Distressor British mod - do or don't?

blackcom · 7th November 2004, 10:05 PM

I'm planning on a distressor mainly for rock bass and vocals - anyone with experience doing that?

Anywayz, I was thinking about this British mod. What is is exactly?
Is it an aditional button or something? Can a Distressor with the british mod ever sound like an un-modded distressor if it wants to, can the mod be enabled/disabled like a feature, do I lose any "original" functionality by adding this mod?

I've never heard a 1176, so I don't know what "the four buttons pressed in" sounds like.

Oh, only have an RNC right now...

jumpnyc · 7th November 2004, 11:40 PM

It's a switch that allows you to have the mod active or inactive. When inactive it acts like an unmodded distressor. The all buttons in trick on the 1176 was a trick that engineers discovered when using the unit. The 1176 allows you to choose ratios with push buttons starting with four and culminating in 20:1. With all buttons pushed in simultaneously, you get a really aggresive limiting that many people like. (I am one). I love the mod. I use it on guitars. It's great.

JB3 · 8th November 2004, 12:55 AM

Absoloooly...Great for vocals...Other preferences for bass, but definitely usable...have a stereo pair ELX8 modded...wouldn't let em out of my sight...

...J

brownmouse · 8th November 2004, 03:35 AM

definite 'do'.......

84K · 8th November 2004, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brownmouse
definite 'do'.......

AMEN

GilWave · 8th November 2004, 02:01 PM

The British Mode modification is described in detail here: http://www.empiricallabs.com/distopt.html#British

It includes an ON/OFF toggle switch and LED indicator, so it can be engaged or not engaged.

Here is an excerpt:

"The original concept of the "British Mode" came from an unusual setting on the classic UREI LN1176 limiter. The unit was designed to have only four ratios, each ratio being engaged by selecting one of four buttons. However, as early as 1980 (or before), renegade recording engineers, always on the lookout for something a little more "over the top", found that you could make all four buttons stay "in" if you pressed them just right. What resulted was a very, very aggressive sound that had some elements of the units 20:1 ratio, but with an unusual knee and new envelope shape. Somewhere along the line, someone called it a "British Mode" and the name has stuck. It is also called "all buttons in" and some other intuitive names."

blackcom · 8th November 2004, 02:28 PM

Hey, thanx guyes....guess that mod will have to come too then...

JB3 · 8th November 2004, 03:23 PM

If you are all ready investing in the unit, the differential in price to have it be "fully loaded" is relatively small...and don't forget that the Forums and eBay have been a source for these from time to time.

...J

GilWave · 8th November 2004, 03:55 PM

Actually, the option of just getting the British Mode mod is no longer available.

You now get both Brit Mode and Stereo Image Link for $200 per unit, which includes a new EL-8X face plate and a nice top-to-bottom factory tweak of your unit(s).

If you have 2, they will do a new stereo/dual mono calibration as well.

-g

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7th November 2004, 10:05 PM	#1
blackcom Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 612	Distressor British mod - do or don't? I'm planning on a distressor mainly for rock bass and vocals - anyone with experience doing that? Anywayz, I was thinking about this British mod. What is is exactly? Is it an aditional button or something? Can a Distressor with the british mod ever sound like an un-modded distressor if it wants to, can the mod be enabled/disabled like a feature, do I lose any "original" functionality by adding this mod? I've never heard a 1176, so I don't know what "the four buttons pressed in" sounds like. Oh, only have an RNC right now...

8th November 2004, 02:01 PM	#6
GilWave Lives for gear Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Jersey, Exit 55 Posts: 1,458	The British Mode modification is described in detail here: http://www.empiricallabs.com/distopt.html#British It includes an ON/OFF toggle switch and LED indicator, so it can be engaged or not engaged. Here is an excerpt: "The original concept of the "British Mode" came from an unusual setting on the classic UREI LN1176 limiter. The unit was designed to have only four ratios, each ratio being engaged by selecting one of four buttons. However, as early as 1980 (or before), renegade recording engineers, always on the lookout for something a little more "over the top", found that you could make all four buttons stay "in" if you pressed them just right. What resulted was a very, very aggressive sound that had some elements of the units 20:1 ratio, but with an unusual knee and new envelope shape. Somewhere along the line, someone called it a "British Mode" and the name has stuck. It is also called "all buttons in" and some other intuitive names." __________________ www.wavedistribution.com Ringwood New Jersey USA "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

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7th November 2004, 11:40 PM	#2
jumpnyc Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 684	It's a switch that allows you to have the mod active or inactive. When inactive it acts like an unmodded distressor. The all buttons in trick on the 1176 was a trick that engineers discovered when using the unit. The 1176 allows you to choose ratios with push buttons starting with four and culminating in 20:1. With all buttons pushed in simultaneously, you get a really aggresive limiting that many people like. (I am one). I love the mod. I use it on guitars. It's great.

8th November 2004, 12:55 AM	#3
JB3 Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCali, USA Posts: 286	Absoloooly...Great for vocals...Other preferences for bass, but definitely usable...have a stereo pair ELX8 modded...wouldn't let em out of my sight... ...J

8th November 2004, 03:35 AM	#4
brownmouse Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,232	definite 'do'.......

8th November 2004, 02:28 PM	#7
blackcom Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 612	Hey, thanx guyes....guess that mod will have to come too then...

8th November 2004, 03:23 PM	#8
JB3 Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCali, USA Posts: 286	If you are all ready investing in the unit, the differential in price to have it be "fully loaded" is relatively small...and don't forget that the Forums and eBay have been a source for these from time to time. ...J

8th November 2004, 03:55 PM	#9
GilWave Lives for gear Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Jersey, Exit 55 Posts: 1,458	Actually, the option of just getting the British Mode mod is no longer available. You now get both Brit Mode and Stereo Image Link for $200 per unit, which includes a new EL-8X face plate and a nice top-to-bottom factory tweak of your unit(s). If you have 2, they will do a new stereo/dual mono calibration as well. -g