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Sweetwater
5.0 (20)
$1,549.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$39.00
Amazon
5.0 (2)
$1,549.00
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$1,549.00
zZounds
5.0 (4)
$1,549.00
Vintage King
5.0 (10)
$1,549.00

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Description

The Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor plugin is a staple in modern music production, capturing the essence of its hardware predecessor with remarkable precision. Known for its ultrafast attack time and versatile compression capabilities, this plugin is more than just a compressor—it's a creative tool that adds depth and character to your mixes. Whether you're warming up synths or adding punch to a drum bus, the Distressor's expansive compression ratios, ranging from gentle 1:1 to the explosive Nuke mode, offer a spectrum of sonic possibilities.

Dive into the rich textures of its iconic Dist 2 and Dist 3 distortion modes, providing a palette of harmonic distortion that can range from subtle thickening to full saturation. These features allow you to sculpt your sound with precision, adding warmth and color to any track. Additionally, the Distressor's powerful sidechain controls enable you to manage dynamics effectively, eliminating unwanted low-frequency pumping and taming harsh frequencies with ease.

With unique "plug-in only" features like the Dry/Wet Mix, you can effortlessly achieve parallel compression, adding punch and clarity to your mix without compromising the original dynamics. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring producer, the Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor plugin is a crucial addition to your virtual studio, offering unmatched flexibility and a touch of analog magic.

Key Features:

  • Emulation of the original hardware Distressor
  • Ultrafast attack time for precise compression
  • Compression ratios from 1:1 to Nuke mode
  • Dist 2 and Dist 3 harmonic distortion modes
  • Advanced sidechain controls for dynamic shaping
  • "Plug-in only" features like Dry/Wet Mix for parallel compression

Product specs

Software Type Compressor
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format AAX, AU, VST3 (UAD Native), UAD DSP
Authorization Type iLok Account Required (UADx Native version)
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel Core 2 Duo or higher, 4GB RAM minimum
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Core 2 Duo / AMD Athlon 64 X2 or higher, 4GB RAM minimum
OS Requirements - Mac macOS 10.15 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 10 or later

FAQs

What makes the Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor plugin unique compared to other compressors?

This plugin offers the only authentic emulation of the EL8 Distressor, renowned for its ability to radically shape sound with nearly infinite gain reduction variations, plus exclusive features like Dry/Wet parallel processing and customizable headroom.

Is the Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor plugin suitable for mixing vocals?

Yes, the Distressor plugin is excellent for mixing vocals, allowing you to creatively color them with its "Dist 2" and "Dist 3" modes, providing both warmth and character.

What are the system requirements for running the Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor plugin on a Mac?

The plugin requires macOS 10.15 or later, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or higher, and a minimum of 4GB RAM.

Can I use the Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor plugin with Ableton Live?

Yes, the plugin is compatible with major DAWs, including Ableton Live, as it supports AAX, AU, and VST3 formats.

Does the Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor plugin require an iLok account for authorization?

Yes, an iLok account is required to authorize the UADx Native version of the Distressor plugin.

Universal Audio

Universal Audio

Introducing the UAD Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Plug-In

Video thumbnail for Introducing the UAD Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Plug-In by Universal Audio

Introducing the UAD Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Plug-In

Universal Audio

Universal Audio

Video thumbnail for The World's Most Popular Modern Compressor | UAD Quick Tips by Universal Audio

The World's Most Popular Modern Compressor | UAD Quick Tips

Universal Audio

Universal Audio

Video thumbnail for This is how you can do EVERYTHING with DISTRESSOR! by White Sea Studio

This is how you can do EVERYTHING with DISTRESSOR!

White Sea Studio

White Sea Studio

Video thumbnail for Drum Compression with Vance Powell & the UAD EL8 Distressor by Universal Audio

Drum Compression with Vance Powell & the UAD EL8 Distressor

Universal Audio

Universal Audio

Video thumbnail for Empirical Labs Distressor Sound Examples | UAD Native & UAD-2 by Universal Audio

Empirical Labs Distressor Sound Examples | UAD Native & UAD-2

Universal Audio

Universal Audio

Video thumbnail for Empirical Labs Distressor (Demo and Overview) by Les Vegas

Empirical Labs Distressor (Demo and Overview)

Les Vegas

Les Vegas

Video thumbnail for UA - Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor - Mixing With Mike Plugin of the Week by Mixing With Mike

UA - Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor - Mixing With Mike Plugin of the Week

Mixing With Mike

Mixing With Mike

Video thumbnail for Distressor Shootout   EL8 Hardware vs UAD Plugin  See how close they sound. There is a difference! by Record Mix Repeat

Distressor Shootout EL8 Hardware vs UAD Plugin See how close they sound. There is a difference!

Record Mix Repeat

Record Mix Repeat

Video thumbnail for Empirical Labs Distressor VS UAD software version by Gearjunkies

Empirical Labs Distressor VS UAD software version

Gearjunkies

Gearjunkies

Reviews

PROS

  • Adds warmth and volume to vocals, enhancing overall sound quality

  • NUKE setting provides unique and powerful compression

  • Distinct character with flexible sound-shaping capabilities

  • Clean yet aggressive compression for various musical styles

  • Enhances dynamic range, making details more present

  • Proven reliability over years of use

  • Versatile for multiple genres and recording needs

  • Transparent and fast, ideal for drum buss applications

  • Instantly improves signal quality in audio chain

  • Built like a tank, ensuring durability and longevity

CONS

  • High price point might be a barrier for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor.

Comparisons

  • UAD Distressor is compared to the Slate and Kiive versions, with some users finding UAD closer to the original hardware sound.

    Source
  • When dialed in, the Distressor's 4:1 ratio with distortion settings can emulate the sound of an 1176 compressor, while 2:1 can mimic a vari-mu compressor's soft knee.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Users highlight the UAD Distressor's opto mode as particularly effective on vocals.

    Source
  • The Distressor's gain reduction LEDs move faster than traditional VU meters, allowing for deeper compression without sounding overly smashed.

    Source
  • The ♈️ detection mode is effective on vocals, acting almost like a de-esser, especially when used in different combinations with the hipass filter.

    Source

User experience

  • The UAD Distressor plugin is noted for its ease of use and quick setup, making it a staple in many users' toolkits.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Some users report the UAD Distressor as a significant CPU drain, especially noted with the UADx version on PCs.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The plugin is favored for handling dynamic drums with aggressive compression without becoming too obvious.

    Source
  • The Distressor excels in parallel compression, particularly effective for beefing up original signals while preserving transients.

    Source
  • The plugin's distortion settings, particularly Dist 2 or 3 with a 6:1 ratio, are praised for their beautiful harmonic qualities.

    Source
  • Opto mode is favored for tracking dynamic vocals due to its forgiving nature at high gain reduction, making it suitable for singers with wide dynamic ranges.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Multiple owners consider the UAD Distressor a steal at $40, especially given its versatility and close emulation of the hardware.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 10 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
xaqary

Damn...

Excellent job. Like the Emperical Labs version better for the added functionality but still. Damn fine job.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Disclosure uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

Disclosure

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

UAD Distressor seen during 4:26 on the Vocal Bus.

See how Mike Shinoda uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

Mike Shinoda

Singer, Guitarist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via YouTube

in this livestream, he used the uad el8 distressor at 57:58

See how Lenno uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

Lenno

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

This Snapshot was taken from 13/02/2021 Twitch Stream (https://www.twitch.tv/helloimlenno), proving that Lenno is using this Plugin.

See how Shapov uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

Shapov

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

This video at 8:35 minutes see UAD Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

See how Josh Ramsay uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

Josh Ramsay

Singer, Guitarist

Marianas Trench

...
Verified via Photo

Josh states that he uses Universal Audio Plugins for his vocals and reveals his personal compression settings in the picture on Instagram.

See how Billy Ray Cyrus uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

Billy Ray Cyrus

Singer, Guitarist

Brother Clyde

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for Ray's vocals on "Old Town Road (Remix)", as stated by mix engineer Andrew "VoxGod" Bolooki in this August 2019 Sound on Sound interview. An image of the settings can be found here.

Billy Ray Cyrus' verse lead vocal provides an example of the mind-boggling complexity of Bolooki's vocal treatments. The audio is spread over five tracks (36-40), four of them with the same insert effects chain of Melodyne, FabFilter Pro-Q 3, FabFilter Pro-DS and Waves CLA-76. The fifth track replaces the Pro-DS with the Avid ModDelay 3, and adds a send to the 'rvb2' aux with the Soundtoys Effect Rack. All five audio tracks are routed to an aux group track (35), which has the Pro-Q 3, Waves C6 and RVox, UA Distressor and SSL Channel, plus a whopping seven sends to delay and reverb aux tracks, and another Distressor aux. The quarter- and eighth-note delay auxes themselves each have four insert plug-ins (Waves H-Delay, Pro-Q 3, MetaFlanger, and DVerb) and a send to the 'rvb1' reverb aux. That means that the verse vocal alone has a total of 38 plug-ins, spread over five audio tracks, one group aux track, and seven aux effects tracks!

Bolooki: "I spoke to a mixer a couple of years ago and asked him how he got things to sound so polished. And he said: 'You can't just throw on a plug-in, you have to take more control, and make sure you purposely put things in different places in different ways.' So, for example, in this song I added the DVerb to the delay auxes, to create a distant effect, so it's not obvious. There are many effects going on, but none of them are overpowering. They are all set back. Nothing gets in the way of the lyrics and the vocal performance. I could probably delete half these effects and it would have sounded the same, but people liked it the way it was, so I left them all.

"This was the first time I used the UAD Distressors and I ended up having two on Billy's vocals: one as part of his main vocal aux, and another set much more aggressively in a parallel and blended back into the same lead vocal aux. This made his vocals really kick ass, and helped make each word crystal-clear. I also ended up copying the Waves SSL strip from Nas' vocals on some of Billy's vocal tracks too, just for some tonal continuity. I have no problem stacking plug-ins on plug-ins. If it's better, it's better.

"Just to highlight some of the other plug-ins I used, there's an aux called 'VoxDoubler' with the Waves Greg Wells VoiceCentric. It definitely adds a bit more of a finished feel and works well mixed in parallel. I put the Waves C6 multiband compressor on almost every single vocal bus, using the 'Pooch Vocal' preset. This cleans up some of the mud. You can solo the side-chain bands and sweep around until you find the annoying frequency, and then just cut that out. If I need to play back something for someone really fast, this is my emergency plug-in to get it to sound better really quickly. Also, the Melodyne plug-in is greyed out, because I printed it. I also like using the Pro-DS, and always put it before the CL76 compressor, because I think it just makes the most sense to fix issues before you boost the whole track with a compressor."

See how Seb Barlow uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

Seb Barlow

Bassist, Music Producer

Neck Deep

...
Verified via Photo

In this post seb shows the universal audio distresser plugin he uses

See how John Fields uses Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

John Fields

Bassist, Drummer

THRUSH

...
Verified via Twitter

In a Twitter post, John Fields expresses his excitement about using the UAD Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor, noting its impressive performance on stereo overheads.

Album Usage

The Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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cotto

cotto

Gear IQ 131

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