The Secret Weapon of Many Hit Albums: Waves Aphex Aural Exciter for Mac
Waves Aphex Aural Exciter: A Vintage Plugin for Modern Producers
If you are looking for a way to add some brightness, vibrancy, and depth to your audio tracks, you might want to check out the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin. This plugin is a faithful emulation of the rare and legendary tube-powered hardware unit that was used by many famous artists and engineers in the 1970s and 1980s. In this article, we will explore what the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter is, how to use it in your music production, where to get it, and some FAQs. What is the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter?
The Waves Aphex Aural Exciter is a virtual effect plugin that simulates the sound and behavior of the original Aphex Aural Exciter hardware unit. The Aphex Aural Exciter was a groundbreaking device that introduced a new way of enhancing audio signals by adding harmonics and phase shifts. It was able to increase and enhance presence, brightness, clarity, and detail on vocal and instrumental tracks without raising levels or adding distortion. It was also credited as a "session player" on many hit albums by artists like Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, and more. The history and features of the original hardware unit
The original Aphex Aural Exciter was developed by Aphex Systems in the mid-1970s as a proprietary device that was only available as an expensive rental unit. It was based on a tube circuit that generated harmonics and phase shifts by modulating a high-frequency signal with a low-frequency signal. The high-frequency signal was then mixed with the original signal to create an "aural excitement" effect. The device had two modes: MIX and AX. In MIX mode, the high-frequency signal was mixed with the original signal at a fixed ratio. In AX mode, the high-frequency signal was mixed with the original signal at a variable ratio controlled by an AX MIX knob. The original Aphex Aural Exciter had several unique features that made it stand out from other enhancers at the time. For example, it had a Mains switch that allowed users to select between different power supply frequencies (50 Hz or 60 Hz) to change the character of the harmonics. It also had a Noise switch that enabled users to add some analog noise to the output for a more realistic sound. Additionally, it had a Meter switch that let users choose between monitoring input level, output level, or AX level. The advantages and benefits of the software plugin version
The Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin is a faithful model of one of the few tube-powered units ever made. It delivers all the unique character and sound quality of the original hardware unit, but with all the advantages and convenience of software. Some of the benefits of using the plugin version are: - You can use it on multiple tracks and buses without worrying about availability or cost. - You can adjust the input and output levels independently for optimal gain staging. - You can automate and recall all the parameters easily. - You can use it in mono or stereo mode depending on your needs. - You can use it in insert or send mode depending on your preference. - You can benefit from up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution for high-fidelity audio. How to use the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter in your music production?
The Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin is a versatile and powerful tool that can be used on various types of audio tracks and genres. It can add some sparkle, warmth, and depth to vocals, guitars, drums, keyboards, synths, and more. It can also enhance the overall mix by adding some glue, dimension, and loudness. Here are some of the main controls and parameters of the plugin, as well as some tips and tricks for getting the best results. The main controls and parameters of the plugin
The plugin interface has four main sections: Input, Output, Mode, and AX. The Input section allows you to adjust the input level and polarity of the signal. The Output section allows you to adjust the output level and mute or bypass the plugin. The Mode section allows you to select between MIX and AX modes, as well as between Mains 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and Noise On or Off. The AX section allows you to adjust the AX MIX knob, which controls the amount of high-frequency signal added to the original signal in AX mode. The plugin also has a meter that shows the input level, output level, or AX level depending on the Meter switch position. You can also access a menu that lets you choose between mono or stereo mode, insert or send mode, and different presets. The different modes and settings for different applications
The plugin can be used in different modes and settings depending on the type of audio track and the desired effect. Here are some examples of how to use the plugin in different scenarios: - For vocals, you can use the plugin in MIX mode with a low AX MIX setting to add some subtle brightness and presence without changing the tonal balance. You can also use the Mains 60 Hz setting to add some more harmonics and warmth. You can use the plugin in insert mode on individual vocal tracks or in send mode on a vocal bus. - For guitars, you can use the plugin in AX mode with a high AX MIX setting to add some edge and bite to electric guitars or some sparkle and clarity to acoustic guitars. You can also use the Mains 50 Hz setting to add some more low-end harmonics and body. You can use the plugin in insert mode on individual guitar tracks or in send mode on a guitar bus. - For drums, you can use the plugin in MIX mode with a medium AX MIX setting to add some punch and snap to kick and snare drums or some shimmer and air to cymbals and hi-hats. You can also use the Noise On setting to add some analog noise and character to the drum sound. You can use the plugin in insert mode on individual drum tracks or in send mode on a drum bus. - For keyboards and synths, you can use the plugin in AX mode with a medium AX MIX setting to add some richness and depth to piano and organ sounds or some brightness and definition to synth pads and leads. You can also use the Mains 50 Hz or 60 Hz setting depending on the frequency range of the keyboard or synth sound. You can use the plugin in insert mode on individual keyboard or synth tracks or in send mode on a keyboard or synth bus. - For mix bus, you can use the plugin in MIX mode with a low AX MIX setting to add some glue, dimension, and loudness to the overall mix without altering the balance or dynamics. You can also use the Mains 50 Hz or 60 Hz setting depending on the genre and style of the music. You can use the plugin in insert mode on the master bus. Some tips and tricks for getting the best results
Here are some general tips and tricks for using the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin effectively: - Use your ears and trust your taste when adjusting the parameters. The plugin is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, so you don't need to follow any strict rules or formulas. - Experiment with different modes, settings, levels, and combinations of tracks to find what works best for your music. The plugin is very flexible and versatile, so you can achieve different results depending on how you use it. - Be careful not to overdo it with too much AX MIX or too high output levels. The plugin can add a lot of energy and excitement to your audio tracks, but it can also cause harshness, sibilance, or clipping if used excessively. - Use a reference track or a spectrum analyzer to compare your audio tracks before and after applying the plugin. This can help you evaluate how much improvement you have made with the plugin and whether you need to make any adjustments. Where to get the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin?
If you are interested in getting the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin for your music production, here are some information about its compatibility, requirements, price, availability, alternatives, and competitors. The compatibility and requirements of the plugin
The Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin is compatible with most major DAWs and operating systems. It supports VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and RTAS plugin formats. It also supports TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) format for Pro Tools HD users. The plugin requires a minimum of 8 GB RAM, 8 GB free disk space, and an Intel Core i5 or higher processor. The plugin also requires a Waves account and an iLok account for activation and license management. The price and availability of the plugin
The Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin is available for purchase from the Waves website or from authorized dealers. The regular price of the plugin is $249, but it often goes on sale for much lower prices. You can also get the plugin as part of the Waves Mercury bundle, which includes over 150 plugins for $7499. You can also try the plugin for free for 7 days by downloading a demo version from the Waves website. The alternatives and competitors of the plugin
The Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin is not the only exciter plugin on the market. There are many other options that offer similar or different features and sound quality. Some of the alternatives and competitors of the plugin are: - iZotope Ozone Exciter: This is part of the iZotope Ozone suite, which is a comprehensive mastering tool. The Ozone Exciter offers four configurable saturation bands, multiple saturation modes, multiband and mid/side processing, and a saturation spectrum display. - SPL Vitalizer MK2-T: This is a tube-based exciter that adds harmonics, clarity, depth, and stereo width to audio tracks. It has a patented filtering technique that enhances low frequencies without boosting levels or adding boominess. - Softube Abbey Road Brilliance Pack: This is a set of three EQ plugins that emulate the vintage hardware units used at Abbey Road Studios. They focus on enhancing high frequencies with subtle harmonic distortion and phase shifts. - AudioThing Valve Exciter: This is a low-cost exciter that simulates a valve circuit that adds second and third order harmonics to audio tracks. It has a drive knob, a bias knob, a harmonics knob, and a mix knob. Conclusion
The Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin is a great way to add some brightness, vibrancy, and depth to your audio tracks without raising levels or adding distortion. It is a faithful emulation of the rare and legendary tube-powered hardware unit that was used by many famous artists and engineers in the 1970s and 1980s. It has two modes: MIX and AX, as well as Mains and Noise switches that add some character and realism to the sound. It can be used on various types of audio tracks and genres, from vocals to guitars to drums to keyboards to synths to mix bus. It is compatible with most major DAWs and operating systems, and it requires a Waves account and an iLok account for activation and license management. It is available for purchase from the Waves website or from authorized dealers, or as part of the Waves Mercury bundle. It also has a 7-day free trial version that you can download from the Waves website. If you are looking for a way to enhance your audio tracks with some harmonic excitement, you should definitely check out the Waves Aphex Aural Exciter plugin. It will give your audio tracks a vintage vibe with modern quality. FAQs
Q: What is the difference between MIX1 mode and MIX2 mode? A: MIX1 mode is based on the sound of using the original hardware unit in AX mode in a send/return auxiliary setup. This mode delivers more brightness and presence than MIX2 mode. MIX2 mode is based on the sound of using the original hardware unit in MIX mode as an insert. This mode delivers more warmth and body than MIX1 mode. Q: What is the difference between Mains 50 Hz and Mains 60 Hz? A: Mains 50 Hz and Mains 60 Hz are two options that let you select between different power supply frequencies that affect the character of the harmonics generated by the tube circuitry. Mains 50 Hz adds more low-end harmonics and body, while Mains 60 Hz adds more high-end harmonics and warmth. Q: What is the difference between Noise On and Noise Off? A: Noise On and Noise Off are two options that let you add or remove some analog noise to the output signal for a more realistic sound. Noise On adds some hiss and hum to the output, while Noise Off removes them. Q: How do I activate and manage my license for the plugin A: To activate and manage your license for the plugin, you need to have a Waves account and an iLok account. You can create both accounts for free on the Waves website and the iLok website. Once you have both accounts, you can follow these steps to activate and manage your license: - Download and install the Waves Central application from the Waves website. This is the software that lets you install, activate, and update your Waves plugins. - Launch Waves Central and log in with your Waves account credentials. - Go to the Install tab and select the products you want to install. You can choose to install all products or only selected products. You can also choose to install the latest version or a previous version of the products. - Go to the Licenses tab and select the products you want to activate. You can choose to activate your licenses online or offline. Online activation requires an internet connection and an iLok account. Offline activation requires a USB flash drive or an iLok dongle. - If you choose online activation, you need to log in with your iLok account credentials and select a location for your license. You can choose to store your license on your computer, on an iLok dongle, or on the iLok Cloud. The iLok Cloud is a service that lets you access your license from any computer with an internet connection and an iLok account. - If you choose offline activation, you need to insert a USB flash drive or an iLok dongle into your computer and select it as the location for your license. You then need to transfer your license from Waves Central to the USB flash drive or the iLok dongle. - Once you have activated your license, you can launch your DAW and start using the plugin. You can manage your license by using Waves Central or the iLok License Manager application. You can move, deactivate, reactivate, or recover your license as needed. You can also check the status and expiration date of your license. Q: How do I get support or feedback for the plugin? A: If you have any questions, issues, or suggestions regarding the plugin, you can contact Waves support or join the Waves community. You can contact Waves support by submitting a ticket on the Waves website, by calling them at +1-865-909-9200 ext. 1, or by emailing them at techsupport@waves.com. You can join the Waves community by visiting the Waves forum, where you can interact with other users and experts, share tips and tricks, and get feedback on your music.
Waves Aphex Aural Exciter AU VST VST3 RTAS TDM Mac OSX 42
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