Bus EXCITER-104 by Arturia audio effects plugin interface

Bus EXCITER-104: Analog-Style Exciter Plugin by Arturia

Rated 4.9/5 on Plugin Boutique (11 ratings)

Bus EXCITER-104 is an effects plugin from Arturia that recreates the classic audio signal enhancer. It uses two separate modules to add weight to low frequencies and presence to mids and highs.

VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Bus EXCITER-104 is built around the idea of a sonic presence unit. It splits its processing into two modules, Big Bass for the low end and Exciter for the mids and highs, so you can work on each range independently. Arturia positions it for mix bus processing as well as individual inserts, including kicks, bass, vocals, synths, guitars and drum kits. A large signal visualizer, solo and mute buttons, and 20 included presets help you hear exactly what the processor is adding.

Best for

Kick drum enhancement
Mix bus excitement
Vocal presence
Bass weight and lows
Drum bus processing
Guitar and synth brightening

Developer: Arturia
Category: Exciters
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Recreates the classic audio signal enhancer in a modern plugin
Big Bass module for beefing up low frequencies
Exciter module for adding presence to mids and highs
Advanced per-module controls for tonal quality and stereo image
Large signal visualizer to monitor processing
Solo and mute buttons to hear the added signal
20 quality presets for vocals, guitars, kicks and bass
Studio and Render engine modes to balance quality and CPU

03In depth

Dual-Module Exciter Processing for Lows and Highs

The plugin has two modules. Big Bass is designed to beef up the lows, while Exciter brings presence to the mids and highs. Each module has its own controls, so you can target one frequency range or work on both at once.

Advanced features in each module let you shape the tonal quality and stereo image of both processors. An output equalizer lets you localize the effect to a single frequency or explore both ranges.

The solo and mute buttons make it easy to audition the signal you are adding, so you can judge the change in isolation before blending it back into the mix.

Workflow, Quality Modes and Typical Use

The large signal visualizer shows how the signal is being affected as you adjust the controls, which helps when you are making small, precise changes.

Two engine quality modes, Studio and Render, let you balance sound quality against CPU usage. Use Studio while working and switch to Render for the final bounce, or keep Studio if your system can handle it.

The 20 presets cover a range of sources, from vocals and guitars to kicks and bass, and give you a starting point before you adjust the controls to suit the track.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Arturia
Type	Plugin
Category	Exciter
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Bus EXCITER-104 support?

Bus EXCITER-104 is available in VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone formats. It runs on Windows and macOS and is 64-bit.

What do I need to run Bus EXCITER-104?

On Windows, you need Windows 10 or later (64-bit), 4 GB RAM, a 4-core CPU at 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo Boost), 50 GB of free disk space and an OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU. On macOS, you need macOS 10.13 or later, 4 GB RAM, a 4-core CPU at 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo Boost) or an Apple Silicon CPU, 50 GB of free disk space and an OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU.

Can I use Bus EXCITER-104 on a mix bus and on single tracks?

Yes. Arturia describes it as suitable for bus channels as well as individual inserts, including kicks, bass, vocals, synths, guitars and full drum kits.