Any plans for a lower end of the market compressor

[planet red]

I would love to see a compressor with just the nuke button on it. Every time I get to use a distressor I always want it on kick or snare.... and nuke the room mics. So something like a half rack compressor thats always in nuke, doesnt need many controls... just an input and output knob like the fatso. As long as the price was reasonable I'd know a ton of people that would pick a couple up.

[Dave Derr]

STEVE

Thanks for your question and interest. I am always thinking of lower priced products, have actually designed a few and then shelved them for various reasons. (Some folks have prototypes) As Empirical Labs grows it will become more likely that we will do some MI (under $1000) products.

Our motto has always been to "design a few good products and support the hell out of them". As a small company, you can only support so many products well, and therefore, we have kept our product line lean. We also like to be thought of as kind of a premium company (if I may be so pretentious) and by keeping everything "professional" - I.E. balanced (differential inputs in and out), with military grade parts, unusual features, easy to use controls, and of course good customer service etc, it helps justify our higher price.

One other basic business reason keeps us from making lower priced gear... If we made a cheaper compressor for instance, it would affect the sales of our premium stuff. This would give our guys more things to do for more products, therefore not only split our market, but possibly cut into the time we spend tweaking, QCing and supporting our more premium gear.

[ozraves]

Dave--

I agree on protecting a premium brand. I think there are a couple ways of approaching the problem. I like what Grace did with the 101. They put out a good preamp but not something the pro customers would buy instead of the 201. Obviously, the wall wart and one-half size unit helped in addition to the more technical differences.

BTW, I would like to grovel to you sometime about a short interview like the one I did with Tim Farrant.

--Steve

[faeflora]

How about a $2000 all in one box true stereo distressor with one set of controlls?