How to integrate a software base "aural exciter" into my audio chain?

[MarkHH]

This may sound weird but ... I would love to integrate a software version of an "Aphex Aural Exciter" into my audio chain.

Usually I prefer my sound to be as "linear" as possible, but when listening to the sweet, sweet soul of Al Green et al. I wouldn't mind some extra sweetness by adding a few overtones and harmonic frequencies

My set up is: NAS running Plex as audio server, Raspberry PI running PlexAmp as bridge, MiniDSP SHD with Dirac as DAC/audio processor, Benchmark AHB2, MoFi SourcePoint 8.

Does anyone have an idea if/how to do this? Roon is not an option for me, due to the pricing. I'm open to adding another Raspberry if this solves the "problem" Would not need that many config options, but an on/off switch is a must-have.

 

[Keith_W]

You need:

1. A VST host
2. An aural exciter VST like this (that's a Waves replica of that Aphex Exciter you mention). Waves is a reputable company, but there are PLENTY of free exciter VST's which are just a google search away.

Your problem is "VST host". I can't help you since I don't know Linux. But things like JRiver and Hang Loose DSP suite have built-in VST hosts. DAW's definitely can host VST's, but I don't know if a RPi has enough grunt to run a DAW. Maybe do some googling.

 

[MarkHH]

@Keith_W - thanks a lot for the VST hint. I am just querying an AI to help me setting up a VST host on the Raspberry PI and chain it into the Plexamp audio stream.

According to the AI there are a lot of steps to take:

1. Install JACK, Carla and LV2 tools
2. Install the Airwindows LV2, which is an "Exciter" plugin
3. Connect pulseaudio with JACK, which - as I understand, but frankly I do not understand too much of this - pipes the audio stream from Plexamp into JACK, JACK modifies the audiostream along the forementioned "Exciter" plugin and sends the audio to the USB connected with the MiniDSP DAC.

I am not living my life in a Linux shell, but I will give it try and will provide feedback if I happen to get this up and running ...

 

[WXfreak]

A VST host

Do you have a favortie for Windows? Thanks!

 

[somebodyelse]

Install JACK, Carla and LV2 tools

There's a fair chance these days that the linux on your Pi is using PipeWire already. That has a compatibility layer that you can use instead of installing JACK.

If you can use EasyEffects it includes this Exciter plugin.

 

[Keith_W]

Do you have a favortie for Windows? Thanks!

I mentioned two of them - JRiver and Hang Loose DSP suite.

 

[MarkHH]

There's a fair chance these days that the linux on your Pi is using PipeWire already. That has a compatibility layer that you can use instead of installing JACK.

If you can use EasyEffects it includes this Exciter plugin.

My Linux is way too old - no Pipewire, not even a chance to run Carla. So after running into thousands of issue like blocked ports (or is it sockets?) I decided to first upgrade my Debian distribution and will then have a look at EasyEffects, thanks a lot for mentioning this!

(What a waste of time to just add some sugar to Al Greens so sweet, sweet voice )

 

[MarkHH]

So I made some progress by upgrading my Raspberry PI debian to "bookworm" and switching to pipewire I got EasyEffects to run.

Nevertheless it is not the solution I was looking for: I dreamt of sitting on my couch, my iPad in my hand, playing with an Exciter on EasyEffects while listening to then sugar-coated music. But an X Client on an iPad is just too laggy to really enjoy playing around. A proper DAW is obviously the better choice, but then I would have to sit in my "office" in front of a desktop screen ...

But I enjoyed the experience and I am thankful to Keith and "somebodyelse" for their inspiration!

 

[somebodyelse]

But an X Client on an iPad is just too laggy to really enjoy playing around.

You might have a better experience with RDP or VNC than forwarding X these days. The easiest route will depend on which desktop you're running. Gnome includes desktop sharing under Settings->System->"Remote Desktop" while KDE has KRFB. I'm not sure what's easiest for others - maybe setting up x11vnc?

 

[MarkHH]

Thank you very much, @somebodyelse, for another useful advice. I followed that advice and installed RVNC on my iPad as well as TigerVNC on my PC. Much better than X but still too laggy for me to really enjoy that solution for my (non-relevant) problem.

I guess I should spend more time looking into options other than running the effects on my Raspberry. Those mini-pcs/NUCs aren't that expensive and I could run a proper linux or Windows on them.

And another - almost weird solution - would be to buy a real, physical Aphex Aural Exciter. Used ones are at a meagre 150 - 250 €, probably in need of some cleaning of the potentiometer. But well, I think they look pretty sexy

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Do you have a favorite for Windows? Thanks!

Hang Loose (c) has previously offered just their "host" part of the software suite (without the convolve function) at a very nominal price (which I happen to use). Not sure if the developer still does that, but you might drop him a note and ask.

 

[somebodyelse]

It doesn't look like @mitchco offers the host separately now, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[Chr1]

If you opt for a mini PC and Windows, Foobar2000 is free of charge and compatible with VSTs.

 

[Keith_W]

It doesn't look like @mitchco offers the host separately now, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

The host is bundled together with the convolver in the Hang Loose DSP Suite.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

The host is bundled together with the convolver in the Hang Loose DSP Suite.

True, but the full suite is $120+. He previously sold the host-only component for only $20.