Any plans for a lower end of the market compressor

ozraves · 30th April 2003, 09:57 PM

Dave:

I publish a little online mag called Mojo Pie.

Most of the focus is on gear under $1,000 but we look at more expensive pieces as well. I've found through the sheer numbers the site gets that there is a pent up demand for better gear in the under $1,000 market.

Are there any plans for Empiral Labs to put out any products aimed this market?

--Steve

planet red · 1st May 2003, 02:47 AM

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 · 1st May 2003, 05:09 AM

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 · 1st May 2003, 06:27 AM

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 · 1st May 2003, 03:32 PM

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

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30th April 2003, 09:57 PM	#1
ozraves Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,116	Any plans for a lower end of the market compressor Dave: I publish a little online mag called Mojo Pie. Most of the focus is on gear under $1,000 but we look at more expensive pieces as well. I've found through the sheer numbers the site gets that there is a pent up demand for better gear in the under $1,000 market. Are there any plans for Empiral Labs to put out any products aimed this market? --Steve

1st May 2003, 05:09 AM	#3
Dave Derr The Distressor's "daddy" Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 444	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. __________________ Dave Derr

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1st May 2003, 02:47 AM	#2
planet red Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: historic richmond va Posts: 652	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.

1st May 2003, 06:27 AM	#4
ozraves Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,116	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

1st May 2003, 03:32 PM	#5
faeflora Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: washington dc Posts: 2,010	How about a $2000 all in one box true stereo distressor with one set of controlls?