| Content | The product that started it all for Empirical Labs. Born of founder Dave Derr’s love of classic compressors like the 1176, LA-2A and Gain Brain (among others), the Distressor incorporates his favorite sonic characteristics of these, along with other unique and interesting features that have made it a staple for audio engineers all over the world. With over 28,000 units in the field, it’s safe to say that the Distressor is one of the best selling high end compressors of all time… if not THE best selling. A prominent recording engineer recently wagered that there probably was not a top 40 record made in the last five years that didn’t have at least one Distressor on it.
Besides providing a wide range of control and a unique feature set, the Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. This “warmth” or “vintage sound” has become a major issue in the last few decades, as the super clear and linear digital technology does next to nothing to soften “harsh” sounds, nor emphasize the bass frequencies in music sources. Conversely, older analog tape, vinyl records and tube equipment could not be prevented from coloring the sound, often to the frustration of recording engineers. However, many people now realize that this coloring can be extremely pleasant and musical. Digital technology is often referred to as “cold” and “brittle” among other terms (although we prefer “unforgiving”).
Unique Compression Curves
All eight of the Distressor’s curves are unique and distinctive, from the 1:1 mode that simply warms up signal with low order harmonics without intentional compression, to the “Nuke” setting – a brick wall limiting curve that shines on live drum room mics. Each curve has its own personality and several actually use different circuitry, and are effectively different compressors. Most exceptional is the 10:1 “Opto” ratio which uses separate detector circuitry to emulate the oldest (and valued) “light controlled” devices, such as the LA-2A.
Distortion (Color) Modes
Another large part of the Distressor’s personality and power derive from three modes that color the signal, even without compression. These extended audio modes were designed to allow emulation of some very old and expensive vintage compressors & limiters, and let the Distressor deliver a classic “knee” sound all its own by providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. In addition to the basic distortion mode, Distort 2 emphasizes tube-like 2nd order harmonics, while in Distort 3 setting the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonics more closely resembling tape. Two HP filters – one in the audio path, one in the detector path – are also available to help with low frequencies that can cause pumping and breathing.
Go Stereo
For many Distressor owners, one is never enough – in fact, one extremely successful engineer has twelve of them! For those who want (at least) a stereo pair, ELI offers the EL8-S, a pair of Distressors that are matched at the factory, and come with the cables you need to lock them together.
- Frequency Response – 2 Hz to 160 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB). Response is shaped in distortion modes (Dist 2, Dist 3).
- Dynamic Range – 110 dB from max. output to min. output in 1:1 mode. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise in distort 3 mode.
- Distortion – ranges between .02% and 20% depending on distortion mode and release times set on front panel.
- I/O – DC Coupled input and outputs.
- Time Constants – Attack range 50uS – 50mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal modes and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opto mode. Time constants are dependent on ratio.
- Power Consumption – 15 Watts Max.
- Metal Chassis – single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.
- Shipping info – 24.2 lbs Stereo pair. Stereo Pair box dimensions 22.5″ x 18.5″ x 6 1/4.
| This item is in excellent working condition and barely used.
The ZHA-4 splits a single stereo headphone output into four separate powered 1/8” headphone jacks, each with their own volume and mute control. Perfect for bands, podcasts, productions, and more.
Two AA batteries provide hours of portable power. For longer sessions, connect the USB-C port to a portable battery or plug directly into the wall.
What’s in the Box?
- ZHA-4 Handy Headphone Amplifier
- AA Batteries (x2)
- Stereo Mini Audio Cable (19” / 50cm)
- Quick Guide
Please Note: The item displayed in the images may not be the actual item you receive. | There’s no doubt that when it comes to power, musicians have it bad. Whether it’s modern modeling amplifiers, or vintage synthesizers, bad power is gonna be heard throughout your signal. And it’s everywhere — in homes, on stages, and especially in many rehearsal rooms.
Black Lion Audio has been trusted for years for modifying the best gear and making it even better, and that’s what it took to create the PG-P: taking industry-standard designs, and improving them to the point of peak performance.
After creating an entire lineup of industry-best power conditioners, Black Lion Audio felt it was time to give the world proper portable power. The PG-P might look like a run-of-the-mill surge protector, but in reality it’s a studio-class power conditioner — PG-P doesn’t just provide more noise filtering than other portable conditioners, it provides the same noise filtering found in the majority of the world’s rack-mount power conditioners!
Your gear deserves the best power, and Black Lion Audio took great care in making sure the PG-P delivers just that — thanks to it’s PG-P Filtering Technology. The PG-P is built using premium Panasonic capacitors, due to their superior execution in eliminating high frequency noise that robs equipment of its peak performance. In testing, this has provided an average of 3x the noise filtering of other portable power conditioners at the same price point. Six wall-wart spaced outlets provide studio-grade power on the go; perfect for any musician’s rig!
- PG-P Filtering Technology for an average of 3x the noise reduction of other portable power conditioners
- The same noise filtering found in the majority of rack-mount power conditioners
- 6 wall-wart spaced outlet power conditioner
- Status LEDs for quick power analysis
- High-end Panasonic capacitors to filter out performance-robbing high-frequency noise
- Tour-grade 9ft power cable
- Proper safeguard protection with a power absorption rating of 540 joules
- Recessed feet keep the PG-P from sliding, while still providing mounting options (screw mount, velcro, etc.)
- Rounded corners make for a gentle surface area for smaller power cords.
| The product that started it all for Empirical Labs. Born of founder Dave Derr’s love of classic compressors like the 1176, LA-2A and Gain Brain (among others), the Distressor incorporates his favorite sonic characteristics of these, along with other unique and interesting features that have made it a staple for audio engineers all over the world. With over 28,000 units in the field, it’s safe to say that the Distressor is one of the best selling high end compressors of all time… if not THE best selling. A prominent recording engineer recently wagered that there probably was not a top 40 record made in the last five years that didn’t have at least one Distressor on it.
Besides providing a wide range of control and a unique feature set, the Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. This “warmth” or “vintage sound” has become a major issue in the last few decades, as the super clear and linear digital technology does next to nothing to soften “harsh” sounds, nor emphasize the bass frequencies in music sources. Conversely, older analog tape, vinyl records and tube equipment could not be prevented from coloring the sound, often to the frustration of recording engineers. However, many people now realize that this coloring can be extremely pleasant and musical. Digital technology is often referred to as “cold” and “brittle” among other terms (although we prefer “unforgiving”).
Unique Compression Curves
All eight of the Distressor’s curves are unique and distinctive, from the 1:1 mode that simply warms up signal with low order harmonics without intentional compression, to the “Nuke” setting – a brick wall limiting curve that shines on live drum room mics. Each curve has its own personality and several actually use different circuitry, and are effectively different compressors. Most exceptional is the 10:1 “Opto” ratio which uses separate detector circuitry to emulate the oldest (and valued) “light controlled” devices, such as the LA-2A.
Distortion (Color) Modes
Another large part of the Distressor’s personality and power derive from three modes that color the signal, even without compression. These extended audio modes were designed to allow emulation of some very old and expensive vintage compressors & limiters, and let the Distressor deliver a classic “knee” sound all its own by providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. In addition to the basic distortion mode, Distort 2 emphasizes tube-like 2nd order harmonics, while in Distort 3 setting the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonics more closely resembling tape. Two HP filters – one in the audio path, one in the detector path – are also available to help with low frequencies that can cause pumping and breathing.
- Frequency Response – 2 Hz to 160 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB). Response is shaped in distortion modes (Dist 2, Dist 3).
- Dynamic Range – 110 dB from max. output to min. output in 1:1 mode. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise in distort 3 mode.
- Distortion – ranges between .02% and 20% depending on distortion mode and release times set on front panel.
- I/O – DC Coupled input and outputs.
- Time Constants – Attack range 50uS – 50mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal modes and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opto mode. Time constants are dependent on ratio.
- Power Consumption – 15 Watts Max.
- Metal Chassis – single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.
- Shipping info – 12.1 lbs mono. Mono box dimensions 22.5″ x 18.5″ x 3 1/4″.
| The Suhr Reactive Load delivers a simple solution to capture all of the warmth, and dynamics of your sound, without the hassle of miking a speaker cabinet during a live or recorded performance.
The Reactive Load takes the place of your speaker cabinet in your signal chain. It provides an 8Ω load for your tube amplifier (maximum 100 watts), and produces a balanced and unbalanced signal that interfaces with recording devices, effects, and power amplifiers.
The Suhr Reactive Load is the perfect link between your amplifier and computer audio recording interface. You can use the Reactive Load with your existing library of speaker impulse responses (IR) for the most realistic direct recording experience possible.
Traditional resistive load boxes will safely load your amplifier, but they also alter the tone, dynamics, and response of your amplifier. Real speakers do not have a fixed resistance across the entire frequency spectrum. Real speakers are reactive.
The impedance curve of the Reactive Load has been painstakingly tuned to react like a speaker. Your amp will never know the difference.
The Reactive Load is dedicated to being the absolute best load box possible with zero compromises, and therefore does not include speaker emulation. You can use the Reactive Load with your speaker-sim or impulse response of choice, and benefit from the natural response, dynamics, and touch sensitivity of your amp.
The Suhr Reactive Load features a balanced or unbalanced line level output. The INPUT is optimized for the 8 ohm output of your amplifier and the THRU jack can be connected to a physical speaker cabinet. If a physical cabinet is connected to the THRU jack, the Reactive Load’s internal load is bypassed and the amp will see the load of the physical cabinet.
SPEAKER INPUT IMPEDANCE: 8 Ohm
DI / LINE OUT LEVEL: +4 dBu at 7 watts input, maximum level setting
BALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ
UNBALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ
MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED INPUT POWER: 100 Watts RMS
ROHS COMPLIANT: Yes
DIMENSIONS: 8.8" (W) x 8.9" (D) x 3.6" (H)
WEIGHT: 6.6lb | The vintage EQ tones you know & love.
The 551 is the only equalizer for the 500 Series actually designed by Rupert Neve. Featuring 3 bands of EQ inspired by Mr. Neve’s most prized vintage designs, along with custom-wound inductors, transformers and class-A gain blocks, the 551 brings the thick, powerful lows and sweet highs of Rupert’s classics to the 500-Series format.
The “Best-Of” EQ
The 551’s 3-band, custom-tapped inductor EQ was inspired by our favorite elements of Rupert’s vintage EQ designs. The low frequency band is designed to produce a creamy, resonant bass response similar to a vintage 1064 – but unlike the vintage modules, the LF band on the 551 can be used as either a shelf or a peak filter, adding punch, dimension, and control to your low end.
The midrange band is based on that of the 1073, ideal for sweetening vocals and instruments while bringing them forward in a mix, and its proportional “Q” response makes it well-suited for minimizing problematic frequencies. The high frequency band is a hybrid vintage / modern design, blending inductor circuitry with capacitor-based topologies to achieve vintage tones with enhanced control. The High Pass filter is a 12dB/octave design with a fixed 80Hz frequency, and can be used in tandem with the low frequency EQ to add low-end presence without clouding the source material.
As with Rupert’s most prized classic designs, each EQ section uses low-feedback, class-A discrete electronics to prevent low-level artifacts and harshness from detracting from the tonal shaping. However, this new circuit is a decidedly modern design with updated techniques and components that were simply not available 50 years ago, and is definitely not a “clone”.
What Are Inductors?
Inductors are wires wound around a coil that provide a form of frequency-dependant resistance. When they saturate, they bring out beautifully musical harmonics that give your tracks the smooth, polished sound that has made Rupert’s consoles and equipment so desirable for over fifty years. This is what makes them different from capacitor-based EQ designs, which do a great job at surgical equalization. But inductors provide the tone.
While it is certainly possible to create a functioning EQ using off-the-shelf inductors, we choose to use our own custom inductors for the 551. This attention to detail in controlling variables such as the winding and core materials in relation to the surrounding circuitry allows the 551 to capture the vitality and personality of Rupert’s classic designs.
NOISE
- Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 22Hz-22kHz, source impedance 40 Ohm balanced.
- Better than -102 dBV
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Main output, no load: +/- 0.1 dBu from 20 Hz to 31.5 kHz, -1 dB @ 120 kHz
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
23.25 dBu
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE
- @ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output level, no load: Better than 0.0025%
- @ 20 Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.13% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
HIGH PASS FILTER
- -2.7 dB @ 80 Hz
- Slope: 12 dB/Octave
NOISE
- Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 22 Hz - 22 kHz, source impedance 40 Ohm balanced.
- Better than -94 dBV
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Main output, no load: +/- 0.25 dBu from 20 Hz to 45 kHz, -2 dB @ 120 kHz
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
23 dBu
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE
- @ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output level, no load: Better than 0.009%
- @ 20 Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.13% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
POWER REQUIREMENTS
- 120mA on +16VDC
- 110ma on -16VD
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