Aphex Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom

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Add sparkling harmonics with the classic Aural Exciter, plus punch up lows with the Big Bottom. Aphex adds clarity, presence, and detail like no ordinary EQ.

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 an EQ. But unlike an EQ, the Aural Exciter's harmonic processing doesn't boost the signal's output level, maintaining 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 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.

The Classic: Aural Exciter

For more than 35 years, the Aural Exciter's patented technology has been the audio professional's read more 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 a 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.

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 and electric to eclectic and 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 suites 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, delivering an important tool for the challenges of changing venues and acoustics. Monitor engineers also depend on the Aural Exciter to improve clarity and articulation to monitor and in-ear mixes on stage without increasing 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.
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- AUDIO:
- Frequency Response: 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:
- Connector: XLR-3F and 1/4" TRS Phone Jacks
- Type: Transformerless, active balanced
- Balanced: 40k ohms
- Unbalanced: 20k ohms
- Maximum Level: +27 dBu (If level set to +4 dBu), +12.5 dBV (+14.8 dBu) (If level set to -10dBv (-7.8dBu))
- CMRR: >40 dB
- 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
- Power requirements: 90-250 VAC 50-60 Hz 12W
- Dimensions (W x H x D) : 19 x 1.75 x 8.25 in., 1 Rack U (482.6 x 44.5 x 209.6 mm)
- Weight: 6 lbs (2.73 kg)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 818-767-2929

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (2 ratings)
Submitted December 28, 2011 by a customer from optimum.net

"Buy it and try it."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
replace with the same
Sound
The Optical Big Bottom from Aphex is a nice tool, like it states in the manual, it will increase your low end without increasing your overall gain. Increasing that big bottom and keeping it from clipping it works great, And when I did try to get the same big bottom sound with just using my EQ, it would put the chain into clip mode. So the Aphex is pretty good. The test was done with the New Aphex Aural Exciter 2011, did not try the 204 model, it could be the same unit with a face lift. The only thing I did not like are the knobs, I like when the knobs have the white marker right to the face plate, NOT A DOT ON THE FACE OF THE KNOB ONLY. It makes it hard to tell where you're at and to do pre-sets for multi users. Just a small issue. The use was for broadcasting so I rolled back the high end part of the exciter, but I will say it has more than enough high end if needed. I also would add one could almost lose the EQ in your chain and just use the Aphex! I said to myself wow this is real close in sound... Good luck it's all about sound.
Features
see review
Ease of Use
see review
Quality
see review
Value
It's a steal.
Manufacturer Support
Very easy to contact, and was very friendly and the tech dep't was top notch. Note: I contacted them just for a few questions before I ordered the unit.
The Wow Factor
see review

Musical Background:

N/A Broadcasting

Musical Style:

Rock, hip-hop, country
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