Empirical Labs ELDS DerrEsser Desser and Dynamics Module
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