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  3. Computer Music

9 excellent exciter plug-ins

By Computer Music
published 17 April 2012

Brighten-up your music with these effects

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Add some excitement...
(Image credit: Milena Boniek/PhotoAlto/Corbis)

Add some excitement...

Much of the history of recording is, arguably, the history of compensating for the limitations of recording mediums. One of the chief problems has been a loss of top-end clarity. A whole class of devices - called exciters or enhancers - were developed to compensate for this, particularly in the tape-recording period.

The techniques ranged from psychoacoustic frequency compensation to simple filtering but the aim was the same: to retain, restore or artificially synthesise the top-end sheen that allows presence, clarity, punch and excitement. Modern music technology means that new sounds are pretty bright already, and some argue that today's music is quite shiny enough.

If anything, however, this makes enhancers more appealing as they allow recordings of 'real' instruments to sit alongside glossy synths and samples. It also means that vintage samples can be brought up to today's brightness levels.

There are many, many ways to brighten a signal, and we've even included a few plug-ins that aren't branded as enhancers/exciters. 112dB's Redline Preamp is touted as a tube simulation, but its multiband design means you can easily shine up the top end using the treble band alone.

PSP's NobleQ and the Abbey Road Brilliance processors are EQs, albeit ones that are particularly good for sweetening treble with the twist of a knob. A number of the plug-ins feature extra processes that may increase their usefulness to you, but we're focusing on their treble enhancement side.

Next: Nomad Factory BBE Sonic Maximizer D82

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Nomad Factory BBE Sonic Maximizer D82
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac $129

Nomad Factory BBE Sonic Maximizer D82

One of the best known names in excitement, with distinctive brightening and ease of use. It has a bass section, too.

Read the Nomad Factory BBE Sound Sonic Sweet bundle review

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Waves OneKnob Brighter
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac $64

Waves OneKnob Brighter

As simple as it gets, with all the advantages and limitations that brings. Brighter also be bought as part of the complete OneKnob pack (pictured).

Read the Waves OneKnob bundle review

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Abbey Road Brilliance Pack
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac $249

Abbey Road Brilliance Pack

Based on classic EMI technology that was used on most Beatles albums for nearly a decade, the Brilliance Pack contains simple and unique treble enhancers.

Read the Abbey Road Brilliance Pack review

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Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac $187.50

Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter

Modelled on one of the grand-daddies of excitement, this plug-in even models the subtly different-sounding input jacks!

Read the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter review

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112dB Redline Preamp
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac $149

112dB Redline Preamp

It might not be sold as an enhancer, but the treble band of this tube preamp sim sounds so nice that it can certainly be used for that purpose.

Read the 112dB Redline Preamp review

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PSP Audioware NobleQ
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac $69

PSP Audioware NobleQ

Based on Pultec’s classic EQ - which was renowned for the sweet sheen it could impart to channels or full mixes - NobleQ falls into enhancement territory.

Read the PSP Audioware NobleQ review

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Universal Audio Precision Enhancer kHz
PC/Mac, UAD DSP card required $149

Universal Audio Precision Enhancer kHz

Easy controls belie a powerful and versatile plug-in with five operation modes, parallel processing and more.

Read the Universal Audio Precision Enhancer kHz review

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PSP Audioware MixTreble2
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac $199

PSP Audioware MixTreble2

Part of the outstanding MixPack2 bundle (which the price and score refers to), MixTreble2 offers an exciter, a harmonics generator and even a hiss-attenuator.

Read the PSP Audioware MixPack2 review

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iZotope Ozone 5
VST/AU/RTAS, PC/Mac £169/£669

iZotope Ozone 5

Ozone is a mastering package with a versatile four-band exciter. The pricier Advanced version includes an individual plug-in version, too.

Read the iZotope Ozone 5 review

Liked this? Now read: 8 great algorithmic reverb plug-ins

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Computer Music
Computer Music
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Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.

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