Good evening,

I recently bought an Elysia Xpressor 500 and used to work with a UAD SSL Busscompressor and Cytomic Glue but I can't really figure out which settings to start with when I want to use the compressor on a 2bus (master output and/or on my separate busses).

Also, is it possible to achieve SSL buscompressor-like results using the Xpressor?
Maybe you guys can help me out here.
Thank you!

Naw get a c2 or a similar clone for the ssl sound. Rule of thumb as little as possible. Use other outboard compressors for more extreme compression on sources

any tips about the settings?

I d start with release around 250ms with LogRel engaged.

Attack knob is "fast" on the xpressor so you may want to just turn the knob slowly clockwise until you find your sweet spot.

The tweak the release again to find the right recovery time.

SCF may also help to avoid triggering the compressor with low frequencies.

I also like to perform heavy compression with the xpressor and then blend it with the mix knob

thanks. you also own the xpressor? do you use it often?

bump
track tips are welcome too! (snare etc)

I've not worked with the compressor you're talking about, but I think it is worth mentioning that your compression settings will probably be dictated by whatever type of song it is that you're working on... for instance, a hard rock/metal song usually doesn't have a whole lot of dynamics so you can slam your mix bus compressor a little harder... same with some types of rap, hip hop, pop R&B, etc. But if you're working on like an acoustic ballad or something, then you'll probably want to take that into consideration too.

Bump
I use it on electronic music from 125 - 150 BPM

NOTE: If you have analog EQ's insert them in a chain BEFORE the Xpressor.

• LEAVE WET / DRY AT UNITY FIRST
• ENABLE LOG MODE
• ENABLE WARM MODE
• Use 1:2 and 1:3 Ratios at first (Start with 1:2 and bump things up a bit if you have to from there. Don't go past -4dB MAX.)
• Medium attack (25 / 40 / 60ish.)
• Slow release setting (700 / 1K0 / 1K3ish.)
• Set the Side Chain between 200 to 400 (Sweep for best response around 250Hz.)
• Set the Threshold to something useful, 7dB / -12dB / -17dB-ish...somewhere in there.)
• Set the GRL to taste from there (But treat it like a SECOND "Threshold" knob, only this time it's telling the compressor when to STOP compressing. You will have to sweep this parameter depending on the material.)
• Set Wet / Dry to taste from here, leaning towards dry until the transients feel natural again, then back towards a more "compressed" sound if that's what you're after to taste

You can sweep / adjust slightly from there, but this will get you closer to an API 2500 sort of vibe to me than any SSL "G" comp / clone flavor, only a lot cleaner. I've found this is really where it sounds best overall on a submix or the 2Bus. It's an excellent "clean" camp unit.

I prefer to tickle than a hammer.. whenever I ust a G-series bus comp, I'm rocking 30ms of attack, 0.1s of release & a ratio of 4.. but that's just me, and I'm fugly.

That can work too.

But I would start out with a lower Ratio, and only bump it up after dialing the rest in.

Thanks gonna try this

I own an Xpressor and would differ with some here. First off, yes I think you can approach the sound of an SSL buss comp as they are both VCA but you'll need to listen closely as the Xpressor is much more versatile and it's easy to overdue it. The Xpressor is actually quite sophisticated.

I would also keep your attack between 10-30ms if you wanthe SSL sound. Also start with the release at fastest; the side chain freq off at first, and the mix at 100%.
Then start to roll the side chain but stay at 90hz or below to only let the kick thru.

Your threshold should be set so it's not killing it and turn down the GRL knob for now. That's another can of worms. I'd recommend you read the manual too.

Ahh see I could only get the attack and side chain to give me something closer to an API 2500 vibe (or at least how I tend to set a 2500 up), thanks for this, I'll try your settings! Normally I tend to favor a very slow release with SSL style compressors though because I feel it compresses the whole mix more naturally on the 2bus without obvious artifacts.

Bump

Did you give my settings a shot Erol?

This is great guys. I am going to try all of your ideas. One thing I am still wrestling with is the Warm Mode. I can hear a difference but can't really explain what I'm hearing.

Maybe it's a bump in the low mids, a smearing of clarity and a slowing of the transient response or maybe hallucinations ?

I find the effect of the release time to be the most obvious element on the Expressor.

I believe the manual says that it adds a bump in the upper mids actually as well as the lower mid-range (maybe I'm misremembering?)

I think a slow release paired with an attack at 1 to 2 O'clock or even a bit more always seems to feel more natural and less "affected".

Not yet! I was away for a couple of days. Thanks again mate

Not a problem, I'm just excited to hear what you think when you try 'em out / if you've got some fine adjustments that work for you, etc.

It's been a while when I started this thread
I actually forgot all about it..
This is what I tried:

Insert on de master fader = Cubase External FX --> Elysis Xpressor 500
EDM track 128 BPM
Treshold -22
Attack 30
Release 300
Ratio 4.0
SCF 300
GRL 7.0
Gain 3.0
Mix 100%
Log rel = ON
Warm = ON

I do hear a sublte difference but thats mainly because of the warm mode.
Maybe I want the mix to "pump" some more

Try turning the source gain up. Drive the compressor a bit.

If there was a rule of thumb, slow attack, fast release, lowest ratio, 1-2 db grab.