Australian pro-audio company RØDE Microphones announced the acquisition of legendary audio technology manufacturer, Aphex. RØDE founder and Managing Director, Peter Freedman, announced the purchase of the US based company, well known for its range of audio signal processing equipment that features various proprietary technologies including the iconic “Aural Exciter”.
The company’s legendary “Exciter” technology was inducted into the TEC “TECnology” Hall of Fame in 2013, in recognition of its contribution to improving decades of music and voice for countless artists, albums, movies, TV and radio shows around the world.
Headphone Amplifier
Aphex Aural Exciter and Big Bottom
For more than 35 years, the Aural Exciter’s patented technology has been a powerful way to improve and enhance sonic quality more naturally than with equalization. For individual sounds or entire mixes, for vocals and spoken dialog, for individual instruments, the Aural Exciter adds power, presence, and sparkle.
Since its introduction in 1975, close to a million Aphex Aural Exciters have found their way into recording studios and broadcast facilities, nightclubs and concert halls, arenas and airports, musicians’ and DJs’ rigs and houses of worship. The Aural Exciter’s patented technology has been often imitated but never duplicated and over three decades of research, development and refinement have kept the Aural Exciter at the cutting edge.
The Aural Exciter’s patented technology harmonically enhances the desired frequencies, just like on an EQ, without adding gain. Unlike an EQ, the Aural Exciter’s harmonic processing doesn’t boost the signal’s output level, so it maintains a clear and balanced sound. Traditional EQ increases the output level of the targeted frequencies. Adding EQ to boost selected frequencies typically results in a perceived loss of other frequencies, which are then also boosted to compensate.
Frequently associated with Aphex’ Aural Exciter, the Optical Big Bottom circuit adds deep, powerful low-frequency punch, without the unwanted level boost that comes from adding traditional EQ. Deeper, more resonant bass response with tighter articulation helps to extend low frequency power and spectrum without the build-up or driver-damaging tendencies of bass EQ.
The business
“Growing up in professional audio as I did, I have always had incredible respect for Aphex.” commented Peter Freedman. “They’ve always been the best in the business at enhancing the recorded audio experience, and that is as true today as it was when the company was founded forty years ago”.
“I am so excited about creating the next chapter in the Aphex story, bringing the company’s game-changing technology to a wider audience, and improving the audio of hundreds of thousands of artists, engineers and content creators around the globe”.
David Wiener, Chairman and CEO of DWV Entertainment, previous owner of Aphex, added: “Aphex is in the best shape ever in the company’s history. I look forward to seeing Peter’s exceptional passion and energy focused on growing Aphex with new products and programs. RØDE is an incredible success story of the modern audio movement, and now with Aphex in its stable I am excited to see what will come next”.
“I have every confidence in Peter and his team, given the professional association and friendship that have come out of our months of meetings and communications, and I am proud to have put this deal together with a person of Peter’s caliber,” David Wiener added.
Headquartered in Park City, Utah, DWV Entertainment is a spin-off of David Wiener Ventures, involved in the product, fashion, automotive, aircraft, athletic, electronic and interiors industries. Among DWV clients and business partners are companies such as Ferrari, Columbia, Ganassi Racing, Deer Valley Resort, Beymen Group, US Ski Team, Nike, Ben & Jerry’s and many more.
Aphex will continue to trade as usual.
www.aphex.com | www.rode.com
