Distressors Stereo linking

Stefbossa · 29th October 2003, 07:54 PM

Hi!

I am planning on getting 2 distressors. These would be my general purpose outboard compressors for tracking, reamping and mixing. I read that they are very flexible and warm sounding and pretty versatile.

Does anyone obtained good result using them in stereo link? For instance with drum over head, room mics or any stereo material...

Empirical Labs mentions that they usually use 2 following serials device to couple them. Should I be worried with a recent one and a three years old for linking?

Any comments on these compressors are welcomed, but they seem to be a standard in the industry.

halljams · 29th October 2003, 10:54 PM

I only have one but i love it.

There are two modifications for the distressors that i know of, one is to improve the imaging when using stereo link.I think it is recommened.

The other gets you a nuked 1176 type sound(all buttons in) when you are on ratio 1:1, or on all the EL8 ratios as well for a different distressor sound, it's purty cool.

groove guru · 30th October 2003, 12:53 AM

I use a pair of Distressors (with both mods) for stereo everyday. Even with the stereo image link you have to set all the controls with care. I like them a lot on the guitar bus and sometimes they can work great on the whole mix. A lot of people say that they don't link up well, but I've had great results using the HP & Link set on the Detector and using Dist2. It can really warm up and tighten a stereo source. I know there are better units out there for this purpose, but it can work IMO.

Fletcher · 30th October 2003, 03:12 AM

I'm quite fond of a pair of EL-8X's [the ones with the "Brit" and "Image" mod] for things like rooms, and drum subs within the context of a mix... I still don't think they track well enough to use them over a 2 mix buss... but then again I have a pair of Trakkers too (so I'm spoiled)

Stefbossa · 30th October 2003, 06:11 AM

Thanks!

What about the idea of having 2 Distressors, one new and one with a good 3 years of intense use?

Do you think there might a noticeable difference when I link them together?

For some gear, usage and time alters the sound and reaction of components drastically...

wilcofan · 29th September 2004, 07:30 PM

I'd like to resurrect this thread and post the same question. What about linking Distressors that are not close in serials and do not have the stereo mod? I can dig not wanting that on a mix buss but what about drum OH's or any sub stereo section?

scotty-o · 29th September 2004, 08:22 PM

I have two Distressors that don't have the mods and are about a year old from one another.
I use them linked for drum subs quite ocassionally and for something like that, I think it's fine. You do have to be very careful to match settings and gain structure but I understand that's the case even for the modded ones.
Just make sure one isn't smashing harder than the other and match the output of the two with the output gain.
In the end mine usually aren't set the same to get a fairly "useable" image (calibration issue, I guess)

It takes a some tweaking to get 'em to be somewhat stereoish.

-Scotty

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29th October 2003, 07:54 PM	#1
Stefbossa Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27	Distressors Stereo linking Hi! I am planning on getting 2 distressors. These would be my general purpose outboard compressors for tracking, reamping and mixing. I read that they are very flexible and warm sounding and pretty versatile. Does anyone obtained good result using them in stereo link? For instance with drum over head, room mics or any stereo material... Empirical Labs mentions that they usually use 2 following serials device to couple them. Should I be worried with a recent one and a three years old for linking? Any comments on these compressors are welcomed, but they seem to be a standard in the industry. __________________ stef@flikstudio.com

30th October 2003, 03:12 AM	#4
Fletcher member no 666 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Foxboro, MA USA Posts: 5,782	I'm quite fond of a pair of EL-8X's [the ones with the "Brit" and "Image" mod] for things like rooms, and drum subs within the context of a mix... I still don't think they track well enough to use them over a 2 mix buss... but then again I have a pair of Trakkers too (so I'm spoiled) __________________ Fletcher R/E/P the Recording Engineer and Producer forums Mercenary Audio the small drinking company with a large audio problem mwagener wrote on Sat, 11 September 2004 14:33 We are selling emotions, there are no emotions in a grid Roscoe Ambel once said: Pro-Tools is to audio what fluorescent is to light

30th October 2003, 06:11 AM	#5
Stefbossa Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27	Thanks! What about the idea of having 2 Distressors, one new and one with a good 3 years of intense use? Do you think there might a noticeable difference when I link them together? For some gear, usage and time alters the sound and reaction of components drastically... __________________ stef@flikstudio.com

29th September 2004, 08:22 PM	#7
scotty-o Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: D.C. / MD Posts: 213	I have two Distressors that don't have the mods and are about a year old from one another. I use them linked for drum subs quite ocassionally and for something like that, I think it's fine. You do have to be very careful to match settings and gain structure but I understand that's the case even for the modded ones. Just make sure one isn't smashing harder than the other and match the output of the two with the output gain. In the end mine usually aren't set the same to get a fairly "useable" image (calibration issue, I guess) It takes a some tweaking to get 'em to be somewhat stereoish. -Scotty __________________ "It's just like being in a reverb sandwich" - D.R. "I wish more musicians were more interested in their "performance" than the "technology" that lets them appear to be musicians" - mixerman499 "He was playing a Fender Precision with flatwound strings, like God meant for man to do." - Jim Dickinson

29th October 2003, 10:54 PM	#2
halljams Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yukon Posts: 92	I only have one but i love it. There are two modifications for the distressors that i know of, one is to improve the imaging when using stereo link.I think it is recommened. The other gets you a nuked 1176 type sound(all buttons in) when you are on ratio 1:1, or on all the EL8 ratios as well for a different distressor sound, it's purty cool.

30th October 2003, 12:53 AM	#3
groove guru Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 134	I use a pair of Distressors (with both mods) for stereo everyday. Even with the stereo image link you have to set all the controls with care. I like them a lot on the guitar bus and sometimes they can work great on the whole mix. A lot of people say that they don't link up well, but I've had great results using the HP & Link set on the Detector and using Dist2. It can really warm up and tighten a stereo source. I know there are better units out there for this purpose, but it can work IMO.

29th September 2004, 07:30 PM	#6
wilcofan Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 387	I'd like to resurrect this thread and post the same question. What about linking Distressors that are not close in serials and do not have the stereo mod? I can dig not wanting that on a mix buss but what about drum OH's or any sub stereo section?

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