Bass Exciter

[Fretbuzz]

Have any of you fellas tried or currently using the "Bass Exciter"? It is supposed to be in the same ballpark as a BBE Sonic Maximizer.

http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/Aphex1402.html

 

[mro]

I tried one at a music store. I had fun playing through it. The low end sounds deeper and the high end has a fuller sound. I was impressed with it. It runs for $150. I would prefer a rackmount version. I am the set and forget type of person.

 

[Fretbuzz]

Thanks for the input. I figured it was the po' man's Avalon U5 DI!!! I can't afford an Avalon at this time....the Aphex Bass Exciter is in my pricerange though.

 

[giddy4geddy]

I've got the BBE 482i and absolutely love it. They claim that once you play through it you'll never turn it off/play without it....it's true. Plus, it's a great all-around piece of gear to have in a rack. Sure it works great with a bass but also ANYTHING you pump through it. One of the best $179 pieces of equipment I've purchased. I have not tried the exciter.

 

[Brian Thompson]

I have the SansAmp Bass Driver DI and I like it very much!

 

[easelkillya]

I've recorded with a SansAmp bass DI, and was pleased with the sound it gave me. Are they of any benefit in live performances? I have yet to try the Bass Exciter... Is it basically the same thing as the SansAmp bass DI?

 

[RetepV]

I've once built one myself, out of an old Elektor Electronics magazine. I used it with an old Washburn bass (I can't remember the type, could it be B4?), because it had such a flat sound . Well, I was happy with it untill I bought a Music Man Sabre bass. Haven't used it since.

 

[hands 5]

Thanks for the input. I figured it was the po' man's Avalon U5 DI!!! I can't afford an Avalon at this time....the Aphex Bass Exciter is in my pricerange though.

I purchase one yesterday and it is a very good DI for the money,however it is not a poor man's Avalon U5.It does tighten up the sound though.

 

[hands 5]

I've recorded with a SansAmp bass DI, and was pleased with the sound it gave me. Are they of any benefit in live performances? I have yet to try the Bass Exciter... Is it basically the same thing as the SansAmp bass DI?

No.IMO I think it's a little better.


As always I could be wrong.

 

[benjaminooo]

i use the mxr m80 DI in the studio and live... it really give my sound great color and depth.. i'd be interested in trying these other pedals? or are they rack gear? either way.. sounds good.

 

[fifthorange]

this might sound really stupid to most of you but what exactly does the exciter do?

 

[bovinehost]

What if my bass is already exciting?

What then? I ask you.

 

[mike jewels]

What if my bass is already exciting?

What then? I ask you.

Mike

 

[bovinehost]

Well, it worries me a little because I really do think my bass is already exciting.

And if you've ever been excited, and then become over-excited, I think you know what can happen - and yes, she will tell her girlfriends, no matter what she promised and no matter how nice she was about it at the time.

 

[Brian Thompson]

Hmmmm... Bovine... Now you dont want to short out the electronics in your bongos

Anyhoot, the Exciter is not as exciting as THIS!!!

Not a DI box, but very cool option for "driving" your Musicman...

 

[Fretbuzz]

The Funky Gold Box Effects Thingy!!!! That would send me over the top! I do appreciate all of the input and the comedic responses from Bovine. Do you do any stand-up or just play bass only.....you're pretty funny.

 

[revolver323]

Exciting!!!

Been using the Exciter for about six months, and I hesitate to go without it in live situations. It does indeed boost the appearance of low end, especially in low-volume situations. The "exciter" part is very much like a slight chorus effect that adds sparkle to the high end. I have found (on a Lakland Skyline 5501) that too much "high tune" can get on your nerves and accentuate string noise, though. Overall, it's a great deal at the price.

 

[xbass]

I never used the exciter but I have the Bass Driver DI and the BBE (rack version), and I am very satisfyed with both of them. The problem with Sans Amp is that it makes all the basses sound the same (really very good sound but the same, it's hard to be original with sans amp. I am using now the BBE mounted in my ampeg rack

 

[GRIMLOCK]

I picked up a bass exciter a while back, & I loved the sound I got when I put it in the signal path between my guitar and my bass. I work at my church & I play twice a week with our orchestra in a fairly large space, so I split off a DI to send my signal to the house. I bought the exciter to accomplish this, but found that the XLR out was FAR too noisy. It has great effects, but I was expecting a better tonal quality from the xlr out. After an hour of hassling with grounding/cables/power supplies/batteries etc. I gave up and switched back to a $30 DI and was much happier. Nice tones, but the unit that I got wasn't worth the money. Maybe I'll save up for a sans amp instead? (oh yeah, and I took the exciter back the very next day.)