Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
Earn rewards every time you shop at AMS. You'll collect points on eligible purchases that turn into promotional savings on future gear, with points typically available several days after your order ships. All you need is a free AMS account — no credit card, financing, or payment plan required.
The more you shop, the more you earn. Create a free account and start earning from your very first eligible purchase. Rewards are applied as a discount on future eligible purchases.
Earn rewards every time you shop at AMS. You'll collect points on eligible purchases that turn into promotional savings on future gear, with points typically available several days after your order ships. All you need is a free AMS account — no credit card, financing, or payment plan required.
The more you shop, the more you earn. Create a free account and start earning from your very first eligible purchase. Rewards are applied as a discount on future eligible purchases.
Earn points on eligible purchases with AMS Rewards and turn them into savings on future orders, no credit card required. You can apply points at checkout once they’re available.
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Did you know AMS is the only music distributor with four distribution centers? And that means we can offer super-fast shipping on all your music products. Whether you don’t want the spark of inspiration to fade or you really need that replacement speaker before the next show, we have you covered anywhere in the U.S. And even better, it’s FREE!
You shouldn’t have to pay extra for a little peace of mind. When you purchase from AMS, you’ll get a free 12-month extended warranty to cover your purchase — and that’s in addition to any manufacturer’s warranties! Thousands of items in our catalog feature the “Gold Lock Extended Warranty,” so you can feel confident in your purchase.
45
Day return
Sometimes the gear on the computer screen seems like a better fit than when you actually get your hands on it. We understand, and that’s why AMS offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with an item, you have a full month and a half to send it back! We don’t want to just sell you gear. We want to sell you the RIGHT gear — even if it takes a few tries.
Canadian Shipping Information
Welcome Canadian musicians! Buying your gear from AMS is as easy as going to a local music store, with more selection and more than competitive prices!
Items with this logo are eligible to ship to Canada. Please note that you will be responsible for payment of brokerage fees, duties and other import taxes applicable to your order.
NOTE: Free shipping offers do not apply to Canadian orders. Please be aware of custom fees - such as taxes and duties - when your order arrives. Since these fees vary from location to location, CUSTOMS FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN SHIPPING CHARGES. Please check with your local customs office for more information on the fees in your areas. Refusal to pay these fees will result in an undeliverable order. If returned, we do not refund shipping charges and may assess restocking fees to cover return shipping expenses.
0% Interest
Payment Plan
Don’t sell your soul to a creditor to get the gear you need. At AMS, we want to lower the barriers to create. That’s why we offer in-house 0% financing, and you don’t even have to open a new line of credit! Spread out payments on your credit card to simplify financing and avoid hefty late fees or service charges. Cost shouldn’t interfere with your creativity.
The Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor is more than just a compressor; it's a legend in the studio world. Born from a love for classic compressors like the 1176 and LA-2A, the Distressor combines the best sonic characteristics of vintage gear with modern flexibility. It's the secret weapon you've heard on countless hit records — a powerful tool that can subtly warm up a vocal or completely obliterate a drum track.
If you're looking for one piece of hardware that can do it all with analog character and precision, the Distressor is your answer.
More Than Just Compression
Step into a world of sonic possibilities. The Distressor isn't just about controlling dynamics; it's about shaping tone and adding attitude. With its unique combination of compression ratios and harmonic distortion modes, you can sculpt your sound in ways that are simply impossible with other compressors.
Eight Unique Compression Curves: The Distressor is like having multiple compressors in one box. From the subtle 1:1 mode that adds gentle harmonics to the aggressive "Nuke" brick wall limiter, each curve offers a distinct personality. You can go from smooth, transparent control to explosive, in-your-face compression with the turn of a knob.
Iconic 10:1 "Opto" Ratio: Get that classic, smooth LA-2A-style compression without needing a separate unit. The Distressor uses dedicated circuitry to emulate the cherished "light-controlled" behavior of vintage optical compressors, perfect for vocals and bass.
Custom-Designed Gain Control: The Distressor delivers its signature warmth through a custom gain circuit designed to combat the "cold" and "brittle" sound of digital recording. It adds a pleasant, musical color that softens harshness and brings out the richness in any audio source.
Enhance Your Sound with Harmonic Distortion
The Distressor's real magic lies in its ability to add analog color and texture to your tracks. These modes allow you to emulate the sound of vintage tape machines and tube gear, giving your digital recordings the life and warmth they've been missing.
Three Distortion Modes: Beyond compression, the Distressor offers three distinct harmonic distortion modes. Distort 2 adds tube-like 2nd order harmonics for a warm, fat sound, while Distort 3 focuses on 3rd order harmonics that closely resemble the saturation of analog tape. These modes can be used with or without compression to add grit and character.
High-Pass Filters for Clean Compression: Tame unruly low-end frequencies that can cause unwanted pumping. The Distressor includes two HP filters — one in the audio path and another in the detector path — to ensure your compression remains tight and focused, without being overwhelmed by bass.
Built for the Modern Studio
The Distressor is built to be the ultimate studio workhorse. Its intuitive interface and robust construction make it a reliable tool for any recording or mixing session. Whether you’re tracking, mixing, or mastering, it delivers consistent, high-quality results every time.
The Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor is a modern classic for a reason. It combines the soul of vintage gear with the versatility and control required by today's engineers, making it an indispensable tool for creating professional, radio-ready sound.
Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Features:
Classic "knee" compression with modern flexibility
Eight unique compression curves, including the famous "Nuke" limiter
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 max. output to min. output in 1:1 mode. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise in distort 3 mode
Distortion Ranges: between .02% and 20% depending on distortion mode and release times set on front panel
DC Coupled Output: High quality input caps
Input Impedance: 20K Ohms, Output impedance is < 75 ohms
Time Constants: Attack range 50uS - 50mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal modes and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opto mode. Time constants are dependant on ratio
Metal Chassis: single height 1.75" high, 10" deep, 19" wide