Harmonic Exciter AUv3 Plugin v1.02

An Exciter is more than just another "audio enhancer;" it actually extends your high frequencies for a greater perceived loudness without an introduction of noise into the audio path due to increased gain. Vocals and instruments leap out without raising individual volumes in the mix. It can even be used to simulate valve / transister based saturation or overdriven harmonic distortion.

​I think you all know Aphex's Aural Exciter...
I have always been a big "fan" of this effect....
So useful during a Mix.
There are several reasons to use it.
1️⃣
The most common reason to use it, is to bring out an instrument in a mix. A mix with many tracks, or a mix with 2 instruments in the same frequencies range... (French Horn, Vocal,...)
2️⃣
To repair a sound: In the days of analog it was very useful. Today less, but we never know... An old tape, a cassette, a bad recording... A very soft, flat sound.... A little Exciter and you're done. (Unlike an Equalizer, an Exciter adds something that doesn't exist or no more or too little... )
​3️⃣
Some 1st, 3rd, 5th harmonics etc. can reinforce a melody...
4️⃣
On the other hand, there is dissonance. 2nd, 4th, 6th, 6th etc.
By leveling up the odd ones you can also simulate a transistor Amp.
5️⃣
The third reason is to use it as an Audio input source of an effect.
I want for example, a very crystalline reverb on a guitar playing rather in the bass.
I send my guitar in an Aux on which I added an Exciter.
Behind my Reverb, mix 100 wet.

"The 4Pockets Harmonic Exciter allows you to visually see the incoming audio spectrum broken down into frequency bands so that you can immediately see any deficiencies in the mix. You can select a frequency range (whether bass, mid, high or even say a kick drum) and use the 10 harmonic sliders to dynamically synthesize additional harmonics and phase manipulation."
On the right is a Low & High Pass filter.
Use them to select the range frequencies you like to work with.
Once you have enabled the 12 harmics sliders and start playing with them depending on the effect you want.
Here again, the visual will help us a lot...
2 modes: Scope or Graphic with 3 different viewing options for each of the 2 modes.

An input and output knobs, a gain and a bypass.
A Boost switch is also present to add more saturation to your sound.
In conclusion.
This effect is essential for a sound engineer.
This one is totally awesome.
The 12 sliders, the visual and the sound quality...
I love it! I love it!
​A Killer App! A Must Have !

Download on the App Store

Price $6.99 Author 4Pockets.com Type Effect Effect type Exciter Supports Audio Unit Version 1.02 Released 04/09/2019 Updated 04/26/2019

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The App Store description

Harmonic Exciter is an AUv3 Compatible plugin for your favourite DAW such as Cubasis, Auria, AUM, Meteor, BM3 or GarageBand etc.

The main purpose of a Harmonic Exciter is to help instruments cut through a mix and give some edge and clarity to a sound by adding additional harmonics. It can even be used to simulate valve / transister based saturation or overdriven harmonic distortion.

How it works:

Every sound under the sun can be constructed by a series of sine waves, the root sine wave denotes the fundamental percieved frequency or the series of waves. By adding additional harmonics which are simply multiples of the fundamental frequency you can turn say a simple sine wave into a square or sawtooth wave. For those who know anything about synthesis you will know these complex waves pack more punch and brightness for the same volume level. So by adding additional harmonics we can lift a sound and make it appear louder, brighter and stand our in our mix. It can also be used to saturate say a bass frequency range boosting bass without needing additional EQ which simple boosts existing harmonics and oftern requires compression to keep under control. This makes the harmonic exciter a great tool for that perfect mix and a nifty trick audio engineers have been using for decades.



In Practice:

The 4Pockets Harmonic Exciter allows you to visually see the incoming audio spectrum broken down into frequency bands so that you can immediately see any deficiencies in the mix. You can select a frequency range (whether bass, mid, high or even say a kick drum) and use the 10 harmonic sliders to dynamically synthesize of additional harmonics and phase manipulation.

Generally it's the 'odd' harmonics that effect a mix in a more melodic way (1st, 3rd, 5th etc.), while even harmonics (2nd, 4th, 6th etc.) tend to be a little discordant or can be used to mimmic distortion of valve amps etc. When adding saturation in this way you can create simulate pleasing overdriven valve/transistor type amplification (transistor amps generally only apply odd harmonics).

Why is a Harmonic Exciter better than EQ:

While you can boost EQ using a Graphic or Parametric EQ, this only boosts existing harmonics which soon requires compression to avoid clipping. The Harmonic Exciter changes the tonal content of a sound to saturate without adding the same boost in volume. The result is more punch and an ability to cut through the mix without levels getting out of control. You can often get a more natural and aurally pleasing saturation from this kind of effect than using a dedicated oversdrive effects.

If your DAW supports MIDI based effects you can also control certain features via CC controllers or using the pitch bend and mod wheel (or CC's 20, 21 and 22 to control the exciter window, gain and size). Version 1.02 release notesFixed an issue which caused a potential crash when accessing the presets on iOS 10.