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The 6 Best Distressor Plugins & Compressors for Audio Engineers

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Empirical Labs’ first success story came to be when their founder, Dave Derr, inspired by some of the most legendary compressors, such as the 1176 and the LA-2A, combined everything he liked about them creating the Distressor. Distressor is one of the best compressors to process vocals, guitars, bass guitars, drums, and much more, thanks to its broad range of control and unique feature set. It’s ideal to apply a layered distortion effect or get a linear response for your compression, even at extreme settings. There are many plugins for this unit, so we’ll talk about the best ones.

What Is A Distressor Plugin?

A Distressor plug is a digital emulation of the classic Empirical Labs Distressor. Long story short, it’s a compressor that lets you add 2nd and 3rd order harmonics, imitating tape distortion, and the characteristic tube compression sound from the ’60s and ’70s.

Distressor plug-ins are great for processing drums and give them punch and strength, its distortion modes are ideal to make a drum sound huge using it in brit mode, but it’s also great to seamlessly compress a great deal out of your source material.

Why Would I Use A Distressor Plugin?

You’d use it if you want to compress a vocal and give it some grit, or if you mix rock or metal music and want to get a more aggressive drum tone. If you mix Hip-Hop, a Distressor plug-in is perfect to tighten up vocals and get them to stand out in the mix.

You can also use the distress or as a very aggressive flavoured compressor in an EDM mix, using Distressor’s highest ratio setting or as a stylish vintage saturator at the end of your processing chain and even choosing which flavour with its distortion modes.

What Are The Best Distressor Plugins?

Here’s the complete list of the best Distressors:

  1. Empirical Labs Mike E Comp
  2. Slate FG Stress
  3. UAD Distressor
  4. SKNote Disto
  5. Empirical Labs Arouser
  6. Modern Deathcore (Free)

1. Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp

Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp
$199 list price ($99 on Sale)

Precisely modelled in close collaboration with Dave Derr, Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp offers high-calibre, one-of-a-kind saturation/compression based on the famous ELI Distressor. 

Pros:
  • Preamp is separate from the CompSat section. Cranking the Preamp above 12dB adds soft-clipping & smooth saturation to vox & guitars.
  • Unique Multi-stage preamp design. Triode-type sat. affect the signal at low gain & a second clip-circuit flattens the peaks at high levels.
  • Long 100ms attack is quite useful for slow strings and vocals to pass through, as they get creamy saturation in the CompSat section.
  • Great for increasing the perceived loudness of a track by adding depth, dimension, and bass extension, without adding too much actual gain.
  • Can be used as a module within Softube's amp room. Great for electric guitars. Can't stress enough!
Cons:
  • Emphasis mode is quite intricate. Would've been better to have visual feedback as un-trained ears can't make full use of it.
OS Compatibility: Win10+, macOS 10.13+
Plugin versions: VST, AU, AAX, 64-bit

Kicking off with a stellar plug-in born of the combined efforts of Empirical Labs, the creators of the original Distressor hardware units, and Softube, one of the best hardware emulation developers, let’s talk about the Mike-E comp.

Mike-E comp’s saturation is amazing to add aggression and increase the perceived loudness without causing any increase in gain or losing snap, even when the saturation control is set at the maximum level.

The compressor includes added attack settings all the way to 100ms, which doesn’t exist in the analog distressor counterpart, and it’s just amazing for parallel use. The compressor performance is remarkably clean, regardless of how much gain is being reduced, making it much more appealing for using it in different sources.

2. Slate Digital FG-Stress

Slate Digital FG-Stress
$149.00

Slate Digital brings us a 1-to-1 recreation of the Empirical labs' distressor. The FG-stress is also available in their virtual mix rack, along with many other slate plugins.


Pros:
  • Licensed emulation of the original Empirical Labs Distressor.
  • Simple in theory. 1176-style compression-the more you crank the input, the more comp. you get, as the threshold is fixed.
  • Detector boasts an HPF at 86Hz for controlling the kick & bass, and a bell EQ at 6kHz, placed perfectly for taming vocal sibilances.
  • You can link and move the Input and Output levels in tandem by holding down ‘Shift' which allows for clinical compression.
  • Simplified GUI. Extremely easy to understand.
  • Great for parallel processing your dry drums or vocals with the mix knob.
Cons:
  • Like Universal Audio, It's only available for Slate Digital's VMR, which can be an issue.
  • While mid-range compression on vocals is transparent, it could've been less harsh, especially as it moves VCA to Opto.
OS Compatibility: Win8+, macOS 10.14 Mojave+, Apple M1 Supported, 64-bit Only
Plugin versions: VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX Native formats.

Slate Digital brings us a 1-to-1 recreation of the Empirical labs’ distressor. The FG-stress is also available in their virtual mix rack, along with many other slate plugins.

One interesting thing about this distressor emulation is that the ratio curves change their character and topology, bringing a new style of compression with each one of them. It also includes different detection options and two distortion modes, as well as a mix knob.

Compared to its hardware counterpart, it’s a bit darker, and the harmonic distortion adds more low-mids in this emulation than the original hardware, which sounds more open and snappy.

The Mike-E comp emulates the natural harmonics of the original unit a lot more accurately in comparison, but the FG Stress can be very helpful with vocals or guitars to add rich analog warmth.

3. Universal Audio EL 8 Distressor

EL8 Distressor
$299.00

The EL8 Distressor is a versatile analog compressor that has become a studio staple known for its adaptability, range of coloration, and precise control over dynamics in audio processing.

Pros:
  • Very close emulation of the original hardware. Hard to tell the difference.
  • Quite rare to find such realism. Can make drum busses alive and full by tweaking just the attack, release, input & output.
  • Dist2 and Dist3 control second and third-order harmonics. Engaging them can add character and grit to your vocals in the chorus.
  • The famous Dbx160 Slow attack-fast release, soft-knee comp. It works great on a full mix here and helps to let the mix breathe more.
  • The headroom control keeps your overall gain stage under check as it's easy to go overboard.
Cons:
  • Can't think of any!
OS Compatibility: Windows 10+, macOS 10.13 high Sierra+, 64bit only.
Plugin versions: VST, AU, AAX.

Universal Audio brings us its own emulation of this classic analog compressor and a pretty close one as well. As we all would expect from this company, this model is pretty close with very subtle audible differences from the original unit.

This plugin is based on the empirical labs EL8 distressor, and is available exclusively for UAD hardware and Apollo interfaces, and it’s an end-to-end model of Derr’s iconic hardware.

It’s an incredibly faithful emulation of this unit with the difference of being a tad thumpy and a little less snappy, as opposed to the hardware, which adds more clarity.

This UAD version is one of the very best plugin emulations of this analog classic, and it’s said to be the only faithful emulation of the empirical labs el8 distressor.

4. SKNote Disto

SKnote Disto-S
$49.00

With Disto you can make any source material sound fatter, bigger, and punchier with very few moves. The distressor emulation s pretty open and very natural, compared to the other plugins we've seen so far it's pretty comparable with UAD distressor and the Mike-E comp.

Pros:
  • Hottitude' adds & bypasses distortion, while the ‘Warmth' knob helps you roll off unpleasant highs within the ‘Fatso.'
  • Engaging the ‘Trafo' button provides an analog transformer-like feel, which can be great for group buses.
  • 2 separate Hi-Passes for removing the low end from the detector(left) and the output signal(right), depending on whether you want pre-saturation HP or post.
  • Great price point to get into the world of distressors. Bang for the buck!
Cons:
  • Without the ‘Warmth' knob engaged, the inherent distortion is quite harsh. Might work on say, metal guitars; but not always.
  • Gain knobs are very sensitive, while scrolling with the mouse, making it unsuitable for micro-adjustments.
OS Compatibility: Win7+, macOS 10.11+
Plugin versions: VST, AU, AAX, 64-bit, 32-bit
DISTO

This is a dynamic processor inspired by two absolute classics originally created by empirical labs: the Distressor and the Fatso. The top two rows of the GUI are a pair-like distressor emulation and the one at the bottom is the Fatso.

This plugin offers you two character modes which are standard, which has the character and headroom of the original models, and out of order, which offers a much stronger processing and effect.

With Disto you can make any source material sound fatter, bigger, and punchier with very few moves. The distressor emulation s pretty open and very natural, compared to the other plugins we’ve seen so far it’s pretty comparable with UAD distressor and the Mike-E comp.

However, keep in mind that Disto’s input gain and output gain knobs are much more sensitive than the other plug-ins, which is not so great for delicate appliances. Nevertheless, it’s a really good plugin, with good harmonic depth, plus, is one of the cheapest distressor type plugins available.

How does it sound?

Before
On drums
On bass
On distorted guitars

After

No compression, just hottitude and distortion to the kick and drum bus
Adding compression and hottitude to make the bass fatter and rounder
With just a subtle amount hottitude for more body and distortion for colouration

5. Empirical Labs Arousor

Empirical Labs Arousor
$199

This plug-in similar to the original hardware counterpart works amazingly on any source and overcomes most of the other software plugins

Pros:
  • Easy to understand controls and signal path. Fairly clean UI with time settings on top & side-chain EQ at the bottom.
  • Sounds great on bass in parallel compression, especially when you crank the saturation & ‘Rivet' it.
  • ‘Attack Modification' gives you aggressive comp. without choking your drums. You can dial to 10, get the punch & pull down the wet.
  • Can emulate the LA2A, 1176 & Dbx within the presets. Worth trying out if you're looking for a FET, Opto, or VCA-style Distressor.
Cons:
  • None!
OS Compatibility: Win7+, macOS 10.7 Lion+, 64-bit Only
Plugin versions: VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX Native formats
EL AROUSOR

Arousor is yet another digital recreation of the classic empirical labs distressor unit, by the guys from empirical labs themselves. This plug-in similar to the original hardware counterpart works amazingly on any source and overcomes most of the other software plugins we’ve mentioned above.

When talking about the looks, it has a distressor-like GUI and it’s capable of emulating the infamous analog distressor’s distorted sound, making it a good pick for distressor lovers who can’t afford the analog unit.

It has more ratio possibilities than the analog version and offers a rounder compression while being capable of both transparent and gritty sounds. It also includes an internal sidechain with detector EQ controls that are unique to this software version.

How does it sound?

Before
On drums
On bass
On vocals
After
With a distressor on each element of the drums adding compression, distortion, and transient shaping
Adding compression and distortion.
Levelling with soft compression

6. Modern Deathcore

Antress Modern Deathcore
Free

Modern Deathcore brings to the table an overall good-sounding version of the distressor dave derr invented. It's also a pretty good plugin to use as a distortion effect, and it's pretty effective when working with heavy music with hard-hitting drums and guitarwork, hence the name.


Pros:
  • The distortion sounds really good in bass guitars and drums
  • The compressor is really transparent even with 10+dB of gain reduction
  • The colour button is great to audition which distortion type is best for your track
  • You can enable a filter to cut off low frequencies, which is great when processing low-frequency-based sources
Cons:
  • Couldn't find any
OS Compatibility: Win7+, macOS 10.11+
Plugin versions: VST2, VST3, AAX, AU

Finally, we have a free plugin with the distressor’s abilities and distortion but by no means pretends to be an exact emulation of its analog counterpart.

Modern Deathcore brings to the table an overall good-sounding version of the distressor dave derr invented. It’s also a pretty good plugin to use as a distortion effect, and it’s pretty effective when working with heavy music with hard-hitting drums and guitarwork, hence the name.

It has a GUI that resembles the empirical labs’ distressor, including the classic four analog gain knobs, as well as attack and release. It brings you three pre-colouring modes (HP, DS, HPDS) which you can use to determine what will trigger it.

Summary

To recap, here is the complete list of the best Distressors:

  1. Empirical Labs Mike E Comp
  2. Slate FG Stress
  3. UAD Distressor
  4. SKNote Disto
  5. Empirical Labs Arouser
  6. Modern Deathcore (Free)

Using the Distressor can bring a lot of good to your mixes, as you can use them to give your tracks a unique character and colour. It’s also worth mentioning that you can do just about anything with it, from using it as a saturator for your drums to bringing clarity to a mix or vocal.

In this article, we’ve taken our time to determine what are the absolute best digital emulations of the Empirical Labs Distressor and included different options for different budgets and needs.

Our top picks are the Arouser and the Mike E Comp, both by Empirical Labs. We believe these two give you the best sounds and features. We’d also like to shout out to the SK Note Disto, as it also includes an emulation of the Fatso, adding more to the table than just what everyone else did.

FAQ

What’s The Difference Between A Distressor and A Compressor?

Other than the Distressor ratio names, the key difference with other compressors is the ability of dialing 2nd and 3rd order harmonics to the signal within the same plug in as you’d do with a saturator.

Distressor deviates from the typical settings you’d find in any other compressor. Although some parameters are essentially the same, the distortion component is what makes its sound unique, since you can layer it with the compression and use it on any kind of source material.

Is The Distressor A VCA?

Yes, the Distressor is a VCA soft knee compressor that emulates tube and tape distortion. In the hardware piece, the audio path was completely analog, but the circuitry and controls were digital.

Due to the number of user-adjustable parameters, developers couldn’t use switches to save panel space, which lead them to use a simple set of buttons to allow users to cycle around the option.

Are The Distressor Emulations Good or Is The Hardware Better?

The emulations of the Empirical Labs Distressor are quite good and significantly less pricey than the 1.5k piece of gear. Besides the price difference, the plug-in emulations are capable of much more than the hardware and their sound is pretty similar, so we could say they’re pretty even.

It’s also important to mention that Empirical Labs themselves have made a relatively new distressor-style plugin which gathers all of the original features and a bunch of new features that innovate on their classic.

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