Aphex 230 - Get That Big Radio Sound For Your Podcast

This device has nearly everything you could possibly want or even dream of in a voice processor.

It starts with a reflected-plate amplifier tube mic preamp. It sounds clean and warm. Your sound will probably improve just by plugging a mic into this virtually noiseless pre.

Next, you have access to the easiest-to-use compressor I have ever seen or heard. Do you have trouble keeping your levels - level? Do you turn your head off axis sometimes and go off mic? You need a compressor. Aphex calls their product the EasyRider compressor, and it's built into the 230.

EASY TO USE

Did I mention it's easy-to-use? There are only two knobs to set. The unit automatically adapts to voice waves and reduces pump effect while tightening the levels. This is important because with most compressors, you set a ratio and a threshold and then no matter how your voice changes, the compression stays the same throughout your recording. With the EasyRider, the compressor becomes dynamic and constantly adjusts according to your delivery. You could pay $700 for a compressor this good anywhere else.

Now let's talk about the gate. Most podcasters are working in home studios. There's bound to be some background noise. The logic-assisted gate in the 230 will tune out up to 12db of room noise with the twist of a knob. On the tradeshow floor, where there was more noise than you'd find at the noisiest home studio, we were able to significantly quiet room noise with the gate. Even under extreme gating, the effect was nearly transparent.

And if this wasn't enough, the 230 comes with a de-esser. The 230 uses a split band de-esser that effectively cuts sibilance without dulling. You won't have to throw away the high-end to deal with sibilant vocals.

Of course, you can adjust the highs and the rest of the spectrum with the built-in parametric EQ. It's a single channel EQ with a potential of +/-12 from 240 kHz to 8 kH.

There's a sophisticated phase rotator button that creates appropriate psycho-acoustics which round out asymmetry in certain voices.

To complete the package, Aphex includes its superb Aural Exciter with Big Bottom bass to add resonance, depth, presence, and clarity to your voice.

The unit has just about every kind of output you could want, including digital and works with both balanced and unbalanced signal sources.

NO REAL COMPLAINTS

There's usually something not to like about any piece of audio gear. And I had to look really hard for that one thing on the 230. Even then, it's not much of a complaint. But in a perfect world, the 230 would add a line input. I guess there's a good reason why the Podcast & Portable Media Expo named the Aphex 230 the Best Of Show.

BIGGER, BETTER SOUND

The Aphex Model 230 is a vocal channel strip specifically designed to make voices bigger, more present, more intimate, more intelligible and more consistent. It accomplishes this goal in spades.

While its $699 street price is expensive to some podcasters, if you want that big radio DJ sound, there's no easier or cheaper way to get it.

The 230 is now a permanent part of my studio.
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Aphex Model 230 Master Voice Channel Features:
Post Processing insert point.
-10dBV and +4dBu analog outputs.
24-bit/96kHz digital outputs on AES3, S/PDIF, and Optical.
Word Clock I/O.
Cough switch with soft mute.
Reflected Plate Amplifier Tube Mic Preamp.
EasyRider Compressor.
Logic Assisted Gate.
Split Band de-esser.
Aural Exciter.
Parametric EQ.
Big Bottom.

For more on podcasting, visit my sites PodcastingTricks.com and PodcastGearGuy.com

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