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Sound Pure's Take
I’ve never been one to lightly throw out the “L” word, so you can trust that when I say this I truly, sincerely mean it with 100% of my being - I've fallen in love with the Elysia Xpressor.
So what exactly is it about this 500 series 2-channel dynamics processor that’s convinced me to utter such a powerful 4 letter word? Well, for starters you have a wet/dry mix knob, a feature I’m surprised more compressors don’t include despite the incredible versatility it provides. You’ve got a “warmth” button to quickly add some extra analog tone to your signal (great for beefing up your drum bus or vocal tracks) as well as a selectable side chain filter to help ensure you’re not getting any mix bus pumping from your heavy-hitting kick. But what really separates this compressor from the rest of the two-channel dynamics processors out there is the incredible power and control that comes from the greater than infinity (negative) ratios and the “GRL” or Gain Reduction Limiter knob. That’s right, negative ratios, meaning the output volume actually gets pulled below your threshold any time the incoming audio exceeds your set threshold. While this naturally lends itself to create some pretty aggressive sounds, setting the GRL knob to restrict the amount of compression to just a few dBs can result in some very usable sounds within even a more traditional, less effect-heavy mix.
I’ve been using the Xpressor on drum bus pretty extensively (I’d love to try it on other sources, but I’ve only got one and I just can’t pull it off my drum bus!). Sonically the Xpressor covers a HUGE range of characters - it can be a very smooth, transparent bus compressor used to bring up your RMS level without any standard compression artifacts (with ratios as low as 1.2, the Xpressor can definitely do subtle if that’s what you’re after). It can also get incredibly punchy and heavy hitting, just check what it does to the drum track in Elysia’s demo video - it does not disappoint.
The Xpressor really does redefine what a stereo dynamics processor is capable of. And given it’s incredibly affordable price tag, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more engineers retiring their $2.5k range 19” stereo compressors to move towards the more compact 500 series format for their stereo compression needs - especially if future 500 series designers follow in Elysia’s footsteps by creating processors that not only match the sonic qualities and capabilities of 19” rack pieces, but push multiple steps ahead to offer truly unique features not found anywhere else.
From Elysia Audio
In the nature of creative- and artwork, this word plays a crucial part in the development of tremendous ideas. Did you ever calculate how many hours or days you have been limited in your life? Don’t you think that you should use the lost time for something greater? We guess so!
People constantly talking about life-changer which sometimes seems to be far away from reality but accustoming. Is it just a phrase? Creativity desires limitless freedom to express yourself in all aspects. Freedom, also known as mobility or flexibility to do what you want to do. Everywhere.
You can imagine sitting in a studio working on the next big mix or production at a desk with all the fine analog outboard equipment you’ll need installed with rusty screws. In dusty racks. In front of you.
How do you get your favorite analog audio processors side by side of your laptop at home? What about your next tour or gig traveling the world?
We have unleashed our famous elysia analog audio processing hardware to make your musical life much easier, flexible and mobile with the elysia qube series.
qube – A selected series of our famous 500-Analog Modules with Class-A Topology in a rugged, lightweight and travel-ready aluminium case with all the great pristine, transparent sound you will expect from us. Analog to Go. Everywhere.
Limitless.
Put your qube wherever you need. On top of your Rack. Your desk. On your limited space in your Homestudio or even on a small kitchen table beside your Laptop. Take advantage of qube at your next Live-Gig or simply take it to the Club at your DJ Booth. A new definition of comfort and flexibility is just waiting for you.
Maximum flexibility if you get a call from your studio- or music mate to work on a new production. Just put it into your suitcase or backpack together with your Laptop and feel the freedom qube will have to offer.
qube can easily replace your favorite audio processing plugins and saves you a lot of precious CPU Power on your DAW. A perfect side effect is that you’ll get a high-performance tactile control with the highest industry standard quality custom made potentiometers to get your hands on your audio-tracks. 100% free from Latency.
Connection.
You can imagine. elysia wouldn’t be elysia today without deep expertise in sophisticated discrete Class-A Analog Hardware combined with the trust from you since 2006. To be connected to the Audio-World you need the highest quality standards in terms of connection. For that reason we added two balanced XLR In- and Outputs plus two extra TRS In- and Outputs to the qube. This will guarantee a flexible audio connection with the best audio quality you deserve. Promised.
Puristic Power.
We designed a super-low noise Power Supply just for the qube. To give you the best experience in Audio Quality. So you just concentrate on your music and relax knowing that the signal flow is simply the purest you can get. No Pain. Power Supply is included in the package.
Quality Standards.
If this will be your first elysia hardware, just take a deeper look at our alpha compressor which is one of the most famous and sophisticated mastering compressors in the world today. As you can see, we spend all our love and passion for our products we build. With no exception. All the components of our products are top-notch and we think that you deserve products you can use for the rest of your lifetime. qube is handcrafted with precision in Germany. The form-factor is genius as you can stack various qubes through the aluminum profiles. And the weight… only around 1500 grams (3.2lb).
Weights and Measurements.
Dimensions (elysia qube): (W x H x D) 4.09” x 5.39“ x 7.4“ / 104 mm x 137 mm x 188 mm
Weight (elysia qube with 500 Series Module): 3,2 lbs / 1,46 kg
Discrete Class-A Topology
As a true elysia specialty, the audio path of the xpressor Qube is completely based on discrete circuitry and does not use any integrated circuits at all.
Auto Fast
Inspired by its big brothers: the switchable semi automation for a perfect attack on the basis of the value set by the user.
Log Release
This alternative characteristic of the release curve follows a logarithmic course instead of the standard linear progress and results in a very gentle kind of compression.
Negative Ratios
The characteristic curve bends and goes back down! Heavy pumping, backward sounds, etc. – perfect for very cool compression effects.
Parallel Compression
Available directly on the unit: the direct and the compressed signal can be blended in any desired relation by simply turning the mix controller.
Sidechain Filter
A tunable low cut filter in the sidechain of the xpressor Qube avoids overcompression and pumping when there is a lot of low end energy in the mix.
Gain Reduction Limiter
This novel limiter is not placed in the audio path as usually, but restricts the control voltage of the compressor instead.
Warm Mode
The xpressor Qube offers a second switchable sound flavor by altering its frequency spectrum, harmonics and transient response.
Analog Dynamic LED Meter
The gain reduction meter modulates its LEDs in their brightness in order to show the action of the compressor in an analog way: fast and with smooth transitions.
Stepped Potentiometers
All potentiometers in the xpressor Qube have 41 steps which are a great help for recalling your previous sessions fast and precisely.
Technical Data
If you are interested in learning more about typical measurements and technical specifications of the xpressor Qube, this is the right place to check.
Free 3-Year Warranty
Sound Pure stands behind our products. Free three-year warranty on this item. Coverage exclusions live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Level of support and expertise that simply isn't available at big-box megastores. Read the warranty →
Returns
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