Empirical Labs® EL8 Distressor
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Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor
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J. North
Spot On
Ahh this thing sounds like the hardware. Don't tell anyone.
.
Impressive
I love my analog Distressor, and once again UAD nails it with their digital version.
W. McMiller
In the pocket
I first experienced the Empirical Distressor Hardware at Prince's Paisley Park studios and immediately put this plugin in my wishlist. When I plugged this in on my lead vocals, the focus and warm was just like the studio! I threw all other compressors out! Even on my vocal buss, all the voices were in your face and I could still dial in the dynamics. Love it!
N. Sharif
Another great UAD plug in
Very nice plugin. Makes the instrument stand out
N. Sharif
UAD are the best! Period
I'm using it on drums and bass and made my mix a day and night difference ! Compared it to the real thing and it's very difficult to differentiate.
Thank you UAD team for this great plug in.
H. Ataka
Sharp sound!
Delicious distortion, sound that comes out earlier, this has both.
C. Howat
Better Than The Hardware
I never really loved the Distressor, I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m better at dialing in tones now, but with the wet/dry mix knob, I can dial in the exact tone I want. Great for drum close mics and vocals. No British mode but maybe in a future version.
C. Kaliampakas
One of the best!
Thats the comp i use most of the times. It works great on everything and it has an unbeatable "sound".
T. Hänel
Awesome Sound Machine!
Works with everything.. from vocals to guitars, synths, drums.. from subtle to extreme. Great compression and great distortion.
K. Gilroy
Will THE REAL DISTRESSOR PLEASE.....
I have been using the Slate version and after hearing the real difference at Conway, I bought it! Now after using it I notice an even bigger difference. It's a smoother warmer distortion. BEST PLUG OF THE YEAR! Thanks Again UAD! Note: This is how we made the kicks mixed with sinewaves sound so killer. The kids call 'em 808s and 909s. I bought my Roland 808 Drum Machine for 50 bucks at a pawn shop in the 80s. I sampled it to DAT and sold it in the LA RECYCLER for 1500. Still have the Tape. - Gilroy
C. Bell
Finally
The majority of my career has been on analog desks mixing with outboard gear. It's only been the last couple years I've been moving to a more hybrid mixing setup. The Distressor is one of my "go to" boxes for several pieces of the mix. I was really missing not having the distressor working "in the box". Finally I can use the same settings as the real box and have it translate into exactly what I get from the hardware. Thanks UA!
B. Krueger
Great comp for guitar
Works well with guitar, transparent to smashing the signal.
J. Nguyen
Modern day 1176
Beast!! Sounds great on almost anything. This hands down is a must have if you want you mix to stand out.
.
A++
The best emulation of one of the best and most versatile compressors ever made. A must-have.
j. tretta
Incredible
It’s my new go to for snare and kick.
G. Venkataraman
Works like magic
Whether you are a novice or pro, you can’t go wrong with this! It’s an amazing compresser with a generous dose of distortion to tame even the most unruly tracks in your mix. I use it to fatten vocals, drums and to make guitar tones cut thru the mix!! It works like a charm and I will never let go of this anytime!
A. Kirakosyan
YES YES YES this is really the best plugin for me.
This plugin I use everywhere.On drums, on basses, on vocals etc.
C. Wandzilak
UAD is out of control
Worse than Apple I tell ya! I bought this thing in a bundle sale because I have a UAD plug-in problem. You own me because I own you, all you’re plug-ins anyway. The Distressor is well…the one and only DISTRESSOR! It does anything to everything and back again. Drums are boom-bastic, bass can get downright dirty, and everything is just covered in saturated bliss OR not depends on what you're trying to achieve but the Distressor excels at bringing sounds to life by crushing the shite out of them! I’ve never owned this “swiss army knife” but now I know why it’s in just about every studio and I’m thankful (kinda) UAD partners with the studio “staple” hardware manufacturers to bring these tools to the average Joe. EL/UAD partnership makes perfect sense as EL has overtly bragged about emulating UA’s classic hardware for years. Either way, a clean yet dirty little plug that yields drastic results with the smallest adjustment which is probably why some users have a difficult time with it. It's not a one knob, one (amazing) trick pony like the LA2A, therefore you have to listen carefully as you dial in your desires. It’s for that reason I don’t necessarily track with it…just yet. It’s very easy to do more damage than good in the wrong unexperienced hands (ears) which is likely a big chunk of UAD’s audience-me included. It can be transparent but again, you can go down a slippery slope with the saturation and the ratios during a perceivably transparent vocal tracking session-can’t undo it so I save it for the mix. Still honing my skills with this beast but it works wonders on everything in parallel which UAD caught onto thus adding a “mix” knob. Distressor does a phenomenal job emulating LA2A/1176 but there is still some sonic differences that I can’t quite put my finger on but its close. You could spend hours in this sonic playground with a drum loop that could send you into psychosis but you only have 335 more hours to dial it in before the DEMO expires. Couldn’t pass it up during this sale. If you have a creative bone in your body, you want this.
c. kestner
AMAZING on drums!
This is by far the most amazing compressor I've ever used on drums. It really make the kick slam and the snare pop!
O. Glans
Amazing!
This is truly the most versatile tool in my arsenal!