Empirical Labs Distressor EL8S
The Distressor is an automatic gain (or volume) control device (AGC in engineering terms) designed for pro audio (music) applications. Basically, it 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. Its most probable uses will be in recording studios, live sound situations, movie sound production, and radio broadcast production.
Unlike most analog compressor/limiters the 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 Distressor as will be the case with all Empirical Labs products.
Besides offering a wide range of control and unique features, the 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 we prefer the term “unforgiving” to describe the negative side of the “linearity”. The Distressor 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.