Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor - Download

Universal Audio's Empirical Labs Distressor Plug-In is the only authentic emulation of the most sought-after modern compressor. Features Dry/Wet parallel processing & customizable Headroom level
Item
UADELDISTRESSOR
In Stock!Order now!
Remove one item Add one item

Compare

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

    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

    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.

    Digital Download Item

    Download instructions and license key emailed after order placed.

    Non Returnable Item

    This product is not returnable. Please contact us at 800-458-4076 for additional information or if you need advice about compatibility or version.

    AMS AgentAMS Agent

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

    800-319-9043

    Get the colorful sound of the world’s most popular compressor. The only authentic emulation of the world's most sought-after modern compressor, The EL8 is perfect for radically shaping guitars, drums, and vocals with nearly infinite gain reduction variations.

    The Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor is revered in studios the world over as the modern, “must-have” compressor. Versatile with tons of color, the Distressor picks up where the legendary UA 1176 and Teletronix LA-2A compressors leave off — giving you a modern tool that’s equal parts utilitarian and creative, as heard on thousands of hit records.

    Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor Features

    • Track and mix with the only authentic emulation of the EL8 Distressor — the world's most sought-after modern compressor
    • Radically shape guitars, drums, and vocals with nearly infinite gain reduction variations
    • Harness plug-in-only features like Dry/Wet parallel processing and Headroom for user‑customizable operating level
    • Creatively color instruments and vocals with famous “Dist 2” and “Dist 3” modes
    • Embellish, pump up, or destroy bass, synth, and room mics with custom detector filtering
    • Mix with presets from Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes), Vance Powell (Jack White), Jacquire King (Kings of Leon), Jimmy Douglass (The Rolling Stones), and more

    Shape with the Only End‑to‑End Distressor Emulation

    The EL8 Distressor Compressor plug-in gives you all the features and tone of the original hardware. Simply compare other Distressor emulations for yourself, and contrast the original hardware’s ultra-fast attack time to quickly hear where most plug-ins fail, and the authentic UAD Distressor succeeds.

    Find the Perfect Compression Ratio

    The crux of the Distressor are its staggering variations in compression — 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, 20:1 and Nuke — each offering unique sounds. Use the 1:1 ratio to gently warm up synths or strings without compression, while adding musical harmonics. Conversely, the Nuke setting gives explosive excitement to room mics or your entire mix.

    Add Color with Distortion Modes

    The Distressor's iconic Dist 2 and Dist 3 modes give you a wide palette of compression textures, letting you shape sources with even or combined even/odd-order harmonic distortion, from delicate thickening to burnished tape to fully saturated.

    Focus Dynamics with Powerful Sidechain Controls

    The Distressor’s sidechain control gets rid of unwanted low-frequency pumping — perfect for drum bus processing — while Band Emphasis tames strident vocals and harsh “power region” instrument peaks. You can also harness "plug-in only" features like Dry/Wet Mix for easy parallel compression on a mix bus or instrument group.

     

    Shop Similar Models
    Copyright © 1996-2025 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved