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Empirical Labs

Empirical Labs Distressor EL8-X

Discrete FET/opto hybrid compressor

Compressor / Limiter

$1,799Manufacturer list price

Specifications

Type
Compressor / Limiter
Description
Discrete FET/opto hybrid compressor
Topology
FET, Class-A, discrete
Signal path
Analog (recallable / digitally controlled)
Channels
1
Channel format
mono
Form factor
1U rack
Rack units
1
Powered
yes
Power (W)
15
Frequency response
2 Hz - 160 kHz, +0/-3 dB (clean audio mode)
Country of manufacture
USA

Details

Controls: Input, Output, Ratio (8 curves incl. 10:1 Opto), Attack, Release, Distortion mode (Clean/Dist2/Dist3), British Mode switch, Stereo Image Link, 2x high-pass filters

I/O: Balanced DC-coupled analog audio in/out (XLR); Link jack for stereo pairing; no phantom power

Notable use: Adds British Mode and Stereo Image Link over base EL8; widely used mono/pair-linkable Distressor variant

Notes: Mono unit (can be paired for stereo via Image Link but sold individually). Price is Sweetwater street price.

Where to buy

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