Exciter (effect)

Exciter (effect)
An Exciter (also called a "harmonic exciter", "psychoacoustic processor", "enhancer", or "Aural Exciter") is an audio signal processing technique used to enhance a signal by dynamic equalization, phase manipulation, harmonic synthesis of (usually) high frequency signals, and through the addition of subtle harmonic distortion. Dynamic Equalization involves variation of the Equalizer characteristics in the time domain as a function of the input. Due to the varying nature, noise is reduced compared to static equalizers. Harmonic synthesis involves the creation of higher order harmonics from the fundamental frequency signals present in the recording. As noise usually decreases with the frequency band, the harmonics are derived from a purer frequency band resulting in clearer highs. Exciters are also used to synthesize harmonics of low frequency signals to simulate deep bass in smaller speakers. Originally made in valve (tube) based equipment, they are now implemented as part of a digital signal processor, often trying to emulate analogue Exciters. Exciters are mostly found as plug-ins for sound editing software and in sound enhancement processors.

Aural Exciter
The Aural Exciter was one of the first exciter effects. The Aural Exciter effect was developed in the mid-1970s by Aphex Electronics. The Aural Exciter enhances clarity and intelligibility by adding phase shift and musically related synthesized harmonics to audio signals. The first Aural Exciter units were available in the mid-1970s, exclusively on the rental basis of $30 per minute of finished recorded time. The unit became so popular, especially with the Los Angeles music and recording studio scene, that Aphex had to move to Hollywood. In the 1970s, certain recording artists, including Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor stated in their liner notes "This album was recorded using the Aphex Aural Exciter." Other users included Donna Summer, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Newton-John, Alan Parsons, and Warren Zevon. Recognizing that there was a much bigger market than just the rental business, Aphex started selling the professional units, and introduced two low-cost models: Type B and Type C. The Aural Exciter circuit is now licensed by a growing list of manufacturers, including Yamaha, MacKenzie, Gentner, Emu and Bogen. The original Aphex Aural Exciter, first offered in 1975, came without the Big Bottom circuit, which was added in 1992. Later revisions of theAphex Aural Exciter included the Model 104 Type C and Type C2 units. Aphex has now released the Model 204 Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom, yet another refinement of the original unit. According to Aphex, the Model 204 updates the Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processor blocks with improved circuitry, including an optical gain-control element for the Big Bottom compressor.

Other brands
Functionally similar units from competing manufacturers are generically known either as "psychoacoustic processors", "psychoacoustic exciters", "harmonic exciters", or "enhancers". In the 1990s and 2000s, broadly comparable products now available from BBE, Joemeek, SPL, and Behringer. Most are analogue signal processors, although a few digital units are began to appear in the 2000s. The BBE Sonic Maximiser utilizes a similar process of frequency-dependent phase shifting, as do other brands to varying extent.

Exciter (effect)

Uses
Unlike traditional equalizer devices, exciters are less likely to add noise and hiss, which make them useful in enhancing dull recordings, especially analog reel-to-reel tape recordings that have lost their "sparkle" due to repeated overdubs. Exciters are also used for restoring old recordings by adding lost spectral content Exciters are increasingly implemented as an audio enhancement for hardware and software media players Exciters can be useful for vinyl DJs to add a different sound quality to parts of their DJ set or "brighten up" a very old record that has begun to sound dull. Exciters are also sold in a "stompbox" pedal format, in units designed for use with an electric guitar, electric bass, or electronic keyboards.

External links
Enhancers [1] article on Sound on Sound Enhancers FAQ [2] on Sound on Sound

References
[1] http:/ / www. soundonsound. com/ sos/ 1997_articles/ may97/ exciters. html [2] http:/ / www. soundonsound. com/ sos/ jan00/ articles/ enhancer. htm

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Exciter (effect) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=374579699 Contributors: Freedomlinux, Kaivosukeltaja, Kickassso, OnBeyondZebrax, Redheylin, Stoweiam, Whiligo, Whitepaw, Ysangkok, 8 anonymous edits

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/