EX•BB 500 ® ® ® AURAL EXCITER & OPTICAL BIG BOTTOM 500 SERIES MODULE Owner’s Manual NEW EXBB500 MANUAL.
SAFETY DECLARATIONS CAUTION: For continued protection against risk of fire, replace only with the same type and rating of fuse. ATTENTION: pour une protection continue contre les risques d’incendie, ne remplacer qu’avec la même valeur et même type de fusible. WARNING: Do not place objects containing liquid on this unit as it is not designed to protect against spillage. Do not expose this unit to dripping or splashing of liquids as the unit is not designed to protect against these occurances.
SAFETY DECLARATIONS This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INSTALLATION 5 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The Aural Exciter and Big Bottom Technologies Explained 2.2 Simplified Block Diagram 6 8 3.0 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS 3.1 Big Bottom Drive Control & Indicator 3.2 Big Bottom Frequency Control 3.3 Big Bottom Amount Control 3.4 Aural Exciter Harmonics Control 3.5 Aural Exciter Frequency Control 3.6 Aural Exciter Amount Control 3.7 Process On/Off Buttons 4.0 OPERATION AND APPLICATIONS 4.1 Optimizing Aural Exciter Effects 4.
INSTALLING THE EX•BB 500 IN A 500 SERIES RACK 1. Turn off and unplug your 500 series rack frame. Inspect the card slot you intend you use to make sure that it is clean and free of any debris. 2. Before removing your EX•BB 500 from its box, discharge any static electricity buildup you may have by touching your 500 series rack. 3. Pull your EX•BB 500 module out of its box and carefully slide it into place in the designated opening.
2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 THE AURAL EXCITER® AND BIG BOTTOM® TECHNOLOGIES EXPLAINED The Aural Exciter is an audio processor that recreates and restores missing harmonics. Harmonics are musically and dynamically related to the original sound, revealing the fine differences between voices and various instruments. Reproduced sound is audibly different than the original live sound because of the loss in harmonic detail, often sounding dull and lifeless.
Input Original Signal Output Sidechain Processing SIMPLIFIED SIDECHAIN DIAGRAM As illustrated above, the unit splits the input signal into two paths. One path goes directly to the output unmodified, while the other path, known as a sidechain, goes through the Aural Exciter circuit which is comprised of a tunable high pass filter and a harmonics generator. The Aural Exciter circuit applies frequency dependent phase shift and transient discriminate harmonics.
2.2 SIMPLIFIED BLOCK DIAGRAM Active Balanced Outputs Active Balanced Inputs +4/-10 Operating Level Switch XLR-3F XLR-3M SUM 1/4” TRS Tunable Highpass Filter Aural Exciter Sidechain Big Bottom Sidechain Tune 600Hz-5kHz Tunable Lowpass Filter Tune 50Hz-200Hz Transient Discriminate Harmonics Generator 1/4” TRS Mix Variable Harmonics Phase & Dynamics Processor Mix Variable Drive Effects are created through dynamic phase, frequency, and amplitude modification and recombination. 3.
NEW EXBB500 MANUAL.indd 9 3.2 BIG BOTTOM FREQUENCY CONTROL This control lets you optimize the bass enhancement frequency band. Where this is set depends upon your sound system and the type of music being played. Typically, 12:00 is a universal position. However, you may want to experiment with other settings. The range is from 50Hz to 200Hz. At center, you are tuned to about 80Hz. 3.3 BIG BOTTOM AMOUNT CONTROL This control adjusts the amount of Big Bottom enhancement being added to the original signal.
3.4 AURAL EXCITER HARMONICS CONTROL This control adjusts the amount of harmonics being generated by the exciter. It controls the texture and detail of the effect. The MIN position is generally considered NORMAL, and is useful for voices and total mixes. The MAX position is most useful on specific tracks, especially percussive instruments, horns, guitars and digital instruments. 3.
4.0 OPERATION & APPLICATIONS 4.1 OPTIMIZING AURAL EXCITER EFFECTS Experiment with the Aural Exciter controls to hear how each one enhances the original audio signal: 1. Make sure the Process Switch is IN. 2. Put the Aural Exciter Amount control at 12 o’clock, to make it easy to hear the effect as it changes. 3. Vary the Tune control and listen for the frequency range that’s being enhanced. The Tune control can be used to enhance a particular instrument so it stands out in the mix. 4.
4.3 RECORDING: TRACKING AND MIXING The Aural Exciter restores presence and clarity, improving transient response of individual tracks or whole mixes. Increased harmonic detail enables specific instruments to stand out in the mix, offering a more “live” or spacious sound. Imaging is improved with an open “airy” quality. Any instrument, such as a guitar, processed through the Aural Exciter circuit will have greater penetration, crispness and clarity.
4.4 FREQUENCY CHART RELATING THE FREQUENCY RANGES OF THE BIG BOTTOM AND AURAL EXCITER TO THE FUNDAMENTALS AND HARMONICS OF SOUND Big Bottom Range Aural Exciter Range MID NEW EXBB500 MANUAL.
5.0 SERVICE & WARRANTY 5.1 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.
5.2 SERVICE INFORMATION If it becomes necessary to return this unit for repair, you must first contact Aphex for a Return Authorization (RMA number), which will need to be included with your shipment for proper identification. If available, repack this unit in its original carton and packing material. Otherwise, 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.
This product is protected under one or more of the following Aphex patents. 4578648, 4633501, 4843626, 4939471, 5115471, 5155769, 5334947, 5359665 5422602, 5424488, 5450034, 5463695, 5483600, 5485077, 5612612, 5737432 5848167, 5896458, 5898395, 5930374 3500 N San Fernando Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505 USA PH: 818.767.2929 FAX: 818.767.2641 www.APHEX.com Page © 2012 16 Aphex LLC NEW EXBB500 MANUAL.
