How To Update PUMP Firmware

What's Needed?

  • PUMP Module
  • USB-A to USB-B Cable
  • Mac or Windows Computer
  • PUMP Updater (Download links below)

What's My Firmware?

Firmware version will always be notated here on the PCB.

PUMP Updater (Mac)

Download

PUMP Updater (Windows)

Download

Step 1: Download Latest Firmware - v3.01

The latest firmware version is always included in the download links above.

All firmware versions can be downloaded here: https://www.empiricallabs.com/pump/#firmware

Download includes:

  • PUMP Updater (i.e. “PUMP Updater.exe”)
  • PUMP Firmware File (i.e. “pump3.01.hex”)

Step 2: Plug USB cable into Computer

Step 3: While holding Bypass (BYP) button, plug USB cable into PUMP

The BAD and AtMod LEDs will be lit to show that PUMP is in Bootloader Mode.

Step 4: Open PUMP Updater

Click "More info"
Click "Run anyway"
Click "OK"
Open "Security & Privacy" settings in System Preferences, then click "Open Anyway"
Click "Open"

Step 5: Click "Open File" and select PUMP Firmware File

Step 6: Select PUMP from Device Dropdown Menu (Port Options)

Step 7: Press "Start" and wait!

Upon completion, PUMP will automatically boot up with the installed firmware.

Troubleshooting

PUMP doesn’t enter Bootloader Mode:

– Unplug USB cable from PUMP and make sure no buttons are stuck.

– Hold down Bypass (BYP) and plug USB cable into PUMP

– BAD and AtMod LEDs should light to indicate Bootloader Mode

– If problem persists, please reach out to hardwaresupport@empiricallabs.com for assistance.

PUMP doesn’t show up in Device List:

– Double check that PUMP is in Bootloader mode (BAD and AtMod LEDs are lit)

– Press “Refresh” in PUMP Updater

– If PUMP still does not show up, repeat from step 3

– If problem persists, please reach out to hardwaresupport@empiricallabs.com for assistance.

What’s New in BIG FrEQ v1.3

BIG FrEQ 1.3 elevates the award-nominated EQ plug-in from Empirical Labs to the next level by adding support for AAX-DSP and VENUE systems, as well as improving CPU across all platforms. See the full list of new features below!

Like the Arousor, the BIG FrEQ is an evolving, community-driven plugin with more free updates to come! Be apart of the conversation, suggest new features, and chat with Dave on our Gearspace Thread. This update is free to all current BIG FrEQ users! All you have to do is download the latest installer from our downloads page. If you are new to the BIG FrEQ, now is your chance to start a 15-day free trial, and get the analog qualities of our hardware in the box!

 

What’s New in BIG FrEQ 1.3

  • AAX-DSP and VENUE (S6L) Support
  • Improved CPU performance across all platforms (Win/Mac) and DAWs
  • Added A/B Compare
  • Refinements to the ELI Built-In Preset Menu
    • Added “Save” and “Save As” options, for current preset or setting
    • Preset becomes italicized to indicate changes have been made to it.

 

Click Here to Download BIG FrEQ 1.3

Empirical Labs at MixCon 2021

Both the Arousor and BIG FrEQ were featured in Ryan Earnhardt’s MixCon presentation on August 9th, 2021. Following his presentation was a live Q&A with Dave Derr. Both videos are embedded below for your enjoyment!

Empirical Labs Plugins – The Soul of our Hardware in the Box

Once plugins began to be a mainstay in studios all over the world, it became increasingly important to us to offer the features and sounds of our world-class, analog hardware products “in the box” for audio engineers with even the most minimal DAW system. Dave Derr (the founder of Empirical Labs and creator of the Distressor) was first introduced to this idea when he was approached by Universal Audio to make an emulation of the FATSO for the UAD platform back in 2008. After witnessing the capabilities of the developers at Universal Audio, Dave became keenly aware of how great their emulations sounded and became open to doing another plugin with them, and the idea of making his own. 

Not long after the release of the Fatso emulation by Universal Audio in 2009, Dave was flooded with requests to make a Distressor plugin. Although Dave was thrilled by how great the Fatso emulation sounded, he wanted to make his own native Distressor-style plugin with expanded features, rather than a direct 1:1 emulation of the Distressor. After months of planning and stringent development, Dave Derr’s own compressor plugin, the Arousor, was released in 2016. At this point, Dave was certain that he wanted premiere audio brands like Universal Audio to create precise digital emulations of his products, so he can focus on making his own plugins that include features and capabilities that could not be replicated in the hardware domain. With that decision in mind, Dave began collaborating on the development of the EL8 Distressor emulation with Universal Audio that same year. 

A few years later, Dave brought the soul of Empirical Labs hardware in the box once again with the BIG FrEQ in 2020; expanding on the idea of its hardware counterpart, the Lil FrEQ, which was getting its own emulation at the same time. After seeing the response to both his own plugins and the emulations by Universal Audio, Dave was thrilled to collaborate on emulations of his last 2 major hardware products with the emulation experts at Softube, who have been close friends with Dave for years beforehand. Dave was especially elated to work with Softube because he knows that they make the best completely native direct emulations of hardware units. After working with them closely for about a year, Softube released the Empirical Labs Complete Collection in February 2021 which included precise digital emulations of the Mike-E channel strip and the Lil FrEQ parametric EQ, as well as a unique virtual Empirical Labs Trak Pak mixing console that featured the sounds and features of both plugins designed for their Console 1 mixing system. 

Although all of our full size hardware products now have emulations made by some of the best developers in the industry, the story of Empirical Labs homegrown plugins continues to today, where Dave and the esteemed developers at Empirical Labs continue to work on new plugins that defy the limitations of hardware. Learn more about all of Dave’s plugin endeavors and their development below and see which one will be the next addition to your plugin collection.

Plugins by Empirical Labs

Embellishing our Hardware in Software
When Dave set out to make his own line of plugins, he made it a point to expand on the features of our hardware products, rather than making direct emulations. The most attractive quality of software to Dave was that it allowed him to add features and parameters without limits, whereas he was limited to only a certain amount of space of a circuit board and front panel when developing hardware. This also gave him the opportunity to add more features and tweaks later down the line without much interruption to the user experience. With this in mind, Dave has always been open to suggestions from our users and has been very active with the community of Empirical Labs plugin users on Gearspace, and has included many features suggested by the community to our products for free to all current users of our plugins. You can also suggest features and join the conversation with Dave on our Arousor Thread and BIG FrEQ Thread on Gearspace. We may only have 2 plugins right now, but we promise that there are more to come!

Arousor

The Arousor is our flagship compressor plugin based on our world-famous EL8 Distressor. As stated above, this plugin is not a direct emulation of the Distressor. Instead, it is an expansion on the sound and functionality of the Distressor. Since the capabilities of software are so much more scalable than hardware, features that are typically a preset value on our hardware are expanded to practically infinitely variable knobs. A prime example of this is the expanded functionality of the Detector Sidechain EQ section of the Arousor, whereas on the Distressor there are only 2 detector settings (High Pass and Band Pass). The Arousor has quickly become a go-to compressor plugin for engineers everywhere and is the best solution for adding Distressor-style tone and compression to your DAW.

Learn More

BIG FrEQ

The BIG FrEQ is an equalizer plugin inspired by our Lil FrEQ hardware EQ that merges the musical tones and feel of analog equalizers with the modern functionalities and capabilities of plugin equalizers. One of the most unique features of the BIG FrEQ is that it offers the ability to create “flat-top” EQ curves with an analog approach. Unlike most typical parametric EQ sections, each of the six parametric bands offers an additional slope control that allows for flattening out the EQ shape and grabbing more frequencies equally for more musical EQ curve shapes. The analog tone shaping aspect is emphasized with the ability to dial in more harmonic saturation with the FINISHER knob. Once again, the BIG FrEQ is not an emulation of our hardware, rather it is another example of how we bring the quality of our hardware to our software products and continue to offer the things that can not be done in the hardware realm into the box.

Learn More

Plugins by Universal Audio

Our First Glimpse at the World of Plug-ins

Back in 2008, Universal Audio introduced Dave to the idea of collaborating on a direct emulation of Empirical Labs hardware in a plugin. Since the Distressor was the bread and butter of Empirical Labs, he wanted to introduce the FATSO in the plugin world first to test the waters. He was a bit apprehensive about it at first, but he was open to the idea of expanding on threshold controller functionality of the FATSO and was eager to introduce the sound Empirical Labs products to a wider audience. He was also keen on the idea of being totally involved in the design and development of the plugin, so he can be sure it is just as good as the hardware unit. After a few months of development, the FATSO Jr. / Sr. plugin was released in 2009 on the UAD platform.

A couple of years later, Dave was ready to finally make a Distressor plugin after years of requests. As he began development of the Arousor in-house, Universal Audio approached him again to collaborate on a direct Distressor emulation. Since the Arousor was never intended to be a direct emulation of the Distressor, Dave was open to working with Universal Audio on yet another emulation. Once again, Dave was very involved in the development and worked side-by-side Universal Audio’s developers with the legendary compressor’s schematics and secrets in hand. After a few months of development, the EL8 Distressor was released in 2017 on the UAD platform.

FATSO Jr. / Sr.

The FATSO Jr. / Sr. is a direct emulation of the original EL7 FATSO developed for the UAD platform. This is the only emulation of the FATSO available in the plugin market. Unlike the hardware unit, this plugin features an expanded compressor control section called “Dave Derr’s Custom Mods.” 

Learn More

EL8 Distressor

The Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor is a direct emulation of the original EL8 Distressor for the UAD platform. This is one of the only Distressor emulations that sounds almost exactly the same as the hardware unit in A/B tests. By popular request, this plugin also features mix knob for balancing the compressed and uncompressed signal.

Learn More

Plugins by Softube

A Long Awaited Collaboration

Dave has been good friends with the developers at Softube, since they approached him about making a Distressor emulation years ago. In fact, they shared a karaoke night filled with beer and cheers at NAMM every year for the past 15 years. Of course, he denied their offer for a while until a new opportunity to finally have emulations of our last 2 hardware products emerged from the release of their new peripheral mixing controller, Console 1. This system was the perfect place to implement the TrakPak (Mike-E + LilFrEQ) in a digital audio workstation and create a virtual Empirical Labs console. While everyone was locked inside during the 2020 pandemic, Dave was working with Softube virtually; sharing drawings and testing out beta versions every week until the Empirical Labs Complete Collection was released in early 2021. Now, after many years of plugin development, anyone can have all 4 major hardware products in their DAW.

Mike-E

The Mike-E plugin by Softube is a direct emulation of the EL9 Mike-E channel strip by Empirical Labs. Although it may seem odd to emulate a preamp, this plugin offers the clean and punchy tones of its hardware counterpart followed by a compressor section inspired by the circuitry of the Distressor and the FATSO. It also has slightly expanded emphasis modes and can be used with Console 1.

Learn More

Lil FrEQ

The Lil FrEQ plugin by Softube is a direct emulation of the ELQ Lil FrEQ by Empirical Labs. Like it’s hardware counterpart, it offers a classic EQ sound with modern control along with a powerful de-esser that was later introduced as the DerrEsser 500-series module. Like the Mike-E plugin, it can be used with Console 1 systems.

Learn More

Trak Pak for Console 1

The TrakPak for Console 1 by Softube employs the features and sound of both the Mike-E and Lil FrEQ plugins into the workflow of the Console 1 mixing system to create a virtual Empirical Labs console in your DAW complete with a hardware controller.

Learn More

Empirical Labs Complete Collection

The Empirical Labs Complete Collection is a bundle of all of the Empirical Labs plugins made by Softube. This bundle includes the Mike-E, Lil FrEQ, and Trak Pak for Console 1 plugins.

Learn More

What’s New in BIG FrEQ 1.2

BIG FrEQ 1.2 introduces new features suggested by the Empirical Labs plugin user community, as well as options to help customize the way you mix. A new settings menu has been added that allows for enabling/disabling various workflow options and elements of the GUI. The new “Auto On” feature can be toggled from within this settings menu, as well as the ability toggle the EQ curve display and FINISHER metering while it is bypassed. The inclusion of this settings menu also introduces the possibility for even more workflow customization in the future. We also expanded support for AVID Control Surfaces and improved the overall response of the GUI when interacting with the parameters. Finally, the BIG FrEQ includes iLok Cloud support for the first time in a stable release, and offers some new factory presets. See the full list of new features below!

Like the Arousor, the BIG FrEQ is an evolving, community-driven plugin with more free updates to come! Be apart of the conversation, suggest new features, and chat with Dave on our Gearspace Thread. This update is free to all current BIG FrEQ users! All you have to do is download the latest installer from our downloads page. If you are new to the BIG FrEQ, now is your chance to start a 15-day free trial, and get the analog qualities of our hardware in the box!

 

What’s New in BIG FrEQ 1.2

  • iLok Cloud activation is now available along with iLok USB activation.
  • New “Auto On” feature automatically enables parametric bands when knobs are turned.
  • A new settings menu that includes:
    • Switch for “Auto On” Automatic EQ Section enabling
    • Switch for toggling the EQ curve Display
    • Switch for toggling the FINISHER metering when it is in bypass
  • Added vertical dragging option for Width Control
  • New factory presets have been added!
  • Expanded support for AVID Control Surfaces.
  • Improved CPU performance on some DAWs, notably Cubase & Nuendo, especially on Windows systems.
  • Improved response when clicking and dragging the width slider as well as other graphic elements.
  • Multiple bug fixes including resolving issues with window size rescaling, loading presets, and plugin initialization.
  • The Help menu can now be opened by clicking on the blue ELI logo, as well as the “?” Help button at the top.

 

Click Here to Download BIG FrEQ 1.2

What’s New in Arousor Rev 3

Arousor Version 3 has many new features, all of them useful… and fun.

Resizable GUI – We now provide enlarging the standard GUI Arousor size using the Icon in the upper left, next to the 30dB Gain Reduction LED. This will make things readable even on the smallest, high resolution displays.

Two Optos – One of the first things you may notice are two new clickable A & B Orange LEDs up top, between the REL and the OUT knobs. Clicking one of these enables complex new OPTO circuits, that work in conjunction with the standard Attack and Release controls. The most noticeable effect of clicking on OPTO A or B is the release shape. Orange text next to some parameters also pops up, to indicate default Opto values for reference. Clicking on this Orange text will set the parameter to the suggested values, for quick setting.

Shift-Clicking on A or B will automatically recall all the parameters to get the most accurate emulation of the two LA2a’s we used for reference in creating the new OPTOs. We also provide two Presets: “OPTO A Old T4”, and “OPTO B New T4”.

ALT Mode – Pressing the ALT button enables a new parameter, which is essentially a new Preset Bank, that allows up to 10 new ratios to be added, without breaking past presets, automation, or mixes. Right now there are only two new ratios to emulate the two T4 optocouplers used in LA2a: 6.5:1, and 7:1. ALT is found to the right in the Ratio selection area. Shift-Clicking on OPTO A or B will automatically turn on ALT mode, and recall the proper new ratio.

Two New Ratios – When ALT is on, 6:1 and 8:1 turn into Alternate ratios, indicated by Orange text and new “6.5:1” and “7:1” markings. These new ratios are usable even if Opto A or B are NOT selected (enabled). In the future, additional Ratios will show up with ALT, and be indicated by unique colored text.

Soft Clipping Expert Menu Button – Distortion fanatics should enjoy this addition. There are two new controls added when the Soft Clipping Expert panel is opened:

2nd Harmonic Control – The original Arousor Soft Clipping had a fixed amount of 2nd and Even Harmonics added. These are very subtle harmonics, since they are effectively “Octave” harmonics. For instance, if you put in a 40Hz tone, the 2nd harmonic is 80Hz, an octave above. The 4th Harmonic, is two octaves above. Tonally, these end up being the same notes, octaves apart. In this case, a Low E (Low string on a bass guitar), and the E above it, which is the low E on a standard guitar This would be the dominant harmonic if one turns up the new “2nd Harm” knob.

Detector Input Selection – This essentially determines the position of the Compressor Input, i.e. Pre or Post the Soft Clipping circuit. For anyone who has used tape, this is analogous to Compressing before Tape, versus the sound of Compressing after tape. Noticeable new sound option. The original Arousor was set so the Compressor was before Soft Clipping, so the clipping did NOT affect the compression. Now you have a choice.

Detector Sidechain EQ Enhancements – One can now Listen to the Sidechain EQ to know what is triggering the compression. You can Solo all the EQ, or just the HP, or just the Parametric EQ Section. As no quality is sacrificed, you can even use the Listen mode as an effect unto itself, and get some crazy new sounds very simply.

iLok Cloud Protection – After quite a few requests, we have added Cloud (Internet) based protection, so one can use the Arousor without an iLok dongle, as long as an Internet connection is available.

Tool Tips – In several places we now provide pop up help text when Mouse is hovered over it. One example is “ALT”.

 

Why Two OPTOs? A little history

Most experienced engineers who have used a LA2a or other popular Opto Device, probably know that Optocouplers, the device that acts as the VCA, are all different. Like snowflakes. Although there is a certain charm in this, basic things like Stereo linking become big problems. Recalling settings on two different units, same model and all, will not produce the same results. So… we decided to provide emulations of two LA2a optocouplers of different vintage, OPTO A and OPTO B. The LA2a has a famous optocoupler with a “T4” part name, and is a module in an enclosed metal can. Thru the years, many versions became available, even from other manufacturers besides UREI or UA.

We model a UREI T4 from the early 80s, that we call T4A, and a Newer T4 from 2018, T4B. Opto A on the Arousor recalls the older T4A model, and same with Opto B, recalling the T4B model.

Mac Installation Issues

One of the most common issues when installing the BIG FrEQ or AROUSOR on Mac is the error shown below preventing the installer from being opened. Follow the steps below to get the installer open and begin the installation process.

If you are seeing the error above, click OK and proceed to System Preferences.

Click on Security & Privacy. Then, click on the General tab at the top.

Click on Open Anyway towards the bottom of the page and the installer should open.

DerrEsser has a New Look

This week we started shipping out DerrEssers with a new and improved front panel. Now, this powerful de-esser will stand out in every 500-series rack and be easier to use. All of the text and markings have been updated to be easier to navigate and easier to read for much faster operation. This update only changes the look and feel of the front panel. The sound and features of the DerrEsser have not changed.

derresser-compare-vertical-old derresser-compare-vertical-new

The new front panel on the vertical configuration of the DerrEsser has a cleaner feel with more intuitive markings for in and out than the old front panel. Click and drag the arrows in the slider from left to right see the difference.

derresser-compare-horizontal-old derresser-compare-horizontal-new

The new horizontal front panel features a more modern branding at the top and more accurately labeled controls than the original front panel. Click and drag the arrows in the slider from left to right see the difference.

Here is a super high resolution image of the two front panels. Click here to see the full resoultion.

BIG FrEQ Release Update and Presets by Dave Derr

Things have been very FrEQ’y since the launch of BIG FrEQ! It has been a wild 3 weeks filled with lots of awesome user feedback and useful bug reports from all of our users. Thanks to all of your input, we can now work towards a better launch of BIG FrEQ 1.0. Right now, we are working towards making the full release version run more smoothly across all DAWs and formats, as well as making it more accurate and lightweight on processing. There are some stubborn bugs that need attention before we can focus on the release, and it has been time consuming to get around them. Because of this, we have chosen to postpone the release of BIG FrEQ 1.0. The new release date is to be determined at this time, but on the bright side, the BIG FrEQ will be on sale for $99 for even longer!

While you are waiting for the full release, we have some cool new presets for you! Dave Derr, the mastermind behind all of our products, put together these 4 new presets to demonstrate the flexibility of the BIG FrEQ, and give a better context to putting the unique FINISHER section to the test. You can download these presets below. Like the Arousor, the BIG FrEQ has a text-based preset system that allows for copying and pasting presets, but also has a built-in preset manager that can save presets to be used across multiple DAWs. With that in mind, there are 3 ways to download these presets.

The best way to download these presets is to download all of them at the link below and extract them in to the BIG FrEQ presets folder. This folder can be found by opening BIG FrEQ and selecting “Open Preset Folder.” If you don’t want all of these presets, click the “Copy Preset” button next to the preset(s) below to copy it to your clipboard, open the BIG FrEQ preset menu, and click “Paste from Clipboard.” Once it is pasted in, save the preset with our built-in “Save As” feature, so the preset can be used in any DAW. If the “Copy Preset” button does not work for you, select all of the text next to the “Copy Preset” button, and follow the same process. 

Since it is so easy to share presets, we encourage you to share any presets you made with us and your friends! Please submit your presets here and if we like them, we will either post them to our website or include them in a future update of the BIG FrEQ.

One last note, BIG FrEQ 0.9.1 is available for download here and it fixes an issue with instrument tracks on Logic Pro X. If you experience any other bugs with the BIG FrEQ, please submit them here.

Download Presets

Studer Tape Simulation Presets

These two presets are modeled after the Studer A827 running at 15ips and 30ips. Turn up the FINISHER for more noticeable saturation, and stay away from changing the parametric bands.

Studer A827-15ips
Studer A827-30ips

Four Zones Preset

This preset has four wide bands that are set to control low, low-mid, high-mid, and high frequency ranges. Use the gain to adjust the tone profile.

Four Zones

Smoove Preset

This preset features useful parametric settings that are non-resonant. Feel free to adjust the gain and frequency as need to without worrying about resonances.

Smoove

@hartbeatstudios

HartBeat Studios

“Massive congrats and kudos to the fine people at @empiricallabs for their gnarly new EQ – the “BIG FrEQ”. This machine has easily taken the place of every other parametric EQ that I own. Absolutely phenomenal. #FrEQingAwesome 🤯”

Welcome to the new Empirical Labs website

We are so excited to introduce you to our new and improved website! Things look a little different, don’t they? Don’t worry everything is still here; it just might be in a slightly different place than it used to be.

Here are some of the new and amazing improvements to our site:

  • Responsive design for viewing on mobile devices.
  • Completely redesigned product and media pages.
  • Brand new blog section with new monthly articles.
  • Comprehensive support section with FAQs and Troubleshooting articles.

Since this site is brand new to us, there could be some bugs or typos that we missed.

If you see anything a little weird, please contact webmaster@empiricallabs.com.