DerrEsser

The Empirical Labs ELDS DerrEsser is a professional-grade de-esser module for the 500 Series format, designed to provide transparent and artifact-free control over sibilance. Building on the legacy of the acclaimed de-essing circuit in their Lil FrEQ equalizer, Dave Derr and the team at Empirical Labs have created a dedicated unit that simplifies the process of taming harsh high frequencies without sacrificing the integrity of the original signal. Unlike traditional de-essers that can introduce phasing issues or unnatural dulling, the DerrEsser employs a novel approach, using digitally controlled analog circuitry to ensure that only the offending frequencies are attenuated, leaving the rest of the audio pristine and detailed. This makes it an indispensable tool for audio engineers working on vocals, drum overheads, or any source material that suffers from excessive sibilance or harshness.

At the heart of the DerrEsser's design is its remarkable simplicity and powerful underlying technology. The interface features just two primary controls: a Threshold knob and a Frequency knob, allowing for quick and intuitive operation. The frequency range is exceptionally wide, sweeping from 800Hz to 8kHz, making the module versatile enough to address harshness in cymbals and guitars as well as traditional vocal sibilance. A key innovation is the "Listen" function, which allows the engineer to audition only the frequencies that are being processed. This takes the guesswork out of finding the precise problem area, enabling faster and more accurate results. The detection filter can be switched between a High-Pass (HP) and Band-Pass (BP) mode, offering further flexibility in how the circuit reacts to the source material. By combining a pristine analog path with precise digital control, the DerrEsser provides a level of performance and ease-of-use that sets a new standard for sibilance control in the studio.

Features

• Single-slot 500 Series format de-esser.
• Digitally controlled analog circuitry for transparent performance.
• No phase or dynamic distortion issues common in other de-essers.
• Wide, continuously sweepable frequency range from 800Hz to 8kHz.
• Unique "Listen" function to monitor the processed sibilance in isolation.
• Selectable High-Pass and Band-Pass detection filters.
• Simple two-knob interface for Threshold and Frequency.
• Based on the renowned de-esser circuit from the Empirical Labs Lil FrEQ.