Exciter

Aural Exciter & Optical Big Bottom

  • Increased presence and clarity
  • Greater perceived loudness
  • Improved detail and intelligibility
  • Extended low frequencies
  • Tighter bass articulation

Legendary Professional Two Channel Audio Enchancement - 35 Years and Counting

Since its introduction in 1975, close to a million Aphex Aural Exciters have found their way into recording studios and broadcast facilities, nightclubs and concert halls, arenas and airports, musicians' and DJs' rigs and houses of worship. The Aural Exciter's patented technology has been often imitated but never duplicated.

Each of the Aural Exciter's two independent channels feature Tune, Harmonics and Mix controls, enabling you to focus on select frequencies just like on an EQ. But unlike an EQ, the Aural Exciter's harmonic processing doesn't boost the signal's output level, so it maintains a clear and balanced sound.

Traditional EQ increases the output level of the targeted frequencies. Adding EQ to boost selected frequencies typically results in a perceived loss of other frequencies, which are then also boosted to compensate. The Aural Exciter's patented technology harmonically brings out the desired frequencies without adding gain. The result is audio that's more balanced, more articulate and, simply put, better sounding.

Over three decades of research, development and refinement have kept the Aural Exciter at the cutting edge. The new Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom features the same no-compromise audio quality Aphex is known for, with the highest quality componentry and rugged, durable construction to withstand the rigors of travel and constant use.

Aural Exciter

For more than 35 years, the Aural Exciter's patented technology has been the audio professional's secret weapon, a powerful way to improve and enhance sonic quality more naturally than with equalization.

For individual sounds or entire mixes, the Aural Exciter brings out detail, clarity and imaging that elevates your sound without adding level. For vocals and spoken dialog, it can dramatically increase intelligibility. For individual instruments, it adds punch and presence. And on mixes, it adds power, presence and sparkle. The Aural Exciter is the ideal solution for breathing life into MP3s and other compressed audio files.

Optical Big Bottom

The Optical Big Bottom adds deep, powerful low-frequency punch, without the unwanted level boost that comes from adding traditional EQ. Deeper, more resonant bass response with tighter articulation helps to extend low frequency power and spectrum without the build-up or driver-damaging tendencies of bass EQ.

Applications

Recording, Mixdown and Post Production - The Aural Exciter was born in the recording studio, and its legacy is founded on thousands of legendary recordings bearing the unmistakable Aphex sound. Engineers and producers have used the Aural Exciter to bring out vocals; and on instruments from acoustic to electric and eclectic to exotic. It's at the heart of great sounding mixes in rock, pop, jazz, classical and every other genre of modern music. And you'll find the Aural Exciter in TV and film post production studios the world over.

Broadcasting / Webcasting - The Aural Exciter brings clarity and intelligibility to spoken word and narration. For terrestrial and satellite broadcasters, the Aural Exciter provides the powerful articulation necessary to deliver crisp, clear signal in the face of today's digital broadcasting challenges. For live and recorded web streaming, the Aural Exciter adds the definition and dimension that's so often lost in the compression of today's Internet audio.

Live Sound - At Front of House, the Aural Exciter can help to bring out an individual player or add dimension to the entire mix, making it an important tool for the challenges of changing venues and acoustics. Monitor engineers also depend on the Aural Exciter to improve clarity and articulation of monitor and in-ear mixes on stage without having to increase volumes to dangerous levels.

Installed Sound - Ideal for adding intelligibility and clarity to challenging spaces and loudspeaker placement, the Aural Exciter can deliver audio clarity under the most demanding conditions.

DJ - In the eternal quest for more volume and more bass, the Aural Exciter delivers, while also addressing the need for brightness and definition without the use of speaker-damaging EQ. The Aural Exciter is a prized part of any nightclub or live DJ's amp rack.

Audio

Frequency Respons 10Hz - 38 kHz(± 0.5dB)
Dynamic Range 120 dB
Hum and Noise(unweighted 22Hz-22kHz) -93 dBu
Crosstalk(10 Hz - 22kHz) -79 dB
THD(10 Hz - 22kHz at max. output) .0003%
IMD(10 Hz - 22kHz at max. output) .0007%

Input

IF LEVEL SET TO +4 dBu IF LEVEL SET TO -10dBv (-7.8dBu)
Connector XLR-3F and 1/4" TRS Phone Jacks same
Type Transformerless, active balanced same
Balanced 40k ohms same
Unbalanced 20k ohms same
Maximum Level +27 dBu +12.5 dBV (+14.8 dBu)
CMRR >40 dB same

Output

Connector XLR-3M and 1/4" TRS Phone Jacks
Type Active balanced(may be used unbalanced)
Balanced 112 ohms
Unbalanced 56 ohms
Maximum Level +27dBu Unloaded; +25 into 600 ohms

Other Specifications

Power requirements 90-250 VAC 50-60 Hz 12W
Dimensions 19"W x 1.75"H x 8.25" D 1 Rack U(482.6mm x 44.5mm x 209.6mm)
Net Weight 6 lbs(2.73 kg)
Shipping Weight 9 lbs(4.1 kg)

All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Owner's Manual