elysia mpressor User Manual
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The information in this document is subject to
change without further notice and shall not be
deemed as an obligation or warranty of any kind by
the manufacturer. No warranties, express or implied,
are made with regard to the quality, suitability or ac-
curacy of this document.
The manufacturer reserves the right to change the
contents of this document and/or the associated
products at any time without the provision of prior
notice. The manufacturer shall not be held liable for
damages of any kind arising from the use, or the in-
ability to use this product or its documentation.
The information in this document is subject to copy-
right. All rights, technical changes and errata are re-
served. No part of this manual may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or for any purpose without
the explicitly written permission of the copyright
holders.
elysia and mpressor are registered trademarks of
elysia GmbH. Other product and brand names con-
tained in this document are used for identication
purposes only. All registered trademarks, product
designations or brand names used in this document
are the property of their respective owners.
This product is manufactured accord-
ing to the 2002/95/EC directive. The pur-
pose of this directive of the European Union is the Re-
striction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electron-
ic equipment in order to protect health and nature.
© 2007 elysia GmbH
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WARNING: High Voltage
• Risk of electric shock.
• Do not open chassis.
• Refer service to qualied service sta only.
• Before connecting the device to the main power supply, check if the right
voltage is selected.
• Replace fuse with the same type and value only.
• This device must be connected to ground.
• Do not use a damaged power cord.
• Never place containers with liquid, e.g. beverages or a vase, on the unit.
• Do not expose this device to rain or moisture.
• Do not use this device near water, e.g. swimming pool, bathtub or wet base-
ment.
CAUTION: Temperature
• Surfaces of the device may become hot during operation.
• Do not install this device near any heat source such as radiators, stoves or
other heat sources.
• Always allow enough ventilation space around the unit for air circulation.
• Do not cover circulation vents.
CAUTION: Connecting & Mounting
• Never connect the output of a power amplier to this device.
• Place the unit on a rigid board or x it to an appropriate rack.
• Use the device according to this manual only.
CAUTION: Humidity
• If this device is moved from a cold place to a warm room, condensation can
occur inside the device. To avoid damaging the unit please allow it to reach
room temperature before switching on.
CE Conformity
elysia GmbH, Am Panneschopp 18, 41334 Nettetal, Germany, declares with sole
responsibility that this product complies with the following norms and directives:
• 2006/95/EG Low Voltage Directive (formerly 73/23/EWG or 93/68/EWG)
• 89/336/EWG EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Directive
• DIN EN 55103-1 EMC of audio equipment - Emission
• DIN EN 55103-2 EMC of audio equipment - Immunity
This declaration becomes invalid by any unapproved modication of the device.
Nettetal, 01.09.2007 - Ruben Tilgner & Dominik Klaßen
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Dear friend of audio culture,
First of all, we would like to thank you sincerely for choosing the mpressor as your new compression tool.
We believe this is a true step forward. Instead of a further copy of concepts that were invented
several decades ago, you now have an absolutely contemporary tool for processing dynamics at
your disposal. On top of the tried and tested standard features, this creative compressor provides
several special functions that produce fat and freaky sounds with a punchy control behavior, extreme settings and colorations full of character.
Please take a little time to read this manual thoroughly, as it will help you to entirely understand
the enormous potentials and to really push the envelope. We have paid great attention to practical experience and fast results, which is also the reason for reserving the explanation of the technological excesses realized in the mpressor to our website.
The “Basics“ chapter contains essential information for the fundamental comprehension and quick
use of the specic functions and modules. After this, a couple of “Scenarios” are introduced in
order to illuminate just some of the versatile applications of your new favorite compressor. If you
want to go into further details, please have a look at the “Reference” chapter which elaborates on
every particular parameter.
If you have further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us – we will enjoy
being of your service. But for now, it’s time to wish you lots of fun and pure audio pleasure with
your mpressor.
Use the Force…
the elysians
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BASICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Signal Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Link Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
External Sidechain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Auto Fast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Anti Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Gain Reduction Limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Niveau Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
SCENARIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Standard Compression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Big Drums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Smashed Drums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Reverse Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Transient Enhancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Groove Ducking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Negative Gating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Ducking FX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Distorted Compression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Delay Loops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Frequency Compression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Mix Buss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
THD Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Threshold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Auto Fast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Anti Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
EQ Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
EQ Gain Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
EQ Gain High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
GR Limit Envelope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
GR Limit Characteristic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Technical Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Level Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Recall Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
INDEX
5
Threshold
Attack
Release
Ratio
EQ Gain
EQ Freq
GR Limit
Gain
SC Extern
Auto Fast
Anti Log
On
x10
On
BASICS
Controls
Both channels of the mpressor are absolutely identical regarding their electronic design. Therefore
both sides of the front panel have exactly the same controls and switches. Continuative information on the specic functions can be found on the pages in brackets.
Threshold Attack Release Ratio
SC Extern Auto Fast Anti Log
EQ Gain
EQ Freq GR Limit Gain
On x10 On
Left
Right
Link
Threshold: the operating point of the compressor. If the input level exceeds the value set
with this controller, the compression process will start. (p. 18)
SC Extern: an additional input for the sidechain. If this function is active, a signal that is fed
into the corresponding input connector controls the compression process. (p. 9)
Attack: the transient response of the compressor. It determines the time the mpressor needs
to reach 10 dB of gain reduction. (p. 19)
Auto Fast: a semi-automation. This function shortens the attack time automatically on fast
and loud signal impulses. (pp. 10, 19)
Release: the return phase of the compressor. It controls the period of time between when
the input signal falls below the threshold and the mpressor’s return to unity gain. (p. 20)
Anti Log: an alternative characteristic of the release curve. This function switches from a
linear to an antilogarithmic progression. (pp. 10, 20)
Ratio: the relation between the input level and the output level. As a specialty of the mpressor, even negative ratios can be set here. (p. 21)
Gain Reduction: the display for the gain reduction. Shows the amount of compression measured in dB as an optical support for the acoustic events. (p. 9)
EQ Gain: the characteristic of the Niveau Filter. Between the mid and fully counter-clockwise
position, bass is boosted and treble is cut (vice versa in the other direction). (pp. 11, 22)
On: activates the Niveau Filter. In the signal path, this special EQ is placed after the compressor section, thus it will not inuence this section’s behavior. (p. 11)
BASICS – Controls
6
EQ Freq: the center frequency of the Niveau Filter. Around this reference point, bass is
boosted and treble is cut or vice versa. (pp. 11, 21)
x10: shifts the frequency range of the Niveau Filter. The printed values from 26 Hz to 2.2 kHz
are multiplied by 10 to 260 Hz and 22 kHz. (pp. 11, 21)
GR Limit: margins the control voltage. This innovative limiter is not placed in the audio path
as usual, but in the control circuit of the compressor. (pp. 11, 23)
On: activates the Gain Reduction Limiter. Similar to the other functions, this module is
switched into the signal path via relay. (pp. 11, 23)
Gain: the ‘make up gain‘. In the mpressor, amplication already takes place in the input
stage, thus the complete circuitry can be driven harder on purpose. (p. 18)
GRL: indicates Gain Reduction Limiter activity. In link mode, the indicator LEDs of both channels always light up simultaneously. (pp. 11, 23)
Left/Right: activates the respective channel of the compressor. In deactivated state, the input is directly routed to the output by a hardwire bypass. (p. 9)
Link: both channels can be operated in combination with the left control panel as master.
Note: EQ sections and gain stages will not be linked in this mode! (p. 9)
Signal Flowchart
The schematic shows the signal ow from the input through the specic modules to the output. External sidechain, link function, Gain Reduction Limiter and Niveau Filter can be optionally
switched into the signal path via relays. The compression stages continuously work in feed forward mode with a hard knee characteristic.
Left Audio
Input
Input
Stage
Left Sidechain
Input
Right Sidechain
Input
Gain
Stage
Sidechain
Stage
Sidechain
Stage
Transconduc-
tance Amp
Gain Reduction
Limiter
Gain Reduction
Limiter
Current to
Voltage
Gain Reduction
Meter
Gain Reduction
Meter
Audio
Filter
Left Audio
Output
Output
Stage
Input
Stage
Right Audio
Input
Gain
Stage
Transconduc-
tance Amp
Current to
Voltage
Audio
Filter
Output
Stage
Right Audio
Output
BASICS – Signal Flowchart
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BASICS
Connectors
Please pay attention to operate the mpressor with the correct voltage setting for your country and
the proper pin assignments on the XLR connectors.
Mains module
This module combines the line cord connector, the on/o switch, the fuse holder with integrated 230/115 VAC voltage selector and a line lter for providing the transformer with
clean current.
WARNING: High voltage
Make sure to disconnect the line cord before replacing eventually blown fuses or changing
the operating voltage of the unit! In order to change the operating voltage, the fuse holder
has to be taken out and re-inserted so that the desired voltage can be read correctly (and is
not standing upside down). Note: Some export versions have a xed voltage of e.g. 100 or
115 VAC and cannot operate at 230 VAC.
WARNING: Fuses
Always make sure to use the correct fuses for the chosen voltage: 230 VAC 0.8 A Slo-Blo or
115 VAC 1.6 A Slo-Blo. Incorrect or missing fuses are dangerous safety hazards for both the
unit and yourself!
Sidechain inputs (+4 dBu)
Pin assignment balanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 cold (-)
Pin assignment unbalanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 ground
Audio outputs (+4 dBu)
Pin assignment balanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 ground
Pin assignment unbalanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 idle
Audio inputs (+4 dBu)
Pin assignment balanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 cold (-)
Pin assignment unbalanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 ground
Note: If a device that is placed before the mpressor in the signal chain has an unbalanced
output stage, a complete mute can eventually occur when the compressor is activated. If
this happens, please follow the advice on page 24.
Brightness trimmer
BASICS – Connectors
8
You can use a small screwdriver to adjust the light intensity of the front panel logo disc.
Link Mode
Threshold
Attack
Release
Ratio
GR Limit
SC Extern
Auto Fast
Anti Log
On
In link mode, both channels of the mpressor can be coupled and operated with the controllers and
switches of the left control panel. Please consider the following notes:
Threshold Attack Release Ratio
SC Extern Auto Fast Anti Log
EQ Gain
EQ Freq GR Limit Gain
EQ Gain
EQ Freq
Gain
On x10 On
Left
Right
Link
On x10
Both sides of the mpressor utilize exactly identical electronic modules that could even be interchanged with each other in principle. This grants a high equality of signal processing in the left
and right channel, which is especially important in stereo mode. Another result is the excellent
isolation of both channels from each other, and the audio quality will not decline because there
are no lossy to and fro signal routings in the circuitry.
Note: As an eect of this design approach, only the control functions of the compressor (marked
green in the gure) are combined in link mode. The left control panel becomes the master, that is
the settings for the left channel are transferred to the right channel – therefore the settings of the
particular controllers on the right side are not relevant in link mode.
Note: At the same time this means that the audio functions of the compressor (marked orange) are
not combined. In practice you have to pay attention to set the controllers and switches for both
EQ and gain sections identically. Otherwise an audible drift between the left and the right channel
might occur.
External Sidechain
If the SC Extern switch is active, compression will not be controlled by the signals from the regular
audio inputs anymore, but by dierent audio signals which are fed into the additional sidechain
input connectors.
If a duplicate of the input signal is processed with an equalizer and then fed into the sidechain
input, for example, the result will be frequency-dependent compression. Another example is to
send the bass drum of a drum machine into the sidechain input in order to achieve nice groovy
compression that is pumping in time with the music.
The external sidechain inputs are equipped with a high pass lter that has its cut-o frequency
at 80 Hz with a slew rate of 6 dB per octave. This has been done in order to reduce the inuence
of the low frequencies on overall compression by a certain amount in order to keep the eect as
balanced as possible.
BASICS – Link Mode & External Sidechain
9
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