The elysia xpressor qube Analog Stereo Desktop Compressor is a powerful, fully stereo compressor designed to offer mix and mastering engineers an all-in-one box for nearly every compression scenario under the sun. With a clear and punchy sound, discrete Class-A electronics, and a compact, all-aluminum desktop enclosure, the xpressor qube is equipped for processing dynamics in nearly any manner you can think of.
The xpressor qube features an exceptionally wide range of functions, including built-in parallel compression for precisely mixing dry and wet signals, a sidechain filter for controlling the low-frequency influence on compression, and a convenient auto fast circuit for automatic shortening of attack time on fast and loud signal impulses. Further functions, such as selectable linear and logarithmic release curves, compression ratios that stretch into the negatives, and high-quality 41-step pots, plus much more, combine to create a potent dynamics processor with nearly limitless creative potential. The xpressor qube combines virtually all of the compressor features any pro or advanced home studio user would look for, in a single lightweight and affordable box.
Dynamic Talent
Auto Fast
One of the most useful features of the xpressor qube 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.
Negative Compression Ratios
Unlike most compressors, the xpressor qube 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.
Log Release
One of the most important parameters of a compressor is the time constant, or release curve. Oftentimes, this function determines whether a compressor sounds obvious or unobtrusive to the ear. In order to address the fact that it can be difficult to achieve perfect results for different material with only a single release curve, elysia chose to offer two options: logarithmic and linear. With logarithmic, the time constant shortens when the amount of gain reduction increases. This has the advantage of imbuing sound sources that possess short and loud peaks (such as drums) with a short release time while allowing the rest of the signal to maintain a slower release. With linear, a straight release profile is used without the slower tapering release characteristic of logarithmic, useful for more aggressive dynamics control of dry signals. Use logarithmic for incredibly smooth performance during mastering and stereo bus mixing, and linear for processing signals, which do not have a long decay period.
Negative Compression Ratios
Unlike most compressors, the xpressor qube 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.
Sidechain Filter
While it can sometimes be advantageous in electronic music to have low-frequency sounds, such as a kick drum, dominate the compression of a track and produce a pulsating effect, this effect is not always welcome. As a solution to this, elysia includes an optional low-cut filter with selectable frequency, essentially a frequency selective compressor, which reduces the influence that lower frequencies have on the overall compression. This provides an easy way to apply the desired amount of gain reduction without the side effect of a pumping track.
Parallel Compression
Also known as "New York" compression, this technique mixes a dry signal with a heavily compressed identical signal in order to maintain the subtleties of a performance while stabilizing the dynamics. The mix controller of the xpressor qube makes it possible to cross-fade between unprocessed and compressed signals, enabling parallel compression right-in-the-box. Now you can use extreme compression settings without killing a track.
Note:
In stereo operation both channels are always processed by one single
control voltage generated from a mix of both signals. This means you should only
compress adequate stereo material like sum signals in this mode—dissimilar signals like a bass drum in one channel and a synth pad in the other will not give you the intended 'dual mono' results.
Sophisticated Electronic Engineering
The qube Series
What happens when you combine one of elysia's 500 series rack units with a convenient and portable desktop chassis? You get the qube series, designed for maximum flexibility and made for the modern, traveling engineer. The qube enclosure is made of durable aluminum and is easily transportable, weighing in at only around 3.3 lb. Not only does the qube design come with all the guts of the xpressor 500 compressor, it also features enhanced I/O, including two extra 1/4" TRS inputs and two extra 1/4" TRS outputs as well as an included 18 VDC power supply for minimal circuit interference. qube units can even be stacked, ensuring minimal usage of precious surface real estate.
Gain Reduction Limiter
Rather than being placed directly in the signal path like most limiters, the xpressor qube'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.
Warm Mode
When warm mode is selected, a slew rate limiter is activated, which reduces the speed of the output amplifier stages, affecting the frequency spectrum, the harmonics, and the transient response at the same time. Fast transients are slowed down, creating a rounder sound and since it influences the behavior of the output stages, the whole character of all compression stages can be affected. Thus, it provides essentially two sound characters with the push of a button: A clean and clear standard Class-A processor mode, and a rich and saturated warm mode.
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 xpressor qube 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 it's 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 xpressor qube 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 compressor always operates in Class-A mode ensuring minimal distortion and a warm, pristine, and punchy sound.
German Engineering
With an extreme eye for detail, elysia has ensured that the xpressor qube is made to the highest build-quality standards. Proudly engineered and made in Germany, elysia utilizes only custom-designed parts and every unit is handcrafted to order and tested in their headquarters in Nettetal, Germany.