Stephen Keusch
Gondwana Studio
Bochum, Germany
"What can I say? I'm totally thrilled. For all the differences of the two units they are very flexible. That is really a difference compared to usual compressors which, after all, offer one single possibility: more or less, with their specific characteristics always staying on top. The mpressor, however, is a true hammer concerning its flexibility and uncompromising sound. A pure drumkit, no plugins or EQs, only the mpressor in the subgroup: infinite punch! Of course the alpha is much more elegant in its compression characteristics. It adapts to any material almost imperceptible. Sometimes you do not really feel the compression; it's more something like super fine leveling. You get the feeling that the alpha already knows the music and what to do with it. Especially in the combination on subgroups which I often use both compressors are the perfect match."
Alix Stanford
Nice, France
"Something new at last in the small world of mastering. What strikes at first sight is the build quality. Built to last, all controllers with detents, the sensation of a well-thought-out-product with great attention to the last details. ... you power up and listen... after a few minutes to get used to it, we ran it through a series of tests, and like 'great cuisine' we savored the finesse, the smart conception and the efficiency of the product. This one is here for a reason; it's not just another compressor. Great analog is back, with a color and details that stands with the best studio outboards...This is THE mastering tool."
Philippe Tessier Du Cros
Paris, France
"The alpha compressor is always on my 2-buss. I can’t make without this unit and its M/S matrix. At the beginning, I tried bypassing it to hear what it was bringing to the final mix. Everything would sound lifeless and dull without it; the stereo image would also lose its magic. The audio filters are truly efficient; you can really sculpt the low-end so it fits any reproduction system. My mixes sound like they’ve been through mastering, without the compromise. The M/S matrix lets me achieve the right balance between the stereo image and the different elements in the mix. I can also boost levels according to how I compress the mid channel. Mixing and mastering at the same time sounds interesting to me. You also save yourself some transfers, which is really cool."
Alan Yoshida
Hollywood, CA, USA
"I am stunned. I am more than impressed! The sound is very transparent, especially the amplifiers are amazing. Damn – this thing can pass signal like a motherfucker! Good. You boys did excellent!"
Andy VanDette
New York, NY, USA
"What’s that – a switchable M/S matrix? Well, finally somebody has come up with something like that. It’s cool that you can listen to the Mid and the Side separately. Sure, in this way you find the right setting for both channels easily. The sound is open and transparent, which really makes it very usable for mastering."
Brian Lucey
Delaware, OH, USA
"I was skeptical on the alpha, but it's now the primary where any compression is used. It's easily the most powerful and well built dynamics tool ever made. The variable blending of dry/compressed at a stable level makes both loud mastering and maintaining mix integrity easier. Subtle M/S with the alpha is more musical than I would have guessed and the sidechain/EQ tweaks on the M or S are what really sets it apart. Digital M/S has a number of pitfalls while analog M/S of this depth and quality would be more expensive and complex to set up, and likely not as clean, fast or flexible. Of course it plays very well with color EQs and compressors. And as to quality, 'well built' is a major understatement. Internal construction and layout are both stellar, the case is thick like a vault, and the raised faceplate makes a lot of sense in actual use. The best of German engineering with an inspired design? Yes it is!"
Eric Valentine
Hollywood, CA, USA
"The alpha really helps to get in definition. The release feels almost invisible, and that is where lots of the other compressors fail. The M/S part of it is a huge addition, as you can pick certain instruments in the mix precisely. You know, it’s a pretty remarkable piece."
Günter Pauler
Northeim, Germany
"In fact I had quit using analog compressors already a few years ago. Compared to their digital counterparts, the analog units often had problems in bringing their effects and side effects into a healthy balance. Probably it is easier to process the huge number of parameters via DSPs than employing a relatively static circuit to achieve the same results. Change of mind! The alpha compressor by elysia disproves all of my experiences and reservations. This machine is a milestone in analog dynamics processing."
Hans Soldeck
Pacific Sound
Iserlohn, Germany
"I got the alpha compressor for a test run and couldn't let it leave the studio again. Its great potentials concerning settings, processing and control as well as its excellence of production and quality of workmanship are unique. The audio quality is absolutely fantastic, state of the art. Going from elegant dynamics processing to most freaky effects – everything is possible. It is ingenious for any application: tracking, mixing and mastering. Its appearance is unbelievable and the most exclusive I have ever seen. A technical and visual synthesis of the arts and an unrivaled must have."
Henrik Pantzar
Pantzar Mastring
Stockholm, Sweden
"The elysia alpha compressor is the single one best compressor I have ever owned, and this is based on the fact that I have owned quite a number of other high end compressors from brands like Manley, Massenburg, Maselec, Chandler, Summit Audio and Millenia. The alpha compressor has reduced the time I spend on mastering projects by about 30 %. It sounds absolutely incredible and it is so easy to work with. The M/S function is totally indispensable. I thank you for the amazing job you did when creating the alpha compressor. Now I have already placed a preorder at my favourite dealer for the new mpressor :-)"
J-P
Paris, France
"A mix feature is exactly what I needed! Sometimes, you would really like your compressor to work hard for the sound this produces, but at the same time the sound gets squashed so easily… Now I can have both: A hard working compressor and still a nice transparent sound."
Kai Blankenberg
Skyline Tonfabrik
Düsseldorf, Germany
"The only piece of equipment which I really bought on purpose lately was our new elysia alpha compressor. Before it was carried into the studio, I was thinking about an analog compressor that could give you a real grip and would stand out with a special character. Then I heard it, and I knew what I had been missing. The alpha has become a crucial part of my setup – with an exceptional brilliant quality of the 'normal' compressor part of it. And with the additional features like M/S matrix, sidechain, parallel compression and audio filters I can do things that other equipment just wouldn't let me. The alpha compressor is one of these units that make you ask yourself: How did I actually do it before?"
Marc-Dieter Einstmann
Berlin, Germany
"I'm tempted to say: 'I wish I could do so much as well as the alpha'. Truly the most unique and versatile analog compressor I ever played with, and a sonic performance that ranges from transparent to purposefully colored, yet displaying excellent precision. What a beast!"
Neil Citron
Encino, CA, USA
"So I had a chance to try out the alpha compressor and it was amazing. After the initial set up, I tried it on a piano track with great results. I then used it on overheads on the drums and again great results. I thought: can this thing sound bad? The answer is no! I tried all day to make it sound heavy handed and unnatural and I just couldn't make that happen. The answer is simple. If you want a compressor that works in the most natural way without artifacts, this is your baby!"
Plus XXX Crew
Paris, France
"Whoah!"
"Impressive!"
"Wicked!!"
"Unbelievable!!"
"I want it!!!"
Rodolphe Plisson
Paris, France
"Besides its very sexy look, I like the all-in-one concept of the unit. You would need quite a number of different units to be able to do everything what the alpha does. And that wouldn't only be pretty expensive, but it would also need quite a lot of space. A clever concept!"
Roland Kupferschmied
Brauhof Mastering Studio
Wald ZH, Switzerland
"There are almost no true mastering compressors in the market, and that’s why quite often more or less modified recording equipment is used for the job. With the alpha compressor, I have finally found the right tool, because its functions are really tailored to the job, and its excellent sound quality characterizes it as one of the few machines that deserve the 'Mastering' label by all means. Because of its extended functionality I can solve virtually any loudness problem, and the transparency of the music is preserved even when extreme settings are necessary."
Stephen Marcussen
Hollywood, CA, USA
"I'm always skeptical when it comes to compressors, as so much of the material we have here every day is already way much too compressed. Testing the alpha, we could even bring back some groove into an over-compressed track. It really sounds excellent. Listen! It's an impressive device!"
Svante Forsbäck
Helsinki, Finland
"After having tried the alpha compressor for three days I have to say: What a great sounding compressor. There is no way that this baby leaves my rack!! I have compared it with my other compressors and its one of a kind. (Fairman TMC, Crane Song, Manley VariMu, Weiss, Neve Masterpiece, Tubetech). My search for the ultimate compressor is finally over."
Volodia
Studio Apollo
Paris, France
"I love the M/S matrix, it's a very interesting feature. I can see that the overall concept is very well thought out and useful. And what’s that – you use transformers by Haufe?! That’s very cool, my favorite microphone has one of the same brand."
Yves Delaunay
Dyam Mastering
Paris, France
"M/S is very important! I use it on my masterings all the time. The EQ section is also a very clever design, I like it a lot. Believe me, on these speakers you can hear absolutely everything. And what I can hear from your compressor right now is very, very convincing."
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