Distressor

[Joseph Hanna]

As some of us have discussed here in the past I’ve for years remained a stalwart in regards the idea of a software reverb could in fact never ever replace hardware. I’m convinced we’ve not only crossed that threshold but have gone far beyond. I was even more convinced concerning software compressors. I’ve always considered the Empirical Labs Distressor the most sonically colorful, wonderfully gritty (when needed), most pleasing sounding compressor ever, even when pushed into high ratios and higher distortion. Almost 100% of the time it’s not only a case of great dynamic control but an imparted sonic and texture that I’ve yet to hear from any other compressor, hardware or software.

We’ll along comes the new U/A Distressor plug-in. I honestly can not hear an audio difference. It sounds and reacts exactly like my hardware. It’s on sale now for $99.00. Almost limitless Distressor’s for $99.00. If you’re a Distressor fan…try the demo. It’s pretty darn jaw dropping

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Joseph Hanna

As some of us have discussed here in the past I’ve for years remained a stalwart in regards the idea of a software reverb could in fact never ever replace hardware. I’m convinced we’ve not only crossed that threshold but have gone far beyond. I was even more convinced concerning software compressors. I’ve always considered the Empirical Labs Distressor the most sonically colorful, wonderfully gritty (when needed), most pleasing sounding compressor ever, even when pushed into high ratios and higher distortion. Almost 100% of the time it’s not only a case of great dynamic control but an imparted sonic and texture that I’ve yet to hear from any other compressor, hardware or software.

We’ll along comes the new U/A Distressor plug-in. I honestly can not hear an audio difference. It sounds and reacts exactly like my hardware. It’s on sale now for $99.00. Almost limitless Distressor’s for $99.00. If you’re a Distressor fan…try the demo. It’s pretty darn jaw dropping

OK you will now be strung up by your thumbs for and hour, for willfully engaging in AI = analog insurrection

[Doug Young]

I see $299 for that plugin, where are you seeing $99?

[Sasquatchian]

I'm pretty sure I got the UAD version for $99 or even less during the Black Friday extravaganza sales that all the audio software companies run. Probably had another $25 coupon, so for $75, it was hard to pass up. Great little plug-in.

[AcousticDreams]

Here it is at Sweetwater for $79$$$$$ for 7 more days!
OH NO with a recommendation like that....you've got me thinking.

I was only planning on buying one more compressor plug in...(Seriously ) The Arturia 76....but it has not gone on sale for a long time.

https://www.sweetwater.com/c704--VP_...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Joseph Please tell me more...What is the sonic texture? is it added harmonics, tone? And What makes the compression of the Distressor different in the way it compresses?
If I remember correctly the hardware Distressor is either loved or hated by many.

I will be watching this video later tonight.

[DupleMeter]

I find the UAD plugins to be superb. Their Pultec is the closest to the real thing I've heard...and I run it side by side with 2 real Pultecs.

Though, my current favorite plugin is SSL's version of their 4000E console strip...and I've been very critical of most of the SSL flavored channel strips up to this point. There is something a real SSL dynamics section does that (up until now) no SSL emulation has gotten right. The closest I was able to get was with the Metric Halo ChannelStrip3, which did the SSL dynamics thing really well...but this new 4000E just nails it.

But, yeah, the UAD stuff is great. Well worth it, especially if you can get them during a promotion.

[Joseph Hanna]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

I see $299 for that plugin, where are you seeing $99?

Did you find it Doug? I got mine at Sweetwater. It’s a U/A plug-in.

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Joseph Hanna

Did you find it Doug? I got mine at Sweetwater. It’s a U/A plug-in.

Yeah, found it on sweetwater, apparently an exlcusive for them. $299 directly from UA. I wonder how buying from Sweetwater works with UA's licensing system. I'll probably try it and find out!

[rick-slo]

This plug-in requires iLok I believe. I registered some other plugins with iLok but did not like it.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

This plug-in requires iLok I believe. I registered some other plugins with iLok but did not like it.

Did not like it interesting ? I gotta admit not a fan of iLok Cloud, but have been using an iLok USB stick (dongle ) since 2003 and do like it

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

This plug-in requires iLok I believe. I registered some other plugins with iLok but did not like it.

I use iLok, not an issue, works great. That's not how UA hardware supported plugins are licensed, tho.

I just checked the Sweetwater page, and it appears that this includes both the UA-hardware supported version and their new native versions, which use iLok, so that answers my question. I could go either way, I'd rather have it run on my hardware, but nice that there's an option, and this is pretty nice sale - normally the native plugins use a subscription model.

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

This plug-in requires iLok I believe. I registered some other plugins with iLok but did not like it.

I use iLok cloud and don't find it to be particularly cumbersome. No more so that the application managers used by several other plugin companies (Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, Universal Audio, etc.).

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

I use iLok cloud and don't find it to be particularly cumbersome. No more so that the application managers used by several other plugin companies (Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, Universal Audio, etc.).

Have used iLok for years and have gone through a couple of their updates which turned out to be more complicated and time consuming than I think
necessary to get the current plugins I had to work with.

[Doug Young]

OK, just bought it. Smooth and easy. The way it works is Sweetwater sends you a code that you enter on the UA website. That activates the license, and then the plugin just shows up in UA's UAConnect license and download manager. This is for the hardware-supported version. I didn't look at how to do the native/iLok version, since I have the hardware

[DupleMeter]

So, my one complaint with the plugin is that they seem to have modeled an older version of the Distressor, and didn't include the British mode option.