If you've spent any time at all in quality recording studios or big time radio stations you've no doubt seen rack mounted versions of the Aphex Aural Exciters with Big Bottom. The Bass Exciter pedal is a compact yet fully functional version of these same processors specially voiced for electric bass. The case is solid metal painted deep purple and should outlive you. This item is very well made and definitely roadworthy. There is no added noise at all, only music. With over two decades experience catering to the recording and broadcasting industries Aphex already has a first class customer support operation.The Bass Exciter is actually two processors in one. The signal from your bass is first split into highs and lows. The higher frequencies are sent to the Aural Exciter circuit which adds clarity, sparkle,air and intensity to the upper audio freqencies. The lows are sent to the Big Bottom circuit which increases the apparent loudness of the lower frequencies. The two processed signals are then seamlessly recombined and sent to the two outputs. While it sounds louder, the Aphex has done it without actually increasing the volume so there is no danger to your amp or speakers. Both outputs can be used simultaneously. There is both a basic standard quarter-inch guitar cable output and an XLR output to feed a PA or recording console. The XLR output has an extra nifty feature on mine. If you connect the XLR jack to a console with 48 volt phantom power turned on for that channel it runs off the console's phantom power, meaning you don't need a battery or an AC adapter either for the Aphex unit! This feature was not mentioned in the manual, but it works on mine. If for some reason you do not want to send the processed signal to the mixing console, you can send an unprocessed straight signal by setting the "WET/DRY" pushbutton on the back panel to "DRY." In "Wet" position the processed signal is routed to the XLR output. There is a ground lift switch also. There is a Passive/Active pushbutton for the one bass guitar input. On top here is a red LED "ENGAGED" pilot light and the bypass footswitch. I never use the switch since I leave the pedal on all the time.
