/ Distortion / Empirical Labs Professor Punch-Knuckles

Softube

Empirical Labs Professor Punch-Knuckles

$129.00

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Product information

A friendly punch in the gut.

You know it when you hear it. That instantly gratifying sound that hits you right in the gut. Professor Punch-Knuckles from Softube and Empirical Labs delivers just that: warm and gentle saturation all the way to forceful and explosive character for your drums, vocals, and more. All with the unmistakable and unique sonic character of ELI.

Highbrow hellraiser

If any tool is going to make it on the very short list of once-in-a-decade modern classics, it’s the Empirical Labs Distressor. Since its inception, and 1995 release, Dave Derr's Distressor circuit has also been included in other ELI products, such as the versatile preamp/compressor Mike-E. Professor Punch-Knuckles is the brilliant but unruly lovechild of Mike-E and the Distressor. But don’t let the analytical, professorial side of Professor Punch- Knuckles fool you, it can crush your audio to pieces. Smooth, warm, and musical, Professor Punch-Knuckles is a punch in the gut – with honors.

Three classic Empirical Labs saturation flavors

Professor Punch-Knuckles is more than just brute force. Its sophisticated side lies in three distinct types of modeled distortion/saturation: Toasty, Crunchy, and Distress. Toasty and Crunchy are based on the saturation and preamp distortion of Mike-E. Distress originates from the compressor circuit of the Distressor and Mike-E. The easy-to-use interface is the quickest way to take your sound from warm vintage tones, through gentle breakup, all the way to the classic distortion/compression sound of the Empirical Labs Distressor.

Tone Shaping

To make the sound a punch in the gut, rather than a slap in the face, the Professor is equipped with additional options to shape the sound. These include the unique Mode switch, which employs Empirical Labs’ emphasis filters to the sound. With this mode, users can easily add the recognizable sound of transformer and tape, making the rough punch smoother and more refined.

Features

Three classic saturation flavors
The distortion sound of the Distressor
Tone shaping options including emphasis filters
Easy-to-use and instantly gratifying
Available in Flow® Mixing & Complete Suites, the new Empirical LabsComplete Collection 2, and as standalone plug-in
Console 1-ready

System Requirements

macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13
Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11
Softube account
iLok account
Computer with AU, VST, VST3, and/or AAX-compatible DAW host software
Internet access (for downloading installers and managing licenses)

Supported CPU Families

Apple macOS computers with Intel Core i3/i5/i7 or Apple silicon (M1 or newer) CPU. Apple silicon is supported natively.
Windows computers with quad-core Intel Core i3/i5/i7 or AMD quad-core processors with SSE 4.2 support.
Other Intel processors (Celeron, Pentium, and Xeon) are compatible if they support SSE 4.2 instructions.

Supported Host Software (DAW)

Any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work. However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs—and our rigorous standards—Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, and Reaper. Softube plug-ins are not tested regularly in non-listed systems. They will likely work if the system requirements are met. However, the manufacturer cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.

Softube strongly recommend using VST3, as some of their plug-ins have features that are not present in the older VST format. Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo. The most recent maintenance release of your DAW application is recommended. AAX DSP is not currently in active development. TDM/VENUE/RTAS are no longer supported. See Legacy Installers.

Important Note: Make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com

Installation Instructions

Important Note: Spring Reverb is used as the example

Installation Video

Note: Before starting the installation, you are required to create a FREE iLok user ID and install the iLok License Manager.

Please take a look at this Help Centre Guide for more information.

Registration

1. Click 'DOWNLOAD' in your Plugin Boutique Account. This will direct you to the Softube login page.

2. Enter your details > tick the Privacy Policy box > click 'Sign up' to create an account. (If you already have a Softube account, please log in and skip to step 5).

3. Go to your email account > find the Softube registration email > click 'ACTIVATE MY ACCOUNT'. (Your account has now been successfully created)

4. Go back to www.softube.com (you should now be logged in) > click 'MY ACCOUNT'.

5. Click 'REGISTER LICENSE'.

6. Enter the License Code (referred to as serial number on our site) found in your Plugin Boutique User Account > click 'REGISTER LICENSE'.

7. Click 'GO FOR IT!'.

Your product is now registered.

Mac

1. On the My Products page, click 'MAC' > you will be directed to the Mac Installation page.

2. Click 'HERE (highlighted in orange) to start downloading Softube Central.

3. Once it has downloaded, open the Softube Central PKG file > click 'Continue'.

4. Read through the Software License Agreement > click 'Continue'.

5. Click 'Agree'.

6. Click 'Install'.

7. Enter your password > click 'Install Software'.

8. Click 'Close'.

9. Open Softube Central > click 'INSTALL' to install all the necessary iLok licensing components. (This may take a few minutes)

10. Sign in to your Softube account.

11. Your product will now be displayed in Softube Central.

Please note: if it says 'DISCONNECTED' at the top of the window, please go to the settings and click 'RESTART', close Softube Central and then open it again.

Your software is now activated and ready for use within your DAW.