The elysia xpressor is a stereo compressor — but calling it a “stereo compressor” is selling this box way short! The xpressor can handle just about any dynamics control task you throw its way. It features discrete Class A electronics for pristine audio quality. As a straight-ahead compressor, the xpressor is clean and pristine (unless you smack it hard, of course), and provides transparent dynamics control. A single set of controls handles both channels, so it’s easy and fast to dial in.
But it’s the extras that set the xpressor apart. A sidechain with a filter allows you to focus the compression on specific frequencies — compress the low end without affecting the mids and highs, for example. A switchable Auto Fast feature automatically provides a good attack setting for any sound source. A switchable Warm mode adds nice analog character to your signals. The Mix control allows for parallel compression, where the dry, unprocessed signal is mixed with the compressed signal. I found this worked great on stereo drums as well as on full mixes.
You’ll find yourself putting the xpressor to work all the time, for tracking, mixing, and mastering — I haven’t found a job it can’t handle. By the way, if you’re a 500 Series fan, then you’ll be happy to know that the xpressor is also available as the xpressor 500, usable with any API-compatible 500 Series chassis. In either format, the xpressor is highly recommended!
