Elysia Xfilter Mastering Edition | 4-Band Analog Stereo Equalizer

The elysia xfilter Mastering Edition 4-Band Analog Stereo Equalizer is a powerful, true stereo linked EQ designed for the exacting standards and rigors of mastering and is capable of delivering versatile, Class-A performance. With a precise stereo image based on computer-selected 41-step pots and the heart and soul of elysia's flagship museq EQ processor, the xfilter Mastering Edition is engineered to deliver maximum creative potential and high-quality sound via its handcrafted, discrete circuitry and intuitive design.

The xfilter Mastering Edition sports precise ±5 dB control over all four bands, and Q factor can be switched between narrow and wide for ultraprecise filtering. An additional passive high-band EQ gives you the ability to polish your signals top end with the push of a button, and the true stereo link enables quick and easy equalization by allowing processing of both channels with just a single set of controllers. The balanced output stage has been reconfigured for mastering purposes and provides up to +27 dBu of headroom. Flexibility, excellent sound quality, and a robust range of filtering options make the xfilter Mastering Edition a great choice for anyone looking for a pro-quality mastering EQ without the premium price tag.

Sophisticated Equalization Architecture

True Stereo Operation
Unlike most equalizers, the xfilter Mastering Edition not only possess dual-channels but full stereo link as well, allowing you to process both of its channels with just one set of controllers. You can either process a single signal in mono operation, or use both inputs for left and right stereo operation, with your choice of what channel becomes which end of the stereo field. No more tedious fiddling around with knobs to try and get the EQ channels to match each other; the xfilter Mastering Edition does this automatically and the computer-selected dual and quad layer pots, as well as special low tolerance FKS-type film capacitors, ensure identical performance for both channels, regardless of settings.

Shelve or Cut, You Decide
The outer bands of the xfilter Mastering Edition provide a great amount of flexibility by enabling the ability to switch between shelving or peak cut filters. In standard mode, the filters function as sweet sounding high- and low-shelf filters for quickly and efficiently tailoring the fundamentals and airiness of your tracks. You can also independently switch these to become high- and low-cut filters with 12 dB per octave, with an additional resonance peak at the knee frequency. The resulting filter curves can provide a clean and punchy character by cutting the low frequencies or a stretching of the bass range by causing a longer post-oscillation time. In the the high range, the resonance filter can put an accent on a selected frequency without boosting the whole spectrum, avoiding harshness or an unwanted shift of the whole signal into the treble.

Reach High with Passive High-Band
In addition to it's four flexible active bands, the xfilter Mastering Edition features a switchable fixed LC filter for polishing the high-frequency range. This filter mainly consists of a single capacitor and coil per channel, but unlike traditional shelving designs, it has a slight resonance peak at 12 kHz and starts to fall off at 17 kHz. In this way, the coil's saturation-like storage effect focuses on the peak without pushing the whole high-frequency spectrum. The use of shielded inductors eliminates unwanted hum and noise that would otherwise plague the highly charged coils.

Switchable Parametric Bands
The xfilter Mastering Edition allows you to switch between two Q factors for each of the three parametric bands: Wide (Q 0.5) and Narrow (Q 1.0). These Q factors are based upon the proportional Q principle and provide very musical processing.

Professional-Grade Design

Tuned for Mastering
The xfilter Mastering Edition comes with all of the great features and quality design that made the xfilter a winning product while also coming with some re-tuned elements that make it particularly suited for mastering purposes. This includes a very precise, ±5 dB control range for each of the units four EQ bands, which shift reliably and accurately across the linked stereo channels. Extra headroom is included in the balanced output stage, a welcome feature for mastering, providing up to +27 dBu.

Stepped and Computer-Selected Potentiometers
The xfilter Mastering Edition features stepped pots for all parameters with 41-steps each for instant recall, making mix and mastering sessions easy and painless. Pots for gain feature dual layers, while pots for frequency selection feature an impressive four layers each. In order to avoid the problem of different pot layers having different tolerances, thus impacting performance between channels, elysia uses an Audio Precision rig and computer routines to carefully measure every layer, resulting in only 65% of dual-layer pots and 50% of quad-layer pots bought going into full production, with the rest being put aside.

Discrete Class-A Topology
The xfilter Mastering Edition features high-quality, Class-A topology for its discrete electronics, resulting in minimal distortion and zero turn-on time. Every unit is rigorously tested and calibrated to the highest standard using in-house, computer-aided testing devices and custom tools.

Ground Layer PCB Shield
The PCBs of the xfilter Mastering Edition have four layers with two for audio circuitry, one for power supplying traces, and a final layer dedicated to ground shielding. The filter networks of each band of the EQ experience increased resistance the lower their specific frequency is set, which makes them more vulnerable to electrical field-induced hum. This additional ground layer is placed extremely close beneath the audio carrying traces, efficiently guarding against unwanted noise interference.

German Engineering
With an extreme eye for detail, elysia has ensured that the xfilter Mastering Edition is made to the highest build quality standards. Proudly engineered and made in Germany, elysia utilizes only custom-designed parts and every unit is handcrafted to order and tested in their headquarters in Nettetal, Germany.