Double Bass Bass ParaEq

[joe5cent]

Has anybody tried the Empress Bass ParaEq? It has a 10 Meg ohm input for upright !
I just bought this Para EQ MKII in April and it is a fine pedal (it is outboard to my Felix 2). The new Bass EQ however is tuned lower for the middle parametrics. It can also apparently be setup to send a balanced output.

I might not have bought the Felix 2, thought is is a stellar piece of gear.

 

[WG Plum]

Yes, and it’s excellent.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

@WG Plum can you explain how the two rows of large knobs on the top and bottom interact with the smaller controls? On the face of it, it looks a little confusing. Thanks!

 

[loukash]

can you explain how the two rows of large knobs on the top and bottom interact with the smaller controls?

The "q" is the curve for the respective band below. Turned full clockwise it's a narrow curve that acts like a surgical notch filter or booster. counterclockwise is a wide curve.
The four small knobs are apparently separate from the above three rows. It's confusing that they are positioned closer to the "gain" row than the rest.

 

[loukash]

If I hadn't already had a Tech 21 QStrip, I'd likely get one of those.

 

[joe5cent]

View attachment 7254843

@WG Plum can you explain how the two rows of large knobs on the top and bottom interact with the smaller controls? On the face of it, it looks a little confusing. Thanks!

I have the Para EQ MKII, it is similar. The silver knobs are for 3 parametric EQ, the black knobs set shelf filters for low or high frequencies. So 5 total bands of EQ, 2 shelf +/- and 3 Parametric. It can look like a bit much at first. I don't like to over EQ. However on an upright I many use one for tone and one or two for feedback Shelving filters are shelving filters.

 

[WG Plum]

View attachment 7254843

@WG Plum can you explain how the two rows of large knobs on the top and bottom interact with the smaller controls? On the face of it, it looks a little confusing. Thanks!

The top row small knobs set the Q for the larger EQ knobs (top row of large knobs), which set the center of the freqs you want to boost or cut.

The second row of large knobs determine the amount of boost or cut, ‘gain’.

The lower row of small knobs set the cut off of the LP and HP filters and attenuation of the low and high shelves . Left to right:

high pass, low shelf, high shelf, low pass

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The top row small knobs set the Q for the larger EQ knobs (top row of large knobs), which set the center of the freqs you want to boost or cut.

The second row of large knobs determine the amount of boost or cut, ‘gain’.

The lower row of small knobs set the cut off of the LP and HP filters and attenuation of the low and high shelves . Left to right:

high pass, low shelf, high shelf, low pass

That all makes sense to me except the middle two black knobs on the bottom, what you are calling low shelf and high shelf. What frequencies are those relating to? They would seem to conflict with the Q setting on the upper knobs if they were related to those or redundant with the lower level of boost/cut knobs.

Of course, if you leave any boost/cut knob in the flat position it’s theoretically not doing anything, so no big deal. Just curious about this. I do kind of miss having a HP filter in my chain, and while I don’t like fiddling on the gig, I bet some of those other controls could be useful from time to time.

 

[Wasnex]

That all makes sense to me except the middle two black knobs on the bottom, what you are calling low shelf and high shelf. What frequencies are those relating to?

Think of them as regular bass and treble controls...as find on most amps.

 

[loukash]

the middle two black knobs on the bottom, what you are calling low shelf and high shelf. What frequencies are those relating to?

As far as I understand it by looking at the image, it's those frequencies you set with the other two black knobs next to them on the same row.
Those are essentially variable HPF and LPF.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

As far as I understand it by looking at the image, it's those frequencies you set with the other two black knobs next to them on the same row.
Those are essentially variable HPF and LPF.

That doesn’t make sense, though, because there is a big difference between a shelving filter and a cut only filter. I think that’s why I find the layout confusing.

 

[Wasnex]

That doesn’t make sense, though, because there is a big difference between a shelving filter and a cut only filter. I think that’s why I find the layout confusing.

?Do you find this confusing?

From left to right:

1. Input gain
2. Variable HPF 25hz-125hz (cut only)
3. Bass (Low Shelving Filter)
4. Three bands of semi-parametric EQ. These filter don't have Q/bandwidth controls, otherwise it's the same idea as the Empress.
5. Passive mid. (per BGM this broadband cut only, but it has some make up gain as well .
6. Treble (High Shelving Filter)

 

[Wasnex]

Here's an approximation.

• The cutoff knee for the Variable HPF can be moved higher or lower (10hz-200hz). The slope is constant at 12dB/octave.
• The amount of boost or cut for the low and high shelving filters is variable.
• Fully parametric EQ allows you to adjust bandwidth, center frequency, and the amount of boost or cut. The one limit on these filters is the center frequency is only adjustable over a limited range.
  • The range of center frequencies of the three filters overlaps.
    • Pink Center Frequency Range = 35hz - 500hz
    • Orange Center Frequency Range = 100hz - 1.6khz
    • Yellow Center Frequency Range = 375hz - 9.7khz
• The cutoff knee for the Variable LPF can be moved higher or lower (215hz-22khz). The slope is constant at 12dB/octave.

You may learn more by reviewing the OM: https://empresseffects.com/cdn/shop/files/Bass_ParaEq_User_Manual_rev6_web.pdf?v=3656104274998194361

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

?Do you find this confusing?
View attachment 7255420

No.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

But the shelving filters are the only thing on the Empress unit that don’t have a frequency noted. That’s what I find confusing.

 

[Wasnex]

No.

The WD800 controls have very close to the same set of features as the Empress. They are just laid out slightly different.

 

[Wasnex]

But the shelving filters are the only thing on the Empress unit that don’t have a frequency noted. That’s what I find confusing.

Why is this different than the Mesa WD800. The Bass (low shelf) and Treble (high shelf) controls don't tell you the frequency.

From the Empress Bass ParaEQ manual

As you see the break frequency (knee) of the filter moves with the amount of cut or boost.

There is no graphic for the High shelf. It's not clear if the break frequency moves as much or not on the High Shelf.

 

[loukash]

From the Empress Bass ParaEQ manual

As every so often: If everything else fails, read the fine manual…
Thanks!

That doesn’t make sense, though, because there is a big difference between a shelving filter and a cut only filter. I think that’s why I find the layout confusing.

Yeah, now that we know these are two different things, it certainly looks confusing at first glance.
As a graphic designer by profession, I somewhat understand that they likely wanted to keep their colorful brand logo prominently big on the limited real estate, but form should still follow function nonetheless.

 

[jj.833]

But the shelving filters are the only thing on the Empress unit that don’t have a frequency noted. That’s what I find confusing.

The small black knobs on the bottom are from left:
Low shelf frequency
Low shelf gain
Hi shelf gain
Hi shelf frequency

The 3x3 knobs from the top are three parametric EQs (each from the top: Q, freq, gain).

I find the design really pretty. A bit of an overkill for me though. Wonder how clean it sounds.

 

[WG Plum]

Very clean, in my experience. While I doubt I'll sell them, this has supplanted a few other pedals that I rotated in and out of my board. It works really well for both my upright and my electric.