Do Exciter rack units make a real difference??

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weatherbill

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Was looking into getting an exciter rack unit, but didn't know if they make a real difference in "exciting" your sound.
Does anyone out there have one or know much about em. If this is a rack unit does half of what all the hoopla spoken about them out there is, we would all want one, wouldn't we?
 
I don't know of even one professional studio that uses one currently. The studio I work at has one, and frankly, it is just filling a hole in the rack! It was a throw back unit from when the owner first started out in recording, and has a 4 track cassette and wanted that "pro" sound. I guess we have all been suckered by the hyped up claims of these "magic boxes" at one point or another! See, you almost fell for it too!!!:eek:

Save your money for a good mic and pay attention to your tracking and those little magic boxes will look totally rediculous in a year or two to you.

Ed
 
I might ad that in todays market of "budget" gear, you have a whole slew of devices that offer filter ringing and distortion. :D Who needs a box to do that anymore. Exciters were popular for making the sound "dirty" in studios that might have been just a tad bit too "clean". Not many choices back then. Either expensive classA gear, or cheap ass stuff from Tascam/Teac. Not much in between.

These days, I probably hear more material that needs to sound a bit more "plain" that "excited".

Ed
 
I like to strap 7 exciters on the whole drum kit to make it sound shit.

honestly man, get your TRACKING skills better before you start using these units. ill be honest, i have found uses for the SPL Vitaliser , but only in one situation. sometimes, i get tracks recorded elsewhere for me to mix. sometimes it can really help a snare drum, but, lol, thats SOMETIMES!!

ed is right, a good mic, a little time and some good ears will replace the need for an exciter.


btw, strapping an exctier on a whole mix can lead to killing it. despite the thoughts that it will cure a mix, it rarely does. if you find your tracks need help, remix them.
 
Exciters can help some dull sounds but usually at the cost of added noise. It just adds more high end with a slight chorus type of effect.

Definately at the bottom of the needed effects list.
 
:D I use one from time to time IN MODERATION. We're talking VERY VERY little....not enough to even constitute the price of owning it (I borrowed mine). That's all I have to say about that Jenny, because rooting for a gimick is about as sensible as rooting for Bin Laden around these forums!

If you have some old mixes you no longer have access to remix, that might be an opportunity for one. But take these fella's advice and do things the right way.

See, I'm just like your parents. I can do it, but you shouldn't because it's bad for you! ha... :)
 
IMHO..........

Just another way a Gear Company "excites" you to foolishly part
with your hard-earned $$$ for a unnecessary product!
 
sonusman said:
I don't know of even one professional studio that uses one currently. The studio I work at has one.....
Ed
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Longwavestudio
I like to strap 7 exciters on.....
Click to expand...
:p

I don't "know" about you studio "pros" sometimes.....:D sheesh....!!!;)
 
I run a pro mastering studio and I'll tell you right now that if I was handed a set of tracks that had been "excited" by the recording engineer, I'd hand them right back to him and tell him to mix his shit right.
 
Griffinator said:
I run a pro mastering studio and I'll tell you right now that if I was handed a set of tracks that had been "excited" by the recording engineer, I'd hand them right back to him and tell him to mix his shit right.
Click to expand...

'Nuff said!

The same goes with those d@mn BBE "Sonic Maximizers"!
 
MISTERQCUE said:


'Nuff said!

The same goes with those d@mn BBE "Sonic Maximizers"!
Click to expand...

Maximizers have their place.

ON INDIVIDUAL TRACKS, NOT WHOLE MIXES

:)
 
Exciter rack units.Personally,I like them.
I was down at the park today,and this chick came rollerblading along that must have been packing a set of 40DD's
I don't know about anyone else,but them rack units of hers got me pretty damn excited!
 
strmkr said:
Exciter rack units.Personally,I like them.
I was down at the park today,and this chick came rollerblading along that must have been packing a set of 40DD's
I don't know about anyone else,but them rack units of hers got me pretty damn excited!
Click to expand...

I was wondering when that was going to happen :D
 
Maximizers serve only 2 useful purpose; To achieve sonic clarity
for the FOH-ist in a live venue or for DJ's wanting to get the most out of their sound system.
 
The little BBE (364 I think) has helped me in the past for cassette
duplication or for cassette multi-track work, including mixing.
It seems to be helpful for low to mid level analog formats like
cassette and semi-pro reel to reel for track brightening.
 
mixmkr said:

:rolleyes:


:p

I don't "know" about you studio "pros" sometimes.....:D sheesh....!!!;)
Click to expand...

Har har....:rolleyes:

You would make a good preacher though. Bend the words to fit what you want...:) I always get a kick out of hearing that when I suffer through some religious "teaching". :D

Ed
 
Griffinator said:


Maximizers have their place.

ON INDIVIDUAL TRACKS, NOT WHOLE MIXES

:)
Click to expand...


Agree.........like on bass guitar....it helps it stand out a bit.

my2:cool:
 
mixmkr,

what the hell is wrong with putting 7 exciters on a drum kit??? the more you put, the more excited i sounds right? i can only afford seven. i will place a bulk order soon....

:-) LOL
 
The Exciting Compressor, you already have it!

check this article on the Motown Engineering seriesby Robert Dennis, at recordinginstitute.com.

Cheers, Andrés
 
I must admit, I HAVE found a good use for my old 422A. It will keep a moderate sized pile of papers from blowing off a desk if properly placed on them.
 
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