Softube releases Empirical Labs Professor Punch-Knuckles Saturation Plug-in

A sophisticated punch in the gut: Softube releases Empirical Labs Professor Punch-Knuckles & a new collection

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.

Subscribe, upgrade, or buy perpetual

Empirical Labs Professor Punch-Knuckles is available today at an introductory price of 99 USD/EUR until November 5th, 2025, after which the price is 129 USD/EUR. The Professor is also available as part of the new Empirical Labs Complete Collection 2, available at the introductory price of 199 USD/EUR until November 5th, 2025, and 349 USD/EUR thereafter, with upgrade paths available.



Last but certainly not least, Professor Punch-Knuckles is also available via Flow® Mixing Suite and Flow® Complete Suite; subscriptions that offer perpetual ownership of Softube plug-ins over time. Also included in the Flow subscriptions are unique Flow signal chains featuring Professor Punch-Knuckles and inspired by modern production techniques. Current subscribers of Flow Mixing and Complete Suites get access to Professor Punch-Knuckles at no additional cost.

In Short:NEW: Empirical Labs Professor Punch-Knuckles
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 Labs Complete Collection 2, and as standalone plug-in
Console 1-ready

Softube Empirical Labs Professor Punch-Knuckles

Price: 129 USD/EUR (99 USD intro price until November 5th, 2025) 

Softube Empirical Labs Complete Collection 2

Price: 349 USD/EUR (199 USD/EUR intro price until November 5th, 2025) 

Upgrade pricing available.

Included in Flow® Mixing Suite & Flow® Complete Suite

Price: 14.99 USD/EUR per month for Flow Mixing Suite and 24.99 USD/EUR per month for Flow Complete Suite, free for current subscribers

For more information please visit: https://www.softube.com/









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