Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Audio Compressor

The EL8 Distressor from Empirical Labs is an automatic gain (or volume) control device (AGC in engineering terms) designed for pro audio applications. Basically, the compressor 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. The EL8 Distressor Compressor's most probable use will be in recording studios, live sound situations, movie sound production and radio broadcast production. Unlike most analog compressor/limiters, the EL8 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 EL8 Distressor as is the case with all Empirical Labs products. Besides offering a wide range of control and unique features, the EL8 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 Empirical Labs' prefers the term "unforgiving" to describe the negative side of the "linearity." The EL8 Distressor compressor 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.About Empirical Labs: Empirical Labs was started in 1988, and functioned mainly as a recording studio and electronics consulting firm. The founder, Dave Derr, was also employed at the time by Eventide as an audio engineer and was one of the core designers of their legendary H3000. EL's first product, the EL8 Distressor (#501578) immediately took the recording industry by storm and hardly a record has been made without it since. With a mission "to make products that work a little easier, a little better, a lot longer and are fun to use," Empirical Labs continues to create unique and innovate products that quickly find homes among the top professionals of the audio industry (and anyone else who wants in on the Empirical Labs sound). Empirical Labs Users: Aerosmith (Joe Perry - 8 Distressors) Al Schmidt Alanis Morrisette Angela Piva (Mary J. Blige, Naughty by Nature, Janet Jackson) Ashes Divide (Billy Howerdel) Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Niacin, David Lee Roth) Bob Clearmountain (Journey, Bryan Adams, Stones, Springsteen) Bob Dylan Bob Powers Bon Jovi Brendan O'Brien (producer/mixdown engineer) Bruce Calder (Electric Lady Studios, Degeneration) Butch Vig Cher Chimera Chris Lord-Alge Chuck Ainlay Clair Brothers (Clair Global) Coldplay Craig Melvin (Gloria Estefan) Creed (8 Distressors on their 2003 tour) D&D Studios NYC Daniel Lanois (U2) Dave Hewitt (Remote Recording Services) Dave Matthews David Kahne Death Cab for Cutie Disturbed Dolly Parton Don Was Dust Brothers (John King) Ed Cherney Ed Kowalcyzk (Live) Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix) Effanel Remote Recording (Randy Ezratty, 2003 Grammys) Elton John Eminem Eric Schilling (Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada) Finn Halle (German producer, sound engineer) Fiona Apple Five Towns College (6 Distressors) Fleetwood Mac Fletcher Full Sail School for the Recording Arts George Massenburg Goo Goo Dolls Greg Calbi (Sterling Sound) Gordon "Gungi" Patterson Hole Jason Slater (Snake River Conspiracy) Jay Baumgardner (NRG Studios) Jay Gordon (producer, lead vocalist of Orgy) Jerry Harrison (Live, Verve Pipe - 12 Distressors) Jerry Only (The Misfits) Joe Barresi Joe Chiccarelli (Hole, Beck, U2) Joe Satriani John Agnello (producer, engineer, mixer) John Kurzweg (Creed) John McBride (Blackbird Studios - 8 Distressors, 4 Fatsos, 2 Lil FrEQs) John Paterno John Patterson John Siket Josh Abraham (Orgy, Staind, Korn, Limp Bizkit) Judy Saiya Julien-K Kevin Killen Kip Winger Kooster McAllister (Record Plant Remote) Linkin Park Marc Costanzo (Len) Mark Anthony Mark Plati (David Bowie) Maroon 5 Matt Wallace Megadeth Metallica Michael Bienhorn Michael Wilton (Queensrÿche) Micheal Brauer (Sony Studios NYC) Mick Gazauski (Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton) Mick Hughes (Metallica FOH engineer) Mike Keating (Sting, Bush, Springsteen live) Mike Shipley (Millbrook Sound) Mitch Goldfarb Mutt Lange NSYNC Natalie Merchant Nathaniel Kunkel Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) Nine Inch Nails Outsmarting Simon Paul Tennebekk (Norway's Midwest Audio) Peter Denenberg Phil Nicolo of Butcher Bros. (The Stones, Amy Grant, Sting, Aerosmith, Judy Saiya) Phil Ramone Rammstein Real World Studios (Peter Gabriel's facility in England) Ricky Martin Robert Solomon (Woodland Studios) Roey Shamir (Information Society, Al B. Sure!) Ross Hogarth (Jewel, Coal Chamber, Grade 8) Ryan Hewitt (engineer) Scott Anthony (Harold Dessau Recording Studio - Beastie Boys) Seal (on tour) Sean Beresford (Third Eye Blind) Shania Twain Sheryl Crow Staind Sting Stone Temple Pilots Susana Shoemaker (Blues Traveler) Tchad Blake (Sheryl Crow, Richard Thompson, Crowded House, Pearl Jam, Bonnie Raitt) The Academy Is... The Police The Sound Kitchen The Who Tom Lord-Alge Tony Levin Wheatus Whitney Houston