Affiliate disclosure: the "Get this deal" button is an affiliate link to the store. If you buy through it we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full policy
Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp Black Friday pricing is 65% off, which brings this Softube compressor plugin to $55 until Nov 8, 2026.
Mike-E is a native compressor and saturator plugin based on the Empirical Labs Distressor. Softube built it in close collaboration with Dave Derr, and it is the first time the unit has been available as a native plug-in.
The maker describes the sound as brash, and says you can push it to extremes without harshness.
The core is the CompSat section, a compressor built on the Distressor with a multi-stage soft-clipping saturator. A Drive control and a Toasty/Warm meter sit alongside it.
In front of it is a preamp with up to +18 dB of gain. It can push the CompSat harder, or distort before it, so you can stack distortion in stages.
Three emphasis modes (HF, HF2, LF) boost the highs before the CompSat circuit and cut them again after it, which shifts the character of the saturation.
Then there is NUKE, a steep, limiter-like mode with different Attack/Release shapes. The maker points to drum room mics as one target.
Softube says it works on drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, and vocals, with soft-knee compression and triode-type saturation on the voice. It also ships as a module for Amp Room, Softube's guitar and bass platform, where the maker singles out bass sounds.
The Mike-E Comp VST plugin comes in AU, VST, VST3 and AAX formats for 64-bit hosts, and Softube recommends VST3. It needs a Softube account, an iLok account and internet access for installers and licences.
macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12 and Ventura 13 are listed, as are Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11. Apple silicon runs natively.
Softube tests officially in recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One and Reaper. Sample rates run from 44.1 to 192 kHz, mono and stereo.
Softube has worked with brands such as Tube-Tech, Solid State Logic, Chandler Limited, Weiss Engineering and Trident. Dave Derr's Empirical Labs also makes Fatso, DerrEsser and Distressor, and Softube has modelled Lil FrEQ, Trak Pak and the Empirical Labs Complete Collection.
Yes. The Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp Black Friday deal takes 65% off, bringing the plugin to $55, and it runs until Nov 8, 2026.
It is based on the Empirical Labs Distressor. Softube modelled it in close collaboration with Dave Derr. The CompSat section pairs a Distressor-based compressor with a multi-stage soft-clipping saturator, and a preamp sits in front.
It comes as AU, VST, VST3 and AAX, and Softube recommends VST3. Official testing covers Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One and Reaper. It needs Softube and iLok accounts.
NUKE is a super steep, limiter-like compression mode with different Attack/Release shapes. Softube says to use it for smashing drum room mics or anything else that needs heavy compression.
Prices and end dates are checked at publishing time and can change, so confirm them at the store before you buy.