Get mixes and masters with sweet tube clarity.
The Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor is revered in studios the world over as the modern, “must-have” compressor. Versatile with tons of color, the Distressor picks up where the legendary UA 1176 and Teletronix LA-2A compressors leave off — giving you a modern tool that’s equal parts utilitarian and creative, as heard on thousands of hit records.
Included Versions
UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.
Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.
UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.
- Expertly shape tracks and masters with Manley’s ultra-boutique tube EQ
- Dial in punch, air, sizzle, and clarity without adding harshness
- Add weight and heft to an entire mix without adding mud
- Harness complex band interaction and tube amp distortion for organic, musical textures