Waves has announced their new Aphex Aural Exciter plug-ins. Introduced in the mid-1970s, the original Aphex Aural Exciter was revolutionary for its day — and so expensive that only a priviledged few could afford to use it. In most cases, it was rented to artists working in major studios. The Aural Exciter uses a process that enhances high frequencies for more brightness and presence, without boosting levels or eating headroom. Over the years, Aphex was able to make the Aural Exciter much more affordable, and it has found extensive use, both in hardware and software form.
Now Waves has modeled one of the few original tube-driven Aural Exciters. Like the original hardware, the plug-in enhances brightness without affecting levels. It can be used on vocals or instrumental tracks or on entire mixes. The plug-in is effective either as an insert effect or on a send/return. Mono and stereo versions are included, in TDM, RTAS, Audio Suite, VST, and Audio Units formats for Mac and Windows.