FREE UK Shipping on orders over £99

1-hour Delivery Window on most UK orders

We Ship Internationally via

Empirical Labs EL8-XXX Distressor

Empirical Labs EL8-XXX Distressor

Empirical Labs EL8-XXX Distressor

Empirical Labs EL8-XXX Distressor

Empirical Labs EL8-XXX Distressor

Celebrate 30 years of Distressor excellence with this limited-edition, transformer-enhanced compressor/limiter that blends classic character with modern studio versatility.

£1,996.00 (Inc VAT)

£1,663.33 (Ex VAT). Shipping calculated at checkout.

Empirical Labs’ EL8XXX Distressor commemorates three decades of one of the most revered studio compressors ever made, celebrating the legacy with a distinctive red-faced, limited-edition unit that’s as sonically bold as it looks. Built around...

Backorder, Available To Order

Click Here to Check Stock Availability and Get Our Best Price.

Product Information
Shipping & Returns

Empirical Labs’ EL8XXX Distressor commemorates three decades of one of the most revered studio compressors ever made, celebrating the legacy with a distinctive red-faced, limited-edition unit that’s as sonically bold as it looks. Built around the classic Distressor architecture, this single-channel digitally controlled analog compressor/limiter gives you everything engineers have come to rely on for decades — from subtle leveling and coloration to aggressive limiting that can tame even the most unruly transients.

The EL8XXX combines the updated feature set of the EL8-X platform — including Stereo Image Link compatibility and British Mode behavior — with a high-quality Triad HS-56 input transformer that adds palpable clarity, harmonic richness, and impactful low-end weight. This transformer, paired with carefully selected discrete components, enhances saturation and presence while lowering input impedance in a way that thickens sources without sacrificing detail. Whether you’re shaping vocals, drums, bass, guitars, or mix busses, the Distressor’s flexible control scheme ensures you can tailor dynamics with precision or attitude.

With a broad array of compression ratios ranging from gentle 1:1 for coloration without heavy compression to bold “Nuke” brick-wall limiting, plus classic opto-style behavior at the 10:1 setting, this unit adapts to virtually any task in the studio. Fast attack and release controls, multiple high-pass filters, and metering make it intuitive to dial in exactly the feel and response you want, while rugged construction keeps it dependable in any professional environment. For anyone seeking modern dynamic control steeped in classic feel and celebrated heritage, the EL8XXX delivers both character and control in a package worthy of its anniversary status.

Key Features
• Legendary Distressor dynamics with digitally controlled analog circuitry
• Multiple compression ratios: 1:1 to 20:1 plus “Nuke” limiting
• Transformer-enhanced input with Triad HS-56 for added weight and color
• British Mode and Stereo Image Link compatible feature set
• Independent attack, release, input, and output controls
• High-pass filters in audio and detector paths for precision response
• LED metering and indicators for gain reduction and harmonic drive
• Rugged steel 1U rackmount chassis with unique anniversary red panel

Shipping – For next day delivery you must order before 3.30pm

UK Mainland – Orders over £99 qualify for FREE standard shipping (1-3 working days) We also offer a range of chargeable express shipping options for next working day, pre 12pm, pre 10.30am, Saturday deliveries and deliveries on a specific date. Our main UK courier is DPD.

UK Non Mainland – Not eligible for free shipping. These areas include (but are not limited to) Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Jersey, Guernsey, Northern Ireland, Orkney, Scottish Highlands and Shetland. Shipping costs for these ares will be calculated at checkout.

International/Export – Delivery charges will be calculated at checkout. All orders that are in stock we aim to dispatch from our warehouse within 48 hours. We ship all orders outside of the UK, NI, Isle of Man, Channel Islands via Fedex. All prices and delivery charges are exclusive of VAT for export. The customer is responsible to pay for any additional duties and charges.

Read more on our shipping information page

Need to return an item? No problem.

If you have an SX Pro account:
Login, go to your Order History find the invoice for the item you want to return, click on the invoice then select “Request a return”, then select the item and quantity you want to return. This will take you to the returns form, simply fill it in and wait for our response.

No account, or orders prior to 31/03/2021
Simply fill out the returns form on this page and wait for our response.

Read more on our returns page