sonic maximizer ..what does this do and how does it work ..is it worth getting

Not worth getting at all.... it's used mostly as an excuse not to track something correctly in the first place.

Proper recording technique - using the right mic, the right pre, the right player in the right room will negate any need for "sonic maximizing".....

In other words - if you have to use a sonic maximizer, you didn't record it or mix it right.....
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Bruce Valeriani - Mix Engineer

A sonic maximizer is a great addition to a guitarist's rig. I add one right into their effects chain to eliminate any signal loss caused by all those little patch cables. I haven't ever used one in my recording rig, but I can imagine it being an excellent tool in the mastering process.

rtlightning84 wrote:

...I can imagine it being an excellent tool in the mastering process.

Definitely not.... I don't know of a single qualified ME that would find any sort of sonic maximizer useful during the mastering process......
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Bruce Valeriani - Mix Engineer

Why not? If I master a project my goals are to make every track form into a solid, presentable song. A sonic maximizer would bring out the full spectrum of sound that was recorded but may have been partially dulled or lost due to use of analog tape (if it is used), cables, or just being run through a lot of equipment in the pre-mastering phases.

Haven't Used one on individual tracks and don't think I will, well maybe to just check it but I am a firm beleiver in Player,Guitar, amp, Cab, Room, Mics. Nothing else in the signal chain.
For mastering it's great though, I'm still learning how it works but it can bring some life to a dul recording and thicknes to a weak recording.
Universal Audio just came out with a Persision Maximizer and it's AWESOME
http://www.uaudio.com/

Good Luck

The Compound