Aphex Exciter User Manual
EXCITER®
AURAL EXCITER® & OPTICAL BIG BOTTOM®
LEGENDARY PROFESSIONAL AUDIO ENHANCEMENT
OWNER’S MANUAL
Exciter
Safety Declarations
CAUTION: For continued protection against risk of fire, replace only with the same type and rating of fuse.
ATTENTION: pour une protection continue contre les risques d’incendie, ne remplacer qu’avec la même valeur et
même type de fusible.
WARNING: Do not place objects containing liquid on this unit as it is not designed to protect against spillage. Do
not expose this unit to dripping or splashing of liquids as the unit is not designed to protect against these occurances.
WARNING: This unit must be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
WARNING: The Exciter has been tested and meets the FCC, CE and European Union rules, regulations, and guidlines for use. Do not attempt to modify or change the Exciter, as this could void the regulatory compliance, which
would place you at risk of losing your authority to operate the Exciter.
WARNING: Do not place objects on top of this unit if they weigh more than 10 pounds.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures.
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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ATTENTION
Owner’s Manual
This instruction manual is intended to be a complete reference on the Exciter, and we encourage you to read it
thoroughly. At the very least, please look over the Table of Contents to familiarize yourself with the scope of information available to you.
In order to help you get maximum use and satisfaction from your new Exciter, we have tried our best to anticipate
most of the questions and problems users are likely to encounter. You may find its various sections on wiring and
connecting especially helpful.
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Exciter
Table of Contents
1.0 QUICK START
1.1 Unpacking and Inspecting 5
1.2 Simple Setup 5
1.3 Suggested Control Settings 6
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 The Aural Exciter and Big Bottom Technologies Explained 8
2.2 Simplified Block Diagram 9
3.0 INSTALLATION AND INTERFACING
3.1 Installation 10
3.2 Rear Panel View 10
3.3 AC Line Connector 10
3.4 Input Connectors 10
3.5 Output Connections 10
3.6 Operating Level Selector Switch 10
3.7 Grounding Lug 10
3.8 Wiring Diagrams 11
4.0 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
4.1 Front Panel View 12
4.2 Big Bottom Frequency Control 12
4.3 Big Bottom Drive Control & Indicator 12
4.4 Big Bottom Amount Control 12
4.5 Aural Exciter Frequency Control 13
4.6 Aural Exciter Harmonics Control 13
4.7 Aural Exciter Amount Control 13
4.8 Process On/Off Buttons 13
5.0 OPERATION AND APPLICATIONS
5.1 In-Line Patches 14
5.2 Console Insert Patches 14
5.3 Effects Loop Patches 15
5.4 Optimizing Aural Exciter Effects 16
5.5 Optimizing Big Bottom Effects 17
5.6 Recording: Tracking and Mixing 17
5.7 Live Concerts and Sound Reinforcement 18
5.8 Stage Monitors 18
5.9 Guitar, Bass and Keyboard Rigs 19
5.10 Nightclubs and Discos 19
5.11 Karaoke and Stereo Systems 20
5.12 Tape Duplicating 20
5.12 Frequency Chart 21
6.0 WARRANTY AND SERVICE
6.1 Limited Warranty 22
6.2 Service Information 22
7.0 SPECIFICATIONS
7.0 Specifications 23
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Owner’s Manual
1.0 Quick Start
1.1 UNPACKING AND INSPECTING
Your Aphex product was carefully inspected and packaged at the factory prior to shipment. The carton and its
internal packing materials are designed to protect the unit from most rough handling than can occur during
transport and handling. However, you should thoroughly inspect the carton and its contents for signs of physical
damage before attempting to use this device. It is your responsibility to immediately report any damage to your
dealer or the freight company so that a damage claim can be appropriately filed. Shipping claims are always the
responsibility of the consignee (that’s you).
We also encourage you to save all of the original packing materials in the event that this unit should ever have to
be returned to the dealer or factory for repair.
1.2 SIMPLE SETUP
To get started fast, follow the wiring diagram for an in-line application shown below. If you need to run the Exciter
with an insert patch instead, refer to section 5 for more information. Finally, refer to the control settings below to
get your Exciter sounding great. Don’t neglect to later run through this manual, however, as there is a wealth of
useful information here for you.
Source
Device
(Line Level)
TYPICAL CONNECTIONS FOR USING THE AURAL EXCITER AND
OPTICAL BIG BOTTOM IN AN IN-LINE CONFIGURATION
Ch1
Ch2
Aural Exciter
and
Optical
A
Big Bottom
Ch1
Ch2
Destination
Device
(Line Level)
Page 5
Exciter
Quick Start
1.3 SUGGESTED CONTROL SETTINGS
You are encouraged to experiment with the range of settings printed on the face of the unit. When testing the effect
of Big Bottom, turn off the Aural Exciter Mix. Likewise, turn off the Big Bottom AMOUNT when testing the effect
of the Aural Exciter. Doing so allows you to isolate each process and more clearly hear the effect.
Recommended Starting Place
Recommended Range
Indicator Legend
When you have adjusted each process to your personal satisfaction,
turn up both mixes and A/B the effected and uneffected signal with
the IN/OUT buttons.
BIG BOTTOM DRIVE CONTROL & INDICATOR
Turn clockwise until the green LED flashes on bass peaks, then fades
out. This roughly corresponds to the amount of extra bass sustain
you are creating.
However, the LED may not flash or flash brightly even when you
reach the maximum recommended range. Some program material
will interact with this device in unexpected ways, due to frequency
and dynamic content, as well as varying program levels.
BIG BOTTOM FREQUENCY CONTROL
Sets the bass frequency range of the effect. Go clockwise to encompass higher bass
frequencies, and counterclockwise to focus more on the lower bass sounds.
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BIG BOTTOM AMOUNT CONTROL
Adjusts the amount of bass enhancement being added into the
original sound. The higher the setting the more dramatic the
effect. Avoid using any more Mix than necessary or excessive peak
levels will arise.
From Outputs of
Other Line Level
Devices to Exciter’s
Inputs
Select the correct OPERATING LEVEL to
match your interconnecting equipment. Both
the outputs and inputs are switched simultaneously.
Owner’s Manual
Quick Start
In-Line Hookup to Rear Panel
Use balanced or unbalanced cables as needed.
Consult section 7 for wiring options.
From Exciter’S
Outputs to Inputs of
Line Level Devices
AURAL EXCITER FREQUENCY CONTROL
Adjusts the frequency range of the effect.
Tune lower for more mid pickup and presence.
Tune higher for an airier sound.
PROCESS ON/OFF SWITCH
Turns Aural Exciter and Big Bottom off and on
simultaneously. Button glows green when on.
Each channel is switched independently.
AURAL EXCITER AMOUNT CONTROL
Adjusts the amount of Aural Excitement being
added into the original sound. The higher the
setting the more dramatic the effect. Use just the
amount needed to feel the effect. Excess Mix can
be sound harsh.
AURAL EXCITER HARMONICS CONTROL
Sets the relative richness of harmonics created
by the Aural Exciter. Use more for instrument
tracks and less for voice tracks. What’s best for
mixes needs to be determined by experiment.
Page 7
Exciter
2.0 Introduction
2.1 THE AURAL EXCITER AND BIG BOTTOM TECHNOLOGIES EXPLAINED
The AURAL EXCITER is an audio processor that recreates and restores missing harmonics. Harmonics are musically and dynamically related to the original sound, revealing the fine differences between voices and various instruments. Reproduced sound is audibly different than the original live sound because of the loss in harmonic detail,
often sounding dull and lifeless. The Aural Exciter adds harmonics, restoring natural brightness, clarity, and presence, effectively improving detail and intelligibility. Using the Aural Exciter on specific instruments or in the final
mix brings life back to the recording.
The original Aural Exciter patent disclosed a method for generating sonic harmonics which was amplitude dependent. In nature, generally speaking, the higher the amplitude, the higher the amount of harmonics. However, there
are instances where there are high level sinusoidal waveforms, most of which should not have harmonics added,
and other instances where there are waveforms which have low level transients, which could be enhanced by additional harmonics. Our latest patent, the Transient Discriminate Harmonics Generator, can recognize transients
(transient discriminate) over a wide dynamic range and generate harmonics on them. The result is a more predictable and natural sounding enhancement over a wider range of inputs.
The Aural Exciter extends the high frequencies, unlike EQ’s and other brightness enhancers which only boost the
high frequencies and often alter the overall tonal balance. The stereo image is enhanced with the Aural Exciter,
resulting in a greater perceived loudness without an introduction of noise into the audio path. It should be pointed
out that the Aural Exciter is a “single-ended” process that can be inserted at any point within the audio chain.
“Single-ended” means that the unit will receive the incoming audio signal, process the program material through
Aphex’s patented Aural Exciter/Big Bottom technology, then output the effected signal with no further processing
required to achieve the desired aural qualities.
Input
SIMPLIFIED SIDECHAIN DIAGRAM
As illustrated above, the unit splits the input signal into two paths. One path goes directly to the output unmodified, while the other path, known as a sidechain, goes through the Aural Exciter circuit which is comprised of a
tunable high pass filter and a harmonics generator. The Aural Exciter circuit applies frequency dependent phase
shift and transient discriminate harmonics. The output of the Aural Exciter’s harmonic circuit is mixed back with
the unmodified signal but much lower in level. When used at nominal settings, the Aural Exciter circuit does not
add significant level to the original signal. Even though the added information is low in level, the perception is a
dramatic increase in mid and high frequencies.
The Exciter also incorporates another exclusive Aphex patent, Big Bottom, providing a stronger, more powerful
bass, increased sustain and density without an increase in the peak output. While static bass-boost EQ’s and
subharmonic generators will increase the bass energy level, the resultant large boost in peak level often increases
overload distortion. Big Bottom resembles the Aural Exciter in that a processed signal is mixed back into an
unmodified signal to produce an enhanced output signal. The sidechain path goes through the Big Bottom circuitry, comprised of a variable low-pass filter and a phase and dynamics processor.
Big Bottom circuitry dynamically contours the bass response of a complex range of shapes in the 50Hz to 200Hz
range. Big Bottom increases the perception of low frequencies without significantly increasing the maximum peak
output. The bass frequency response is dynamically optimized to isolate and enhance the lowest bass frequencies
to provide a deeper and more resonant bass.
Original
Signal
Output
Sidechain
Processing
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