Why two distressors

So hardware Eq's and Comps vs. I think is a matter of taste, preference and budget. Is there a difference between real deal analog EQ's and Comps? Of course there is. Is it the kind of difference that is worth a couple thousand dollars? Often times not. I deal with this battle constantly. But everytime I rent it, I'm like "Damn would i really pay 3 grand for this thing?!

It almost seems insane. I mean at that point you've got to do some really good justifying in your head because a compressor like that, is not going to make you sound 3 grand better. It's not like you will sound like Dr. Dre after you drop 3 grand on just about any piece of gear. So it's a tough call and I know I'm not really answering your question that well.

But I'd say depending on your preference and how much of a slut you are, you could get away with making amazing tracks with only some creativity, and a powerbook, or even a four track.

It's similar to driving a luxury car. A Hyundai and a Benz will both get you to the place you need to go. The Benz will obviously make you feel much better about yourself and is obviously a much more enjoyable experience.

But a Benz will not get you to where you need to go any better than a Hyundai. Only in style of course I guess also to add to your question, EQ is pretty important. Atleast in my opinion. I'd rather step to an EQ first over a compressor. Especially hip-hop stuff regardless of whether it is mainstream jiggy influenced or indie sample based influenced.

I think often times with hip-hop stuff it is really easy to get dis-illusioned by compressors. You'll plug it in dial up settings that you know work crank the make-up gain and BAM!

But then you realize it's just louder becasue you cranked the make-up gain. But I think when you match the level of what's going in with what's coming out, pending on your mix, I think sometimes the you can't really tell the difference. The untrained ear will defintely not know which is better.

I'll play mixes for my girl friend being run through the AL Smart, before and after levels matched and she won't be able to tell a thing unless I start using high ratios to create pumping which is not what you probably want. However, with an EQ, I think the difference is obvious.

I mean when you boost and cut you can normally tell whats going on. And I've gotta say So in my opinion it is VERY worth buying. Cuz I mean, i sat there with a pair of distressors, an Al Smart C2 and a Manley Variable-Mu and I was shooting it out against a bunch of software compressors, and I mean the differences were subtle compared to my Sonalksis, Waves Renaissance etc It was definitely really hard to justify buying a compressor first.

Most people who I know who are really fired up on compressors are mostly my rock buddies who need them to really control peaks etc For something like instrumental hip-hop where right out the bat the beat is cracking in most cases, the dynamics don't change a lot. It's not like you'll hav e a really loud heavy metal part and then break into a really quite whispery part and then back into a heavy metal part.

You know what I mean? A compressor is not always as necessary. I defintely feel I will get one at some point, i agree that they can tighten things up a little but it's not first on the list for the kind of stuff I do.

One or two distressors. How about ? In my world I have 4 and they get all used on every mix I do. Originally posted by Fletcher In my world Re: One or two Distressors?

Originally posted by Branislav From the moment I heard what a Distressor can do to a bass guitar sound a decided I must have one. Jason Poulin. Don't hesitate! I'm getting curious. Originally posted by sadworld sounds like everything goes good with a distressor Top Mentioned Manufacturers. Metal Chassis — single height 1. Shipping info — Mono box dimensions Stereo Pair box dimensions Upgrade to an EL8-X.

British Mode Switch Modification. Stereo Image Link Modification. Schedule Now. Stereo Pair Upgrade. British Mode and Image Link Switch. Both units are matched as a stereo pair. What kind of Distortion does the Distressor offer?

How many units can I link together? Why would I use a ratio? More FAQs. Magazine Reviews. Attack Magazine. Sound on Sound. Sound on Sound Reviews the Distresor. Signature Sound. Gear Review: Empirical Labs Distressor. The Record Shop. Recording Lounge. Empirical Labs Distressor Review by K. Michael Brauer.