elysia skulpter 500 User Manual
skulpter 500
The Sound Shaping Preamp
The skulpter 500 is the ultimate recording front end. Its audio-
phile preamp is based on single resistors controlling a fully dis-
crete Class-A amplier capable of complementing any micro-
phone with a remarkably true and natural sound. If additional
mojo is needed, two variable saturation/lter stages and an intel-
ligent onboard compressor make voices and instruments sound
like a nished record right from the start.
Whether clean or colored, the sonic bliss does not stop at your
mic locker. The skulpter 500 provides a balanced DI input with sig-
nicant headroom, so just about any signal coming from guitars,
basses, synths and eects will benet greatly from the skulpter
500’s pristine amplication and versatile processing qualities.
Way more than just a preamp, the skulpter 500 is a complete
recording solution – everything you’ll ever need in front of your
DAW.
Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Audiophile Gain Staging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Dual Sound Shaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Variable Low Cut Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Balanced DI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Intelligent Onboard Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Multifunction Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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Compatibility
The skulpter 500 is a module to be installed into an API 500 se-
ries compatible rack frame (not included). It needs the power
supply and the audio connectors provided by this frame and
does not function stand alone.
The current consumption is 115 milliamperes at +/- 16 volts
DC. The skulpter 500 meets all mechanical and electronic
specications of the VPR Alliance, providing the highest level
of compatibility with common 500 series rack frames.
Installation
Just follow these easy steps to install your skulpter 500:
1. Switch your API 500 series compatible rack o and discon-
nect the power cable from mains.
2. Insert the module into a free slot of your rack. Make sure the
PCB connector matches with the rack connector.
3. Gently push the module in place - do not use any extensive
force here!
4. Tighten the front panel with two screws provided by your
rack manufacturer.
5. Connect your audio cables (see page 6 for more info) and
apply power to your rack.
And this is already it. Have lots of fun with your skulpter 500!
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SKULPTER
Gain
Shape
30
20
10
LoCut
20
15
12
Comp
16
20
22
Direct
Off
10
Off
N
O
I
T
C
E
J
N
I
T
C
E
R
I
D
500
Push
6050
70
80
90
100
Max
%
5545
80
120
200
300
375
Hz
610
3
-1
-7
-11
-15
dB
I
H
M
G
I
P
H
E
D
A
N
C
E
H
U
G
E
H
E
A
D
R
O
O
M
D
B
E
A
C
L
N
A
DISCRETE
CLASS-A
PREAMP
Controls
Gain: Turn right to increase and left to decrease the
amount of gain. Push to change LED display from output level
meter to preamp gain indicator. Note: The actual mic preamp
and the direct input each have a separate gain value. If you
change from Mic to DI or vice versa, the gain will automatically
change accordingly. (p. 7)
4
Shape: Turn right to increase saturation/ltering eects.
Shape One is active per default; press corresponding button
for Shape Two. (p. 8)
LoCut: A variable low cut lter with a slope of 12 dB per
octave, ranging from 10 to 375 Hz. Turn right to raise the cut-
o frequency. (p. 9)
Comp: An intelligent soft knee compressor based on a
xed 3:1 ratio. Fully left is o; turn right to lower the compres-
sion threshold. (p. 10)
Direct: High impedance/headroom direct input for instru-
ments etc. Note: The DI has priority over the mic input and will
automatically activate when a jack is connected. (p. 9)
Meter: A multi LED array showing input clipping (top),
output level or preamp gain (middle) and compression inten-
sity (bottom). (p. 11)
Shape Two: Changes the specially tweaked lter curve of
the sound shaper from instrument (LED o) to vocal (LED on)
focused enhancement. (p. 8)
48V (Hold): Activates or deactivates +48V phantom pow-
er. Note: For safety reasons, the button must be pushed for a
period of two seconds to toggle its function.
Phase Reverse: Switches the phase from normal (LED o)
to reverse or vice versa. Note: This will automatically trigger a
signal mute for a few milliseconds to avoid cracking noises.
Signal Mute: Allows changing instruments and mics with-
out damaging ears and speakers, or a quick source signal
mute while playing back. LED is on while signal is muted.
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