The popular range of Accessit modules has now been extended to include two new modules, one of which is a cost effective Aural Exciter.

Most regular H&SR readers will be by now familiar with the principles of psychoacoustic enhancement, the most famous example of which is the Aphex Aural Exciter. Bandive have now added a single channel unit to their Accessit range, and though it is slightly less flexible than the more expensive rack mounted versions, it is nevertheless very effective.

For those as yet unfamiliar with the enhancer principle, a short explanation is in order. The device works by filtering off part of the mid-range of the input signal into a side chain where it is harmonically enriched, compressed and then mixed back into the original signal before it reaches the output.

This has the effect of intensifying high frequency transient detail and even replacing missing detail with synthesised harmonics. Now the circuit has no way of knowing if it is adding the correct harmonics to recreate those that are missing but fortunately they are perceived as being natural sounding which is where the psychoacoustic aspect comes in. If the input has no upper harmonics in the first place, an example being an old Fender Rhodes piano, then the sound is given a synthetic top end which simple EQ could obviously not achieve. Technically speaking this machine is adding distortion to your precious recordings but it certainly doesn't sound like that when you listen to the results. In practice the device may be used to brighten up muddy recordings or it may be used to obtain a more acceptable sound from a well recorded but inappropriate sounding instrument whether it be a dull acoustic guitar or a soggy bass drum. The only area in which flexibility has been sacrificed is in the filtering section which is fixed. On the up-market models, the filter section is tunable so that the setting can be optimised for each different input sound source.

Layout

The Exciter runs from an external Accessit PSU and these will drive several Accessit modules simultaneously. The front panel has only three controls and the first one labelled Input really sets the level fed into the next device in the chain. It could be thought of as an output level control. Drive comes next and this is set so that the red LED flashes during signal peaks, ensuring the correct signal level into the sidechain. Finally the Mix control determines how much of the harmonically enriched signal is mixed back with the original and so this really sets the intensity of the effect.

"Technically speaking this machine is adding distortion to your precious recordings."

The connections are all located on the rear panel and all the signal connections are unbalanced ¼" jacks. There's one input for line level signals up to +4dBm and another for mics and instruments offering up to 40dBs of gain. By way of outputs there's a mixed output and an effect only output which could be used in conjunction with the send/return facilities on your mixer. Remember though, that this is a mono device and so two will be required to process a stereo mix. Individual tracks are best treated by patching the appropriate channel through the device using the channel insert points if your mixer has them.

The optional power supply connects via a 5-pin DIN lead.

In Use

Exciters are easy to use and this one is no exception, the only temptation being to add too much. My preference is to use such devices on individual tracks either whilst putting down tracks or whilst bouncing down and then I add a little more to the whole stereo mix at mixdown. You can't however use a single unit to add excitement to a stereo mix using the effect send system as the enhanced signal would be in mono and consequently much of the stereo imaging would be destroyed. The only way of solving this problem is to buy two. The fixed filter frequency used on this design suits most types of programme input and only distorted guitar sounds a little abrasive if more than the tiniest touch of excitement is added. Certainly cymbals stand out of the mix and overall separation seems to improve whilst everything seems more up-front without actually being any louder.

"This is a mono device and so two will be required to process a stereo mix."

Conclusions

This unit offers one of the cheapest ways of getting into excitement currently available, especially if you have already got other Accessit modules and a power supply. The only cheaper model is the Tantek Enhancer which is fully tunable but really needs to be used as part of a Tantek rack system.

By far the most common use of these machines is to treat a stereo mix, so you will need two Exciters plus a power supply which, though still cheaper than a rack mounted stereo unit, might tempt you to pay the little extra for the tunability option that a more sophisticated unit would afford you. There's no doubt though that once you've tried one of these devices, you'll be impressed at the increased clarity of your recordings and your cassette copies need never sound dull again. Certainly the owners of cassette based multitrackers will realise a substantial benefit from one of these little boxes, especially if the noise reduction used tends to dull the drum sounds. Other uses include brightening up low bandwidth digital or analogue delays and adding presence and intimacy to vocals.

The Accessit Exciter costs £79.00 including VAT, and further details are available from: Turnkey, (Contact Details).