Elysia xmax 500 Series Compressor Class-A Master Bus Processor with M/S Multiband Compression

Class-A stereo master bus processor for mixing and mastering with superior audio quality Multiband compressor with low-, mid-, and sidebands. The alpha compressor’s legendary„Soft Clipper“ to drive the signal without clipping the converters Variable crossover frequency between low- and mid-band to add more control over the low end Smart global release control for easy adjustments of the compressor band’s behavior. VariLink function for blending between 0% and 100% link of the low-, mid- and side bands. Perfect also for live applications on stage or FOH to compensate different audio levels.

xmax is a professional audio tool for your masterbus. Hear for yourself what xmax can do to your mix! Choose between different examples including applications like mixing or mastering, use good headphones or speakers. Just press Play and A/B between the bypassed and active sounds!

Multiband Compression
xmax features a flexible and musical multiband compression designed to deliver both smooth dynamic control and punchy impact where needed. With two distinct ratio settings for all three compressors (low, mid and side), it adapts effortlessly to a wide range of material.

All bands have a fixed attack time of 10 milliseconds, carefully chosen to preserve the natural transients of your signal while still offering effective compression across the frequency bands. However, when the gain reduction reaches 8 dB or more Auto Fast automatically shortens the attack time for fast and loud transients, preventing distortion and preserving clarity in even the most dynamic material.

Auto Fast allows the compressors to be fast when needed so you don’t have to worry about getting the right attack settings for your mix.

Variable Crossover Frequency
Shape your low-end dynamics with precision using the adjustable crossover control between the low and mid bands of xmax. This powerful feature lets you specify how the frequency spectrum is split, defining which parts of your signal are processed by the low band and which are handled by the mid band.

Operating within a flexible range of 40 Hz to 470 Hz, the crossover control allows you to fine-tune the transition point between sub/bass frequencies and the lower midrange.

A lower crossover setting emphasizes processing in the sub and bass region, giving you tighter control over deep low-end energy. This is ideal when you want the low band to focus purely on foundational frequencies. On the other hand, increasing the crossover point shifts more of the low-mid content, like the punch of a kick or the body of a bass guitar into the low band, affecting how xmax handles the groove and weight of your mix.

Global Release Control
The Global Release Control defines the return phase of all three compressor bands (low, mid and side), giving you precise control over how quickly the compression eases off after the input signal drops below the threshold.

In simple terms, it sets the amount of time xmax takes to return to unity gain (no gain reduction) once the signal no longer requires compression. This crucial parameter shapes the overall feel and responsiveness of the dynamics processing.

A shorter release time results in a more energetic compression effect, ideal for fast, rhythmic material like drums or percussive synths. Meanwhile, a longer release time delivers smoother, more transparent compression, maintaining musicality and preserving the natural envelope of sustained sounds such as vocals, pads, or bass lines.

By tailoring the release time to your source material, you can enhance punch, preserve detail, and avoid unwanted pumping artifacts. Whether you’re aiming for subtle glue or aggressive shaping, the Release control ensures xmax adapts perfectly to the groove and dynamics of your track.

VariLink Function
Take full control over how the compressor behaves with adjustable band linking, a powerful feature that allows you to shape the dynamics of your signal with precision and intention.

With xmax, you can blend seamlessly from fully independent band control to a fully linked mode, where all three bands (low, mid and side) share the same control voltage. When set to full link, xmax behaves more like a classic stereo VCA compressor, where the band with the most energy sets the compression response of the others. This can create a more cohesive and musical compression feel, especially across complex mix material.

You can go beyond traditional linked behavior by choosing which band acts as the master. This is done simply by adjusting the individual threshold controls. For example, in many cases the low bandnaturally contains the most energy and would typically lead the compression. However, if you prefer the mid band to take control, all you have to do is lower the low band’s threshold and raise the mid band’s threshold until the desired control behavior is achieved.

This level of flexibility gives you the power to guide your dynamics processing according to the musical context, not just technical defaults. Whether you’re gluing a mix together, enhancing punch, or controlling complex transients across the spectrum, xmax adapts to your workflow – not the other way around.

Soft Clip Limiter
One of the biggest problems of digital audio technology is setting the right recording level on AD converters. The main challenge is that there is no level reserve beyond the maximum of 0 dBFS which could catch short peaks. The moment a signal is digitally overdriven it is damaged irrevocably, the original structure can hardly be reconstructed later.

Depending on the source material, peaks will produce audible distortion, as the signal is cut off and does not correspond to the original source anymore. In addition, this kind of clipping produces a spectrum of new harmonics that do not always fit into the desired musical context.

The Soft Clip Limiter has been developed to get rid of these specific problems. It is specialized in catching short and transient-like signals reliably. The technical principle is different from a classic ‘brickwall’ design which completely eliminates further level increases beyond a certain threshold.

It is working similar to an analog tape machine driving loud impulses into saturation, acting like a ‘natural’ limiter. The Soft Clip limiter is based on discrete transistors, and just as with tape, its characteristic saturation curve results in rounding peaks instead of cutting them off.

Punch Mode
The default ratio of 1:1.45 provides gentle, transparent compression – ideal for full mixes without introducing obvious pumping or squashing. For more pronounced control, the punch mode engages a 1:2.55 ratio, bringing greater intensity and energy, perfect for drums, bass or anything that needs to hit a little harder.

Tone Control
Tone is a high-shelf filter that allows you to boost or cut high frequencies across the full-range signal path of the xmax. Designed for smooth, musical shaping, it provides intuitive control over the brightness or softness of your overall sound and adds a little bit of air to your mix.

The Tone knob ranges from -8 dB (attenuate) to +8 dB (boost), with a shelving frequency optimized for natural-sounding adjustments. The filter is subtle yet effective, making it useful both for mixing and mastering.

If you want to enhance presence and articulation in vocals, synths, guitars or full mixes, or tame aggressive transients or harsh top-end content you can quickly adjust the tonal balance without reaching for an external EQ.

Analog Metering
The xmax includes a precise, real-time display for gain reduction across all three compression bands – low, mid, and side – as well as for the soft clip limiter.

Each meter provides a detailed readout of how much gain reduction is being applied, measured in decibels (dB). Whether you’re applying subtle compression for overall glue or dialing in punchy dynamics for specific frequency ranges, the display gives you immediate visual feedback of what’s happening.

In addition to multiband compression, the display also shows the peak reduction caused by the soft clip limiter, helping you monitor and control signal peaks without introducing unwanted distortion.

Designed as an optical companion to what you hear, the display makes it easy to correlate visual information with your listening experience. It enhances your workflow, improves decision-making and provides an extra layer of precision – whether you’re fine-tuning dynamics or pushing your mix to the limit.

Made for your Masterbus
Perfect for both studio and live applications, xmax keeps dynamic levels in check, whether you’re an engineer recording a band, mixing a track, mastering an album or managing a live performance.

The ultraportable qube version offers the same professional sound quality as the 19“ rack version or the 500 Series module. Its compact form factor is ideal for session studios, mobile setups or live shows.

• Frequency response: < 10Hz – 180kHz (-3dB)

• THD+N @ 0 dBu, 20 Hz – 22 kHz: 0,01%

• Noise floor, 20 Hz – 20 kHz (A-weighted): -91,3dBu

• Dynamic range, 20 Hz – 22 kHz: 112 dB

• Maximum input level: +21 dBu

• Maximum output level: +22 dBu

• Impedance:
Input: 20 kOhm
Output: 68 Ohm

• Dimensions (W x H x D, incl. Knobs):
1 RU Rack: 19” x 1,75“ x 9,2“ / 483 mm x 44,45 mm x 232 mm
elysia qube: 4,09” x 5,39“ x 8,1“ / 104 mm x 137 mm x 205 mm

• Weight:
1 RU Rack: 3,88 lbs / 1,76 kg
elysia qube: 3,17 lbs / 1,46 kg

• Power consumption:
1 RU Rack: 12 Watts
elysia qube:9 Watts
500 Series Module: 205 mA

• Potentiometers: 41 Steps