Empirical Labs

The Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor/Limiter is an audio compression unit designed by Dave Derr and first sold in 1995. The name is a portmanteau of distortion and compressor. The Distressor was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame in 2016 and has sold an estimated 40,000 units. Universal Audio, Slate Digital, and Softube all make software emulations of the Distressor.