Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor

Item
EMPEL8DIST

h m s

free-shipping-icon
In Stock!Order now!
Remove one item Add one item

Compare

Or

Compare! Here are all the serial numbers of this model we have in stock. Compare them all and select your favorite!

    0%Free ShippingExtended Warranty45 Day returnShips to Canada
    Rock Now Pay LaterRock Now Pay Later

    Get the gear you want, when you want it...that would be now!

    With AMS 0% interest Payment Plans, you use your existing credit or debit card, so there’s no need to apply for a new account you might not want or need. This is an installment billing plan, where equal payments are made on your card, rather than the whole amount being charged up front - this way you are also not subject to high-interest penalty rates if you are late on one payment. Payments are made every 31 days, automatically deducted after the order ships. To sweeten the offer even more, any shipping charges, a small payment plan fee, and applicable tax are divided evenly across the payments as well. A credit check is required on 4, 6, 8, &12 pay plans, and we can have an answer back to you very quickly.

    Free Shipping - No Extra Charge!

    Our 4 state-of-the-art, strategically located warehouses are highly efficient and allow us to ship your gear in record time - and most orders will arrive at your door within 2 days for free. Shortly after you place your order, a Ship Confirmation email will arrive letting you know the order was picked, packed, and put on a truck. Full Details


    Shipping Map

    Free Extended WarrantyFree Extended Warranty

    12 Months EXTRA for Free!

    Many of our competitors charge 10% or more for an additional 12 months of warranty on the products they sell. AMS offers this exclusive benefit to our valued customers at no extra charge. Thousands of items on our site and in our catalog carry the "Gold Lock Extended Warranty" icon. It means you get the manufacturer's full warranty plus 12 additional months, FREE!!!

    45 Day Money Back Guarantee45 Day Money Back Guarantee

    Our 45 day return policy allows you to buy with confidence at AMS! If you are not completely satisfied with any item* purchased from AMS, return it to us within 45 days of the shipping date, and we will refund your money or help you with an exchange. That's always been our policy, and now we've added the ease of Electronic Return Labels!

    Canadian Shipping Information

    Welcome Canadian musicians! Buying your gear from AMS is as easy as going to a local music store, with more selection and more than competitive prices!

    Items with this logo are eligible to ship to Canada. Please note that you will be responsible for payment of brokerage fees, duties and other import taxes applicable to your order.

    NOTE: Free shipping offers do not apply to Canadian orders. Please be aware of custom fees - such as taxes and duties - when your order arrives. Since these fees vary from location to location, CUSTOMS FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN SHIPPING CHARGES. Please check with your local customs office for more information on the fees in your areas. Refusal to pay these fees will result in an undeliverable order. If returned, we do not refund shipping charges and may assess restocking fees to cover return shipping expenses.

    AMS AgentAMS Agent

    Have questions, found a better price?
    Talk to a sales specialist!

    800-319-9043
    The Distressor is the product that started it all for Empirical Labs. Born of founder Dave Derr’s love of classic compressors like the 1176, LA-2A and Gain Brain (among others), the Distressor incorporates his favorite sonic characteristics of these, along with other unique and interesting features that have made it a staple for audio engineers all over the world. With over 22,000 units in the field, it’s safe to say that the Distressor is one of the best selling high end compressors of all time….if not THE best selling. A prominent recording engineer recently wagered that there probably was not a top 40 record made in the last five years that didn’t have at least one Distressor on it.

    Besides providing a wide range of control and a unique feature set, the Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. This “warmth” or “vintage sound” has become a major issue in the last few decades, as the super clear and linear digital technology does next to nothing to soften “harsh” sounds, nor emphasize the bass frequencies in music sources. Conversely, older analog tape, vinyl records and tube equipment could not be prevented from coloring the sound, often to the frustration of recording engineers. However, many people now realize that this coloring can be extremely pleasant and musical. Digital technology is often referred to as “cold” and “brittle” among other terms (although we prefer “unforgiving”).

    All eight of the Distressor’s curves are unique and distinctive, 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 several actually use different circuitry, and are effectively different compressors. Most exceptional is the 10:1 “Opto” ratio which uses separate detector circuitry to emulate the oldest (and valued) “light controlled” devices, such as the LA-2A.

    Another large part of the Distressor’s personality and power derive from three modes that color the signal, even without compression. These extended audio modes were designed to allow emulation of some very old and expensive vintage compressors & limiters, and let the Distressor deliver a classic “knee” sound all its own by providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. In addition to the basic distortion mode, Distort 2 emphasizes tube-like 2nd order harmonics, while in Distort 3 setting the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonics more closely resembling tape. Two HP filters – one in the audio path, one in the detector path - are also available to help with low frequencies that can cause pumping and breathing.


    CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING

    WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

    Shop Similar Models

    Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor Specifications

    Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor Specifications
    Product SpecificationsEmpirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor Specifications
    • Frequency response is 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 is 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.
    Copyright © 1996-2024 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved