Empirical Labs EL8X Distressor Compressor with British Mod

This "British Mod" of the Distressor compressor gives you ELI's version of the classic 1176 "all buttons in" setting -- plus a Stereo Image Link option.

The "British Mod" version of ELI's Distressor compressor, the Empirical Labs EL8-X features the Stereo Image Link and British Mode options. The Distressor is the product that started it all for Empirical Labs. Born of founder Dave Derr's love of classic compressors like the 1176, LA-2A and Gain Brain (among others), the Distressor incorporates his favorite sonic characteristics of these, along with other unique and interesting features that have made it a staple for audio engineers all over the world. With over 28,000 units in the field, it's safe to say that the Distressor is one of the best selling high end compressors of all time... if not THE best selling. A prominent recording engineer recently wagered that there probably was not a top 40 record made in the last five years that didn't have at least one Distressor on it.

Besides providing a wide range of control and a unique feature set, the Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. This "warmth" or "vintage sound" has become a major issue in the last few decades, as the super clear and linear digital technology does next to nothing to soften "harsh" sounds, nor emphasize the bass frequencies in music sources. Conversely, older analog tape, vinyl records and tube equipment could not be prevented from coloring the sound, often to the frustration of recording engineers. However, many people now realize that this coloring can be extremely pleasant and musical. Digital technology read more is often referred to as "cold" and "brittle" among other terms (although EL prefers "unforgiving").

All eight of the Distressor's curves are unique and distinctive, 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 several actually use different circuitry, and are effectively different compressors. Most exceptional is the 10:1 "Opto" ratio which uses separate detector circuitry to emulate the oldest (and valued) "light controlled" devices, such as the LA-2A.

Another large part of the Distressor's personality and power derive from three modes that color the signal, even without compression. These extended audio modes were designed to allow emulation of some very old and expensive vintage compressors & limiters, and let the Distressor deliver a classic "knee" sound all its own by providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. In addition to the basic distortion mode, Distort 2 emphasizes tube-like 2nd order harmonics, while in Distort 3 setting the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonics more closely resembling tape. Two HP filters -- one in the audio path, one in the detector path -- are also available to help with low frequencies that can cause pumping and breathing.

British Mode

The concept of British Mode came from an unusual setting on the classic UREI LN1176 limiter. The unit was designed to have only four ratios, each ratio being engaged by selecting one of four buttons. However, as early as 1980 (or before), renegade recording engineers, always on the lookout for something a little more "over-the-top," found that you could make all four buttons stay in if you pressed them just right. What resulted was a very aggressive sound that had some elements of the unit's 20:1 ratio, but with unusual knee and envelope shapes. Somewhere along the line, someone called it "British Mode," and the name stuck.

The EL8-X has the advantage of being able to selectively apply this aggressive characteristic -- not just to the "British" ratio (1:1) -- to any of the ratios, simply by engaging the dedicated "British Mode" switch.

Image Link

The original Distressor stereo link function used a summing and phase detection method, which allowed slight stereo image shifting. Although frequently desirable for its phase correction, and its "thickening" on open room mics and other stereo sources, this approach can sometimes be a problem on stereo program material where the producer/engineers want to maintain absolute left/right balance at all times. With the "Stereo Image Link" option, the EL8-X now has three link options - the original "phase" link, the Image Link and the combination of the two, phase and image linking - something never before offered on any compressors or limiters.
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- Freq. response is 2 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.
- Input impedance is 20K Ohms, Output impedance is < 75 ohms
- Time constants - Attack range 50uS - 50mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal modes and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opto mode. Time constants are dependant on ratio.
- Metal Chassis - single height 1.75" high, 10" deep, 19" wide
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item
Shipping Weight: 12.25 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 23 x 18 x 3 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): EL8X Distressor
Stereo
Shipping Weight: 23.8 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 23 x 18 x 5 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): EL8X-S Stereo Pair

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 973-728-2425

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (1 ratings)
Submitted October 30, 2017 by Ron C in Washington, NJ

"Great comp!!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This is a really great comp!!! Has many different features/settings which make it a little tricky to learn what it can do. Searching for vids on it and reading the manual (and rereading several times) can help unlock what the unit is really capable of. I would say this isn't the easiest compressor to wrap your head around feature wise, but there is definitely a reason why it is widely used in great studios (pro and home). Extremely versatile comp thats worth the price!!!

Musical Background:

been playing for a while

Musical Style:

rock, metal, jazz, electronic, and Balinese reggaeton (mostly)
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