Elysia Xpector

Independent listening for the performer and the engineer

The Elysia Xpector is a standalone analogue headphone amplifier and monitor controller with separate Artist and Engineer paths. Each listener can balance the Direct and DAW inputs independently, so the performer can hear a comfortable cue mix while the engineer checks the recording from a different perspective.

Housed in Elysia's compact Qube enclosure, it suits a permanent desktop setup or a recording rig that moves between rooms. It works with analogue line signals from your interface, preamp or other equipment; it is not a USB audio interface or a 500-series module that needs a separate chassis.

Two mixes from two stereo sources

The Direct and DAW inputs each accept a stereo source, with mono connection options. Separate controls on the Artist and Engineer sides set their contribution to each headphone mix, followed by independent listening levels.

For a vocal session, feed the backing track from the interface into DAW and the external preamp into Direct. The singer can hear more voice while the engineer listens to a different balance. This avoids repeatedly changing a shared mix to satisfy two different jobs.

Direct monitoring without the software round trip

Monitoring the analogue source through the Direct input avoids sending it into the DAW and back before the performer hears it. That is useful when software monitoring delay makes singing or playing feel disconnected.

The loop outputs pass the input signals onwards. For example, the preamp feeding Direct can also reach the audio interface for recording. When setting this up, avoid returning a second delayed copy of the same input through the DAW monitor mix, which can create an unwanted doubled or phasey sound.

Give the artist a useful tonal balance

The Artist path includes low- and high-shelving EQ. This lets you adapt the headphone sound to the performer without changing the engineer's reference or applying those cue EQ settings to the signal passed through the input loop.

A singer may prefer less low-frequency weight or a little more clarity to judge pitch and diction. Make those adjustments in conversation with the performer: a comfortable cue sound is valuable because it supports the take, even when it differs from the tonal balance you use to assess the recording.

Check the mix from several perspectives

The Engineer monitoring selector provides Stereo, Mono, Side, Left and Right modes. Mono reveals how the combined channels behave; Side lets you inspect stereo difference information, while Left and Right allow individual-channel checks.

These listening modes help you identify an uneven stereo source, assess what wide effects contribute or hear whether a part changes substantially when summed. They affect the engineer's headphones or speaker output, allowing those checks without changing the artist's listening perspective.

Move between headphones and speakers

Balanced XLR speaker outputs allow Xpector to control active monitors or an appropriate amplification system. Selecting the speaker output mutes the engineer's headphones, with the Engineer level control then governing the speakers.

Trim and Swap let you align the relative listening levels of the engineer's headphones and speakers. This is useful when switching between them during a mix: a large loudness jump can distract from the tonal and spatial differences you are trying to judge.

Connections that suit a working studio

Headphone connections are available at the front and mirrored at the rear, giving you a choice of convenient access or a more permanent cable arrangement. The mirrored sockets carry the corresponding Artist or Engineer path; they do not create extra independent mixes.

The Direct and DAW loop outputs can also feed additional Xpector units. That allows several listeners to establish their own balance of the same two sources. Whether used for a single overdub setup or a larger cue system, the practical benefit is immediate analogue control over who hears what.