SKU: 73349766687

EMPIRICAL LABS Distressor EL8 Analog Knee Compressor (Single Compressor)

Sale price$116525.25 Regular price$129472.50
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Description

EMPIRICAL LABS Distressor EL8 Analog Knee Compressor (Single Compressor)Classic Knee Sound Programmable Analog Distortion & Warmth 384 Possible Settings Eight Compression Curves Advanced Side Chain EQ True Bypass Hand Wired in the USA The Distressor EL8 from Empirical Labs is a professional compressor that features a wide range of controls and feature set for studio or live applications. The Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. All eight of the Distressor's curves are

  • Classic Knee Sound
  • Programmable Analog Distortion & Warmth
  • 384 Possible Settings
  • Eight Compression Curves
  • Advanced Side-Chain EQ
  • True Bypass
  • Hand-Wired in the USA

The Distressor EL8 from Empirical Labs is a professional compressor that features a wide range of controls and feature set for studio or live applications. The Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. All eight of the Distressor's curves are distinctive, from the 1:1 mode that simply warms up signal with low order harmonics without intentional compression, to the Nuke setting, a brick wall limiting curve that shines on live drum room mics. Some curves have different circuitry, and are effectively different compressors. The 10:1 Opto ratio uses separate detector circuitry to emulate the oldest light controlled devices, such as the LA-2A.

The Distressor features three modes that color the signal, even without compression. These extended audio modes were designed to allow emulation of some very old vintage compressors and limiters, and let the Distressor deliver a classic knee sound all its own by providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. In addition to the basic distortion mode, Distort 2 emphasizes tube-like 2nd order harmonics, while in the Distort 3 setting the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonics more closely resembling tape. Two HP filters, with one in the audio path, one in the detector path, are also available to help with low frequencies that can cause pumping and breathing.

Classic Knee Sound
Improved noise specs and performance
Programmable Analog Distortion/Warmth
Three audio modes provide user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. Emphasized tubelike, 2nd harmonic in clean and Distort 2 mode. In Distort 3 mode, the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonic, more similar to tape
Distortion Indicator Lights
A 1% LED and a Redline (3%) LED providing no hard clipping until a few dB past Redline
Advanced Built-In Sidechain EQ
High mid-band emphasis and low-cut keeps the low sum and difference frequencies from pumping the upper frequencies of source material
Eight Unique Curves
From the 1:1 mode that warms up signal with low order harmonics without intentional compression, to the Nuke setting, each curve has its own personality, and release shape. The 10:1 Opto ratio uses separate circuitry to emulate the oldest light controlled devices, such as the LA-2A
Large Knobs with High Resolution Numbering
They're large for easy readability and repeatable settings, and go to 10.5
Locked, Calibrated, Output Level
Allows speed in setting tape and live mix levels
Switchable 115/230 Volt Operation
Extra fuse provided inside unit
Over Designed Power Supplies
Runs cool, allowing cabinet to be sealed without heat vents and features long life components
True Bypass
All contacts doubled up for maximum reliability with no internal audio connectors
XLR and 1/4" Phone Inputs and Outputs
The XLRs are fully balanced with a transformerless design (pin 2 hot, changeable by user to pin 3 hot)
All metal film and Roederstein resistors in the audio path
Stereo strappable
UPC: 854682006009
In the Box
EMPIRICAL LABS Distressor EL8 Analog Knee Compressor (Single Compressor)
  • 2 x Power Cords
  • Limited 1-Year Warranty
Frequency Response 2 Hz to 160 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB), response is shaped in distortion modes (Dist 2, Dist 3).
Dynamic Range 110 dB from maximum output to minimum output in 1:1 mode
Signal to Noise > 100 dB in distortion 3
Distortion Range 0.02 and 20%
Outputs DC coupled
Attack Time 50 uS to 30 mS
Release Time 0.05 to 3.5 seconds, release goes up to 20 seconds in 10:1 Opto mode
Power Consumption Typical: 10 W
Maximum: 14 W
All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 73349766687

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4.7 ★★★★★
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Steven
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Super product.
Size: 12 Outlet, Size: 12 Outlet
Really happy with this strip. It mounts to the wall on the ends, which is MUCH better than attaching with hidden keyholes. Having a lighted switch above each outlet is very useful and saves both power and extends the life of components not in use. The cable retention on both ends is genius. Wish I had one of these years ago
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
SH
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Great power strip for my shop vac and miter saw!
Size: 12 Outlet
Works great in my garage! I currently have it mounted on the wall and have my shop vac and miter saw plugged in. It makes it incredibly easy to turn the master switch on and have my shop vac and miter saw turn on at the same time. When I’m not using the shop vac and miter saw combo, I shut off their individual switches and I’m free to use the other plugs so the individual switches for each outlet are very handy! It’s very durable as I have it mounted on the wall and has an adequate number of outlets for my work bench. The size is just right and it was very easy to mount. My only suggestion is to space the screw holes on the power strip so that it can be mounted between 2 standard wall studs 16 inches on center for unfinished wall mounting. The screw holes didn’t line up like this so I could only put screws on one side of it and I needed to improvise a way to secure the other side of the power strip to the next stud so it was as mounted securely and didn’t move as I plugged and unplugged things.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Milton Lee
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect power strip
Size: 6 Outlet
Great value for the money. I love the switches for each plug and has lights at each plug; lets you know when you have a outlet switched on, love that. Well-made, heavy-duty cord and circuit breaker, all high quality.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Arthur Liegeois
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
3300 Joules surge protected, sturdy and perfect for my office
Size: 12 Outlet
I purchased this power strip once a few months ago, and just purchased a second one, both for my office! I use the first one screwed at the bottom of my desk to plug in my Mac, 2 monitors, 2 Homepod, 1 external drive, my Echo Dot and a few other things. What I love about this is: 1. It has 12 slots that are perfectly spread out so that all of the power plugs, even the bulkier ones, fit nicely next to each other 2. There is a killer switch on each slot, which makes it globally safer if one of the outlet fries, or if I want to turn off some of the devices while I am away. It also includes a 3300 Joules surge protection, which is quite high comparer to similar power strips! Luckily, I never had to test its efficiency yet... I am pretty sure it won't replace a proper but much pricier UPS device, but it's better than nothing! 3. I love the fact that you can contain all of the wires on the sides, so that they don't dangle and don't get tangled. 4. This is very well built, it feels sturdy. I don't especially like the yellow color, but to be honest, it's hidden anyway! So I just purchased another one to plug in all of the devices that I have on the other side of my office: the eero modem, echo amp, Mac Mini, Nas Drive, printer and the Philips Hue hub and lights, and it all works like a charm, and doesn't catch dust as much as before. Most of the time, I'm very critical about what I purchase, but in this case, I think it's great and worth sharing ;-)
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Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2024
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Verified Purchase
Gene
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Works great! Buying more.
Size: 10 Outlet
Works great! Love the feature that allows you the ability to turn individual plugs off and on. The ability to run the chords through both ends for a clean look is a nice feature too. In the process of buying two more for the bedrooms.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2026

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