{"product_id":"empirical-labs-el-rx-v-docderr","title":"Empirical Labs EL\/Rx-V DocDerr","description":"\u003cdiv lang=\"en\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEmpirical Labs EL\/Rx-V DocDerr\u003c\/strong\u003e — a vertically oriented 500 series module combining a preamp, four-band EQ, compressor, and tape saturation circuit in a single lunchbox slot.\n\n\u003cp\u003eDocDerr is Empirical Labs' first compressor in the API 500 format — six sections of digitally controlled analog electronics packed into one module after more than two years of development. A low-noise preamp handles line-level or instrument-level signal, the EQ section offers a high-pass filter and three parametric bands, and the dynamics section combines Empirical Labs-style compression with a circuit emulating analog tape saturation. In the vertical version, the five knobs (IN, LF, MF, HF, Mix) run top to bottom in the layout typical of 500 series slots, which matters when mounting in a densely packed vertical rack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA complete channel strip in a single 500 series slot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of building a chain from a separate preamp, EQ, and compressor taking up three slots in a lunchbox rack, DocDerr fits all of it into one module. An internal jumper turns it into an instrument preamp with 16dB of extra gain, ideal for acoustic guitar, bass, or synths plugged in directly. Three parametric bands — LF (80-500Hz), MF (250Hz-4kHz), and HF (3.5-15kHz) — give continuously variable ±14dB control, and pressing the two bottom buttons together narrows the Q on the mid band, making it easier to zero in on a problem frequency on a vocal or guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eParallel compression as the primary way of controlling dynamics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDocDerr deliberately has no separate threshold, ratio, or attack knobs — the compressor runs on fixed, internally set time constants (attack roughly 1ms, release 0.2s) and works as a complex envelope generator that starts musically saturating the signal at heavier gain reduction rather than simply squeezing it. The main control surface is the Mix knob, blending the clean, EQ'd signal with the compressed and saturated version — close drum mics tend to work well around 6-9dB of gain reduction with a 50-60% blend, while room mics often want more reduction and a higher blend to bring out the character of the space. That layout removes the usual wandering through compressor parameters and reduces the decision to one question: how much of the effect should be audible in the mix. The module is stereo linkable, and in an EL500 rack, linking engages with a single button.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKEY FEATURES\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSix sections of digitally controlled analog processing in API 500 format, vertical orientation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow-noise line\/instrument preamp with 16dB extra gain via internal jumper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFour-band EQ: two-position high-pass filter plus three parametric bands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNarrowable Q on the mid band (simultaneous press of the bottom two buttons)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompressor with fixed, internal time constants and musical saturation at heavy reduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTape saturation circuit softening loud highs (filtering plus germanium clipping)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMix knob for parallel compression\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGain-reduction metering on the front panel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStereo linking, single-button in an EL500 rack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitchable output: single-ended or differential (+6dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEQ section frequency response: 3Hz-180kHz (-3dB points)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDynamic range: 120dB (from maximum output at 0.5% THD to minimum output)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNoise floor with Mix at 0: typically -91dBu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistortion at 1kHz: 0.0006% to 10% depending on mode and settings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaximum input level before hard clipping: +22dBm (Line In mode)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaximum output level (Mix at 0): +28.5dBm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompressor time constants: attack approximately 1ms, fixed release 0.2s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput impedance: 120k Ohms (Instrument mode), 20k Ohms (balanced Line mode)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput impedance: less than 75 Ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Empirical Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54195510411601,"sku":"38060","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/8741\/0769\/files\/EmpiricalLabsEL_Rx-VDocDerr1.jpg?v=1783607642","url":"https:\/\/wrdtunes.com\/de\/products\/empirical-labs-el-rx-v-docderr","provider":"Wired Tunes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}