Recording - December 2015 - 39

The Mix knob is a wet/dry mix for the
compressor (again post-EQ) that allows
you to perform parallel compression techniques directly in the unit at the spin of a
dial, rather than sending the signal to a
separate channel and processor. This is
becoming more and more popular in
many compressors, and it is a great feature as implemented here.
And last but not least, see that little LED
labeled BAD? That's a hard clipping indicator, since hard clipping goes beyond the
very musical saturation of the DocDerr's
compressor section and sounds, you
guessed it... bad.
In use
The DocDerr is a great balance of precision on the EQ side and "winging it" on
the compression side. The EQ has preselected frequencies for fixing or flattering
your source material, while the compressor/saturator is very much a by-ear
process-push signal into it until it sounds
good, and then blend to tatste.
Sonically the unit is also a great balance. It offers clean, pristine almost nonsound when set appropriately, but then
you can sprinkle in its saturated smoothing
grit to taste.
I only was sent one unit, so I don't know
how it fares on stereo sources and bus
work, but it's great on vocals and guitars,

both electric and acoustic. On snare and kick it gives a smooth fat compression, more
akin to the Fatso, not as aggressive as the Distressor. I found it worked great in tandem
with a fast punchy compressor like the Distressor; the Distressor catches the fast transients, while the DocDerr adds the smooth even weight.
While I was sent one of Empirical's EL500 boxes to use with the DocDerr that I detailed
above, it also worked fine in my trusty Radial Workhorse enclosure/mixer and in one of
API's newest 8-slot lunchbox® enclosures with no power issues.
Conclusions
The DocDerr really does take some of the best bits of the Empirical Labs universe and
puts them in one simple, easy-to-use box. It sounds great, and in its simplicity it still offers
a wide range of sound-shaping capabilities at an unbeatable price.
Price: $799 * More from: Empirical Labs, www.empiricallabs.com

The Empirical Labs EL500
One interesting way to use the DocDerr is installed in Empirical Labs' EL500 ($399).
That's a 2-slot 500 Series enclosure in a 1U rackmount form factor. It offers a healthy
power boost, especially over older API racks (vs. the much beefier modern API offerings),
and has a front-panel power switch. In addition, the EL500 includes an auto-sensing 1/4"
input on the left side of the front panel. When a cable is inserted, it re-routes the signal
from the rear panel Channel 1 XLR input to the front panel instrument jack.
As a single rackspace device, the EL500 makes it easy to use the DocDerr as an instrument preamp/EQ/compressor in a small studio where you might not yet be willing to spring
for a full 500 Series rack enclosure, and it also will work for your live instrument rig as well.
The EL500 also allows the compressors in two DocDerr modules to be easily stereo linked.
Empirical Labs even makes a special version of the DocDerr with all of its controls
labeled horizontally, so you can use it in the EL500 without craning your neck... and
once you have it installed, that extra slot opens all kinds of other possibilities!-PV

http://www.empiricallabs.com http://www.ADKMIC.com

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