The Empirical Labs Complete Collection 2 represents a comprehensive upgrade path for Console 1 users seeking the full scope of Empirical Labs' plug-in ecosystem. This bundle consolidates four essential tools developed in collaboration with Dave Derr, the founder of Empirical Labs, bringing the company's distinctive analogue character into the DAW environment.
The collection includes Professor Punch-Knuckles, a saturation processor offering three distinct flavors ranging from warm coloration to aggressive distortion. LilfrEQ provides unconventional EQ capabilities with a warm, punchy character that deviates from clinical equalizer design. Mike-E Comp delivers compression with the firm yet musical hand Empirical Labs is known for. Trak Pak for Console 1 rounds out the set with integrated Console 1 functionality.
What unifies these tools is their shared sonic philosophy: aggressive character without harshness, prioritizing musicality over transparency. The modeling work demonstrates careful calibration against outboard equipment, evident in how saturation stacks and compression responds across frequency ranges.
For mixing engineers working in rock, alternative, and genre work where character matters as much as clarity, this collection provides essential tools with genuine personality. The saturation and compression particularly shine on drums and vocals, where their nonlinear behavior adds cohesion and punch rather than mere processing.
While the Complete Collection 2 represents a significant investment, users upgrading from Trak Pak receive meaningful expansion. The bundle offers genuine utility for producers seeking Empirical Labs' signature sound without purchasing tools individually. It's best suited for engineers with established mixing workflows who understand when colored processing enhances rather than hinders a mix.