The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Hi Tom,

I believe (but could be wrong), that an 'Enhancer' is also known as an
'Exciter'.

Its purpose is to add a bit of 'sparkle' to the sound. My guess (I'm not an
engineer) would be that you'd use it on certain sounds rather than the whole
mix, to give you some contrast. Too much of it, due to its very nature,
would probably produce a harsh, fatigued sound - particularly if applied to
the overall mix.

Even the exceptionally cheap Behringer Modulizer has a "Harmonic Exciter",
although I've never really used it, so I expect that many FX units feature
it. Due to what it does to the sound, I expect that there certainly would be
some units that do it better than others.

Do you need one?....  Face it, you'll need everything once you've heard
about it!!! ;-) However for me, I'm more concerned about the musical
composition side of things at present - An 'exciter' won't obviously remedy
an ordinary sound or melody.


<re "Compressors"> Don't be afraid of doing 'too much damage' to your music
through the use of a compressor - it only affects the dynamics (ie. volume).
The worst that can happen is for the perceived volume to drop down a bit
every time there is loud bassy kick drum (ie. know as 'pumping'). In which
case, either lift the 'threshold', or reduce the 'ratio', or lower the
volume level of the offending kick drum that causing the problem in the
first place.

Phil