The elysia karacter Dual-Channel Analog Saturator is a deceptively flexible and unique stereo saturator designed to elevate your mixing and mastering sessions to a new level of creativity. Featuring numerous functions that will make professional and prosumer engineers do a double take, the karacter comes with easy to program signal coloration ranging from subtle saturation to utter destruction, stepped pots with 41-steps each, and discrete Class-A electronics just to name a few. 

Signals can be processed as either separate mono channels or one stereo channel, while the integrated M/S matrix allows the karacter to process the middle and sides of a stereo signal separately, imparting thick color to the center while leaving the sides of the stereo field intact, or the other way around and anything in between. External control voltages, such as those generated by analog synthesizers and sequencers, can be used to automatically modulate the drive and mix parameters for truly endless possibilities. Whether looking for a powerful rack-mounted processor to color your mixes or something truly different from the norm, the elysia karacter provides saturation galore. 

Dual-Channel Saturator with Stereo Link    Integrated M/S Matrix    Saturation to Destruction with Ease    Color Filter for THD Shifting    Automation via External Control Voltage    Discrete Class-A Topology    Stepped Pots with Instant Recall    Ground Shield PCB Layer    Voltage Selector    Handcrafted in Germany

The karacter features high-quality, Class-A topology for its discrete electronics, resulting in minimal distortion and zero turn-on time. This provides a very low noise floor and ensures high-quality sound, even when massive distortion is applied to the signal. The unit's PCB even comes with a special sixth layer dedicated to acting as a ground shield, avoiding any unwanted noise interference. Every unit is rigorously tested and calibrated to the highest standard using in-house, computer-aided testing devices, and custom tools.

At the heart of the karacter are a series of circuits designed to add color to your signal through separate saturation, distortion, and destruction functions. The saturation circuit adds unobtrusive thickness and coloration to your music through the application of symmetrical clipping on the uneven harmonics. By switching on the FET shred button (indicated by an LED light), the clipping changes to an asymmetrical scheme, which imparts musical, tube-style drive to the even harmonics. To take things further, simply press the turbo boost button and the distortion circuitry will shift its operating point resulting in an even more asymmetrical signal structure. This setting is great for truly mangled samples, industrial-style distortion, and brutal guitar sounds.

With dedicated left and right inputs and outputs (with both XLR and 1/4" jacks), the karacter is able to operate either as two mono processors or linked for a true stereo device, making it as comfortable processing a single track as it is for an entire mix. Two extra 1/4" outputs are also offered for extra routing options. A unique M/S matrix is also available in both mono and stereo link modes, allowing for a completely internal reproduction of stereo microphoning. A dedicated M/S encoder and decoder allow you to process the "sides" and "middle" of a stereo signal separately, creating interesting opportunities such as applying high saturation to the middle while leaving the sides completely untouched, or the other way around and anything else in between.

The karacter features four stepped potentiometers per channel (drive, color, gain, wet/dry mix) with 41-steps each and the ability to easily recall precise settings instantly. These professional-quality pots are complemented by four push buttons per channel, which allow for channel activation/hardwire bypass, FET shred mode (distortion), turbo boost (destruction), and stereo link respectively.

The drive and mix parameters can be modulated or automated with an external control voltage from any analog synthesizer or hardware unit capable of transmitting standard CV signals. Fed through the karacter's EXT1 and EXT2 inputs, numerous creative, automation driven sounds are possible. When the karacter is set to stereo link mode, both of its channels will be controlled by the signals present at EXT1.

Rather than adding a common roll-off filter, elysia chose to add a unique, complex filter network controlled by a single knob. This color filter is more flexible and deeply integrated into the saturation circuits than many other processors, and alters the essential THD generation rather than changing the frequency response. This provides a wide range of coloring options and several useful sweet spots ranging from dubby growl to steely punch.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does this AVIO support phantom power to a condenser mic?

A: This device does not support phantom power.

Q: 2. Is it conceivable (technologically) that Mackie could do a firmware upgrade on the Onyx8 to allow 8-track recording to the SD card? That seems to be the strongest limitation here.

A: Anything is possible. But there have been no announcements regarding this to date.

Q: 3. Can I use Dante AVIO 2-Channle Analog "Input" Adapter to connect legacy analog speakers?

A: This is not the correct Dante adapter to output audio signals from a Dante network into your speakers. Audinate Dante AVIO 2-Channel XLR Analog Output Adapter for Dante Audio Network, BH #AUADPDAOAU2 would be the appropriate Dante adapter. The ouput adapter's male XLR connectors would go into the input of your legacy speakers.

Q: 4. do the XLR inputs have Phantom power?

A: Datavideo adheres to the IEC Standard (61938:2018) regarding voltage, current draw, and impedance that phantom power must secure a connection with all brands.

Q: 5. I'm looking to connect the headphone jack on my Behringer X-Air XR-18 to Dante for remote monitoring. What would I need in addition to or in place of this? Headphone port is a 1/4" TRS Stereo jack.

A: What's needed is cables and a headphone amp: 1/4" trs male to (2) XLR male(B&H # KOSMYCM2XM03 with HOGHP105 for stereo audio. , connect to the Dante XLR's, then a headphone amp at the other end, such as : B&H # PRHP2 or similar.

Q: 6. Can the input version and output version of these units be used together as a standalone 2 channel dante system?

A: Yes you can, however you would need a switch as well.

Q: 7. Will the AVOI 1 Input adapter accept a 25 or 70 volt signal direct from a power amp or do you need to adapt it to a line level ?

A: The Audinate Dante AVIO 1-Channel Analog Input Adapter is used to connect a line level output signal from an analog device to a Dante audio network.

Q: 8. Which Mini XLR to XLR Cables do you recommend?

A: Comprehensive makes very nice XLR Male to Mini XLR Female Cables that you can use with this Datavideo Product.

Q: 9. How much gain is available with this mixer?

A: The CAD MXU2 2-Channel Analog Mixer with USB can provide approximately 28dB of gain.

Q: 10. The specs on B&H's page say the Onyx8 has only 2 mic preamps... but I see four; two mix-only and two 'combo'. Is that a mistake, where it says there are only two mic preamps? Or if not, could you explain? Thanks.

A: Per Mackie: Mackie Onyx8 8-channel Analog Mixer with Multi-track USB Features: 4 award-winning Onyx mic preamps Analog circuitry delivers premium-quality sound with minimum noise Analog/USB channel strips with flexible routing Studio-grade effects with user customization options 3-band Perkins EQ with On/Off hard bypass switches Switchable hi-Z inputs for guitars, bass, and other instruments 100Hz low-cut filter and 48V phantom power on all mic channels High-resolution 24-bit/96kHz multi-track recording to Mac/PC via USB Full-color display and single-knob interface Dedicated buttons for Previous, Next, Record, and Play/Pause Bluetooth streaming capabilities