Originally marketed as the chameleon of the compression world upon its release in 1995 the EL-8 has made its mark on the world and now stands as what it has always been, one of the most unique sounding and flexible compressors in the professional audio world. With 8 compression ratios which include "Nuke" [the brickwall limiter of brickwall limiters] the EL-8 has the unique ability to add harmonic distortion to your audio in a very musically pleasing manner... when these are used alone or in concert with the sidechain switches on the front panel you can shape the compression from a whisper to a scream.
Empirical Labs Distressor features
Classic knee sound - Delivered with modern noise specs in an indestructible, digitally-controlled, single-height box. Really grabs.
Programmable analog distortion/warmth - Helpful in the pristine but unforgiving digital world. Three audio modes provide user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. Emphasized tube-like 2nd harmonic in clean and Distort 2 mode. In Distort 3 mode the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonic (similar to tape).
Distortion indicator lights - A 1% LED and a "Redline" (3%) LED. No hard clipping until a few dB past "Redline."
Advanced built-in sidechain EQ - High mid-band emphasis prevents harsh, edgy guitars or vocals from hurting innocent ears. Low cut keeps the low "sum & difference" frequencies from pumping the upper frequencies of source material.
Eight unique curves - From the 1:1 mode that simply warms up signal with low-order harmonics without intentional compression, to the "Nuke" setting - a brick wall limiting curve that shines on live drum room mics. Each curve has its own personality and release shape. Most exceptional is the 10:1 "Opto" ratio which uses separate circuitry to emulate the oldest (and most valued) "light-controlled" devices, such as the LA2A. Manual provides complete setting instructions for emulating other compressors of old. Its like getting several totally different compressors in one.
Huge knobs with high resolution numbering - For easy readability and repeatable settings. They also go to 10 1/2.
Locked & calibrated output level - Allows speed in setting tape and live mix levels.
All metal film and Roederstein resistors in the audio path - Top quality components, mostly military grade.
Unique "Binary Stepped Interface" - Provides hundreds of options with very few controls.
Fool proof operation - Even though there are 384 possible settings (not counting knob settings), it's almost impossible to get a bad sound. Keep all knobs on 5 or 6 (around middle) with ratio at 6:1 and you won't go wrong.
Stereo Strappable
Over design power supplies - Runs cool, allowing cabinet to be sealed without heat vents. Long life components.
Single height and light weight - Classic sound in a small, extremely reliable package.
True bypass - Know what it's really doing. All contacts doubled up for maximum reliability. No internal audio connectors.
XLR and 1/4" phone ins and outs - XLR fully balanced, transformerless design, pin 2 hot. Changeable by user to pin 3 hot!
Hand wired, calibrated in USA.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Freq. response is 5 Hz to 160 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB). Response is shaped in distortion modes (Dist 2, Dist 3).
- Dynamic range 110 dB from max. output to min. output in 1:1 mode. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise in distort 3 mode.
- Distortion ranges between .02% and 20% depending on distortion mode and release times set on front panel.
- DC coupled output - High quality input caps.
- Time constants - Attack range 50uS - 30mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal mode and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opto mode.
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