Eric Valentine showcases how Empirical Labs Distressors on the drum bus can inject energy, excitement, and aggression into a drum mix.
He uses a 20:1 ratio with a slow attack to boost the drums' punch, adjusting the release to match the song's tempo for a musical swell without overpowering cymbals.
Valentine emphasizes engaging the high-pass, presence, and link settings to prevent over-compression of the kick drum, maintaining balance. The high-pass reduces sensitivity to low frequencies, while the presence boosts high-mids in the sidechain path, resulting in a smoother sound with less strident cymbals.
This technique, paired with subtle EQ shaping, dramatically transforms the drum sound, enhancing the mix's overall impact.