Tame sibilance, smooth high frequencies, process highs and lows.

The DerrEsser from Empirical Labs is a multi-function dynamic filtering device, in an API 500 series module format. Perhaps the most flexible de-essing tool available, in its basic "DS" mode, the DerrEsser is an effective, level-insensitve de-esser that adjusts the high frequency gain on overly trebly or spiky vocals, or other source. By using a crossover technique, and dividing the audio up into a high frequency range and a low frequency range, the ELDS DerrEsser can use its Voltage Controlled Amp to turn down comparatively high or harsh high frequencies in an extremely musical manner. However, unlike other de-essers, the ELDS is not limited to just de-essing, and allows for multi use of its circuitry. It also features a high-frequency limiter that can almost entirely remove unwanted fret and finger noise from dynamic acoustic guitar performances, as well as tame aggressive, diaphragm-shaking vocals, in a very musical way.

Besides Bypass, there are essentially four modes of the DerrEsser:
DS Mode— (Bypass Button IN, all other buttons OUT). As a de-esser in the DS mode (HF Limit OFF), one can set the threshold to tame harsh S's (sibilants) that result from an overly bright singer or from EQing to make a vocal sound aggressive and clear. In this mode, the dynamic action is "level insensitive," as the detector circuitry compares the high-frequency content to the low-frequency content. Overall signal level doesn't matter at all. When there is enough HF compared to LF, the threshold is exceeded and the DerrEsser starts to turn down the frequencies above the crossover point set by the Frequency control on the front panel. Great care was taken to ensure this DS section meets the Empirical Labs reputation for originality and ease-of-use by employing the latest technology VCA, specially selected for glitch free, distortion free, and noise free performance. The time constants were carefully selected and the corner frequency is user adjustable with a high-performance active crossover.

HF LIMIT—(Bypass Button IN, HF LIM IN, all other buttons OUT). In this mode, the DerrEsser looks at the general level of the high frequencies only. Think of it as a high-frequency compressor. If there is enough high-frequency content to exceed the threshold, then gain reduction occurs. It's level sensitive, but responds much more to high frequencies. This mode can also act as a de-esser but is more of a general high-frequency smoothing device. The HF limiter is probably the first carefully tailored soft knee HF limiter in existence. Both the DS and HF LIM modes offer what is perhaps the highest performance of any similar device.

HIGHPASS—(Bypass Button IN, Listen IN, HP/LP OUT, HF LIM doesn't matter). By using the "LISTEN" Function, the user can employ the superb filter circuitry inside the DerrEsser to process their audio. With the LISTEN button IN, and the HP/LP switch OUT, the user will be hearing the high frequencies that are being controlled with the dynamic/compression circuits. The corner frequency is adjustable by the Frequency knob. Once the LISTEN switch is engaged, all bar graph LED's should light as indication.

LOWPASS—(Bypass Button IN, Listen IN, HP/LP IN, HF LIM doesn't matter). With the LISTEN button IN, and the HP/LP button IN, the user is now listening to the low frequencies, those not affected by the VCA and dynamic/compression circuits. This is a 12dB-per-octave filter whose corner frequency can again, be adjusted by the Frequency knob.

Requires a 500 Series compliant rackmount frame with power supply. See the A Designs 500HR Rackmount Frame (#241582)

About Empirical Labs:
Empirical Labs was started in 1988 and functioned mainly as a recording studio and electronics consulting firm. The founder, Dave Derr, was also employed at the time by Eventide as an audio engineer and was one of the core designers of their legendary H3000. EL's first product, the EL8 Distressor (#501578) immediately took the recording industry by storm and hardly a record has been made without it since. With a mission "to make products that work a little easier, a little better, a lot longer, and are fun to use," Empirical Labs continues to create unique and innovate products that quickly find homes among the top professionals of the audio industry (and anyone else who wants in on the Empirical Labs sound).

Empirical Labs Users:
Aerosmith - Joe Perry (8 Distressors) Al Schmidt Alanis Morrisette Angela Piva - Mary J Blige, Naughty by Nature, Janet Jackson Ashes dIvide Billy Howerdel Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Niacin, David Lee Roth) Bob Clearmountain - Journey, Bryan Adams, Stones, Springstein, etc, etc, etc! Bob Dylan Bob Powers Bon Jovi Brendan O'Brien -Producer Mixdown Engineer Bruce Calder - (Electric Lady Studios, Degeneration) Butch Vig Cher Chimera Chris Lord Alge Chuck Ainlay Clair Brothers Cold Play Craig Melvin (Gloria Estefan) Creed - Eight Distressors on their 2003 tour D & D Studios NYC Daniel Lanois (U2) Dave Hewitt - Remote Recording Services Dave Matthews — David Kahne Death Cab for Cutie Disturbed Dolly Parton Don Was Dust Brothers (John King) Ed Cherney - Ed Kowalcyzk - Live Eddie Kramer (JimiHendrix) Effanel Remote recording - Randy Ezratty, 2003 Grammys Elton John Eminem Eric Schilling - Gloria Estefan, John Secada Finn Halle - Germany Fiona Apple Five Towns College (6 Distressors) Fleetwood Mac Fletcher Full Sail School for the Recording Arts George Massenburg Goo Goo Dolls Greg Calbi - Sterling Sound Gungi Patterson Hole Jason Slater - Snake River Conspiracy Jay Baumgartner - NRG Studios Jay Gordon - Producer, Lead Vocalist of Orgy Jerry Harrison - Live, Verve Pipe, (12 Distressors) Jerry Only - The Misfits Joe Berisi Joe Chicarelli - Hole, Beck, U2, etc! Joe Satriani John Agnello - Producer, Engineer, Mixer John Kurzweg - Creed John McBride at Blackbird Studios - 8 Distressors, 4 Fatsos, 2 Lil FrEQs John Paterno John Patterson — John Sicket Josh Abraham (Orgy, Staind, Korn, Limp Bizkit) Judy Saiya Julien - K Kevin Killen Kip Winger Kooster McAllister - Record Plant Remote Linkin Park Marc Costanzo, Len Mark Anthony Mark Plati - David Bowie Maroon 5 Matt Wallace Megadeth Metallica Michael Bienhorn Michael Wilton (Queensrych) Micheal Brauer - Sony Studios NYC Mick Gazauski — (Mariah Carey, Boyz 2 Men, Toni Braxton, etc.) Mick Hughes - Metallica FOH Engineer Mike Keating (Sting, Bush, Springstein live) Mike Shipley Millbrook Sound Mitch Goldfarb Mutt Lange N SYNC Natalie Merchant Nate Kunkel Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) Nine Inch Nails Outsmarting Simon Paul Tennebekk (Norway's Midwest Audio) Peter Denenberg Phil (the Buther) Nicolo (The Stones, Amy Grant, Sting, Aerosmith, Judy Saiya) Phil Ramone/John Patterson Rammstein Real World Studios - (Peter Gabriel's facility in England) Ricky Martin Roey Shamir - Information Society, Al B Sure Ross Hogarth - (Jewel, Coal Chamber, Grade 8) Ryan Hewitt - Engineer Extraordinare Scott Anthony - Dessau recording, Beastie Boys Seal - on tour Sean Beresford (3rd Eye Blind) Shania Twain Sheryl Crow Sound Kitchen Staind Sting Stone Temple Pilots Sue Shoemaker - Blues Traveler Tchad Blake - Sheryl Crow, Richard Thompson, Crowded House, Pearl Jam, Bonnie Raitt The Academy Is The Police The Voyager Remote Truck in Paris The Who Tom Lord Alge Tony Levin Wheatus Whitney Houston Woodland Studios - Robert Solomon

Empirical Labs ELDS DerrEsser De-esser and Dynamics Module Features:

• Possibly the highest performance analog De-esser in existence.
• HF Lim Mode — High Frequency limiting with a tailored soft knee. The Dynamic Section can be used for De-essing or smooth high frequency softening.
• A "BAD!" Hard Clip Indicator light — This "Bad" Clip LED that lets user know he is within 1dB of hard clipping. It monitors several sections within the DerrEsser for possible clipping.
• Unity Gain in and out
• Foolproof operation - it's almost impossible to clip or get a bad sound.
• Industry standard API 500 Series Rack compatible
• True bypass - Know what it's really doing.
• High reliability parts and military grade switches and relays.
• Three year unlimited warranty.
• Interface and features found nowhere else.
• Hand built and calibrated in USA. Shipping weight 1 Lbs.

Singing under DurrEss is a very good thing.

Empirical Labs ELDS DerrEsser De-esser and Dynamics Module Specifications:

• Freq. Response is 3 Hz to 120 kHz (-3dB points).
• Dynamic Range - 115 dB from maximum output (.5%THD soft clipping) to minimum output. Transformerless noise floor typically — 93dBu.
• Distortion Ranges between .0035% and .01% depending on mode and settings.
• DC coupled Input and Outputs
• High quality audio caps used internally.
• Input Balanced, Output single ended but with balanced impedance.
• Pin 2 hot
• Input Impedance is 20k Ohm. Output impedance is less than 51 ohms.
• D-S Dynamics Time Constants - Attack time is less than 1mS. Release .04 sec, fixed internally.
• Power Consumption — 8 Watts max. 4 Watts Typical