Signal processors?

[aokd00d]

Anybody use any to enhance their tone? I've been looking at the Aphex 204 Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom, wondering if it's worth it? I know the BBE Sonic Maximizer does generally the same thing, but I'm just wondering if it might be cool using something like this with my guitar setup, as they're generally used with DJ and PA systems.

Thoughts?

[jord123]

I run all my mixes though the bbe sonic maximizer which helps every thing sound like its in the same room (bonus) great for home recording, but, I just picked up a ehx blackfinger optical tube compressor pedal which actually sounds better, was cheeper, and is easy to throw in a pedal chain for those of use who don't have roadies to wire up a complex rack efx system. hands down the best thing I have done for my tone to date!

[irish_admiral]

You can get the BBE sonic maximiser in a stomp box these days.

I use an Aphex acoustic xciter for my acoustic guitar... yeah, they're worth it I think. They sort of pick out the best frequencies in your guitar bass and top end and make them stand out a bit more. I imagine the electric guitar unit does the same.

It's worth getting one off eBay used and seeing if it floats your boat. I like 'em.

[aokd00d]

I think I'm gonna give it a go and if I don't like it, I'll just return it. I'm not really a fan of stomp boxes and just bought a rack that still has some room in it, so I'm just looking around for anything rack-mountable that my tone could benefit from

[irish_admiral]

No probs - BBE and Aphex are the two main culprits and both of them do racks and stomps, so take your pick.

[ESBlonde]

Don't know about the BBE units but purists and PA dudes slam them pretty hard because of the way they manipulate time as well as filtering in excited harmonics. But if you like what it does to your tone then it is a good thing.
I have an ancient 1/2 rack Aphex Aural exciter on my board and although I don't use it much (maybe 2 numbers a night) it can brighten up a strat and with some compression gives that very produced clean sound for comercial material. Its interesting how these units work by hiving off some signal and distorting it, they then extract some harmonics generated by the clipping and discreetly add them back to the dry signal to be percieved as brightness.

Try before you buy is the key here. Remember that too much bottom end can sound good alone in your bedroom but totally beggers up the sound when you get the whole band on a stage.

HTH

[otek]

Exciters can help sometimes if used very sparingly (as in, you can barely tell it's there), but I find they also screw things up - particularly those that involve phase manipulation as well as harmonics.

Most people, when hearing two mixes which are identical save for a slight high end boost on one of them, will pick the brighter alternative. The problem is, your ears adjust to hearing more of it, so you may run the risk of successively adding more and more highs which screws up the way you hear the spectral balance of your instrument.


otek

[Borderline Productions]

Just enough to make it better, but not so much that it is noticeable. I think that is good advice for any effect. Also applies to using spices when cooking.

[Knuckle Bones]

If a person knows how to use them correctly they are great.

[aokd00d]

Any suggestions on which works best? I've read up about the Aphex Aural Exciter and Big Bottom, BBE 882i Sonic Maximizer, and Phonic T8300 Tube Enhancer/Exciter, which all generally are used to do the same thing (excites high frequencies and enhances low frequencies) and are the same price. The Phonic seems pretty cool, uses 12AX7S valve preamplifier, but Phonic also has the A6100 which is literally the same exact thing without the tubes and $120 cheaper, so it kind of makes me skeptical about T8300's quality next to the Aphex and BBE if that makes any sense.

Thoughts on that?

[ESBlonde]

Aphex developed the technology way back IIRC so they should be the masters of the devices?

[otek]

Aphex and BBE both use their own patented technologies. Aphex introduced the whole "Exciter" concept to the market back in the 70s. Both companies have other signal-processing equipment of high quality. Phonic on the other hand is a budget brand which never blew my skirt up with anything they've done.

As for exciters in general, I personally wouldn't use them in a regular touring guitar rig because I don't feel there is a need for them - it's an additive which you get "addicted" to, and which also takes away from the sound in certain areas. In a recording situation I might try one, but again, it is totally need-based - meaning if I can't get what I am after with simple EQ and compression, I might try it.


otek

[aokd00d]

I think I'm going to go with the Aphex and try it out. It's the same exact thing as the BBE, except instead of one knob for Low Contour and one knob for Process, the Aphex has 3 for each [(Drive, Tune, Mix)(Tune, Harmonics, Mix)]. Kind of like comparing a TT to any other Orange EQ wise, I'd rather be able to have a little more control over each effect. I'll let you guys know how it sounds!

[CD9266]

It's my best understanding that there isn't much you can do to help the RV's distortion channel. My ZW overdrive doesn't do much of anything but cut the low end or dampen the sound and make's it hum like crazy. I like the raw overdrive sound of my RV50's gain channel by itself and it doesn't want help in any way, nor need it (save for some new tubes...)

[otek]

It's the same exact thing as the BBE

No.

It isn't.


otek