BBE Sonic Stomp - Looks like the pedal for me

[MusicManJP6]

I've been messing with different distortion pedals for use as boosts for solos (OCD and DS-1) and just bought an EQ pedal to try a sculpted lead and it has been useful (and I will hang on to it), but not exactly what I was looking for. A friend showed me his BBE Sonic Stomp and I was floored. It sounds like it really opens up the sound and would be perfect for solos.

Here's a review I found that REALLY makes it sound enticing:

This pedal is simple but effective. What BBE's sonic maximizers do is essentially re-sync frequencies. As audio signals travel through an audio cable the low and high frequencies move at different speeds. This causes them to come out of the speaker slightly out of sync and sound muddy. The sonic maximizer delays the appropriate frequencies so everything comes out at the same time and sounds tighter. You don't realize how muddy and dull your guitar is until you use the Sonic Stomp. Just put it at the end of your effects chain and it clears up your sound. Many people say it's like "taking a blanket off your amp." That's sort of true. I'd say it's comparable to the difference between old worn out strings and a fresh set. I use to use only the treble pickup on my guitar because the rhythm sounded too muddy. Now that I have the Sonic Stomp they both sound great. My rhythm pickup still retains its bass but now has much more cut. You won't be disappointed with this pedal.

What do you all think of these pedals? I'm extremely close to pulling the trigger on one...

 

[Beserkr]

I've read a lot of good things about this pedal, I thought it was more on the line of a compressor. Are you saying it can be used like a boost?

 

[MusicManJP6]

No, not really a boost, but more of a 'different' sound for leads is what I'm going for. With the SS off, my friend's amp sounded natural and somewhat vintage and with the SS on, it brought out more frequencies and made the amp sound more 'modern' or 'over the top'. I'm not sure that a volume boost can be had using it, but I really don't need a boost like I thought I did, I just need a more over the top tone for solos...

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Idk....never been a fan...acts too much like a mid scoop and "tone-killer" IMO....for certain genres, like extreme high gain metal, I can see its use, but otherwise, I wouldn't degrade a Mark IV's tone with it :wink:

 

[MusicManJP6]

Have you used one with your Mark IV Ibanez4life? The local music store has one I can take home and try out, so i'll do that next week and see how it sounds. It sounded good on my friend's Marshall...

 

[slayer44]

It just realigns the frequencies, I know youve read it over and over, but it sounds like youve taken a blanket off your cab. Its not overly noticeable at first, but once you leave it on for awile and then shut if off, you can tell. A live setting is where it shines though. The bottom line is, its not a shaping tool, more of a finishing touch.

 

[Chris McKinley]

slayer44 comes the closest to describing what the Sonic Stomp actually does. It is not a boost. It is not a compressor. It simply staggers the lower and higher frequencies such that they (ideally) arrive at the ear of the listener in such a way that the muddier bass frequencies don't cloud, mask or muddy the perception of the higher frequencies.

ibanez4lifeSZ, the Sonic Stomp does not provide a "mid-scoop" sound. If you are getting that sound out of your rig with a Sonic Stomp included in the signal chain, then A) the Sonic Stomp is simply revealing the fact that your rig already has a mid scoop to it with your current settings, B) you are simply not used to hearing your treble and bass frequencies with such clarity, giving them the impression of overshadowing the mids, or C) a combination of the above.

The Sonic Stomp doesn't kill tone, it reveals it. If your tone is weak in the mids, that reality will be all the more apparent when the frequencies are staggered such that you can hear everything clearly. I had that same problem when I first ran a Sonic Stomp through my Triple Rec. Certain guys have said it before, but the Rectos are inherently weak in certain mid frequencies at default settings, especially the guitar's "singing" frequencies of 650-800 Hz. Boost your mids back up where they belong and/or add an EQ to the chain so that you can tailor the frequency response how you like it and the Sonic Stomp only makes the whole thing sound better.

Careful though, the effect is a bit like adding salt to a bland soup. A little is good; too much and the human ear starts to hear the bass and treble frequencies as separate signals (more than ~35 ms), which sounds artificial.

A separate point, but the bass boost control on the Sonic Stomp is one of those rare effects pedal bass boosts that actually boosts the correct frequencies. Most give you way too much 200-300 Hz boost (read: mud). The Sonic Stomp correctly gives you the option of boosting the bass at 100-120 Hz. These are the frequencies that give you that heart-thumping percussive quality that good, kick-*** heavy metal guitar is supposed to deliver.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I actually ended up pulling the trigger on one and have been using it with my Roadster for a few days. It sounds great! It basically brings my tone back that is lost by running several pedals through the loop! I am starting to REALLY like it and you are dead on about how you described it, Chris. I highly recommend this pedal if any of you have several pedals in your loop and suffer from tone degradation because of it! I have the process knob at noon and the lo contour knob at about 1 or 2 'o clock. It's staying on my pedalboard for sure! I just leave it on all the time...

 

[mattmurray8]

Chris,

THANK YOU!! I've scowered the internet forums looking for objective views on the sonic maximizer, as I have just bought one. I love the way you explained its function in detail. I have heard too many reviews from amateurs that just wanted a quick fix for their tone. As well I've heard too many reviews of skeptic 'pro's that view it as a tone killer in a band application. I also use a Roadster, and I am looking for that killer metalcore(ish) sound. I suppose similar to Killswitch Engage if I would pick. All in all, in a band application, we want the proper frequencies to stand out clearer instead of BOOSTING the frequencies.

Also, MusicMan thanks for your input as its hard to find other Roadster users, let alone somebody that uses a sonic maximizer with it for me to get an opinion on.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I actually ended up selling the BBE shortly after I made my last post on this thread. It just sounded too processed to me after I got used to it. I think a good EQ would do a better job. I played with a 6-band, but I think a 10-band would put me right on the mark...

Good luck with your BBE!

 

[mattmurray8]

****, another one that got over it and sold it within a few months. I guess time will tell whether its good for me or not. Then again, I'm not playing in a band context right now which is probably why it sounds so good.

it does work incredible for cleans though, I use the loop sampler on my DL4 and it brings out the different parts incredibly well.

I'll keep you guys posted on my opinion in a couple weeks, and I'll let you know if I stop using it or find a way to tweak it.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I never had a chance to use it in a band context before I sold it. I just thought it sounded too processed with the amp on it's own... Some love the BBE's and some hate them... Let us know what you end up doing with it in the next few weeks!

 

[Brewski]

I had been thinking about a Sonic Stomp more for using it with an acoustic electric. We did some recording and used the software version of it when mixing and it did seem to open up the sound. I guess that I'd have to listen to it live to make a decision. I basically like the tones that I get on my electrics now, but thought that using it with an acoustic electric might enhance that sound. It's like any effect, it's probably not meant for every application.

I respect the opinions above and will see if any others weigh in on it. Has anyone used it with an acoustic electric and if so, what did you think?

 

[MusicManJP6]

It would probably work well with an acoustic actually... I've not had any experience first hand with it, but it seems like it would make it sound pretty good.

 

[6L6C]

I had been thinking about a Sonic Stomp more for using it with an acoustic electric. We did some recording and used the software version of it when mixing and it did seem to open up the sound. I guess that I'd have to listen to it live to make a decision. I basically like the tones that I get on my electrics now, but thought that using it with an acoustic electric might enhance that sound. It's like any effect, it's probably not meant for every application.

I respect the opinions above and will see if any others weigh in on it. Has anyone used it with an acoustic electric and if so, what did you think?

It sounds awesome with my Takamine! I originally got the Sonic Stomp for my POD XTL (to help it a bit, I use it after the POD BTW) and it helps! But did a small acoustic gig last month went Takamine>Sonic Stomp>PA done! And with all the EQ-ing in the world that guitar never sounded so good plugged in. I love that little pedal, like it so much ended up getting the plug-in for my recording software.

The idea now for me is a live rig application for the Sonic Stomp. I use a Mark IV and a processor in the loop I’m not a big pedal guy, but will be the first to admit they yield their own certain magic. I feel no need to enhance my Mark IV with the Sonic Stomp but I do like a little on Guitar solos give’s a different flavor but still has the integrity of the amp. Sounds really good with single note stuff.

 

[recto-robbie]

I bought one a few months ago and gave it a go. Honestly I returned it the next day because although it did seem to make my sound a bit clearer it was so minute I couldnt allow myself to spend that cash on it.
Id much rather have gotten another overdrive or something.
I wont say it was bad but at least with my setup there really wasnt much of any added goodness.
I also think it acted somewhat like an EQ which I already have a boss
ge-7 that not only can I change the sound of frequencies,, it seems to add a clearness to my sound. Problem solved for me.
I never did try it in the loop. I connected it last pedal before amp.

 

[jab]

i use the sonic stomp on all the time. Sat with my Stiletto for a while again the other day going sonic stomp on/off and I slightly prefer the "on". It's subtle, but I like it a bit more. On acoustic it really shines. Brings an acoustic guitar to life so I don't go on stage without one. Our bass player uses one and it really shines on bass too. I think as long as your not using distortion, it becomes more prominent. The band has become such fans of it we bought the rack mount for our pa (only $130) and the vocals and acoustics we run directly through the board sound amazing.