Sun Valley, Calif, December 6, 2000 -- Aphex Systems, which this year celebrates 25 action-packed years in the pro-audio industry, will focus on high-tech solutions for the music-recording, post-production and live-sound industries at the upcoming Winter NAMM Convention in Hall E, Booth #1578. Returning once again to the Anaheim Convention Center, January 18 thru 21, 2001, the National Association of Music Merchandisers Convention will provide a unique opportunity to view practical demonstrations of the following systems:

—The Aural Exciter Model 250 and Model 104 Type C2 with Big Bottom which, by extending the harmonics of an audio signal, restores the natural brightness, clarity, and presence that may have been lost during analog conversions or imperfect audio equipment. Applications include audio recording, tape duplication, post production and sound reinforcement.

"Since its introduction in 1975," comments Aphex president Marvin Caesar, "the Aphex Aural Exciter has been used on thousands of hit albums and successful musical tours. All too often, reproduced sound is audibly different from the original live sound because of loss in harmonic detail, often sounding dull and lifeless." The patented audio process recreates missing harmonics without generating significant changes in the actual signal level, yet dramatically increases the intelligibility of speech.

NAMM attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a free competition, the winner of which will be presented with a 25th Anniversary Model 250 Aural Exciter. Contest participants will need to answer a simple question - "What does the acronym 'Aphex' signify?" - to be eligible to the free drawing. More details from Booth #1578.

A recent AES paper by Joseph Chalupper of the Institute of Human-Machine Communications, Technical University of Munich, has now determined that the patented Aural Exciter process enhances speech intelligibility. As Chalupper concludes in his academic article: "The Aural Exciter corresponds to sharpness and can be regarded as a 'Sharpness Maximizer'." Chalupper reports an increase in intelligibility of 11% for single words in noise; 18% for sentences in noise; 12% in reverberant fields; and improved sound quality.

"There has always been a certain amount of controversy surrounding our Aural Exciter," Caesar concludes. "This recent AES paper should help quell the doubts of those who still have trouble believing their own ears, or the ears of their customers. Our licensees, including Yamaha, Gentner Engineering, Bogen, Mackenzie Labs and Emu, have recognized the benefits of the Aural Exciter; this paper will further help their efforts."

—The Model 1100 Precision Microphone Pre-Amplifier, a discrete Class-A tube pre-amp with integrated 24-bit 96 kHz A-to-D converter. Applications include multitrack recording, live performance, commercial and animation voiceovers, dialog /ADR, Foley pickup, radio and TV broadcasting, soundstage/boom, webcasting and remote sound. Recently, the unit received a prestigious Studio Sound Audio Industry Recognition Award in the category of Outboard Pre-Amps, and was nominated for a Mix magazine Technical Excellence & Creativity Award.


—The Model 1788 Remote Controlled Microphone Pre-amplifier, which contains eight preamps in 2RU space and enables gain control close to the mic source. Stand-out features include continuously variable input gain without clicks or glitches using audio DACs in a patent-pending circuit; adjustable maximum output level of +27 dBu; and MicLim, a limiter (patent-pending design) located on the output of the microphone, before the pre-amp. The Model 1788 can be controlled by either MIDI Commands or RS-232/422 serial ports; up to 16 units (128 channels) can be operated via a single control line.

Founded in 1975, Aphex Systems is a leading developer and innovator of signal-processing, dynamics control and analog-to-digital conversion systems designed for a wide cross section of professional end users around the world. For more information call +1/818.767-2929 or visit our internet web site at www.aphex.com.

Aphex Systems, Ltd., 11068 Randall Street Sun Valley, CA 91352, USA www.aphex.com.


Source: Aphex Systems
Web: www.aphex.com