Empirical Labs Distressor Model EL8X

The Distressor is a product that Empirical Labs started everything with. Created by the "Father of the District" Dave Derr, the Distressor includes all the sonic qualities already offered by Urei 1176, LA-2A and Gain Brain, as well as many other interesting and unique features that have made the Distressor the basic equipment for many sound engineers around the world. With over 22,000 units sold, one can be fairly certain that the Distressor is one of the best-selling high-end compressors of all time, if not the best-selling. A prominent sound engineer recently bet that in the last five years probably not a single top 40 production has been produced without the Distressor.

Features & Benefits

• 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 operation modes (Distortion 2, Distortion 3)

• Dynamic range: 110 dB of the max. output level up to the min. output level in 1:1 mode. Over 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio in distortion-3 mode

• Distortions range from 0.02% to 20% depending on the distortion mode and release time set on the control panel.

• DC coupled outputs - High quality input capacitors

• Input impedance: 20 kOhm, output impedance < 75 Ohm

• Time constants: Attack range 50 uS - 50 mS. Release range 0.05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal mode and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opt mode. The time constants are dependent on the ratio

• Metal housing single unit: height 4.45 cm high, 25.4 cm deep, 48.26 cm wide