Warm, explosive, and instantly gratifying saturation for drums, vocals, and more

Softube has teamed up with Empirical Labs to deliver the Professor Punch-Knuckles saturation plug-in, a dynamic tool designed to hit your audio right in the gut. From smooth, vintage warmth to aggressive, full-on distortion, this plug-in brings the unmistakable character of Empirical Labs to your DAW with ease and precision.

Softube Eli

Highbrow Hellraiser

Inspired by the legendary Distressor, released in 1995 by Dave Derr, Professor Punch-Knuckles is the unruly lovechild of the versatile Mike-E preamp/compressor and the Distressor. Smooth and musical, it can also crush audio to pieces when needed. This plug-in offers a perfect balance of finesse and power, delivering the punch you want with all the nuance you need.

Three Classic Empirical Labs Saturation Flavors

Professor Punch-Knuckles features three distinct types of modeled saturation:

  • Toasty – Warm, gentle saturation based on Mike-E preamp distortion
  • Crunchy – A grittier character inspired by Mike-E’s overdrive
  • Distress – Classic Empirical Labs Distressor-style compression and distortion

The intuitive interface makes it simple to move from warm vintage tones to full-on distorted/compresed punch in seconds.

Tone Shaping Made Simple

Additional tone-shaping tools allow precise control over the sound:

  • Mode Switch – Applies Empirical Labs’ emphasis filters to add transformer and tape character
  • Smooths harsh transients, making aggressive sounds more refined and musical

These features ensure that every hit lands like a punch in the gut rather than a slap in the face.

Flexible Ownership Options

Professor Punch-Knuckles is available in multiple formats:

  • Standalone Plug-in – Introductory price $99 USD/EUR until November 5th, 2025 (regular price $129 USD/EUR)
  • Empirical Labs Complete Collection 2 – Introductory price $199 USD/EUR until November 5th, 2025 (regular price $349 USD/EUR), with upgrade paths available
  • Flow® Mixing Suite & Flow® Complete Suite – Monthly subscriptions ($14.99 and $24.99 USD/EUR) with access to unique signal chains featuring Professor Punch-Knuckles. Current subscribers get it at no extra cost

Console 1-ready, making it ideal for hands-on workflow and tactile control.

Key Features

  • Three classic saturation flavors: Toasty, Crunchy, and Distress
  • Distressor-inspired distortion and compression
  • Tone shaping with emphasis filters for transformer and tape character
  • Easy-to-use, instantly gratifying interface
  • Available standalone, in the new Empirical Labs Complete Collection 2, or via Flow® subscriptions

Pricing Summary

  • Professor Punch-Knuckles Standalone: $129 USD/EUR (intro $99 until November 5th, 2025)
  • Complete Collection 2: $349 USD/EUR (intro $199 until November 5th, 2025)
  • Flow Mixing Suite / Flow Complete Suite: $14.99 / $24.99 per month

For more information, visit Softube’s website www.softube.com