For a limited time, the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor plugin by Universal Audio is available at Plugin Boutique for $49, an 84% reduction from the list price of $299.
This represents a $250 savings on the Distressor plugin. The promo is a limited-time offer, ending on June 30.
The EL8 Distressor Compressor emulation is available for Windows (64-bit only) and macOS, in AAX, AU, and VST3 formats.
Getting the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor via Plugin Boutique will also land you a free copy of Wave Alchemy’s Pulse ‘80s digital reverb (normally $61), as it is Plugin Boutique’s June buy and get one free deal.
The EL8 Distressor Comp plugin was created in collaboration between Universal Audio and Empirical Labs.
The plugin aims to replicate the distinctive, colorful, and modern sound of the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor hardware unit with high fidelity.
The design of the Distressor picks up where the classic UA 1176 and Teletronix LA-2A comps left off, giving you a versatile sound that can be used for creative or utilitarian applications.
The EL8 Distressor plugin is the only end-to-end Distressor emulation, as it recreates the complete original control scheme while also adding some digital extras.
Empirical Labs states that the plugin also faithfully recreates the tone of the original hardware unit, and many reviewers agree that they have succeeded in this, or at least come pretty darn close.
The core of the EL8 Distressor is its wide array of ratio options, including: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, 20:1, and Nuke.
You can start at 1:1 to provide gentle warming and harmonics to strings or synths without squeezing them. Alternatively, you can go all out with Nuke to add explosive excitement to your mix or room mics.
You can further shape the sound with the signature Dist 2 and Dist 3 distortion modes, which allow you to access different compression textures, such as moving from a thickener, burnished tape, or going all out with a fully saturated sound.
So, at $49, I have to say it’s still a bit of an investment compared to some of the sales we cover.
However, if you’re gonna make an outlay, then it’s hard to go wrong with the EL8 Distressor.
The plugin gained universal acclaim from both pro reviewers and users, with many praising the amount of versatile and usable sounds you can get out of the simple control scheme.
Plugin Boutique states that the EL8 Distressor plugin can be activated online via iLok Cloud or offline with an iLok USB (second gen or higher).
Check out the deal: Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor (84% off @ Plugin Boutique – $49, iLok required)
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Last Updated on June 3, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
