Empirical Labs EL-8 Distressor

Empirical Labs Distressor Description

The Distressor is an automatic gain (or volume) control device (AGC in engineering terms) designed for pro audio (music) applications. Basically, it 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 industry people. 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 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.

Empirical Labs Distressor Specifications

• Freq. response: 2 Hz to 160 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB). Response is shaped in distortion modes (Dist 2, Dist 3).
• Dynamic range: 110 dB from max. output to min. output in 1:1 mode. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise in distort 3 mode.
• Distortion ranges: between .02% and 20% depending on distortion mode and release times set on front panel.
• DC coupled output: High quality input caps.
• Input impedance: 20K Ohms, Output impedance is < 75 ohms
• Time constants: Attack range 50uS - 50mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal modes and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opto mode. Time constants are dependant on ratio.
• Metal Chassis: single height 1.75" high, 10" deep, 19" wide.
• Shipping info: 12.1 lbs mono, 24.2 lbs Stereo pair. Mono box dimensions 22.5" x 18.5" x 3 1/4". Stereo Pair box dimensions 22.5" x 18.5" x 6 1/4
  

Empirical Labs Distressor EL8 Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page A modern classic for a reason, the Distressor (DISTortion compRESSOR) has earned every bit of its "wow" reputation for acting like a real dynamics control box and providing other goodies such as variable distortion characteristics as well as doing a pretty good imitation of classic FET and OPTO designs when setup right (super easy though!). Using digital controls of analog circuits (no digital in the audio path...) Dave Derr has brought a unique bad ass to life and there ain't no stopping it now. Super fast or super slow or anywhere in between, sculpting the envelope is done with authority here. The ruler knobs I have to say are such a defining look too, it makes you feel like you're part of a special club just looking at owning one of these boxes. Like a good comp / limiter should the Distressor STOPS STUFF in a predictable manner. I don't mean most of the time, I mean you'd have to be a real novice not to get it to absolutely lock down any signal you've got to toss at it. The average volume coming out is higher than most other compressors for this very reason, it smacks peaks hard and allows you to ride the average signal even tighter. Every time I reach for a knob on the Distressor and turn it, it does what I want. The Distortion modes are of course not for everybody or every signal, but they can be dialed in from subtle to square wave and bring cool harmonic color which adds life and fizz to tracks. The FET and OPTO presets are killer if you like one knob compression. Just pop the attack and release into place (refer to the manual here) and enter the right ratio / mode, and you've just boiled all of your future decisions down to a single knob (threshold) which again, just stops stuff. While it's not just like an 1176 or LA2A / LA3A it sure does come close enough to render the Distressor a "Swiss Army Knife". Conclusion: You have to have one, at least one. If you're a control freak you'll want a whole room full. I find the Distressor to be better where at least some obvious character is wanted, but it will remain pretty clean when needed to. From fast transients to slow swells of volume, nothing gets past the Distressor.