Unsupported Browser
The web browser that you are currently using is no longer supported, and as such features of this website may not work as expected. We advise you to update to a currently supported browser (such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) to improve your security, speed, and overall experience.
Key Features
Product Ref: 117966
XPRESSOR-500 offers a range of powerful dynamic shaping tools including onboard parallel compression, sidechain filtering, as well as auto fast mode. Parallel compression controls on the front panel allow you to easily blend the processed signal with the unprocessed whilst stabilising the dynamics. With this being in the box, it provides you with much better signal quality, and allows you to use extreme settings without ruining a track. The Auto Fast function provides semi automation, or perfect attack on the basis of the value set by the user. It's a great way to glue parts of a mix together. Usually, if a very short attack time is used, the compressor will catch short peaks, but will also process the sustaining signal which can result in audible distortion. The longer settings will reduce distortion but then it will be too slow for catching fast impulses. In Auto Fast mode, the compressor is lightning fast only when it's needed and adapts to the currently right setting automatically.
XPRESSOR-500 also features sidechain filtering for creative control. The sidechain filter is a selective frequency compression. It features a tunable low-cut filter in the sidechain which avoids overcompression and pumping when you have a large amount of low-end energy in your mix. If you were to use the usual approach of full range compression you would maybe end up overcompressing the whole mix because everything is reduced too much, and the mix can start to move with the beat of the kick. Ideal for electronic music definitely, but for others not so. The sidechain filter reduces the effect that the low frequencies have on the overall compression.
On top of all these dynamic shaping features that allow you to produce a clean, open, transparent punchy mix and master, the XPRESSOR-500 also features a number of not-so-usual features you’d see on a compressor. The XPRESSOR-500 features a warm mode that lets you switch up the sound flavour by altering its frequency spectrum, harmonics and transient response. Fast transients are slowed down making them appear rounder and glued. By having this function, the XPRESSOR-500 offers both powerful transparency of the class-A circuitry and a saturated richness of the warm mode. XPRESSOR-500 has a unique feature that changes the characteristic of the release curve, switching it from a linear progress to a logarithmic course. By having a logarithmic release, the time constant shortens when the amount of gain reduction increases, therefore giving short and loud peaks quick release times, while the rest of the material is smoothly processed with a slower release. This makes the XPRESSOR-500 ideal for mastering and stereo buss compression.
The XPRESSOR-500 features negative ratios, which is great for creating cool groovy 'pumping', backwards sounds, expansion effects, gating effects and more. At a negative ratio, the curve bends and returns back down after crossing the threshold, meaning the louder the input, the quieter the output. Finally, the XPRESSOR-500 also features a gain reduction limiter that is unusually placed in the control path of the compressor, limiting the control voltage according to the setting of the GR Limit controller. With this, loud parts of your track will keep their dynamics and not be compressed beyond the limit of the Gain Reduction Limiter. This can be ideal for ducking or upward compression.