equally from the patented BBE process.

Recording Systems

The BBE 882 can be used as an effect on individual tracks or applied overall during mixdown. The BBE process works
very well to liven up the final mix, which is why the BBE 882 and 482 models are popular for use in both recreational
and professional recording studios.

2

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1. LED DISPLAY: The LED display is used to indicate the output signal level of the BBE 882. Each number on the front
panel corresponds to the output signal level, measured in decibels. Example: The “+10” indicates a 10dBu signal
level, “0” refers to 0dBu, and so on. Once an input signal level has been established, increasing the BBE PROCESS
and LO CONTOUR will increase the output signal and cause more LEDs to illuminate. The Clip LED monitors the
input signal level. The Clip LED will illuminate at +20dBu, giving a 3dBu warning of the impending distortion at
+23dBu, the actual clip point.

2. LO CONTOUR: Each channel is equipped with a LO CONTOUR CONTROL. This control regulates the amount of
phase corrected bass frequencies.

3. PROCESS: Each channel is equipped with a PROCESS CONTROL. This control regulates the amount of phase
corrected treble frequencies.

4. BBE FUNCTION: This push button switch allows for quick comparison of processed with unprocessed sound.
When the switch is pushed in, the process is on and the indicator LED is green. When the switch is out, the process
is off and the indicator LED is yellow.

5. CHANNEL B: These controls function the same as CHANNEL A.

6. POWER: This switch controls primary power to the BBE 882.

3

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

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®

POWER

▼

ON OFF

▼

882

SONIC MAXIMIZER

+10CLIP

CHANNEL A

BBE PROCESS

IN

-20-100

LO CONTOUR

PROCESS

FUNCTION

OUT

LO CONTOUR

PROCESS

-20-100

+10 CLIP

CHANNEL B

4

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS

1. AC POWER CORD: Plugs into AC power receptacle. U.S. Model, 100-120Vac, 50/60Hz.
All other models,220-240Vac, 50/60Hz.

2. FUSE: Turn cap on fuse holder counter-clockwise to remove fuse. (Note: For U.S. Model, replace with 250Vac, 1/2A
Fastblow type fuse. For all other models, replace with 250Vac, .125A Fastblow type fuse.)

3. OUTPUT: The output of the BBE 882 can be taken from the 1/4” stereo TRS Phone Jack or the XLR Jack. Both are
balanced and the same point electronically. This allows both outputs to be used simultaneously, eliminating the
need for a “Y” cord in the event multiple, balanced outputs are required. The recommended single load impedance
is at least 10k Ohms. If both outputs are being used, a minimum of a 22k Ohm load per device is required. (The
“load” is determined by the input impedance of the next subsequent component in the signal chain.) The
maximum output is rated at +23dBu. Pin #2 is considered the hot or “+” signal. The output impedance of the BBE
882 is 600 ohms. NOTE: Actual output level will vary due to the selected position of the BBE Process, and the actual
input signal level. If both the XLR and Phone Jacks are being used, both must be either balanced or unbalanced.
Otherwise a loss of signal level will occur.

4. INPUT: The input of the BBE 882 is a balanced connection. Although is can be either a TRS 1/4” stereo Phone Plug
or an XLR Plug, it is recommended that only one input source be used. Both jacks are the same point electronically,
however, due to the input/output impedance characteristics of most audio devices, a loss of signal may occur and/or
damage to a component if both inputs are utilized. Pin #2 is considered the hot or “+” signal. The input impedance
of the BBE 882 is 14.7k Ohms. The maximum signal level is +23dBu.

5. CHANNEL A: These connections function the same as CHANNEL B.

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