Gives you solid state reliability with great tube emulation.

The BBE BMAX Solid State Bass Guitar Preamplifier is a high-quality bass preamp/processor with advantages in the recording studio and in demanding live applications. It features a class A/B front end that emulates the loading effect of a classic tube preamp. It also has a pure and clean electronically-balanced DI output.

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.

BBE BMAX Solid State Bass Guitar Preamplifier Features:

• High-quality bass preamp/processor
• Useful in the studio and in demanding live applications
• Class A/B front end emulates classic tube preamp
• Electronically-balanced DI output
• Quasi-parametric mid-range EQ with 12db of boost or cut between 250 to 1000hz
• Single-knob soft-knee optical compressor
• Inputs for both passive pickup and active pickup instruments
• 1meg ohm input impedance
• Ground lift switch
• Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS Outputs
• Military-spec circuit boards
• Extra thick, extra wide circuit board traces for unequaled electron flow
• 1% metal film resistors throughout
• Solid 1/4" thick aluminum extrusion front panel for extreme ruggedness
• Made with pride in the USA
• 5-year warranty

BBE BMAX Solid State Bass Guitar Preamplifier Includes:

• 5-year warranty

Makes even budget amps sound like a vintage tuber. Order today and get your sound right.

BBE BMAX Solid State Bass Guitar Preamplifier

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Average of 18 User Ratings

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What my tone needed

Posted by bassfan6 from Pleasant Hill, CA on Dec 29, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Metal, Classic Rock

I have been chasing a good tone for a really long time. I play through an SVT3 Pro with both an Ampeg full stack and a half stack. I own a passive Fender Jazz V and an Active Washburn RB2602 6 string. I always felt that the SVT3 was weak sounding and I wanted to solve that without having to spend a lot of money or buying a head that weighs 150 pounds.

The BBE BMAX did that and how!! Just by plugging it I could feel my tone just beefing up and sounding a lot better. Not only this is a great preamp but it includes a really good compressor and the Sonic Maximizer, all in the same unit!! It may seem like a bit of money but if you buy everything separate you will spend more in the long run.

BBE has amazed me. I can't believe I've been playing without it for years. Highly recommended and just like somebody said here, make sure you pay attention to the manual, cause the EQ is very different. Thanks BBE.

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UH-MAY-ZING!

Posted by MotusNick from Sandy Eggo on Jul 16, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Rock star!

Reviewer's Play Style: Melodic metal, blues, prog, grunge

This thing has exceeded all of my expectations.

I had a BBE 482 sonic maximizer for years, and I bought this beast to replace the 482; I wanted to add an EQ to my rig, and I know BBE is good stuff, plus I still wanted to sonic maximizer.

I play an Ibanez SR506 B-stock. The reason it's a B-stock is because the adjustable midrange is outside of the norm that Ibanez produces... some engineer was sleeping while my bass was on the line. Awesome. With that said, I've always had issues with my tone and EQ.

I kid you not, as soon as I got the BMax hooked up, I was in love. I hardly had to touch the knobs; I just set everything about where I thought it should be, and BBE did the rest.

The sonic maximizer is as awesome as the 482 I had. The EQ fills out my tone and beefs it up. The compressor allows me to pull more out of my bass and head... this things is a god-send.

I run my Ibanez through the BMax, a GK 1001RB, and a GK 810GLX, with a full pedal board as well. The BMax was the missing piece... I will NEVER get rid of this thing. BUY IT NOW!!!

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Clean and Mean

Posted by Mad Mark from KC on Feb 6, 2009

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Metal, Industrial

I read the reviews and bought one to add to my rack. I have a GK 400 with Schroeder cabs and it sounds awesome. I can drive right through with all the clarity that I ever wanted and then some. I like the fact that I can switch the compression and/or the Sonic Maximizer on or off to suit the mood. It's a great product! I also run the XLR output through my Presonus Firestudio Project and there is NO noise whatsoever. It's great for recording. Thanks BBE

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Best Preamp For The Money

Posted by Rainman from Redlands, CA on Oct 31, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Alternative, Motown, and Cont. Christian

I have been using a SS BMax since 6/06 and it has become my prefered amp for everything I play. I use this amp with a QSC GX5 power amp (previously used an RMX 2450 but got tired of the weight and bulk) and the combination gives me a versatile and powerful head.

The BMax generates nice warm tone with plenty of tone shaping. The onboard compressor is very nice but it is a "soft knee" type and does not compress your sound like a typical outboard compressor. It works well for me and I do a far amount of slap. The Sonic Maximizer is excellent and really makes my tone full and punchy. I believe in the Sonic Maximizer but some people can do without it. You can turn it off if you are not as impressed with it as I am. I use Sonic Maximizers on my PA systems so I have "drank the whole pitcher of coolaid" when it comes to the technology.

The EQ is a little strange at first. It took a while to get used to. It's an old school passive design that boosts highs and lows but cuts mids. Once you get used to it and dial in the mids with the parametric EQ the tones you can get are amazing. Anything from old school dub to hi-fi clean.

Truely an exceptional product.

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worth every last penny!!

Posted by guzzler1786 from thumb of michigan on Mar 25, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: funk, rock, metal

I finally received my bbe bmax after waiting for almost two monthes. and yes it was worth every second of the wait. This is by far the best preamp ive ever owned. Solid construction and multiple outputs are only a few key elements. With an onboard compressor and sonic maximizer, you couldnt ask for more. I run this with an ampeg svt 450 head and 410 hlf cab and it sounds incredible. I play many styles of music and it takes only a few seconds to dial in your tone once you understand how to operate it. I highly recommend this to anyone, whether you are just starting to play or have been playing for years, definately check this product out!!

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BBE BMAX Solid State Bass Guitar Preamplifier

Read 18 Reviews