Empirical Labs EL8-XXX 30th Anniversary Distressor

The One and Only Distressor — in Special Anniversary Livery

The Empirical Labs 30th Anniversary Distressor EL8-XXX adds a distinctive new red faceplate to the legendary digitally controlled analog compressor/limiter. Like its stablemate, this limited edition provides seven compression ratios plus the brickwall Nuke ratio for an unprecedented degree of signal-shaping flexibility. While the Distressor can function very smoothly and transparently, its British mode mimics the hyper-aggressive behavior of a certain beloved vintage FET limiter in its infamous “all buttons in” mode, giving you, essentially, two compressors in one. There are many great dynamics-control devices in today’s market, and at Sweetwater, we get our hands on the best of them. But there’s only one Distressor. Pick up the Empirical Labs 30th Anniversary Distressor EL8-XXX and put it to work on your next project. Trust us: you’ll be amazed — and delighted!

Unprecedented dynamics control for your studio

The Distressor EL8-XXX offers 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, and 20:1 compression ratios. Of special note is the 10:1 ratio, which employs separate detector circuitry to emulate the oldest (and still highly prized) light-controlled compressors. Beyond 20:1 limiting, the Distressor offers a “Nuke” ratio that presents once-frisky signals with an impenetrable, solid brick wall. Collectively, the eight ratio settings give you generous dynamics-control leeway from gentle, unobtrusive peak leveling to full-on brickwall limiting, but the Distressor packs another sonic surprise in the form of British “all buttons in” mode.

Explosive “all buttons in” mode

Deployed on the right source — drum room mics, for instance — British mode can trigger warped, explosive results akin to a seismic event in your control room. Symptoms may include increased distortion, a plateaued slope on initial transients, and extended lag time — kind of like a funhouse mirror for audio. It’s a unique effect that, when used judiciously, can transform a source from the mundane to the sensational. All things considered, the Empirical Labs EL8-XXX 30th Anniversary Distressor delivers an unprecedented degree of dynamics control at a price any studio can afford.

Empirical Labs EL8-XXX 30th Anniversary Distressor Features:

• Digitally controlled analog compressor/limiter
• Choice of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, 20:1, and “Nuke” ratios
• “All buttons in” British mode switch with LED indicator
• Input, Attack, Release, and Output controls
• 2 highpass filters (1 in the audio path, 1 in the detector path)
• LED gain-reduction metering
• Redline and 1% THD LED indicators
• Stereo Image Link switch
• Hard bypass button
• Rugged steel 1U chassis