The elysia skulpter|mpressor qube 500 series channel strip, the smallest channel strip in the world with the biggest sound. Never before has it been so easy to create the perfect sound while recording. With this powerful combination of skulpter|500 and mpressor|500 you have all the possibilities when recording. Process the signal to your taste with the skulpter|500 and use the mpressor|500 to shape the dynamics of the signal. We believe that the better the recorded signal is, the less processing is required later when mixing. No matter what you have in mind, with the skulpter|mpressor qube you have the perfect solution.
 
elysia skulpter 500 Series Class-A Microphone Preamp
Loaded with the highest grade audio circuitry to add color and warmth to the front end recording into your DAW interface, the skulpter preamp is fully discrete, Class-A and feed-forward by design, providing ultra-clean low or high gain signal without the use of a pad or cloudlifter with a full dynamic range of 3 dB - 65 dB.

Two variable saturation and filter stages are included to add more warmth or color to the mic or DI signal, getting you closer to a "finished" record sound with less work on the back end.

Shape one is for instruments and focuses on adding harmonics or THD. The amount of THD is applied based on the input signal, and as the THD increases, a gentle high cut filter at 4 kHz is engaged to eliminate any harsh peaks while maintaining a thick full sound.

Shape two is for vocals. It applies the same style of saturation, but more soft clip tube-like characteristics rather than straight THD. The EQ curve differs where in this stage it boosts up to 10 dB at 4.5 kHz to make the vocal shine. Utilize the MIX control to make the perfect blend of dry and wet signal and get as close to the "finished" sound as possible.

The onboard compressor is easily controlled with one knob to adjust the threshold. The ratio is fixed at 3:1 as well as fixed attack and release times that work well no matter what you’re recording. Elysia’s Auto Fast function is included in the compression circuit to reduce the attack to the shortest value when a very strong signal and transient pass through, this helps control the loudest peaks in a performance while remaining as dynamic as possible.

The Skulpter includes a front panel DI with a crystal clear signal path and a large amount of headroom, perfect for adding some vibe to electric or acoustic guitar, bass, synths or outboard effects processors.
 
elysia mpressor 500 Series Compressor
A potent classical dynamics processor with an unconventional set of tools for producing a unique thick and punchy sound not found anywhere else.
 
The mpressor 500 is for professional engineers looking for something a bit different. The mpressor 500 features typical compressor controls such as attack, release, threshold, and gain, but also includes a number of innovative custom analog circuits to provide an astonishing level of control. 

A THD boost circuit is included, which raises the level on the input, helping to saturate and color the harmonic structure of input signals without touching dynamics. Compression ratios that stretch into the negative values (allowing for extreme "destruction"), an incredibly wide frequency response, and a unique limiter placed directly in the control circuit are just a few of the features that make the mpressor 500 one of the most flexible 500 series compressors available.
 
Powerful Dynamic Control Gain Reduction Limiter
Rather than being placed directly in the signal path like most limiters, the mpressor 500's distinct gain reduction limiter is placed in the unit's control path. When activated, the GR limit control knob will directly modify the control voltages of the compressor, allowing interesting effects, such as ducking or upward compression, to be achieved without sacrificing the dynamics of loud sections.
 
Negative Compression Ratios
Unlike most compressors, the mpressor 500 can access negative ratios, which lower the output signal as the input signal increases. This is perfect for creating powerful and inventive compression effects, which become more controllable when paired with the gain reduction circuit.
 
Auto Fast
One of the most useful features of the mpressor 500 is the auto fast circuit, which helps regulate attack dynamics. While most compressors require a user to dial in a static attack speed based upon the overall dynamics of a track or mix, the auto fast can automatically adjust the attack speed based directly on the impulse signal, becoming faster and louder with corresponding impulse transients without any manual adjustment required.
 
Anti-Log
The anti-log circuit allows the user to change the release compression scheme from linear to antilogarithmic. A useful resource for when creative compression or unconventional sounds are desired, this function results in a longer release time when the compression threshold is first passed and shortens when the input signal begins to decline, the opposite of standard compression behavior. This process is independent of the signal gain reduction, producing the same curve at the start of compression regardless of gain reduction.
 
THD Boost
Activating the THD boost function raises the level in front of the gain control element, influencing the sonic character of the input signal by generating additional harmonics. As the mpressor 500 is a pure feed-forward compressor, this allows the intensity of the resulting saturation to be raised or lowered by the gain control pot. As the sidechain detector runs parallel to this input, the signal can be colored as much or as little as you want without influencing the compression levels, allowing you to paint your tones without touching dynamics.
 
Engineering Sophisticated Creativity Dynamic Analog LED Meter
While most meters for judging gain reduction lack real-time accuracy due to needle inertia or abrupt value changes in LEDs, the mpressor 500 solves this limitation with a special analog circuit that dynamically adjusts to the signal with incredible precision. Rather than simply flickering on or off, the LED meter utilizes its purpose-built driver to display intermediate values by modulating the brightness of the LEDs, ensuring smooth and obvious transitions from one value to the next.
 
Discrete Class-A Topology
The entire mpressor 500 circuit board is built with custom-designed discrete components. This includes the full audio path, sidechain, power supply, and even the driver for the analog LEDs. The unit's PCB even comes with a special sixth layer dedicated to acting as a ground shield, avoiding any unwanted noise interference. The compressor always operates in Class-A mode ensuring minimal distortion and a warm, pristine, and punchy sound.
 
Transconductance Amplifier
The mpressor 500 features a discrete and temperature-compensated transconductance amplifier, which contains a pair of differential transistors that use a modulated current source to alter the amount of amplification. Put simply, this ensures that the circuit avoids any unwanted noise or external influence and can respond very quickly to control voltages, allowing for incredibly fast attack rates and changes in dynamics. This runs parallel to the sidechain path and makes sure that background noise always stays at the same level regardless of amplification level.