Empirical Labs EL8-X Distressor with British Mode and Image Link Reviews

Years ago, I had the usual compressors - 1176, LA2A, but over the past decade I have been tracking with no compressors, and mixing in the box 100%.

While mixing ITB, I have used Empirical Labs Arouser pretty regularly so when it came time to add hardware it was a no brainer to go with the EL8-X. Yes, there is a difference between the software version and the hardware. The software does the job, and does it well during a mix. But wow, the difference in depth/fullness on a snare was obvious compared to Arouser. I could get close, very close with software, but there was a subtle difference in "weight" of the snare as it punched through the mix while sitting where it needed to; even my wife who loved music but knows nothing about creating music noticed it sounded "better". New tool bias? Maybe. But she's indifferent so there must be something to the hardware sounding "bigger", "fuller", "weightier".

Vocals, while tracking I could go pretty hard in Opto mode with it sounding smooth and natural. During mixdown, I could run it like an 1176 and catch the peaks and add some subtle distortion which was perfect for both a rock mix I had, and a more vintage sounding Americana mix (tracked with a 47 into neve pushed to grittiness); the Distressor was excellent in pulling out the energy and hair without it sounding over compressed.

I need another one now!

If there's one compressor to have as a desert isle tool, the Distressor would be it - very versatile.

I've been wondering about this compressor and got my answers. This is a great hardware, especially the HP filters, they are very helpful when tracking and it can be dirty sounding too. Will get another one to get the pair.

Absolutely incredible compressor.

Every studio needs to have at least one great outboard compressor. As a semi-professional engineer I often get asked what unit I would recommend. By far that's such an easy answer. The Distressor is so versatile. It literately works on everything and gives you the vibe of several other well known compressors. The really cool thing about this box is it's more than a compressor. It's also a very nice sounding distortion generator. From subtle to over the top pleasing second and third order harmonics, it does it all.

Want your signal to go from flat to fat? Try running it through one of these! Honestly though, you need to spend some time with one of these. It has so many functions, that the sonic possibilities are nearly endless. From bass, to vocals, from smashing room mics to heavy metal guitars, this thing rocks!

One place I really like it is on bass. It has a really nice high pass filter in the detector circuit that will allow the low end to come though the compressor circuit and not trip the compressor so easily, This allows the comp to act more on the high frequencies so you don't get that pumping effect. There are all kinds of little tweekable settings like this that do cool things.

It has to be the most versatile compressor I've ever used. Can it still do clean compression? Sure, to a point. Especially if you set the attack under 3. Above 3 however it's a completely different animal and the distortion circuit is much more easily tripped and that's a good thing! And if you love distortion, you will love the British mode! That opens up a whole other level of sound and it's brutal in a very good way!

There is a really special mode call the opto mode. It's only available on the 10:1 setting and let me tell you! It's very similar to the LA2A in limiting mode, but with it's own vibe in true Distressor fashion. It sounds great and you really need to hear it for yourself. You will surely be impressed!

I can't say enough good about this compressor and honestly, if you are looking for a high quality hardware compressor that's built tough, is super versatile, and sounds out of this world great, this is the one to get. This would be my desert island compressor. I never want to be without it! It's an industry standard for a reason people. You need one!

A friend that I use frequently for background vocals turned me on to this unit. I have been able to use many great compressors over the years but if I could only have one, this would be it.

First note: plugins can get you 90% there. If you are lucky enough to spend an extra $ for the remaining 10% - well, you can experience the revelation between the software and hardware.

Within the first couple days I put this compressor through its paces. It can be an invisible leveler, and/or as dirty as you want. You can push it really hard, and it still sounds great. Some compressors just spank for the sake of spanking when pushed hard. This compressor adds some harmonic color, and the "spank" really isn't a spank, but moreso that lovely distressor sound (crunch mixed with nice distortion mixed with smooth release mixed with snap). The opto setting is great on vocals, and bass. But you can put it on anything, and it will always work.

The brit mode adds some more weight, depth, and an extra crunch (snap) with some harmonic distortion.

Its just nice. Hard to put into words. But she likes to be abused, or not. You cannot go wrong with this.

Let's see. I'm a home recorder with big dreams and/or more likely a perfectionist. I do believe gear really can inspire though. Anyway, I've tried a lot of different stuff over the years including an 1176LN, Retro Powerstrip, Retro Sta-Level, FMR PCB, and others. I always wanted to try a Distressor, and finally got the opportunity to get one.

It's one of those rare things that actually live up to the hype. It's so flexible/hard to get "wrong". I wish I'd gotten two, one for my 1176 ish sound, and another for the opto sound to follow it, or stereo when the time calls. I love my Sta-Level, but it's kind've a 1-trick poney. The beauty of the Distressor is that it will do whatever you need and sound how your ears imagine it should, in the process.

As the title states I can't wait to buy the 2nd unit for the studio.. I already have the rack space dedicated. One of the most versatile compressors out there. Must have for snares, great on bass, & if you're doing EDM or any Electronica you need this!!

I currently only own one of these but I can say that it's my main vocal compressor. The brit mode adds that perfect "IT" factor to vocals. I love the efficiency of this unit and the ratio button on the front of the box. It makes it easy to dial in a basic range when you're in a hurry and more interested in capturing the magic than over engineering. Instant tone in a box and brings everything that you run through it to the next level. Get one for sure and get two if you have the money. You won't regret it.

This is not a one trick pony! Great piece!

I'm an intern and client at a studio in Hartford, CT . I always sit in live on sessions and see the engineer turn these knobs and just make the signal a amazing in a matter seconds ... If you know how to use these they can be a valuable asset to any professional / home studio..

I am a fan of the Distressor, it's extremely versatile and has a great personality.

I had been "borrowing" one of these from a fellow studio owner for over a year, both as a front end compressor, and for mixing... then my friend took it back! I felt like I had lost my left leg. So, I bought one for myself. This compressor is very versatile, and has become one of my studios "must have" pieces of gear. Works superb on all sound sources. I would highly recommend reading up on some typical settings for this compressor. (Some are given in the manual). You're ears will thank you for using the Empirical Labs Distressor

After 20 years of holding off, I finally pulled the trigger and purchased the Distressor with British mode.

I originally purchased the UAD plug in and loved it but having used the hardware years ago, I knew the tone of the HW was still missing so I splurged and treated myself to this iconic piece. The Distressor arrived in the simplest of packing which threw me for a loop. It came in a cardboard box that looked about as cheap as it gets. That caught me off guard because you would think a company like EL which has sold thousands of these units, would at least put some effort into first impressions.

I unpackaged the Distressor and twisted the big white knobs and found that the resistance on them was a lot tighter than the units I had used 15-20 years before. I immediately emailed SW and had them send me another unit, convinced this first unit was faulty.

The second one arrived a few days later and the result was the same... the resistance on the white knobs is a bit more than I would like and this is the thing that really irks me... the attack knob is perfect but the other three: the input, release, and output are noticeably more resistant! Not cool. This was the same on both units.

I wrote an email to EL to inquire about this and they assured me that the Distressor was deliberately designed this way...

Thats strange I thought because I could swear the units I used before did not have that much resistance. To be continued later...

Anyway, I returned the second unit and installed the first into my rack. I'm happy to report that the Distressor is indeed what I remembered it to be. Its smooth and it spanks when you want it to and it does both extremely well, as well as everything in between. It simply does compression really well and works on just about every source you can throw at it. I have not tried it on the master buss and doubt I ever will because I would need another and 2) its not the tone I want on my master buss...

Speaking of tone... like I mentioned, I do own the UAD version which is great but it does lack the tone of the HW.

Is that tone worth the extra $? Well, thats for your budget to determine. I will say that every studio does need at least one high end compressor and the Distressor covers so many sources, its hard not to make this THE ONE compressor to own so yeah... its worth the $ extra compared to the plug in versions. So, save your money and eventually make it happen.

So just to be clear, I'm giving the sound and features of the Distressor a 5 star rating but the packaging and the inconsistent resistance on the knobs... I have to give that a 2... it really irks me and makes me scratch my head.

Lastly, my friend stopped in recently... he owns the two Distressors from back in the day that I mentioned before and he even commented that the resistance on the white knobs was more than his units. So I am scratching my head because EL claims the design of the units has not changed since its release way back when... Yet, the older units are easier to twist. I don't mean to make a huge deal out of this but when you are in the middle of a mix and you go to twist a knob and the resistance grabs your attention... that ruins the creative flow of mixing and in my book, thats a "flaw".

Just my opinion.

So yeah, the Distressor is a keeper but I would encourage EL to invest a little more time in their packaging and reconsider the resistance on those big white knobs.

Maybe I'm just getting stuck in my ways and crochety, but I refuse to record distorted or rock guitars without a distressor in the chain - the edge and ***** the brit mode adds is a game-changer. Everyone should have one of these in the rack. Not a bad choice if you could only have 1 hardware compressor!