Modern Compression with Legacy Sound-shaping DNA
If it weren’t for UA’s 1176 compressor or the iconic Teletronix LA-2A, we would’ve never gotten the nuanced, dynamic compressor capabilities of Empirical Labs’ EL8. And this isn’t just about linear history — it’s about the continuation of innovative sound-shaping, kicked off by UA and Teletronix, and revived to resounding critical acclaim by Empirical Labs. In a bit of poetic cyclicality, Universal Audio has partnered with Empirical Labs to deliver a bona fide software simulation of the must-have EL8 Distressor compressor, complete with every bit of color, versatility, and character that made its physical counterpart such a sought-after tool among world-class studios. The UAD EL8 Distressor plug-in features a wealth of sonic sculpting features exclusive to this virtual simulation, including parallel processing options and user-customizable headroom controls, impressing Sweetwater’s most-seasoned studio scholars.
Note: This product requires that you have an iLok account for authorization, although it does not require a physical iLok key. Hardware is required to activate the UAD-2 version of the plug-in. Please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have questions.
Note 2: Do you own Apollo hardware? By purchasing this plug-in, you will receive two licenses: one license allows you to run the plug-in via your computer’s CPU and the other allows you to run it via your Apollo hardware. Please contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have any questions.
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Elevate with EL8
Where others have failed, UA has successfully taken up the gauntlet of emulating the lauded EL8 Distressor, sparing no effort in recreating its distinctive character, ultra-quick attack times, and a bevy of sound-shaping appointments. Like its physical counterpart, the UAD plug-in features an unmatched number of compression ratios, totaling eight options to meet any menagerie of musical needs: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, 20:1, and Nuke. Each of these successively move from warm and smoldering to high-octane harmonics and — in the case of the Nuke option — an all-out explosion of tone. Onboard sidechain capabilities allow for detailed control over your mix, including frequency-specific attenuation and the Band Emphasis tool that intelligently tames harsh peaks.
Uncompromising control and color
Though the Distressor features a variety of compression ratios, that wouldn’t be enough by itself to have earned the Empirical Labs unit a place among the vanguard of modern studio tools. Each of its famed distortion modes — Dist 2 and Dist 3 — are available for easy toggling to introduce any manner of color and saturation, including harmonic distortions for inspiring yet unconventional hues of tone. Custom detector filtering broadens the palette of available compression textures, allowing for mild and moderate embellishment to total destruction of synths, leads, basses, and more. You’re also given a slew of plug-in-exclusive features, including dry/wet mixing for parallel compression opportunities, alongside user-definable headroom control. Artist presets will have you raring to go with any part or track, designed in collaboration with Joe Chiccarelli, Vance Powell, Jacquire King, Jimmy Douglass, and so many more, all of whom have collectively engineered the chart-topping sounds of The Strokes, Jack White, Kings of Leon, and The Rolling Stones, to name a few.
Universal Audio UAD EL8 Distressor Compressor Plug-in Features:
- Painstaking emulation of the hardware Empirical Labs EL8 unit means fully-fledged Distressor compression and processing with limitless virtual opportunities
- Eight compression ratios allow for extremely varied, customizable compression and control that won’t compromise the distinctive character of its hardware counterpart
- Plug-in-exclusive features like dry/wet parallel processing and user-customizable Headroom control allow for tone-shaping opportunities previously unavailable
- Included distortion Dist 2 and Dist 3 settings mean instant sonic color across a wide range of harmonic characteristics
- Versatile sound shaping includes the Nuke setting and detector filtering, leading to near-limitless tone crafting for any part or track
- Flexible sidechain options and Band Emphasis tool let you painlessly refine your mix without eliminating the character of your original recording
