Empress Bass Compressor vs Origin Cali76 Compact Bass

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I can confirm that the pre-order batch with the clicking issue of the new Empress Bass Compressor has been fixed. I received the replacement part this week. Any new ones should be shipping without problems unless you get one from a dealer that was part of the first batch. In either case, you can get the replacement part as it is covered under warranty.

I've always loved the idea of compression, but never liked having one that squished my sound too much and effectively took out the dynamics of my playing. The Empress is my always on pedal. I haven't tried a Cali.

 

[revd]

The cable hasn't fixed them all I'm afraid. Reports of Empress currently revising the model before shipping anew.

 

[WorktheWood]

That's discouraging. I was under the impression from the store I bought mine from that it was from a new, unaffected batch. I haven't heard the issue with mine while playing basses in passive mode but I also have other pedals in front of it. I'll probably just send it back and stick with the Cali.

The cable hasn't fixed them all I'm afraid. Reports of Empress currently revising the model before shipping anew.

 

[revd]

That's discouraging. I was under the impression from the store I bought mine from that it was from a new, unaffected batch. I haven't heard the issue with mine while playing basses in passive mode but I also have other pedals in front of it. I'll probably just send it back and stick with the Cali.

To be clear, the cable not fixing it for two folk is discussed elsewhere in this forum. Future plans was just what one person reported they knew, so I would seek clarification from Empress directly, they seem very honorable and open.

 

[revd]

In other news, this thread has made me look at the Cali for the first time. Very sweet, and in stock at a local retailer here, which never happens for me, always shipping...

 

[smeet]

IMHO, two of the very best pedal compressors around. I have both, and will probably keep both. For now, the Empress is on my board. I didn’t think I would like a “colorless” compressor, but it’s not sterile at all.

 

[JKos]

With all the love on TB for the Cali76CB, I was underwhelmed with what it did for my tone. And, I had a distortion issue which deemed normal, so I moved on.

In other words, get the Empress.

 

[smeet]

With all the love on TB for the Cali76CB, I was underwhelmed with what it did for my tone. And, I had a distortion issue which deemed normal, so I moved on.

In other words, get the Empress.

The Cali76 doesn’t enough headroom for some signals at 9v. For me and so,e others it sounds much better at 18v. The Empress doesn’t seem to have that problem though.

 

[Feral Feline]

If you like the Empress, buy it. If there's a problem, Empress will take care of it.
From what I've seen, the folks at Empress bend themselves backwards to rectify all problems that may arise.

No need to send back a perfectly-working pedal.

 

[One Way]

Can’t wait to get mine, placed my order in December. Shipping of new units have been on hold I suspect until all the existing owners received the replacement ribbon. I see that as excellent commitment by Empress to support current owners. Looking forward to receiving mine.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

To be clear, the cable not fixing it for two folk is discussed elsewhere in this forum. Future plans was just what one person reported they knew, so I would seek clarification from Empress directly, they seem very honorable and open.

I will let you know when I install mine.

 

[kranahan]

I will let you know when I install mine.

Test it with a passive bass, no buffer before it and headphones.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Test it with a passive bass, no buffer before it and headphones.

Yep, even as-is, it does it on certain basses and not others.

 

[BaileyMan]

I got an Empress Bass Compressor recently and have the clicking issue. I've got a replacement cable on the way. Mitch @ Empress responded very quickly and got a replacement cable in the mail within a day or so.

Functionally, it's been great. I also turned off the "color" dip switches. To my ears it's got a pretty transparent tone, maybe it fills it out a tad, but mostly I notice that it does what it's designed to, reduce the transient peaks. It's allowed me to get a much better recording signal.

I really like the visual of the LEDs. I've found the input gain LEDs helpful in setting a good input level.

It's also cheaper than the Cali76.

 

[WorktheWood]

I've tested my recently purchased BC and have used it with several passive basses with no other pedals in the chain and have not heard the noise issue. Maybe my hearing isn't so good anymore or my pedal works as designed.

 

[WorktheWood]

Another observation: It seems the Cali responds better with having an octave pedal before than does the Empress. The Cali seems to clean up the octave pedal whereas the Empress adds mud. Both compressors are set such that they appear to be compressing the signal equally and the HPF didn't seem to affect it much no matter where it was set on either pedal. This was just a quick observation and I didn't spend much time with it to really develop an opinion one way or the other. I still haven't decided which comp I prefer as each have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[monkeyfinger]

That's not been my experience. But that could be due to my settings. I lean on heavy compression in parallel. I mix in less the 50% compressed signal. It just adds punch and fatness. (I also have medium attack and release times.)

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Test it with a passive bass, no buffer before it and headphones.

I installed my replacement ribbon this evening and it solved the clicking issue with passive basses (small click when the compressor let's go of the signal). It was a simple install with no soldering required.

Every company will have a few issues with their products here and there. What makes a good company is they way they solve them. I am satisfied that Empress handled this swiftly and effectively.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I got an Empress Bass Compressor recently and have the clicking issue. I've got a replacement cable on the way. Mitch @ Empress responded very quickly and got a replacement cable in the mail within a day or so.

Functionally, it's been great. I also turned off the "color" dip switches. To my ears it's got a pretty transparent tone, maybe it fills it out a tad, but mostly I notice that it does what it's designed to, reduce the transient peaks. It's allowed me to get a much better recording signal.

I really like the visual of the LEDs. I've found the input gain LEDs helpful in setting a good input level.

It's also cheaper than the Cali76.

I actually like the slight harmonic distortion that the colour switch adds. I just wish it was available without the lower mid scoop or upper mid boost.

 

[SumOne]

I've been considering the same thing as it's pretty much the consensus that the Cali 76 Bass and Empress Bass compressor are the 'best' available....depending on taste.

It's a tough call without trying them as I think I might prefer the colour the Cali 76 gives, but the Empress is more versatile and has better metering - seems there's not much in it between the two though (the Cali 76 is slightly cheaper than the Empress in the UK). As suggested earlier- I might get both with the intention of returning one.

The fact that there are on-going issues with the Empress for some people (New Empress Compressor MKII) means that I'm holding off on it for now though. Perhaps once that's sorted and it's not brand new the healthy competition will bring down the prices for both compressors?

In the meantime, I got a Pigtronix philosopher Bass which does the job fine for less than half the price. It does an annoying 'clearing it's throat' sort of things when turned on and fed the first note it compresses, and I wouldn't say it adds any 'tone magic' but does a bit of compression fine - evens things out, can add a load of sustain, and has a clean blend to make things subtle if needed.