Acme Revival is an independent repair network that operates separately from the manufacturers whose devices we service. Our independence enables a repair model that exists beyond manufacturer-controlled strategies, while preserving the ability to work with manufacturers where appropriate.
Empirical Labs, Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer of professional analog audio signal-processing equipment and audio-production software founded by engineer Dave Derr. Its products are primarily used in recording studios, broadcast, live sound, mixing, and mastering environments. The company is best known for the EL8 Distressor, a digitally controlled analog compressor that Empirical Labs says has more than 38,000 units in use and has become a studio staple. Its hardware lineup also includes the FATSO analog tape simulator/compressor, Lil FrEQ equalizer, Mike-E microphone preamp/channel strip, DerrEsser, DocDerr, PUMP and 500-series products, while its software line includes Arousor and BIG FrEQ. Empirical Labs emphasizes long service life, repairability, upgradeability, hand calibration, and U.S. manufacturing rather than rapid product replacement.
Distressor and FATSO units may fail to power on or repeatedly blow their internal mains fuse. Empirical Labs identifies internal shorts, power-supply faults, or incorrect 115/230 V configuration as the primary causes.
Distressor, FATSO, DerrEsser, and Mike-E units can indicate gain reduction on their meters while producing little or no actual compression or limiting. Long-term component aging or calibration drift generally requires factory recalibration.
Distressor, FATSO, Mike-E, and DerrEsser hardware can develop severe non-musical distortion in the output path. Causes include output-driver problems, clipping, incorrect balanced-output loading, or faults affecting the analog signal path.
Older Distressor and FATSO units can stop remembering their front-panel settings after power is removed. Empirical Labs specifically identifies deterioration of the internal nonvolatile-memory backup capacitor as a known cause.
A unit may power normally yet pass little or no audio through the processed signal path. Faults can involve the input/output circuitry, internal processing path, switching circuitry, or associated analog electronics.
Mike-E, Distressor, FATSO, and related dynamics processors can power and pass audio while the compressor itself fails to respond correctly. After bypass, sidechain, and link issues are excluded, Empirical Labs identifies internal adjustment or calibration faults as a possible cause.
Affected units may exhibit more hiss or background noise than expected, particularly when substantial gain or compression is applied. A persistent noise increase after the source and gain structure are eliminated can indicate degradation within the analog gain or processing circuitry.
Distressor-family dynamics circuitry can produce unnatural popping, pumping, or low-frequency distortion under certain conditions. Extreme compression exposes the symptom most clearly and faults or misadjustment in the detector/control path can aggravate it.
Paired Distressors and stereo FATSO units can develop mismatched gain reduction or unstable stereo imaging when channels no longer track correctly. Link circuitry, calibration differences, control matching, or aging components can cause the two channels to respond differently.
Connect with a technician.
Orders can typically be cancelled 24 hours prior to shipping
Get a real-time offer. Enter the make and model to begin.
Acme offers several ways to pay your service or repair balance.
Securely powered by 
This service is provided by Community Federal Savings Bank (“CFSB”), member FDIC, for which GoCardless Ltd acts as a third-party servicer.
Payable to ACME REVIVAL INC, write Empirical Labs in memo line, and mail your check to: 191 University Blvd. Suite 340, Denver, CO 80206. Payment are collected every weekday excluding federal holidays.
