Empirical Labs EL8-X Distressor

The Distressor is a product that started it all for Empirical Labs. Created by the "father of the Distressor", Dave Derr, the Distressor incorporates all the sonic features already offered by the Urei 1176, LA-2A and Gain Brain, plus many more interesting and unique features that have made the Distressor a staple for many engineers around the world. With over 22,000 units sold, you can be pretty confident in the claim that the Distressor is one of the best-selling high-end compressors of all time, if not the best-selling. One prominent recording engineer recently bet that probably not a single top-40 production has been made in the last five years without the Distressor.

Features:

• Digitally controlled analog knee compression
• Frequency range: 2 Hz to 160 kHz in "clean audio mode" (+0, -3 dB). Frequency range is defined by the distortion modes (distortion 2, distortion 3)
• Dynamic range: 110 dB of max. output level to min. output level in 1:1 mode. Over 100 dB of signal-to-noise ratio in distortion 3 mode.
• Distortion ranges from 0.02% to 20% depending on distortion mode and release time set on the control panel
• DC coupled outputs - High quality input capacitors.
• Input impedance: 20 kΩ, output impedance < 75 Ω
• Time constants: Attack range 50 µs - 50 ms. Release range 0.05 sec to 3.5 sec, normal mode and up to 20 sec in 10:1 opto mode. The time constants depend on the ratio.
• Metal housing single unit: Height 4.45 cm high, 25.4 cm deep, 48.26 cm wide

Specs:

• Type: Compressor
• Theme: Recording and Studio

Instruction manual / Safety instructions:

• Manual (1.17 MB)

Further links:

• Print View