Like its bigger brother, the Elysia mpressor 500 combines serious punch with a full and detailed class-A sound. The tremendous tone and flexibility of the newest creation from Ruben Tilgner and Dominik Klassen make it a consummate choice for recording and mixing, while its strikingly special features take it far beyond the borders of what conventional compressors can do.
Extreme time constants, negative ratios, Anti Log release, and Elysia’s innovative gain reduction limiter provide a whole spectrum of unique dynamics shaping options. A new feature of this 500 series module is its switchable THD Boost, allowing on-the-fly signal coloration and saturation effects capable of delivering a different, grittier flavor. Activating the THD Boost function raises the level in front of the gain control element. This generates additional harmonics inside the input stage of the amplifier, which has a significant influence on the sonic structure of a signal.
The Gain Reduction Limiter is not placed in the audio path where you would usually find it, but in the control path of the compressor. When it is activated, it limits the control voltage according to the setting of the GR Limit controller. This means that, no matter how high the input level might become – the amount of gain reduction will never exceed the value which was set by the user. Loud parts in an arrangement can keep their dynamics, as they will not be compressed beyond the limit of the Gain Reduction Limiter. Some very nice special effects like ducking or upward compression can be achieved with this easily by only reducing the quieter parts without changing the original dynamics at the same time.
The mpressor 500 is a pure feed forward compressor, and the gain potentiometer is placed before the control element. This means that the intensity of the saturation can be raised or lowered by different settings of the gain controller. The detector in the sidechain of the compressor runs in parallel and is therefore not influenced by the THD Boost at all. The actual compression does not change, it is only the sound which is being influenced.
One of the innovative features on the mpressor is the Auto Fast switchable semi automation on the attack parameters, a crucial factor for the operations of a compressor. Choosing the right time settings is very important, but depending on the dynamic progress of the source material this can be a difficult task – no matter if single tracks or complete mixes are processed. If a very short attack time is chosen, the compressor is able to catch the short peaks, but on the other hand the sustaining signal will also be processed, which might result in audible distortion. Longer settings reduce distortion significantly, but then the compressor is too slow for catching fast impulses.This is where the Auto Fast function comes into play. For example, if the user sets the attack to 80 ms and then engages the Auto Fast mode, the attack time will be shortened automatically on fast and loud signal impulses. The compressor reduces the signal quickly and prevents it from slipping through. Then the attack time directly and automatically returns to its original setting. In Auto Fast mode the compressor can be very fast, but only when it is really needed. This function influences the attack parameter on short and loud impulses only; in all other cases the original setting of the controller has priority.
A crucial part in the development process of a compressor is to design its control element that reduces the audio signal controlled by voltage. This is also where the main technological concepts show the most obvious differences. The mpressor 500 uses Elysia’s special Transconductance Amplifier (TCA). A differential pair of transistors that uses a modulated current source to affect the amount of amplification builds the core of this module. A few extra transistors were added in order to further decrease noise and unwanted influences of the control voltage. Another advantage of the TCA topology is the very fast response to the control voltage. This is the basis for a compressor that can even handle rapid changes in dynamics and which provides extremely fast time constants.
Also remarkable is the fact that the make up gain was designed as an amplification of the input signal. This is running parallel to the sidechain path and therefore does not have any unwanted influence on the processing itself. The essential advantage of this arrangement is that the background noise always stays at the same level, no matter how much amplification is applied.
“It’s been a challenge to transfer such a sophisticated discrete design into the 500 series form factor,” says elysia Head of Development Ruben Tilgner. “But, after using and listening to the final version of the mpressor 500, we are truly pleased with what we have achieved.”
The mpressor 500 is made in Germany, exclusively using top-quality components, gold-plated PCBs, a rugged 4mm aluminum front panel, and solid aluminum knobs. The mpressor 500 features stepped potentiometers for all its parameters throughout and is available for $749.00 MAP ($805.00 MSRP), or 500 Euros net (plus VAT where applicable), and is shipping right now.
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