TEST: Elysia XFilter

 Anyone who has spent time in the professional signal processing segment in recent years will most likely have come across the company name Elysia. Due to their outstanding quality, the various products from the Nettetal company enjoy great respect in the scene, which, among other things, attracts attention with consistent production in Germany. The stereo EQ XFilter in particular has made a very good impression in recent years, which prompted the company to now bring the Elysia

The differences of the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition

What distinguishes the Mastering Edition from the regular ?

To be honest, Elysia remains completely silent regarding further detailed information. Only the information that the internal components are now selected by computer and that the manufacturing tolerances could be further reduced was found, unfortunately nothing more. It is therefore a little difficult to explain the difference in the retail price of almost 50% compared to the regular version, especially since I unfortunately could not analyze the sound in a direct comparison using an A/B method. The only option left is to examine the filter itself without being able to point out any further differences.

To put it bluntly, apart from the slightly darker front panel, the two versions are identical in terms of their operation, control options and connections. The Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition is still a stereo equalizer that accesses both sides equally with its 4 bands. Of course, the product can also be operated in mono, but its true strength comes as outgear in the mixdown or mastering strip. Dual mono is possible in principle, but makes little sense due to the design.

The 8 controls, made of brushed aluminum, are all gridded to 41 steps and run pleasantly sluggishly. 4 controls are responsible for the overlapping frequency bands, 4 for the gain behavior. 6 pressure switches in the middle of the 1U rack unit access the different bands in different functions. On the far left, a bypass switch takes the EQ completely out of the signal path, a high pass and a low pass filter take bass and highs out of the sound, with 2 pressure switches processing the quality of the low and high mids.

The pressure switch on the right, which has the humorous name “Passive Massage”, adds an increase of approx. 3 dB at approx. 12 kHz and thus ensures a certain “airiness” in the signal, which is often referred to in the Anglo-American context “Air” is referred to. In contrast to the other bands, this height processing works purely passively.

The sound of the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition

Even after the first rotation, it becomes clear that the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition is a filter of the top league. Although the filter intervenes comparatively finely in the sound, the control options for the surrounding material are almost dramatic if necessary. Listing the individual options in detail would go beyond the scope of a test report, but you can be sure that you will find something suitable for you.

For the audio examples I used a neutral, dry recorded drum set, which on its own sounds relatively inconsequential. Only one frequency band was processed per audio example. You can hear the pearly resolution of the filter and its outstanding sound quality very well.

On the other hand, I once used the filter in a completely different context, although unfortunately I am not allowed to post audio examples of it online because it is a recording that has yet to be published. My job was to “repair” as much as possible a miserable bootleg of a live concert in order to place it under a very good accompanying video recording. Here too, the Elysia Filter Mastering Edition was convincing across the board and was not above converting the crashing and overdriven basic material into a more bearable version.

Conclusion

With the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition, the Nettetal company has a very hot iron in the fire when it comes to high-end stereo filter work. The filter shines with an outstanding basic sound, very good workmanship, an extremely low weight of less than 2 kilograms and very practical suitability. If you are looking for a very musical filter, you should definitely check out the Elysia XFilter Mastering Edition.

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Additional Informations:

Elysia Audio is a German manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. The company was founded in 2005 by two engineers, Ruben Tilgner and Dominik Klaßen, who shared a passion for audio technology. Elysia's products are known for their innovative design, superior sound quality, and exceptional build quality.

Elysia's product range includes a variety of products, such as:

* **Mic Preamps:** Elysia's mic preamps are known for their pristine sound quality and wide frequency response. They are perfect for a variety of applications, including recording, mixing, and mastering.
* **Compressors:** Elysia's compressors offer a variety of features and controls, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to add punch and clarity to vocals, tighten up drums, and glue together a mix.
* **EQs:** Elysia's EQs offer precise control over the frequency spectrum. They can be used to correct tonal imbalances, add excitement to a mix, or create a variety of special effects.
* **Filters:** Elysia's filters offer a variety of filter types and slopes, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to remove unwanted frequencies, add emphasis to certain frequencies, or create a variety of special effects.
* **Limiters:** Elysia's limiters offer transparent limiting and peak protection. They are perfect for mastering and live sound applications.
* **Stereo Processors:** Elysia's stereo processors offer a variety of features and controls, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to widen the stereo image, add depth to a mix, or create a variety of special effects.
* **Summing Amplifiers:** Elysia's summing amplifiers offer a variety of features and controls, making them ideal for a variety of tasks. They can be used to add warmth and punch to a mix, improve the stereo image, and increase the overall loudness.

Elysia's products are used by a wide range of audio professionals, including recording engineers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, and live sound engineers. Elysia's products are also used by a variety of educational institutions, such as Berklee College of Music and the SAE Institute.

Elysia Audio is committed to providing customers with the best possible audio equipment. The company's products are made from high-quality materials and are designed to meet the highest standards of performance. Elysia Audio also offers a variety of warranties on its products, so customers can be confident that they are making a sound investment.

**Here are some of the benefits of using Elysia Audio products:**

* **Superior sound quality:** Elysia Audio products are known for their pristine sound quality. They are designed to capture and reproduce audio with the utmost accuracy and detail.
* **Innovative design:** Elysia Audio products are designed with the latest audio technology in mind. They offer a variety of features and controls that are not found on other audio equipment.
* **Exceptional build quality:** Elysia Audio products are built to last. They are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

## Deep Dive into the Elysia Audio Product Palette: Unveiling the Power of Analog Magic

Elysia Audio carves a distinct path in the professional audio landscape. Founded in 2005 by passionate engineers Ruben Tilgner and Dominik Klaßen, the company stands for a philosophy of "rethinking the classics" – crafting modern, high-quality analog processors that elevate sound and inspire creativity.

This article delves deeper into the specific products offered by Elysia, exploring their functionalities and the unique sonic signature they bring to the studio or mastering suite.

**Elysia's Mic Preamps: Capturing the Essence of Sound**

The journey begins with Elysia's mic preamps, renowned for their pristine transparency and ability to faithfully capture the nuances of any microphone. Flagship models like the **alpha compressor** and **kinder equalizer** feature discrete Class-A circuitry, ensuring a warm, rich sound with exceptional headroom. These preamps are perfect for a variety of microphones, from delicate condenser mics to dynamic workhorses.

**Elysia's Compressors: Sculpting Dynamics with Precision**

Elysia's compressor range is a playground for dynamic control. The legendary **mpressor** series offers a variety of flavors, from the transparent character of the **mpressor elysia** to the more aggressive, punchy personality of the **mpressor //SE**.  These compressors excel at adding subtle compression for vocals or taming transients on drums, while also providing the ability to create vintage-style pumping effects.

**Elysia's EQs: Surgical Precision Meets Musicality**

The world of tonal sculpting comes alive with Elysia's EQs. The **alpha compressor** and **kinder equalizer** feature meticulously designed passive filters, offering smooth and musical control over the entire frequency spectrum.  For more targeted adjustments, the **pressor EQ** combines a transparent compressor with a versatile 3-band parametric EQ, allowing for precise control over specific frequency ranges.

**Elysia's Filters: Shaping the Spectrum with Character**

Elysia takes a unique approach to filters, offering models like the **phaser x** and **museq** that go beyond simple high-pass or low-pass filtering.  The **phaser x** utilizes a state-variable filter design to create a wide range of classic phasing effects, while the **museq** utilizes shelving filters with variable slopes and a unique "Air" function for adding subtle high-frequency enhancement.

**Elysia's Limiters: Mastering with Confidence**

When it comes to mastering and live sound applications, Elysia's limiters provide transparent brickwall limiting and peak protection. The **limiter X** utilizes a unique "brick wall" mode for transparent limiting, ensuring signals stay within a defined level without sacrificing sonic quality.  This makes it ideal for final stage mastering or live applications where maintaining consistent levels is crucial.

**Elysia's Stereo Processors: Expanding the Sonic Canvas**

For widening the stereo image, adding depth, or creating special effects, Elysia's stereo processors offer a wealth of possibilities. The **stereo widener** utilizes a psychoacoustic approach to enhance the perceived stereo width without introducing phasing issues.   The **karacter** is a more versatile tool, offering a combination of mid/side processing, stereo compression, and a unique "Air" function for sculpting the stereo image in creative ways.

**Elysia's Summing Amplifiers: Analog Glue and Power**

The final piece of the puzzle comes in the form of Elysia's summing amplifiers. These units take multiple audio signals and sum them together, adding warmth, punch, and overall power to the mix.  The **masterplan** summing amplifier utilizes an innovative transformerless design to maintain pristine sonic quality, while offering features like variable gain and a stereo image control for fine-tuning the final mix.

**Beyond the Gear: The Elysia Philosophy**

Elysia Audio isn't just about creating individual pieces of equipment – it's about fostering a workflow that celebrates the power and character of analog processing. Their products are meticulously hand-crafted in Germany, utilizing high-quality components and a focus on long-term reliability.

The user experience is another key aspect. Elysia's intuitive controls and clear layouts allow users to focus on their creativity without getting bogged down by complex menus. This philosophy resonates with a wide range of audio professionals, from seasoned engineers seeking that special analog "glue" to up-and-coming producers who appreciate the sonic signature and ease of use.

**Conclusion: Elysia Audio – An Investment in Sonic Excellence**

Elysia Audio stands as a testament to the enduring power of analog processing in the modern audio world. Their meticulously crafted products offer superior sound quality, innovative design, and exceptional build quality.  Whether you're a recording engineer, mix engineer, mastering engineer, or live sound professional, Elysia Audio has the tools to take your sound to the next level.