karacter 500 - Processor Elysia - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL karacter 500 Elysia

VPR ALLIANCE

And now for something completely different

The karacter 500 is a box full of vibrant colors. It covers a complete spectrum including mastering-grade saturation, tube-inspired distortion and glorious destruction. Gone are the days when only racks full of outboard gear could achieve these elusive and highly desirable styles of tonal coloration...

This all-in-one solution offers two separate channels which can be set up for dual mono, linked stereo or linked and un-linked M/S operation. Integrated mix stages for parallel signal processing and the unique Color Control add to its remarkable flexibility.

The entire unit is designed with discrete class-A topology, so even the most lo-fi sounds will benefit from the karacter's high-end touch. Enhance your tracks or decimate everything – it's a matter of karacter.

Enjoy countless hours of fun with this marvelous machine!

Compatibility 3
Installation 3
Controls 4
Connectors 6
Mastering-Grade Saturation....7
Tube-Inspired Distortion 8
Glorious Destruction....9
Mid/Side Processing 10
M/S Mode 11
Appendix....12

Deutsches Handbuch ... 16

Manuel Français ... 30

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Compatibility

The karacter 500 module requires installation into an API 500 series compatible rack frame (not included). It needs the power supply and the audio connectors provided by this frame, and cannot be used for its intended purpose by itself.

The current consumption is 210 milliamperes (105 mA per slot) at +/- 16 volts DC. This is actually more than some other 500 series modules consume as a result of the discrete class-A design of the character 500's audio path.

Most API 500 compatible racks meet this requirement without problems, but there might be a limit on how many units can be installed in a single rack. In case of doubt, please check with the manufacturer of your specific rack.

Installation

Just follow these easy steps to install the karacter 500 module:

1. Switch your API 500 series compatible rack off and disconnect the power cable from mains.
2. Insert the module into two free slots of your rack. Make sure both PCB connectors match with the rack connectors.
3. Gently push the module in place – do not use any excessive force!
4. Tighten the front panel with four screws provided by your rack manufacturer.
5. Connect your XLR audio cables (see page 6 for more info) and power up your rack.

That should do it. Have lots of fun with your karacter 500!

KARACTER 500 Drive 1 3 2 1 Wars 11 5 7 8 9 10 M1 Mide Drive 5 8 Turbo Seed 2 6 FET Seed 1 10 Warp 11 Color 2 8 Right In 2 Color 2 2 Gain -1 3 5 7 -5 -7 -9 -11 dB 11 3 GAIN 3 9 Turbo Seed -11 dB 11 Mix 50 60 70 80 40 55 60 Mix 35 40 20 10 Dry % Wet 100% 80% Wet 100% Dry % Wet elysia® DECREIL CLASS-A STEREO SATURATOR

Controls

1 Drive

Determines the overall intensity of saturation/distortion/destruction. Clockwise means more.

2 Color

Changes the harmonics-frequency relation. Middle is flat; turn left for more dub and right for more shred.

3 Gain

Sets the amount of output gain. This controller can both cut (turn left) and boost (turn right) the level. Middle is flat.

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4 Mix

Blends the direct and the processed signal in any desired relation. Left = 100% dry, right = 100% wet.

5 M/S Mode

Switches from Stereo to M/S processing. The left controllers and bottom switches control the Mid, the right controllers and top switches process the Side.

6 Turbo Boost

Provides an additional kick for truly wild distortion (only available in FET Shred mode).

⑦ FET Shred

Switches from mastering-grade saturation (LED off) to tube-inspired distortion (LED on).

8 Left/Right On

Activates a channel or switches to hardwire bypass.

9 Stereo Link

Links both channels for processing stereo sources (left controllers and bottom switches become the master for both channels). Linking the channels also works in M/S mode. It might seem a little odd, as the behavior seems to be exactly the same as in linked stereo mode. It can still have its benefits, though, as the inevitable divergences between left and right channel which are caused by natural component tolerances will be reduced in this mode, because here the side information of both channels is processed in a single audio path.

2 OUTPUT 1 OUTPUT INPUT INPUT

Connectors

Audio outputs (+4 dBu)

Pin assignment balanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 ground Pin assignment unbalanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 idle

Audio inputs (+4 dBu)

Pin assignment balanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 cold (-) Pin assignment unbalanced: 1 ground 2 hot (+) 3 ground

Mono operation: Connect either one or both of the input and output pairs 1 and 2 for single or dual mono channel use.

Stereo operation: Connect both inputs and outputs 1 and 2 – the choice which channel is left and which is right is up to you.

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KARACTER 500 Drive 3 2 1 0 Warp 7 8 9 10 11 Drive 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Wasp* Color 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8. Color Gain -1 1 3 5 7 9 -11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB -5 -7 -9 -11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB -7 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -8. Gain - State: Left Jamba: Right -5.5 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.7 dB -7.7 dB -9.6 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7 dB -7.7dB - Mix :58 :60 :70 :80 :88 :92 :98 :106 :Dy % Wet :Dry % Wet :DISCRETE CLASS-A STEREO SATURATOR

Stereo Link

KARACTER 500 Drive 5 6 7 3 8 2 9 1 10 Warp 11 Drive 4 5 4 3 8 2 9 1 10 Warp 11 Color 0 0 Color 0 0 Gain -1 1 -5 3 -7 7 -9 9 -11 48 11 Mix 50 60 70 30 60 20 90 10 100 Dry % Wet Left % Dry Wet elysia® Pet Bond Dry % Wet DBCRE TE CLASS-A STEREO SATURATOR

Dual Mono

Mastering-Grade Saturation

In this mode, the karacter 500 generates gentle Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) with a soft characteristic curve, resulting in symmetrical clipping. Your sound gets fatter but stays intact – the perfect color for busses, stems and complete mixes.

Waveform

KARACTER 500 Drive 3 2 1 Warp 6 7 8 9 10 11 Drive 4 5 4 3 2 1 Warp 9 10 11 Color 6 0 0 0 9 0 0 Color 6 0 0 0 9 0 0 Gain -3 -1 1 3 5 7 9 -11 4B 11 Gain -3 -1 1 3 5 7 9 -11 4B 11 Mix 50 30 20 10 Dry 4% Wet 70 60 90 100 ITD Stand 10 Left On 20 Dry 50 90 Wet 45 40 30 20 10 Dry 50 90 Wet 45 40 30 20 100 MIX DECRETE CLASS-A STEREO SATURATOR

Stereo Link

KARACTER 500 Drive 3 2 1 8 Warp 7 8 9 10 11 Drive 4 3 2 1 8 Warp 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 Warp 5 4 3 2 1 8 Warp 4 3 2 1 8 Warp 3 2 1 8 Warp 2 1 8 Warp 1 Drive Color Gain Mix Dry % Wet Mn #m Up to m Color Gain Mix Dry % Wet Mn #m Up to m Gain Mix Dry % Wet Mn #m Up to m Gain Mix

Dual Mono

Tube-Inspired Distortion

In FET Shred mode, the behavior of the karacter 500 changes drastically. The sound instantly reminds of tube amplifiers, with a wide range of asymmetrical distortion. It's a good idea to make extensive use of the Color controller – there are so many nuances to discover...

Waveform

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KARACTER 500 Drive 3 2 1 0 Warp 7 8 9 10 11 Drive 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 8 5 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 10 11 Color 6 0 0 0 Color 6 0 0 0 Gain -1 3 5 7 Gain -5 7 7 -7 -9 -11 48 11 Turns -11 48 -11 48 -11 48 Mix 58 60 70 30 28 10 Dry % Wet 100 DISCRETE CLASS-A STEREO SATURATOR

Stereo Link

KARACTER 500 Drive 5 6 7 3 8 2 9 1 10 Warp 11 Drive 4 5 4 3 8 2 1 10 Warp 11 Color 0 0 Color 0 0 Gain -1 1 3 -5 5 -7 7 -9 9 -11 48 11 Mix 50 60 70 30 60 20 90 10 100 Dry % Wet Elysia® Take Stand Left % 20 Dry % Wet Mix 50 60 40 80 30 90 20 100 Dry % Wet DECRETE CLASS-A STUDIO SATURATOR

Dual Mono

Glorious Destruction

Now, this is pushing the envelope. The Turbo Boost option is only available in FET Shred mode and works best at high Drive levels. It shifts the operating point of the distortion circuit and generates even more asymmetrical wave forms. Hit your samples hard!

Waveform

Mid/Side Processing

M/S technology is commonly known as a variant of stereo miking. This technique uses a microphone with cardioid pattern for the middle signal (M) and another one with bi-directional pattern with an offset of 90^ for the side signal (S). The main advantage of this technology is its mono compatibility. FM radio stations use M/S technology for transmitting stereo signals exactly for this reason.

To create M/S signals, the left and right channel of the stereo sum are added to generate the mid (M), whereas the side (S) is created by subtracting the right from the left channel:

$$ M = L + R $$

$$ S = L - R $$

To decode an M/S signal back into stereo again, M is added to S for the left channel and S is subtracted from M for the right channel:

$$ L = M + S $$

$$ R = M - S $$

The integration of an M/S encoder and decoder into an audio processor generates new potentials that classic stereo devices can hardly offer. One of the main advantages is the possibility to process the middle and side signals separately. This way you can make the center sound more solid without corrupting the original stereo spectrum, for example.

Of course it is also possible to enhance the presence of the side signals in an already finished mix. The stereo width can be influenced fast and effectively, too, and it is also possible to process specific parts of a mix that could not be selected in a stereo mix as precisely as it is possible in M/S mode.

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KARACTER 500 Drive 3 2 1 0 Warp 7 8 9 10 11 4 5 6 Drive 4 3 2 1 0 Warp 9 10 11 Iris IIT Irist Color Color Gain -1 -5 -7 -9 -11 dB 11 -5 -3 -2 -11 dB 11 Gain 5 7 7 -5 -3 -2 -11 dB 11 Mix 50 30 20 10 Dry % Wet 70 90 90 100 DISCRETE CLASS-A STEREO SATURATOR

Linked M/S

KARACTER 500 Drive 3 2 1 Warp 6 7 8 9 10 11 4 5 4 3 4 3 5 4 2 1 10 11 Drive 3 2 1 Warp 6 7 8 9 10 11 Color - - -5 -7 -9 -11 48 11 Gain - - -3 -5 -7 -9 -11 48 11 Gain - - -3 -5 -7 -9 -11 48 11 Mix 30 20 10 Dry % Wet 70 60 90 100 FET Stand 30 Left 4% 20 Dry 100 % Wet 40 50 60 80 90 100 % Wet DECRETE CLASS-A STEREO SATURATOR

Unliked M/S

M/S Mode

The most interesting option here is the unlinked M/S mode, as it gives you the possibility to process the mid and the side signals completely independent from each other (remember left becomes mid channel and right becomes side channel).

You can apply a high amount of saturation to the mid and leave the sides completely untouched, or the other way round, or anything in between... Different settings of the gain controllers can be used to create subtle or significant changes within the stereo spectrum.

The Left On button always switches both channels in M/S mode.

Technical Details

Frequency response:

• 100 % Dry	<10 Hz - 400 kHz (-3 dB)
• 100 % Wet	<10 Hz - 27 kHz (-3 dB)

THD+N (100 % Dry):

• @ 0 dBu	0.013 %
• @ +10 dBu	0.024 %

THD+N (100 % Wet in Saturation Mode):

• @ 0 dBu Min Drive	0.47 %
• @ 0 dBu Max Drive	35.1 %

Noise floor 20 Hz - 20 kHz (A-weighted):

• 100% Dry	-91 dBu
• 100% Wet (depending on Drive and Gain)	-81 to -91 dBu

Dynamic range 20 Hz - 22 kHz: 112 dB

Maximum input level:	+21 dBu
Maximum output level:	+21 dBu

Input impedance:	10 kOhm
Output impedance:	68 Ohm

CE Conformity

The conformity of this device to the EU directives is confirmed by the CE mark on the device.

This declaration becomes invalid by any unapproved modification of the device.

Nettetal, 01.11.2015 - Ruben Tilgner

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Precautions

CAUTION: Electricity

• Make sure to operate your API 500 series compatible rack at the specific mains voltage of your country.
• Replace rack frame fuse with the same type and value only.
• Your rack frame must be connected to ground.
• Do not use a damaged power cord.
• Never place containers with liquid on the rack.
• Do not expose this device to rain or moisture.
• Do not use this device near water.
  • Refer service to qualified service staff only.

CAUTION: Temperature

• Surfaces of the device may become hot during operation.
• Do not install this device near any heat source such as radiators, stoves or other heat sources.

CAUTION: Connecting & Mounting

• Never connect to the output of a power amplifier.
• Do not apply extensive force when installing this device.
• Use the device according to this manual only.

CAUTION: Humidity

- If this device is moved from a cold place to a warm room, condensation can occur inside the device. To avoid damaging the unit please allow it to reach room temperature before switching it on.

Warranty Info

The karacter 500 is covered by a limited warranty for a period of 2 years against defects in parts and labor from the date of purchase. Natural wear is not covered by this warranty. Repairs or replacements will not extend the warranty period.

The warranty is given to the original purchaser only and is not transferable. elysia will only give warranty on products purchased through authorized elysia dealers. The warranty will only be valid in the country of the original purchase unless otherwise pre-authorized by elysia.

All warranties become void when the product has been damaged by misuse, accident, neglect, modification, tampering or unauthorized alteration by anyone other than elysia authorized service personnel.

The warrantor assumes no liability for property damage or any other incidental or consequential damage whatsoever which may result from failure of this product. Any and all warranties of merchantability and fitness implied by law are limited to the duration of the expressed warranty.

elysia will not pay for express or overnight freight service or pay for shipments to locations outside Germany. All damages caused by transport are not covered by this warranty.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. Some of the above limitations may not apply to you.

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Legal Info

The information in this document is subject to change without further notice and shall not be deemed as an obligation or warranty of any kind by the manufacturer. No warranties, express or implied, are made with regard to the quality, suitability or accuracy of this document.

The manufacturer reserves the right to change the contents of this document and/or the associated products at any time without the provision of prior notice. The manufacturer shall not be held liable for damages of any kind arising from the use, or the inability to use this product or its documentation.

The information in this document is subject to copyright. All rights, technical changes and errata are reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without the explicitly written permission of the copyright holders.

elysia and karacter are registered trademarks of elysia GmbH. Other product and brand names contained in this document are used for identification purposes only. All registered trademarks, product designations or brand names used in this document are the property of their respective owners.

The product has been manufactured in compliance with the RoHS directive. The purpose of this directive of the European Union is the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electronic equipment in order to protect health and nature. Dispose separately!

Version 1.1 © 2019 elysia GmbH

Tube-Inspired Distortion 22

Glorious Destruction 23

English Manual ... 2

Tube-Inspired Distortion

Glorious Destruction

English Manual ... 2

Deutsches Handbuch ... 16

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Compatibilité

Distortion type 'Lampe'

ATTENTION: Haute Tension