Aphex 204: Combining The Aural Exciter And Big Bottom

In this video, Bob DiFazio takes a look at the Aphex 204, a processor that combines the Aural Exciter and the Big Bottom in one device. Take a look at and a listen to the Aphex 204 to see what happens when two classic effects come together in a single unit.
Off the bat, we wish that Aphex had come up with a more creative name than a number . . . perhaps the Bottom Exciter?

[@stevencarlson6551]

Legendary Professional Two Channel Audio Enchancement Since its introduction in 1975, close to a million Aphex Aural Exciters have found their way into recording studios and broadcast facilities, nightclubs and concert halls, arenas and airports, musicians' and DJs' rigs and houses of worship. The Aural Exciter's patented technology has been often imitated but never duplicated. Each of the Aural Exciter's two independent channels feature Tune, Harmonics and Mix controls, enabling you to focus on select frequencies just like on an EQ. But unlike an EQ, the Aural Exciter's harmonic processing doesn't boost the signal's output level, so it maintains a clear and balanced sound. Traditional EQ increases the output level of the targeted frequencies. Adding EQ to boost selected frequencies typically results in a perceived loss of other frequencies, which are then also boosted to compensate. The Aural Exciter's patented technology harmonically brings out the desired frequencies without adding gain. The result is audio that's more balanced, more articulate and, simply put, better sounding. Over three decades of research, development and refinement have kept the Aural Exciter at the cutting edge. The new Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom features the same no-compromise audio quality Aphex is known for, with the highest quality componentry and rugged, durable construction to withstand the rigors of travel and constant use. Aural Exciter For more than 35 years, the Aural Exciter's patented technology has been the audio professional's secret weapon, a powerful way to improve and enhance sonic quality more naturally than with equalization. For individual sounds or entire mixes, the Aural Exciter brings out detail, clarity and imaging that elevates your sound without adding level. For vocals and spoken dialog, it can dramatically increase intelligibility. For individual instruments, it adds punch and presence. And on mixes, it adds power, presence and sparkle. The Aural Exciter is the ideal solution for breathing life into MP3s and other compressed audio files.

[@LUISMIGUELCABALLOPEREZ]

Hello friend, could you send the operating manual for the Asphex Aural 204?

[@RaJuRMusica]

Mixed 5 Albums with this BABY!!!!

[@actionfigureschannel]

I have this unit. I mainly use it for the big bottom when mixing drums or bass. while it's priced in the consumer range, I would say this device falls in the pro-sumer category. I use it on every mix even if I sound replace. There are some devices that you use on every track. Avalon U5 pre for bass guitar, Manley Voxbox for every vocal, big bottom on drums. I love my plugins but for outboard gear, this is a winner! The sound quality on this vid doesn't due justice to this piece of hardware.

[@abradfordajb]

VERY good demo. I gained a useful basic working knowledge of this device to help me in understanding if will work for me. thanks so much.

[@stevenvanderwerff9488]

Great demo, thanks

[@actionfigureschannel]

I'm saying it's a winner because it kicks mucho ass and because it gets you pro level results but it's not the overblown pro price. Aphex did a wonderful job with this unit.

[@LUISMIGUELCABALLOPEREZ]

Hello friend, could you send the operating manual for the Asphex Aural 204?

[@theRiver_joan]

Nice Aphex 204!

[@blingvibes717]

Good demo I fully understand want to know if I link it with a equalizer how would it sound

[@UniqueTouch]

I bought this Aphex-204 for recording Kick drum sets onto my Neo2488 . I have been looking for the downloadable USER book since I lost mines Sir, Do you know where I can download the User booklet if its still avail. Sir??? Ps. Glad you still have this youtube video on how to better use my Aphex-204!!! an oldy but goody in live -sound!!! Thank you Sir!!!

[@zkranz0]

@adnauseam23 Use your ears my friend. Just because something isn't a 96khz 24 bit WAV file that takes 30 minutes to download, doesn't mean you can't hear the obvious differences when he clicks that bypass button.

[@lorenzino1]

Hi ! just a little question, please : Can we buy the preamp, but not this kind of preamp, the preamps that we can find on the Dean guitars, for exemple, to put it on another guitar ? I ask that cause I'm impressed by the Big Buttom and the Airal Exciter. I don't see many Dean guitars here, where I live, and I'm searching a preamp that I could put on an acoustic guitar to amplify it. When I've searched the Aphex preamp, I was searching the preamp originally mounted on guitars, or to mount it on a guitar if we can buy it separately (?). Thanks by advance.CIAO BYE !

[@no7shark]

Great video really helpful. TY

[@nisbend]

Plenty adequate sound quality for a demo. If you can't hear the difference, try better monitors/headphones...if you still can't hear it, you definitely need to keep the day job ;-)

[@sambemixing9028]

I heard the difference through my phone lol

[@craeli]

hello im thinking of picking up these unit, i would mainly use it for vocals, do you recommend that? thx

[@Mike_Benz_]

If you use a good quality set of headphones or monitors you should be able to hear the difference. I know I can

[@Siamize]

With the big bottom there was about a 3 to 4 db increase in signal level. I thought that there wasn't suppose to be a difference in signal level.

[@doriansend]

Any chance you could elaborate on this "artifact" in the plugin version? I have the hardware but looking to scale down my rig and wondering if i'm missing that much by switching to the plugin. Thanks!

[@brunomoraisferreira]

wich song is this?

[@pupstop1]

Didn't the 104 model do this very thing in the early to mid 90's?

[@russwilson2305]

Most hardware can be pushed much harder than software.

[@jay68521]

BEST FOR LOW OUTPUT

[@gokolink]

3 knobs for the big bottom.

[@horaceshelton9128]

lOVE IT!!!

[@HatredPrime]

how about using couple of them as distortion unit for synthesizers like sort of ''ghetto culture vulture''

[@Joeman7890]

+HatredPrime I have the 104 C2, it's the predecessor to this I think though. The Drive is more just to set the level or maybe threshold for the big bottom, it's not really an overdrive or distortion.

[@ThorD4602]

different kind of distortion, this is to "excite" and enhance the sound, not act as some sort of overdrive.

[@ignaciogarza5994]

bad.... low audio signal...

[@mjpers1]

@shaolin770 I don't understand. First you say it "falls in the pro-sumer category" but then you say it's "a winner."

[@TomekAtomAchtelik]

Please invest in better mic :/

[@ignaciogarza5994]

Your audio is too low..

[@josecorrea5592]

I don't hear any differece on the sound.......

[@paulanderson7796]

Try better speakers or 'phones.

[@lushkordz6643]

Tol' useless ....learn to Mix with Flavor....

[@Keyboardman88]

Pretty lame. How about a demo with something more current - Jazz, Pop, Rock, vocals, etc.

[@ThorD4602]

This was recorded in 2010. He didn't have access to anything newer than that at the time

[@adnauseam23]

useless video, as I doubt the sound quality of the video is great enough to even output the changes being made with the Aural Exciter.

[@warrenburroughs3025]

Your intro jingle is very loud, your conversation is extremely quiet. I stopped watching after 30 seconds as I can't hear you. If you managed to get a more even balance between your intro and content regarding volume you may get a few more viewers. Seriously, because it looked like the content could be great.