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Shape Two

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Variable Low Cut Filter

An essential standard tool for any preamp is a low cut 

for reducing low frequency rumble. Instead of just a 

single or maybe two fixed frequencies, the skulpter 

500 offers a variable low cut filter with a wide frequency range 

from 10 Hz to 375 Hz. The slope of the filter is 12 dB/octave, 

and its amplifier is a discrete class-A design optimized for es-

pecially transparent performance.

Balanced DI

The  skulpter  500  can  handle  way  more  than “just” 

your  complete  microphone  locker.  An  integrated 

front  panel  JFET  DI  makes  it  perfect  for  amplifying 

and shaping many kinds of different signals coming from gui-

tars, basses, synths, effects...

The high input impedance of one megohm allows to directly 

plug even instruments with passive pickups into the preamp. 

On the other hand, the input can also handle high line levels 

of up to +19 dBu! 

Note: 

The DI has priority over the mic input 

and will automatically activate when a jack is connected.

Summary of Contents for skulpter 500

Page 1: ...skulpter 500 ...

Page 2: ... Whether clean or colored the sonic bliss does not stop at your miclocker Theskulpter500providesabalancedDIinputwithsig nificant headroom so just about any signal coming from guitars basses synths and effects will benefit greatly from the skulpter 500 s pristine amplification and versatile processing qualities Way more than just a preamp the skulpter 500 is a complete recording solution everything...

Page 3: ...patibility with common 500 series rack frames Installation Just follow these easy steps to install your skulpter 500 1 Switch your API 500 series compatible rack off and discon nect the power cable from mains 2 Insert the module into a free slot of your rack Make sure the PCB connector matches with the rack connector 3 Gently push the module in place do not use any extensive force here 4 Tighten t...

Page 4: ...E H E A D R O O M B A L A N C E D D I R E C T I N J E C T I O N Direct 4 Controls Gain Turn right to increase and left to decrease the amount of gain Push to change LED display from output level meter to preamp gain indicator Note The actual mic preamp and the direct input each have a separate gain value If you change from Mic to DI or vice versa the gain will automatically change accordingly p 7 ...

Page 5: ...onnected p 9 Meter A multi LED array showing input clipping top output level or preamp gain middle and compression inten sity bottom p 11 Shape Two Changes the specially tweaked filter curve of the sound shaper from instrument LED off to vocal LED on focused enhancement p 8 48V Hold Activates or deactivates 48V phantom pow er Note For safety reasons the button must be pushed for a period of two se...

Page 6: ...les Line output 4 dBu Pin assignment balanced 1 ground 2 hot 3 ground Pin assignment unbalanced 1 ground 2 hot 3 idle DI input 19 dBu max Pin assignment balanced T hot R cold S ground Pin assignment unbalanced T signal S ground Note Do not use balanced cables TRS for connecting unbal anced sources e g guitars to the DI input The ring will not be connected properly and act as an antenna collecting ...

Page 7: ...e amount of gain starting at unusually low values and going up to what you ll need to properly amplify ribbons with high gain requirements A huge benefit of this is that an additional pad becomes completely unnecessary resulting in a better signal to noise ratio When your skulpter 500 is powered off its current gain setting is saved automatically so the preamp will start with exactly the same amou...

Page 8: ...h from one style to the other Shape One Instruments The first ingredient to achieve that big fat sound is adding harmonics THD The intensity of this saturation is deter mined by the input level and the amount of preamp gain At the same time a pre tailored EQ curve with a high frequency cut starting around 4 kHz is applied to the signal Shape Two Vocals Vocals benefit from the same saturation enhan...

Page 9: ...e and its amplifier is a discrete class A design optimized for es pecially transparent performance Balanced DI The skulpter 500 can handle way more than just your complete microphone locker An integrated front panel JFET DI makes it perfect for amplifying and shaping many kinds of different signals coming from gui tars basses synths effects The high input impedance of one megohm allows to directly...

Page 10: ...by elysia s signature Auto Fast function which will automatically reduce the attack to its shortest value when strong impulses and transients require it Technically the discreteVCA responsible for reducing the gain is placed in negative feedback with its following op amp The beauty of this is that the dynamics section is only part of the signal chain when it is actually working If there is no comp...

Page 11: ...lied to a signal if the dynamics section of the skulpter 500 is active This LED also changes in brightness to visually represent the amount of compression applied Level Meter Thirteen LEDs in the middle of the meter show the output level of the preamp For smooth transitions between different values instead of erratic flickering these change in brightness too Level related effects of the compressor...

Page 12: ...vel Mic In DI In Out 19 19 21dBu Impedance Mic In DI In Out 13 6kohm 1megohm 62ohm CE Conformity elysiaGmbH AmPanneschopp18 41334Nettetal Ger many declareswithsoleresponsibilitythatthisproduct complies with the following norms and directives 2006 95 EG Low Voltage Directive formerly 73 23 EWG or 93 68 EWG 89 336 EWG EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive DIN EN 55103 1 EMC of audio equipment ...

Page 13: ...fer 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 radia tors 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 CAUTIO...

Page 14: ...duct has been dam aged by misuse accident neglect modification tampering or unauthorized alteration by anyone other than elysia autho rized 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 warrantees of merchantability and fitness implied by law are limited t...

Page 15: ...his 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 skulpter are registered trademarks of elysia GmbH Other product and brand names contained in this document are used for identification purposes o...

Page 16: ...elysia GmbH Am Panneschopp 18 41334 Nettetal Germany info elysia com Printed in Germany ...

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