Type B

AudioThing's Vintage Exciter Type B is a faithful recreation of the circuit-based harmonic enhancement tool that defined presence enhancement in professional studios from the 1970s onward. The plugin faithfully models the original Aphex Systems exciter topology, which remains the reference point against which modern exciters are measured, while adding flexibility that the hardware units never offered.

The core signal flow remains elegant: incoming audio passes through a high-pass or band-pass filter before reaching a harmonic generator that creates high-frequency content through controlled distortion. The filtered signal drives the harmonic stage, where the Color parameter shapes the character of generated overtones. This filtered excitation then recombines with the dry signal. What distinguishes Type B is the ability to swap filter and harmonic generator positions, allowing engineers to either enhance frequencies before harmonic generation or generate harmonics from the full spectrum and then filter them. This seemingly small architectural choice fundamentally changes the plugin's sonic signature.

The filter section includes selectable slopes (12dB or 24dB) and an emphasis control that adds resonance, crucial for dialing in the characteristic presence peak that makes exciters effective on vocals and guitars. Additional parameters like wet boost, background noise modeling, and direct signal blending provide the control expected of modern software while maintaining sonic authenticity.

Type B excels on sources that need definition without compression or EQ artifacts. Engineers working with tape-degraded recordings or digital sources lacking top-end clarity will find its sound immediately musical. The oversampling options accommodate high-resolution sessions, and the preset system accelerates workflow. It's essential toolkit for tracking and mixing professionals who understand that presence enhancement remains distinct from equalization.