Elysia xpressor neo 500

Since its release in 2010, the xpressor has established itself as one of the most modern, precise, and versatile compressors on the market in an accessible price range. Found in numerous studios worldwide, it has become an essential benchmark.

With the xpressor NEO 500, elysia has evolved its renowned compressor by completely redesigning the circuit. The result is undeniable: greater depth, increased transparency, and significantly more three-dimensional processing. Stereo width and phantom center reach unprecedented levels, approaching the purist philosophy of the brand's flagship compressor, the alpha compressor.

Dynamic Processing and Sound Signatures
Auto Fast – Adaptive Attack

The attack time setting is crucial to a compressor's behavior. Attacks that are too fast can generate distortion, while attacks that are too slow allow transients to pass through.

The Auto Fast mode allows the compressor to be extremely fast only when necessary. This function acts exclusively on short, intense pulses, while manual attack control takes precedence in all other cases.

The result is effective capture of fast peaks without altering sustain or introducing unwanted artifacts.

Log Release and Linear Release

The release parameter is crucial in determining whether a compressor's processing will be audible or discreet. The xpressor NEO 500 offers two distinct behaviors:

Logarithmic Release
The time constant shortens as the gain reduction increases. Short, powerful peaks thus benefit from a rapid release, while the rest of the signal is processed more gently. This mode offers a smooth response, particularly well-suited for mastering and stereo buses.

Linear Release
The release follows a straight curve, without gradual behavior. This mode is ideal for more direct and aggressive dynamic control, especially on dry signals or those with short sustain.

Warm Mode – Two Sound Signatures

Warm mode acts as a slew rate limiter on the output stages. It influences the transient response, harmonic spectrum, and overall perception of the signal.

Fast transients are slightly smoothed, resulting in a rounder, denser, and more homogeneous sound.
This allows the user to choose between the powerful transparency of the discrete Class-A circuit and the harmonic richness of Warm mode.

Advanced Control Features
Sidechain Filter

A selectable-frequency low-cut filter is integrated into the sidechain circuit. It does not affect the direct audio signal, but rather how the compressor reacts.

This filter reduces the influence of low frequencies on the overall compression, thus preventing pumping effects. It is particularly useful in mastering, on stereo buses, subgroups, or even individual tracks.

Gain Reduction Limiter (GR Limit)

The gain reduction limiter operates in the compressor's control path, not the audio path.

Regardless of the input level, the gain reduction will never exceed the value set by the GR Limit control. This ensures that loud passages retain their dynamic range, while specific effects such as upscaling or ducking can be precisely applied.

Integrated Parallel Compression

Thanks to the Mix control, the xpressor NEO 500 allows for parallel compression directly within the unit.

The seamless fade between the unprocessed and compressed signals enables the use of extreme compression settings while preserving the original dynamic structure, without the need for external routing.

NEO Design and Ergonomics

The NEO version features a redesigned, less reflective front panel for improved readability of the controls. Parameters and values ??are laser-etched for exceptional durability. The more visible chamfered side edges enhance studio lighting. The gain reduction LEDs have been recalibrated, and the knobs have been redesigned for a more precise feel.

Key Features

Class-A stereo VCA compressor

Clear, open, and three-dimensional sound

Fast and punchy transients

Powerful and controlled bass

Logarithmic and linear release curves

Warm mode for a second sonic signature

Built-in parallel compression

RMS detector with soft knee curve

Suitable for recording, mixing, and mastering