Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter

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Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter (421) 4.8
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Modeled on one of only a few tube-powered units ever made, the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter® plugin delivers all the unique character of the rare original hardware unit, with all the advantages of software.

When it was originally introduced in the mid-1970s, the Aphex Aural Exciter brought its distinctive sound to select sessions by leading recording artists, traveling from studio to studio as an exclusive (and expensive) rental unit.

A true groundbreaker, the original Aural Exciter was highly regarded for its ability to increase and enhance presence, brightness, and vibrancy on vocal and instrumental tracks alike. It was even credited as a "session player" on best-selling albums by the likes of Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, engineered by Val Garay, who worked closely with us on the development of the plugin.

Modeled plugin based on the original tube-powered hardware
Developed in association with Aphex
Adds brightness, vibrancy and depth
Increases presence without raising levels
Perfect for vocal and instrumental tracks alike
Mix and AX modes for insert or send configurations

User Guide

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Nov 09, 2017

How to Add Harmonic Distortion for Analog Warmth

Harmonic distortion was a given in the analog recording world and helped create excitement in analog recordings: get tips on how to achieve it in-the-box.

Mar 10, 2014

Excite Your Drum Loops with the Aphex Exciter (Tip)

Mixing Engineer Fabian Marasciullo tells you how to liven up your drum loops with the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter plugin.

Feb 17, 2014

Boosting Your Tracks with the Aphex Exciter (Tip)

Producer/mixing engineer Miles Walker explains how you can boost your key melody tracks with the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter plugin.

Feb 17, 2014

Dave Pensado’s Secret Plugin Chain (Tip)

Mixing engineer Dave Pensado shares his personalized plugin chain for lead vocals, acoustic guitars and piano.

Feb 17, 2014

ADR Matching with the Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter (Tip)

Sound Designer and re-recording mixer Tom Ozanich explains how to use the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter for ADR matching.

Feb 17, 2014

How to Make Acoustic Instruments Shimmer (Tip)

Find out how to make acoustic instruments shimmer using the Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter plugin. A tip from producer/engineer Christopher DeStefano.

Feb 17, 2014

Mixing Toms with the Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter (Tip)

How to mix toms for clarity and punch with the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter plugin: a tip from Producer/Engineer Neil Citron.

Feb 17, 2014

Mixing with the Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter (Tip)

The Aphex Aural Exciter plugin can add a beautiful sheen to vocals, lifting them from the mix. It is also a wonder at restoring life to dull instruments.

Feb 21, 2011

Val Garay on the Hits of the '70s and '80s

Producer/engineer Val Garay worked on many of the biggest recordings of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Val recently spoke to us about his illustrious career and how the Aphex Aural Exciter® fit into it.

Jacquire King Producer & Mixer

Kings of Leon, James Bay, Tom Waits, Niall Horan

“The Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter is a go-to for me for adding some parallel frequency content in a mix.”

Tritonal Musical Duo, Producers, DJs

The Chainsmokers, Armin Van Buuren, Adam Lambert

“When we need warmth and a bit of tube sound on our bass lines, or some grit and punch on drums, the Aphex plugin is our go-to. It’s an amazing tool for creating color and fantastic-sounding saturation on our mix channels.”

Gil Norton Producer

Foo Fighters, Pixies, Stornoway

“I’ve always been a fan of the Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter. I’ve been using it on various instruments such as bass guitars and of course on vocals. It brings a new life to them, and I love the extra sparkle it adds.”

Dave Darlington Composer, Recording, Mixing & Mastering Engineer

Avicii, David Guetta, Sting, Oz

“I love using the Waves Aphex Vintage Exciter to give sparkle and clarity to my synths and guitar tracks. From a light touch to an aggressive setting, nothing helps tracks stand out better in a mix.”

Ross Hogarth Producer & Engineer

Van Halen, REM, Ziggy Marley, Keb’ Mo’

“I remember using the hardware at the great Record One studio many years back, and the plugin did not disappoint that memory. It can give the vocal an intelligibility and air that no other processing can do. With the Aphex plugin, Waves has added one more awesome vintage tool back into my toolbox.”

Guy Sigsworth Producer

Björk, Madonna, Seal

“Great if you want to get that Michael Jackson/Quincy Jones-type bright DI guitar sound. Nothing else comes close.”

Ken "Pooch" Van Druten Mixer, FOH Engineer

Linkin Park, Kiss, Justin Bieber, Jay-Z

“For that special occasion when I need extra sparkle and shine on my mix. Waves come through again with a great product.”

Pete Keppler FOH Engineer

David Bowie, Katy Perry, Nine Inch Nails

“This plugin does what few digital EQs or harmonic generators seem capable of: smooth airy highs and beautiful detail. I have tried it on many instruments and vocals, all with great results. You don't need to use much: it is subtle yet extremely effective. Quite literally, brilliant!”

Damian Kulash Singer, Producer, Director

OK Go

“The Aphex Vintage Exciter is great for what you’d think: adding a little sparkle to keyboards or snap to a snare. But here’s something that surprised me: it’s the perfect way to reanimate a guitar you’ve pitched down. We wrote a song around a specific guitar take, and then changed key for a better vocal range. After hours of trying to replay and recapture the original tone, it turned out a sprinkle of Aphex magic was all we needed to get the bite back.”

SUR Artist, Producer, Engineer

SUR, Billy Porter, Fire in the Hamptons

“I love using a combination of the API 2500, Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter and the CLA Unplugged to get a crisp acoustic guitar tone to cut through the mix.”