Empirical Labs PUMP
500-series classic-knee compressor (Distressor-derived circuit)
Compressor / Limiter$699Manufacturer list price
Specifications
- Type
- Compressor / Limiter
- Description
- 500-series classic-knee compressor (Distressor-derived circuit)
- Topology
- FET, Class-A, discrete
- Signal path
- Analog (recallable / digitally controlled)
- Channels
- 1
- Channel format
- mono (stereo-linkable, 2 modules)
- Form factor
- 500-series module
- Connection
- API 500-series rail
- Powered
- no (powered via 500-series rack/lunchbox)
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 175 kHz (-3 dB points)
- Impedance (Ω)
- input 120k (instrument), 20k (balanced line); output <75
- Country of manufacture
- USA
Details
Controls: Input Level (w/ clip 'BAD' indicator), Ratio (8 settings, 2:1-20:1), digitally-stepped Attack, digitally-stepped Release (incl. Opto), AtMod (attack modification) w/ bypass, 110 Hz detector high-pass filter (switchable), Saturation Soft Clipper, Gain Reduction metering, Stereo Link
I/O: Balanced line input, 1/4" instrument input; requires API 500-series lunchbox/rack for power and I/O
Notable use: Used by producer/mixer Jacquire King (Arctic Monkeys, James Bay, Modest Mouse)
Notes: This is the '500-series Distressor' variant referenced in the task brief - marketed as '500 Series Classic Knee Compressor with Distressor DNA', a distinct circuit/product from the rack Distressor (separate row per task guidance: 500-series vs rack). Price is Sweetwater street price; Empirical Labs site does not list wattage or country/year for this model.