Aphex 230 - Master Voice Channel Processor
The 230 Master Voice Processor from Aphex is a comprehensive channel strip with a tube based microphone preamplifier. Especially useful in the broadcast production environment, the unit allows vocal talent to sound bigger and/or have their voice heard above the crowd.
Very easy to use, the 230 has a comprehensive set of dynamics and equalizer functions, including a compressor and gate, a parametric EQ and both of Aphex's harmonic/frequency enhancers. A send/return insert point provides access to the signal path between the dynamics processing and equalizers.
An analog to digital converter with multiple format outputs (available simultaneously,) and wordclock input and output makes the unit an indispensable tool in the production room, or installed as a permanent, on-air feed through for each special talent, set once and locked behind a security cover.
- Reflected plate amplifier tube microphone preamplifier
- EasyRider compressor
- Logic assisted gate
- Variable frequency de-esser
- Parametric EQ and "Aural Exciter" and "Big Bottom" enhancers
- Send and return inserts between dynamics processing and the equalizers
- Analog to digital 24-bit/96kHz converter with AES/EBU, coaxial and optical S/PDIF outputs
- Wordclock input and low jitter wordclock output
- Switchable +4dBu and -10dBV outputs
- Cough Switch (soft mute) allows for silently muting the output on the fly using a handheld, desktop, or floor switch
| Number of Channels | Single |
| Inputs |
1 x XLR Microphone 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Return 1 x BNC Wordclock |
| Outputs |
1 x XLR 1 x 1/4" TRS phone 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Send 1 x XLR AES/EBU 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF 1 x TosLink optical S/PDIF 1 x BNC Wordclock |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz to 24KHz, +/-1dB |
| Noise | EIN: -127dBu, input shorted |
| Preamp | |
|---|---|
| Gain Range | 20dB to 65dB |
| Maximum Output | +25dBu, unloaded |
| Input Impedance | 2kΩ nominal |
| Phantom Power | +48V |
| Compressor | |
|---|---|
| Threshold Range | Fixed |
| Ratio | 4:1 |
| Attack Time | Program dependent, user variable release baseline |
| Release Time | Program dependent, user variable release baseline |
| Slope | Medium hard knee |
| Sidechain | No |
| Equalizer | |
|---|---|
| Filter Type |
Parametric Aural Exciter Big Bottom |
| Frequency Bands |
Parametric: 240Hz to 8KHz Aural Exciter: 500Hz to 5KHz Big Bottom: 50Hz to 280Hz |
| Bandwidth | Parametric: 0.5 to 5 |
| Range (Boost/Cut) |
Parametric: +/-12dB Aural Exciter: OFF to +12dB (mix) Big Bottom: OFF to +12dB (mix) |
| Light Indication | |
| Threshold Range | Not applicable |
| Ratio | Not applicable |
| Attack Time | Not applicable |
| De-Esser | |
|---|---|
| Threshold Range | -20dB to +20dB, variable |
| Frequency Range | 4kHz to 20kHz, Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/octave crossover |
| Gate | |
|---|---|
| Gate Threshold | -50dB to +20dB, variable |
| Gate Rate | Attack: 0.1 mSec Hold/Release: 300 mSec/400 mSec |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 19" x 8 1/4"" x 1 3/4" |
| Weight | 6 lbs |
| Specialties | Insert point between dynamics processing and equalizers |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 4 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
67%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Versatile (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional recording (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 4 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
- All-in-one
- Compact
- Versatile
Cons
- EXPENSIVE
- Noisy
- Poor Sound Quality
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Voice acting
- Voice Over
Comments about Aphex 230 - Master Voice Channel Processor:
I had such high hopes for the Aphex 230. It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. I do some voice acting and voice over work and this had everything I wanted: a nice pre amp, compressor, de-esser and noise gate. The exciter, big bottom and eq were nice extras.
Anyway, I purchased this based on the positive reviews here and elsewhere online. While I was researching, I did come across a few people who REALLY did not like the Aphex and complained it was too noisy. They were a small minority, so I ignored them and happily ordered the 230.
Plugged it in directly to my Delta 1010LT and went about setting the quick-start settings. I was surprised by the level of white noise I was getting on my test recordings. Fiddled with the gate and things improved, but there was still too much noise on the dialogue itself. After two days of tweaking, I gave up and sent it back.
I've gone back to using my GAP Pre 73 pre-amp and gating the ambiance a little in software with MUCH better results. A shame, because I REALLY wanted to love Aphex 230.
Pros
- Versatile
Cons
- Poor Sound Quality
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Aphex 230 - Master Voice Channel Processor:
The majority of people LOVE this thing. But there are a few who don't and I'm one of them.
I really wanted to love this thing and when I read of a few people complaining about how noisy it was, I ignored them.
I'm not sure if I got a dud or what, but compared to my old (and less expensive) set up, the Aphex IS too noisy. It was unusable for voice over in my situation. I'll stick to my old set up.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Aphex 230 - Master Voice Channel Processor:
This box is super easy to use and is just magic on voice. Everything is there that you need. Certain elements are dialed in by design but there's plenty of flexibility. Truly amazing.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Powerful
- Professional Functions
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Aphex 230 - Master Voice Channel Processor:
Reading aloud is easy for me, and I even find a cold read a simple thing no matter how challenging the material is. But as I moved from the classroom to voiceovers, I found the technology intimidating until I discovered the 230 Voice Channel Processor by Aphex at V.O.I.C.E.2008. Having the opportunity to sit and fiddle with it, to actually hear the difference it made in capturing the true nature and quality of my voice was absolutely amazing! I am thrilled with my purchase. It is easy to hook up, simple to use and small enough to pack up and tote along when I travel.
I could wish for a handy dandy padded suitcase for it to ride in safely, but for now I use the padding and box in which it arrived.
Best of luck with yours. I love mine.
Displaying reviews 1-4
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- AC Power Cable
- One (1) Year Warranty
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