Exciter

  • Thread starter Thread starter magnetise
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magnetise

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posted 12-11-2001 09:42 AM
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Hi ,
I could use some advice on the choice of an enhancer to get for my home setup.

It's fairly limited with a Yamaha A3000 , Roland Juno 6 , Korg Poly 800 , Yamaha DX7 , Alesis HR16 & softstuff all patched through my Folio SX.

I want to try & get an enhancer for my final mixdown to HDisk. Something like the Focusrite Mixmaster , i.e. an all-in-one box. However, the Focusrite is a bit out of my range.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced new enhancer or a goodish s/hand one.

I've been looking at an SPL Vitalizer SX2.

Thanks.
 
The SPL Vitalizer is very good tool (as far as enhancers go). It does not produce a harsh EQ to the mix like most enhancers. It has a nice subtle effect on mixes.
 
If you feel you really need one of these useless boxes, check out the products by BBE.
 
why are they useless? granted i am unfamiliar with the, but i thought it would be an essential rack tool for future investment...... i've seen these suckers go real cheap in aus(tralia), real cheap s/h, under $100aus (40pounds (uk) $50us)....do you think an exitor would degrade the mix in some way gargamel?
 
RE: useless enhancers,

I can't speak for Gargamel but I have used the Aphex 104C with "big bottom" with some disapointment and some success.

After great frustration with poor sounding recordings and doing nothing but A LOT of reading it seems to me that these processsors while they may be usefull on occasion.... they never live up to what they promise. They are never a true fix for a bad recording. Your sound will never be better than your weakest link so you have to do whatever it takes to get a good "raw" sound to tape at the beginning of the proccess. Finding out that your sound just is not cutting it at the mix can not be fixed with one of these. They are "bandaides" to salvage a worthwhile recording but not a cure for a bad recording IMHO.

Any other reviews or views on this subject? I was just processing the sum of what I have read with a little personal experience.
 
My 2 Cents

If you need a sonic maximizer, you are not mixing properly. Simple as that.. Can't even be argued....

Sure the zit faced kid in the music store will tell you that your recordings will sound like world class recordings with this magic box...

But then and again, so will a good mix :)

You will never run across one in a REAL studio....

The funny thing is, that it's always the same sales pitch... They say, "I bought one and my mixes and recordings jumped up a whole level....." But ask them to explain how it works....... They don't know what it actually does..

LOL

Spend your money on some better cables or extra mics......
IMHO
 
The sonic maximizers are not completely worthless. They can be used effectively as a single track enhancement or effects unit. The Aphex Exciter works well when trying to bring out the guitar or bass. Or add some sizzle to a snare drum.

As for running an exciter over a whole mix, there are just too many frequencies for the exciters to really add a lot.
 
*** IF *** you are going to use an enhancer on your whole mix, try adding it while you are actual mixing your material. You might be supprised (or not). :D
 
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