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Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter
User Guide
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User Guide
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Waves Audio Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter User Guide

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WAVES
APHEX VINTAGE AURAL EXCITER®
USER GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1 WELCOME......................................................................................................3
1.2 PRODUCT OVERVIEW......................................................................................3
1.3 CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY........................................................................4
1.4 COMPONENTS ................................................................................................6
3.1 INTERFACE.....................................................................................................8
3.2 CONTROLS.....................................................................................................9
4.1 THE WAVESYSTEM TOOLBAR ........................................................................11
4.2 PRESET HANDLING .......................................................................................11
4.3 INTERFACE CONTROLS..................................................................................13
4.4 WAVES PREFERENCES (PRO TOOLS ONLY) ....................................................15
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Chapter 1 – Introduction

1.1 Welcome

Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the time to read through this manual.
In conjunct There you will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration.
By signing up at www.wavesupport.net your registered products, reminders when updates are available, and information on your authorization status.
ion, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net
, you will receive personalized information on
.

1.2 Product Overview

When it was originally introduced in the mid-1970s, the Aphex Aural Exciter® brought its distinctive sound to sele studio as an exclusive (and expensive) rental unit.
ct sessions by leading recording artists, traveling from studio to
A true groundbreaker, the original Aural Exciter was highly regarded for its ability to increase and enhance presence, brightness, and detail on vocal tracks and masters alike. It was even credited as a "session player" on popular albums by the likes of Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and James Taylor.
Modeled on one of only a few tube-powered units ever made, the new Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter plugin delivers all the unique character of the rare original hardware unit, with all the advantages of software.
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1.3 Concepts and Terminology

While the original 402 Aural Exciter unit we modeled has only one mix mode, the Vintage Aural Exciter plugin has two. Here’s how that came about:
When we originally modeled the unit, replicating its sound in both insert and aux send/return modes, we realized that
each mode had its own unique sound. This is primarily because the phase relation between the direct sound and the AX sound is reversed, and the signal that the AX is mixed with is a pure direct, while the device’s BP (bypassed) signal includes its own phase response which, while not fully inverted, does affect the sound of the mix.
Producer/engineer Val Garay, one of the high-profile users who helped popularize the original Aural Exciter, listened to th
e plugin prototype and confirmed that the sound of our software corresponds perfectly with the hardware unit. However, he also told us that he always used the device in a send/return auxiliary setup in AX mode. Val’s aux send/return setup delivers “the sound” that is forever etched on hit records of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Since today’s users may prefer to insert the plugin directly on a track, we wanted to make this send/return sound available in insert mode. We decided to provide both sounds in insert mode for the user’s convenience, by introducing an additional MIX mode. This is what we call MIX1 mode.
MIX2 mode is based on the sound of the original hardware unit’s MIX mode, as an insert. While it may be “o
ver the top” for a mastering task, it may be just the thing for a vocal track that needs enhancement or presence that cannot be achieved using EQ. Due to the processor’s unique phase behavior, modulations in frequency response may occur at certain AX MIX settings in MIX2 mode. At AX MIX settings of 1 to 4.5, the effect is very subtle; settings of 4.5 to 7.2 result in a frequency dip; settings from 7.2 to 10 bring about a pretty, not subtle sound.
To recap:
• MIX1, as an insert, recre
ates the har
• MIX2, as an insert, recreates the har
• AX mode is designed to be used for
Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter®
dware unit’s AX mode send/return sound. dware unit’s MIX mode insert sound. send/return auxiliary setups.
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Signal Path
BP
AX
MIX1
MIX2
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1.4 Components

The Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter® consists of two components:
Aphex Mono Aphex Stereo
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Chapter 2 – Quick Start Guide

There are two primary ways to use the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter plugin:
1. As an insert on the track, using MIX1 or MIX2 modes.
2. As a send/return effect on an aux track, usin
g AX mode.
MIX1/MIX2
o Insert the Vintage Aural Exciter on your track. o Set to MIX1 or MIX2 mode. o Adjust the AX MIX knob to blend the desired amount of effect with your dry
signal.
o Adjust input and output levels as necessary.
AX
o Insert the Vintage Aural Exciter on an aux bus, and route a ‘send’ to that bus. o Set to AX mode. o Adjust the ‘send’ to blend the desired amount of effect with your dry signal. o Adjust input and output levels on the Aural Exciter plugin as necessary.
Please note: recommend
Since input levels have a significant impact on the sound of the plugin, we experim
enting in order to find your optimal input settings.
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Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls

3.1 Interface

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3.2 Controls

VU Meter with clip indicator displays input or output level in dBVU
Clip LED lights up when levels exceed 0 dBFS. Click to reset.
VU Calibration controls VU meter headroom calibration.
Range 24 – 8dB (16dB) Default 18 dB of headroom (0 dBVU = -18 dBFS)
Please note: The VU Calibration con the VU meter display. It does not have a visible label and, for most users, the default setting of 18 dB headroom should be the best choice. On the Stereo component, use the screw located on the left to calibrate both meters.
trol is represented by the small screw-head below
MODE selects the processing mode.
Range: BP, MIX1, MIX2, AX
• BP = Bypass (Please note: BP does not function as a pure bypass; the plugin models the original hardware’s BP mode behavior.)
• MIX1, as an insert, recreates the har
• MIX2, as an insert, recreates the har
• AX mode is designed to be used for
dware unit’s AX mode send/return sound. dware unit’s MIX mode insert sound. send/return auxiliary setups.
Default: MIX1
METER selects VU meter view options.
Range: Input / Output / AX Default: Out
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INPUT controls input gain.
Range: -18dB to +18db Default: 0dB
AX MIX controls the amount of AX (aural excitement) added to the original
signal. (Functional in Mix mode only.) Range: 0 to 10
Default: 7.87
OUTPUT controls output gain.
Range: -18dB to +18db Default: 0dB
NOISE controls the level of the modeled analog noise.
Range: Off / -48dB to 0 (0 = original HW) Default: Orig.
MAINS controls analog characteristics caused by hum, based on the power
supplies of the original units. Range: Off / 50Hz / 60Hz
Default: 50Hz
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Chapter 4 – The WaveSystem

4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar

All Waves plugins feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care of most administrativ features of the WaveSystem toolbar are the same on practically all Waves plugins, so familiarity with its features will be helpful whichever plugin you are using.
Toolbar Functions
Opens the plugin About box Undo Undoes the last 32 actions Redo Redoes the last 32 undone actions
e functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The
Setup A/B
L/R Arrows Move to the previous or next preset
→B Copies the current settings to the second preset register
y A
Cop Load Recalls presets from file
Save Saves presets in the Wa ? Opens the PDF manual for the plugin you are using
Toggles bet settings
ween two presets, useful for comparison of parameter
ves file formats

4.2 Preset Handling

Preset Types
Factory Presets are permanent presets in the Load menu. Factory presets cannot be
overwritten or deleted. factory presets.
User Presets are your favorite settings of the plugin saved as a preset in the Load menu, under ‘User Presets’. User Presets can b
Setup Files may contain more than one preset. the presets for a session. When you open a Setup File, all its setups become part of your Load pop-up menu for fast access. This can be particularly useful with multiple instances of a plugin in a single session. By saving all the settings you create into a single Setup File, they can all be quickly available for every instance of that plugin.
When applicable, different component plugins may have different
e overwritten and deleted.
For example
, a single file can contain all
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Loading Presets and Setups
Click on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four
sections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load pop-up menu. Open Preset File… Select to op
en any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or
your own creations.
‘Filename.xps’: Displays any currently loaded Setup File and it Factory
Presets: Displays the default Factory Presets.
s presets.
User Presets: Displays any loaded User Presets.
Saving Presets and Setups
Click on the Save button to see the Save pop-up menu. Four options are available. If an option is not
currently available it will be grayed out and inaccessible.
Save to New
File… Select this to start a ne
w Setup file. There are two prompts - first for the setup filename, then for the preset name. You must provide a name for both the setup file and the preset. Click OK (ENTER) to complete the save. It is a good idea to create a folder in which to save several setup files for a project.
Save ‘File Name’ – “Preset Name” Overwrites the settings
of the loade
d preset (whether a User Preset or a preset from a Setup File) with the current settings. If a Setup File is currently loaded, the name of the Setup File is displayed followed by the name of the preset itself. If a User Preset is loaded, its name is displayed.
Save to ‘File Name’ As… Saves the current settin
gs as a new preset into the Setup file that is open (if one is not open, the option is grayed out). You will be prompted to give the preset a name.
Put into Preset Menu As… Save the current setting
s into a User Preset that will always be in your Load menu (until deleted). You will be prompted to give this preset a name. User Presets are stored in the plugin’s preference file.
Please note: names.
Special characters (such as: !, @, #, %, ^, etc.) are not supported in preset
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Deleting Presets
You may delete User Presets and presets within a Setup File. Factory Presets and Setup Library files cannot be deleted
or overwritten.
1. Hold the Command (Mac)/Control (PC) key down.
2. Click-and-hold the Load button to see the pop-up menu.
3. While still holding the Command/Control key, select the preset or setup to delete.
4. A confirmation box will appear, allowing you to cancel or ‘OK’ the deletion.
A/B Comparison and Copying
The Setup A/Setup B button may be clicked to compare two settings. If you load a preset in the Setup B position, t
his will not affect the preset loaded into the Setup A position,
and vice-versa. If you want to slightly modify the settings in Setup A, you can copy them t
o Setup B by clicking on the Copy to B button, then alter Setup A and compare with the original Setup B.
The name of the current setup will be shown in the title bar (on platforms which support
m
it), and will switch as you change fro
Setup A to Setup B.
Note: an asterisk will be added to the preset name when a change is made to the preset.

4.3 Interface Controls

Controls can be in one of three states:
• Not Selected where the control is
• Selected where the con
trol is the target of mouse control entry only
• Selected and Active where the control is the tar keyboard entry
Toggle Buttons
Toggle buttons display the state of a control, and allow switching between two or more states.
le-click to change the control’s state. Some toggle buttons have a text
Sing
display which updates with the current setting, and others (bypass, solo, or monitoring toggles) illuminate when the control is active.
Some plugins have link buttons between a pair of toggle but drag adjustment while retaining the offset between the controls.
Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter®
not the target of any user entry
get for both mouse and
tons, allowin
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g click-and-
Value Window Buttons
Value windows display the value of a control and allow click-and-drag
adjustment, or
direct control via the keyboard.
• Using the mouse, click-and-drag windows support left/rig
ht, some up/down (as you hover over a button, arrows
on the value window to adjust. Some value
will appear to let you know which direction of movement that button supports). You may also use your mouse-wheel to adjust parameter values.
• Using the arrow
s, click once with mouse to select the button, and then use
key
up/down – left/right (depending on the direction supported by that button) to move in the smallest incremental steps across the button’s range (holding down the arrow keys will move faster through the range).
• Using key
entry, double click on the button to open the value window, and
directly enter the value from your keyboard. If you enter an out of range number, the button stays selected but remains at the current setting (system beeps? If system sounds are on?)
Some plugins have link buttons between a pair of value windows, allowing click-and drag adjust
ment while retaining the offset between the controls.
-
Sliders
Click or scroll the mouse-wheel on the slider itself or anywhere within the sliders track. The numerical value of the slider set
tings is
displayed in a hover window above the
slider path.
Hover Box
Hovering boxes will appear and display the control value when hovering with the mouse over the control.
Multiple Control Selection One of the most powerful features of the WaveSystem is the ability to select and adjust
multiple con
trols simulta
neously. Using the mouse, drag-select the desired group of buttons or graphic controls by clicking and holding at a point outside the controls, and forming a rectangle that includes the controls you wish to adjust. Alternatively, press and hold Shift while clicking the mouse on any control you wish to link. This method is useful when you want to select two or more controls that are not adjacent to one another.
TAB Functions
TAB moves the ‘selected’ status to the next control, with shift-TAB moving in the reverse direction.
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Additionally, the Mac has an option-TAB function for ‘down’ movement and shift-option­TAB for ‘up’ movement
where applicable.
If you have several Value Window Buttons selected, TAB functions will take you through the selected
controls on
ly. Hitting Esc or Return will return the 'focus' to the DAW application.

4.4 Waves Preferences (Pro Tools only)

When launching Pro Tools, hold Shift to view the Waves plugin Preferences window. The followin
g options ar
• Don't use AudioSuite plugins
• Don’t use RTAS plugins
• Rescan all plugins
• HUI control surface support (low resolution)
• Enable single-click text entry
e available:
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