Recently, Warren had the good fortune to be able to visit the elysia studio for a tour. During the tour he was able to see original prototypes for hardware units, check out their mastering-grade studio, and witness the impressive machinery that helps the company build their Class-A equipment in action.
About The Company
Elysia was founded in Nettetal, Germany, in 2005 by Ruben Tilgner and Dominik Klaßen. With years of professional audio experience (Ruben designed the legendary SPL Transient Designer) and countless live and studio sessions under their belts, they established elysia to bring their personal sound philosophy to life through high end audio equipment. Nearly two decades later, the company has produced a wide selection of impeccable hardware units, many of which I’ll cover in depth beneath. They’ve also collaborated with several plugin developers to make digital versions of their processors.
The original SPL transient designer
Alpha Compressor
One of elysia’s most acclaimed units is the Alpha Compressor. Housed in a gorgeous custom 19” enclosure, this is one of the most feature-laden hardware compressors ever made, and is a stunning tool for sculpting the dynamics and tone of your mixes and masters. As you can tell from the picture beneath, the Alpha compressor has lots going on, but don’t let the abundance of knobs and buttons scare you, it’s actually an incredibly intuitive unit. Let’s have a look at some of the key features.
The Alpha Compressor, elysia’s mastering-grade dynamics processor
Feed Forward and Feedback
This function allows the sidechain to switch between being placed before (feed forward) or after (feedback) the compressor section.
This significantly impacts the compressor’s character: feedback mode produces smooth, even compression, while feed forward mode results in stronger, harder compression.
Audio Filter (Tilt EQ)
This filter specializes in subtly altering the overall sonic character of a track with just two controls per channel, delivering flexible and effective results quickly. It serves as an efficient and elegant solution when a classic shelving filter is too limited, and a fully parametric filter is too complex. The filter adjusts the balance between high and low frequencies, boosting highs by up to +3 dB while simultaneously attenuating lows by up to -5 dB, or vice versa. By mixing the filtered signal with the original, it maintains the track’s structure and impulse response, resulting in an open and dynamic sound. This simultaneous boost and cut approach makes it easier to adjust the track’s brightness or darkness compared to standard equalizers.
Soft Clip Limiter
One major issue in digital audio technology is setting the correct recording level on A/D converters, as there is no level reserve beyond 0 dBFS to catch short peaks. When a signal is digitally overdriven, it is irreversibly damaged, leading to audible distortion and unwanted harmonics. The Soft Clip limiter addresses these problems by reliably catching short, transient signals. Unlike classic ‘brickwall’ designs that block level increases beyond a threshold, it functions like an analog tape machine, driving loud impulses into saturation and acting as a ‘natural’ limiter. Using discrete transistors, it rounds peaks instead of cutting them off, maintaining the integrity of the original signal.
Museq Mastering Equalizer
The elysia museq mastering equalizer is a Class-A stereo equalizer designed for both mixing and mastering, offering a combination of high-end performance and versatility. This 5-band EQ features harmonic bandpasses with FETs, ensuring a clear and open sound that enhances any audio that runs through it. With switchable Q-characteristic and high-/low cut options featuring variable resonance, it provides precise control over frequency adjustments. The museq also includes a Warm Mode for an alternative sound quality, adding richness to the program material. Its stepped and matched potentiometers guarantee consistent and recallable settings, while the pure transparency filter stages maintain the integrity of the original signal, making it one of the most impressive high-end equalizers available.
Museq, the musical 5-band mastering equalizer
Nvelope Transient Shaper
The elysia nvelope transient shaper is a Class-A stereo impulse shaper tailored for recording, mixing, and even mastering. Developed by the designer of the original SPL Transient Designer, it’s one of the most versatile and best-sounding transient designer hardware units on the market. nvelope offers three modes: Full Range (Classic Mode), a superb sounding Shelf Equalizer mode, and a versatile Dual Band mode, providing exceptional flexibility for shaping the punch and sustain of your audio. Ideal for drum rooms or overheads, it can be used in dual mono or true stereo link configurations. Its smooth and natural sound makes it perfect for all acoustic instruments, ensuring top-quality results regardless of the genre you’re working on.
Nvelop is available in both 500 series and 19” rack formats, as well as a mastering edition which features more precise controls and stepped potentiometers.
Nvelope, Elysia’s elite transient shaper hardware unit
Karacter Stereo Saturator
The elysia karacter stereo saturator is a Class-A stereo saturator designed for recording, mixing, and mastering, offering a stunning degree of precision, control, and attitude. It features a true stereo link and a broad sound spectrum, capable of delivering effects from extreme to subtle. The onboard parallel mix control allows for seamless blending of the saturated signal with the dry signal. The switchable FET Shred mode provides tube-like distortion, while the M/S mode enhances the flexibility of stereo processing, allowing the user to treat the middle separate from the sides. The Color control adjusts saturation behavior in the bass range, and the Turbo Boost mode enables extreme distortion effects. Put it all together, and karacter is a versatile and fun tool for recording, mixing, and even mastering engineers.
The Karacter Stereo Saturator
Plug-ins
In addition to their stunning hardware, plugin versions of alpha compressor, mpressor, museq, nvelope, karacter, and the unique Phil’s Cascade saturator are available through Plugin-Alliance. For anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of elysia products, these plugins are great options if you don’t quite have the budget or space for the hardware.
These are all excellent tools, and I use the alpha compressor for mastering, and Phil’s Cascade for adding grit and girth to bass, drums, vocals, and more.
From subtle to smashed, the elysia Phil’s Cascade saturation plugin
The elysia Studio
As I mentioned earlier, Warren was given a VIP tour of elysia’s headquarters in Germany, and it’s equally impressive as the beautiful equipment that is manufactured there. Every elysia product is meticulously developed, manufactured, and tested in-house by their experienced staff in Germany, utilizing structured production processes supported by automated measurement equipment, custom tools, and clearly visualized assembly instructions to ensure their demanding standards are met before each product undergoes computer-aided calibration and testing before being sent out.
Some highlights of their operations include SMD (surface-mounted device) technology which enhances modern PCB board production with flexibility, quick response times, and efficient storage. Additionally, every component—each screw, front panel, circuit board, and knob is produced in Nettetal by elysia’s talented employees. Moreover, elysia’s operation is solar powered using a 27 kilowatt peak solar panel system, ensuring that their work has a minimal ecological footprint.
Overall, this impressive company is poised to make fabulous equipment, in an environmentally sustainable manner, for decades to come.