5-Min UAD Tips: Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

The EL8 Distressor compressor is revered in studios all over the world as a “must-have” compressor. Versatile, super fast, and offering tons of color, the Distressor is a modern classic compressor, heard on thousands of hit records.

In this video, watch as Universal Audio's Ben Lindell shows you how to harness this powerful tool, on drums, acoustic guitar and vocals, creating exciting textures and colors that will make your mix "pop."

First, Lindell straps the Distressor on the drum bus, showing you how to create slamming, natural-sounding grooves. Secondly, he shows you how to dial in the Distressor's Attack and Release controls to "lift" an acoustic guitar track, giving it more body and depth. Finally, Lindell shares his fail-safe vocal settings to give a lead vocal an organic, dynamic sound tone that oozes character.

Watch the full UAD 5-Min Tip video and learn how the EL8 Distressor compressor can transform your mixes into something truly special.