Get a great compressor/limiter with two fantastic factory mods already installed!

The EL8X Distressor from Empirical Labs is an automatic gain (or volume) control device (AGC in engineering terms) designed for pro audio applications. Basically, the compressor electronically controls the volume of just about any source in a very pleasing, and 'musical' manner - adding fullness, intelligibility, and especially in the Distressor's case - excitement. This type of device is often called a 'limiter' or 'compressor' by audio professionals and its most probable uses will be in recording studios, live sound situations, movie sound production, and radio broadcast production.

Unlike most analog compressor/limiters the Distressor is a digitally controlled audio device and actually incorporates several products into one by utilizing digital controls to switch totally different circuits in and out. Years of beta testing and redesign went into the Distressor as will be the case with all Empirical Labs products.

Besides offering a wide range of control and unique features, the Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. This 'warmth' or vintage sound has become an important issue in the last 15 years, as the super clear and linear digital technology does very little (or nothing) to soften 'harsh' sounds nor emphasize the bass frequencies in music sources. Older analog tape, vinyl records and tube equipment on the other hand, could not be prevented from coloring the sound, often to the frustration of recording engineers. However, many people have now realized that this coloring can be extremely pleasant and 'musical'. The current digital technology is often referred to as 'cold' and 'brittle' among other terms, although we prefer the term 'unforgiving' to describe the negative side of the 'linearity'. The Distressor compressor offers several modes that color the signal, even without compression (or gain control). These extended modes were designed to allow emulation of some very old and some very expensive vintage gain control units (compressors & limiters) and deliver a classic 'knee' sound all its own.

The EL8X Distressor 'British Mode'

The original concept of the 'British Mode' came from an unusual setting on the classic UREI LN1176 limiter. The unit was designed to have only four ratios, each ratio being engaged by selecting one of four buttons. However, as early as 1980 (or before), renegade recording engineers, always on the lookout for something a little more 'over the top', found that you could make all four buttons stay 'in' if you pressed them just right. What resulted was a very, very aggressive sound that had some elements of the units 20:1 ratio, but with an unusual knee and new envelope shape. Somewhere along the line, someone called it a 'British Mode' and the name has stuck. It is also called 'all buttons in' and some other intuitive names.

The Empirical Labs Distressor has the advantage of being able to apply this 'aggressive' nature not only to the new British ratio (1:1) but also to all the ratios since a separate switch is installed, which can be enabled with any ratio. One should keep in mind however, that an attack below 3 or 4 is required to maintain the LN1176 character. If you go above an attack of 3 you will also incur a rise in some grunge (distortion) and see the THD indicator lites come on a lot more. The Distressor will no longer behave smoothly, nor like an 1176.

How to use the new British Mode Option for the first time

Put the unit in the 1:1 ratio and turn on the British Mode Switch (flip it up and the LED should be lit). That enables it. To sound like the 1176 the only constraint is to keep the attack well under 4 on the Distressors - their attack can go much longer than the 1176. Now you will find that the unit has a new attitude! The attack and release will generally be more aggressive and the unit will get in and out of the way very quickly. Interestingly, the unit will be slightly less colored when not compressing.

Tips

Use this ratio to 'skim' peaks. This means that most of the time it may not be doing anything, but when it does 'hit' the signal, it will smoothly push back the signal and then get right out of the way again. If you are hitting the Gain Reduction all the time with the British mode on, you are going to be really 'squashing' the signal. On the other hand, the Distressor will sound fairly subtle when compressing all the time in 2:1 mode, especially with a slower attack (>6).

Tricks

Vocals: This is a great final compression during mixdown. When not working it is very transparent, but when a vocal pops out and hits the compression, the British mode will get in and out of there quickly and smoothly. When you are really compressing a lot, breaths and background noises will become very loud (pushed up). There is not much you can do with this except gate before compression maybe or, mute or erase the noises and breaths out that you don't want to hear. Remember that breaths are natural and can add a lot of excitement sometimes, so don't gate or erase them by default. If you can, back up a vocal track before you start trying to punch out breaths and noises etc.

Stereo Image Linking for the Distressor

The original Distressor stereo link implementation used a summing and phase detection method which allowed stereo image shifting. 'Image shifting' occurs when the interchannel balance (the relative volume between Left and Right channels) changes during compression. Although known for its phase correction, and its 'thickening' on open room mics and other stereo sources, this approach has sometimes been a problem on stereo program material where the producer/engineers want to maintain absolute left/right balance at all times.

With the 'Stereo Image Link' option, the EL8X Distressor user now has three link options - the original 'phase' link, the new Image Link and the combination of the two, phase and image linking. This has never before been offered on any compressors or limiters. There can be very slight differences in the metering between the two units. Due to the high resolution of the Distressor's metering, 1/10th dB can make an LED on one unit go on or off earlier than the other unit's. Also, don't readjust knob alignment - the output pots especially. They are often offset around '0' to allow for 'dead spots' at the lower extremes.

Features

• Classic knee sound - With modern noise specs and improved performance. Really grabs
• Programmable analog distortion/warmth - helpful in the pristine but unforgiving digital world. Three audio modes providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. Emphasized tube-like, 2nd harmonic in clean and Distort 2 mode. In Distort 3 mode, the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonic, more similar to tape
• Distortion indicator lights - A 1% LED and a 'Redline' (3%) LED. No hard clipping until a few dB past 'Redline'
• Advanced built-in sidechain EQ - High mid band emphasis prevents harsh, edgy guitars or vocals from hurting innocent ears. Low cut keeps the low 'sum & difference' frequencies from pumping the upper frequencies of source material
• Fool proof operation - Even though there are 384 possible settings (not counting knob settings), it's almost impossible to get a bad sound. Keep all knobs on 5 or 6 (around middle) with ratio at 6:1 and you won't go wrong
• Eight unique curves - From the 1:1 mode that simply warms up signal with low order harmonics without intentional compression, to the 'Nuke' setting - a brick wall limiting curve that shines on live drum room mics. Each curve has its own personality, and release shape. Most exceptional is the 10:1 'Opto' ratio which uses separate circuitry to emulate the oldest (and valued) 'light controlled' devices, such as the LA2A etc. See manual to emulate other compressors of old
• Discrete and integrated combination - the best of speed/linearity with repeatability. Hand tested & selected components
• Huge knobs with high resolution numbering - For easy readability and repeatable settings. They also go to 10 1/2 
• Locked, calibrated, output level - Allows speed in setting tape and live mix levels
• Stereo Strappable
• Switchable 110/220 volt operation - Extra fuse provided inside unit
• Over design power supplies - Runs cool, allowing cabinet to be sealed - without heat vents. Long life components
• Single height and light weight - Classic sound in a small, extremely reliable package
• True bypass - Know what it's really doing. All contacts doubled up for maximum reliability. No internal audio connectors
• XLR and 1/4' phone ins and outs - XLR fully balanced, transformerless design, pin 2 hot. Changeable by user to pin 3 hot
• All metal film and Roederstein resistors in the audio path - top quality components. Many mil spec. parts
• Interface and features found nowhere else
• Hand wired, calibrated in USA

New Gear

We are authorized dealers for a number of great companies that back their products with standard warranties.

We extend this warranty period for 1 year beyond the manufacturer's as a token of our gratitude for shopping with us  :)

We want to make sure that you don't get stuck with a lemon and will either replace or have the unit repaired by an authorized service center on our dime.

We offer a 30 day return policy 'no questions asked'.

Unless the item is defective, you will be subject to a 15% restocking fee. 

Used Gear

All gear is tested prior to listing for sale. Any known issues will be mentioned in the item description.

We work extremely hard to make sure that you have peace of mind when buying pre-owned gear. 

You will have 14 days from receipt of the item to test and make sure that everything meets your expectations. 

If the item is found to be defective, we will cover return shipping. You must contact us first to set up the RMA. 

Any used items returned for reasons other than functionality (within this 14 days) will be subject to a 20% restocking fee. 

We will bend over backwards to make sure that you are happy with your purchase.

If you have any issues or questions at all please email or call us.  We are happy to assist!

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Return Policy

• You must contact us for a RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) within 30 days for new gear and 14 days for used gear.
• Items are subject to either a 15% (new gear) or 20% (used gear) restocking fee, unless found to be defective. 
• Customer is required to cover shipping using a trackable service with signature confirmation.
• We will cover return shipping for defective items and submit a return label via email.
• All new items must return in 'new' condition with all original packaging, warranty cards, and cables. 
• All used items must be returned in the same condition as picture & represented online.
• If new items arrive damaged and/or without original materials the RMA may be revoked or you may be subject to a 25% restocking fee. 
• If used items arrive damaged the RMA may be revoked or you may be subject to a 30% restocking fee. 
• Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process returns. Refunds, store credit or replacements will be handled within that time frame

If you experience a problem with a unit: do not attempt to open or repair the unit yourself. 

Any attempt to do so will void any warranty or guarantee. 

Please send us a detailed description of the problem you are experiencing and we will have a team member contact you as soon as possible.

International Buyers

We are not responsible for unit damaged due to use of improper voltage. 

Please make sure to double check voltage compatibility and use a proper voltage converter when necessary.

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