Instruction Manual Models 1401 - 1402 - 1403 Genuine
Instruction Manual Aphex P/N xxx-xxxx Models Covered: 1401 Acoustic Xciter™ 1402 Bass Xciter™ 1403 Guitar Xciter™ All models have similar controls and features. The range of adjustments and the internal parameters are individually optimized for the different classes of musical instruments. Contents 1. Hook-up ............................ 2. Controls ............................ 3. Tune-Up............................. 4. Theory................................ 5. Specifications.................... 6.
Models 1401 through 1403 1. Hook-Up 1 3 2 Hot Instrument Input Power Instrument Output Wet(In) Dry(Out) Active (In) Ground Passive (Out) Grounded(In) Lifted (Out) D.I. Balanced 150Ω Output Mic Level a. Direct By-Pass When the unit is switched “off” (no effect) your instrument is routed directly to the output jack and does not pass through any electronics. b. Input When plugging in, make sure you set the input active/passive switch to match your instrument’s pickup.
Instruction Manual on or off by inserting or removing the plug from the input jack. Simply removing the plug from your instrument does not turn off the Aphex unit. c. Instrument Output Connect this output to your amp’s input jack using a good quality guitar cord. Use the same jack and active/passive settings on your amplifier as you would use if plugging the instrument directly into the amp.
Models 1401 through 1403 should normally be grounded. Don’t lift the ground unless it actually eliminates hum or buzz. e. External Power When external power is used, the internal battery becomes disconnected and will not experience a power drain. A wide range of both a.c. and d.c. supply voltages is acceptable for power (see specifications) and it does not matter whether the center pin is positive or negative.
Instruction Manual ing 4 screws holding the bottom cover. You can expect from 100 to 150 hours of continuous use from a fresh alkaline battery. Useful life is ended when the battery voltage drops below 5.5 volts. To extend battery life, always unplug the input when the unit is not in use.
Models 1401 through 1403 2. Controls a. Big Bottom® - What It Does For bass instruments, it dynamically enhances the low end by deepening and expanding the bass tones according to an adaptive process. It’s not just boost. The effect protects speakers while it extends their bass producing capability. For acoustic instruments it “brings out the box“.
Instruction Manual warmer tone that makes the instrument sound bigger and fuller. For guitars, it gives you another dimension of expression at the lower end of the scale. It’s not a synthesizer of any kind. It takes what is there and enhances it intelligently. Lo Tune Sets the upper frequency limit for bass enhancement. Enhancement occurs for all frequencies below this point. The operating range of this control is optimized for your Xciter model.
Models 1401 through 1403 Hi Tune Sets the lower frequency limit for treble enhancement. Enhancement occurs for all frequencies above this point. The operating range of this control is optimized for your Xciter model. Hi Blend Mixes in the amount of Aural Exciter effect you want from zero to the maximum available. c. Foot Switch Turns the effect on or off. When the effect is off, your instrument is patched directly through to the output jack. In other words, it’s a straight bypass.
Instruction Manual 3. Tune-Up a. The Rules There’s just one rule: Setting up your Xciter is very easy and intuitive. Much more so than many other effects units. Use the Big Bottom and the Aural Exciter as if they were separate enhancers. After that, it is all up to experimentation. Bear in mind that your amp and speaker play a part in the overall tone of your instrument, just as your pickups do. What settings are great for one rig or instrument might not be perfect for another. b.
Models 1401 through 1403 You will notice that, within a fairly broad range, the Lo Blend will cause a special kind of balance where it does not bloat the sound, but it does extend and deepen the tone. For bass instruments, this is where the Big Bottom is doing what no other processor can do: giving you more effective bass power without overloading your amplifier. This is also where you are getting the most playable enhancement for acoustic guitar, or other non-stringed amplified instruments.
Instruction Manual Aural c. Setting Up Aural Excitement Turn the HI Blend up to at least 12:00 so you can hear the effect. Rotate the Hi Tune looking for a sweet spot. This can be anywhere in the control range depending on what you are looking for. If you just want air, tune it higher and use more blend. If you want the tone to be more penetrating, tune it lower. For bass, a lower tune gives you more buzz and slap.
Models 1401 through 1403 4. Theory It you are reading this, congratulations! Not everyone will find their way here to learn exactly how the Big Bottom and Aural Exciter work. We’ll keep this description light and not too technical, however. We want as many musicians as possible to get a basic grasp of the technology. If you want more than we offer here, then you can find detailed white papers at www.aphex.com. First - The History In 1975, Aphex introduced the first Aural Exciter® and won U.
Instruction Manual Excitement and is renown in its own right. Still, Aphex offers both effects together because, as powerful as they are alone, they are doubly powerful when used together. The Aural Exciter - What Is It? Once sound is recorded, mixed, and reproduced it has lost something vital. We all sense that, especially when we are working at playing or producing music. Part of what gets lost is harmonics. We can sense the slightest loss of realism when we listen, even as our ears lose acuity with age.
Models 1401 through 1403 Discriminate Harmonics Generator”, a giant leap forward in psychoacoustics processing. The difference is that the Aphex Aural Exciter is natural and automatically adaptive to every sound while the others are harsh, and, frankly, just sound like distortion most of the time So, what can it do? In extreme cases, the Aural Exciter can bring back lost intelligibility to voice recordings and sound reinforcement systems.
Instruction Manual erator. The highpassed frequencies coming out of the side chain contain added harmonic details in varying amounts depending upon the dynamics of the sound. The phase and timing of the side chain audio signals are also altered in a certain way. The main path mixes the unaltered sound with an amount of the side chain sound. The mixed amount is set by the Hi Blend control.
Models 1401 through 1403 more power can heighten the volume level, but at some point it is impractical to go any further. Big Bottom was developed to get an extended and stronger bottom end with existing amps and speakers. Whereas the Aural Exciter clarifies and projects the sonic details mainly carried in the upper frequencies, Big Bottom improves the low end reproduction. In certain ways, Big Bottom behaves like a bass compressor, because it extends and sustains the notes.
Instruction Manual frequencies adjustable, that the specific process is musically adaptive to upper bass areas as well. It’s all about tone. The “box” of the guitar can be warmly accented without making it thuddy. The richness of chords can be improved. Amplified horns receive an exhilarating reach to the lower notes. Of course, not all instruments can benefit. We doubt whether Big Bottom does much for a Cornet, for example. But, you never know until you try! We have been pleasantly surprised many times.
Models 1401 through 1403 manner and direction of this dynamic EQ enhances the note’s apparent depth while limiting the peak energy level to what is about equal to the unaltered sound. That means your amp and speakers are not overloaded even when the sound is greatly magnified.
Instruction Manual 5. Specifications Model 1401 Acoustic 1402 Bass 1403 Guitar Input Z Active: 50KΩ Passive: 10MΩ Active: 50KΩ Passive: 1MΩ Active: 50KΩ Passive: 1MΩ Output Z Instrument: 1KΩ D.I.: 150Ω Instrument: 1KΩ D.I.: 150Ω Instrument: 1KΩ D.I.: 150Ω Lo Tune 40-210Hz 30-210Hz 40-210Hz Hi Tune 300-3kHz 500-5kHz 500-5kHz Maximum Input Level Freq. Resp. SNR (Typical) Power Drain Battery Type External Power Passive: 0.6V RMS Passive: 0.6V RMS Passive: 0.6V RMS Active: 2.
Models 1401 through 1403 6. Limited Warranty PERIOD One year from date of purchase SCOPE All defects in workmanship and materials. The following are not covered: a. Voltage conversions b. Units on which the serial number has been defaced, modified, or removed c. Damage or deterioration: 1. Resulting from installation and/or removal of the unit. 2. Resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, unauthorized product modification or failure to follow instructions contained in the User’s Manual. 3.
Instruction Manual 7. Service Information 1. If it becomes necessary to return this unit for repair, you must first contact Aphex Systems, Ltd. for a Return Authorization (RMA number). 2. Pack the equipment in a strong carton containing at least 2 inches of padding on all sides. Be sure the unit cannot shift around inside the carton. Include a letter explaining the symptoms and/or defect(s). Be sure to reference the RMA number in your letter and mark the RMA number on the outside of the carton. 3.
Aphex is a leading manufacturer of products for recording, broadcast, and sound reinforcement. Be sure to ask your dealer about professional Aphex products or visit www.aphex.com for more information. “Bass Xciter”, “Guitar Xciter”, and “Acoustic Xciter” are trademarks of Aphex Systems Ltd. All rights reserved. Aphex Systems Ltd. 11068 Randall St. Sun Valley, CA 91352 Tel 818-767-2929 techsup@aphex.com | sales@aphex.
