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Empress Bass Compressor vs Origin Cali76 Compact Bass

#41
I've been wanting to check out the Empress since it gets such positive discussion...I have a Cali76CB on my board. I'm put off by the clicking problem, and the reports of the fix not fixing the problem will keep me away from the Empress until they release a redesign in a few months. While I agree that Empress is a stand up company and will work with you to make things right...folks who bought when it first came out JUST started getting the flex now (a few months after purchase) and there have been a few reports that the issue is still present even after the fix.

A lot of people don't seem to mind/care...but I wouldn't go out and drop $250 on a pedal that has a known problem and no time frame for a fix unless I was able to test the pedal on my setup and verify that the problem is a non-issue for me. Op's location is also listed overseas making it an even bigger risk if you have the issue.
 
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#42
I still haven't decided whether I'm going to keep mine or not. It is one of the fixed versions and I've not heard the issue but it does concern me as what other problems might show up. Probably nothing else will do wrong but who knows. As far as which comp I prefer, I'm starting to lean toward the Empress...at least for today.
 
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#43
I have to say that the issue with the Empress and the delay in stock here in the UK meant that I ended up switching my order to a Cali. It’s coming today. Interesting though that Andertons had the Cali at £5 more than the Empress. Andertons waived the additional fee though when I changed the order.
 
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#44
cosmicevan said:
I have a Cali76CB on my board.
Click to expand...

You know your pedals ;) Can I ask for your opinion on the Cali as "my only compressor"?

Ive got an MXR which is great but I'd appreciate top-mounted jacks, more versatile attack, parallel compression etc. Not sure how I'd feel about losing the metering, at least it would mean I'd stop staring at my comp when I play...
 
#46
Kenneth92 said:
Not all empress have this issue just the earlier batch like mine was one of the affected ones. But empress fixed it, and bro is literally one the best if not the best compressor I’ve ever played. It’s great it comes in 2 colors and it’s relatively more affordable than the Cali 76. I play 99% of the time with passive basses.
Click to expand...

The noise issue was barely noticeable on my Empress Bass. The fix worked for me. It's is my favorite compressor.
 
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#47
I've loved the Cali76 CB for years, but I think the Empress Bass is my favorite as well now. I replaced my cable, and the noise is completely gone. While I was in there, I turned off the Colour DIP switches, which is much nicer for me.

The metering is of course amazing, and I like the ability to set the power up state. I wanted to do that on my Cali76, and they told me users don't want that feature so they didn't put it in. :(
 
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#48
hi guys,

so the Empress arrived and it sounds amazing!

I actually really like the colour switch function and have been playing around with it!

so far, no clicking with my passive precision bass!

Two questions though, wanted to know what I am experiencing is normal:-

1. When the pedal is engaged i notice a loud "pop" through the speaker. Is this normal? it's not too much of a deal breaker as I plan to use this as always on.

2. When I turn the input and output both fully counter-clockwise respectively, I notice a very quiet signal still coming out of my amp when I play. Is this normal? Again not too much of a deal breaker i'm just curious.
 
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#49
I am going to join the Empress BC love-fest too. I know that it doesn't have the special sauce thing going on like some comps, but it delivers just the right compression sound for me. I really notice it when with the band. (Yes, I am actually back to playing with others.) . It just does it's thing so well. When recording, I can see myself using a different comp for a certain sound from time to time, but the EBC is the one that stays on my board.
 
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#50
green3101 said:
hi guys,

so the Empress arrived and it sounds amazing!

I actually really like the colour switch function and have been playing around with it!

so far, no clicking with my passive precision bass!

Two questions though, wanted to know what I am experiencing is normal:-

1. When the pedal is engaged i notice a loud "pop" through the speaker. Is this normal? it's not too much of a deal breaker as I plan to use this as always on.

2. When I turn the input and output both fully counter-clockwise respectively, I notice a very quiet signal still coming out of my amp when I play. Is this normal? Again not too much of a deal breaker i'm just curious.
Click to expand...

1. The pop doesn't seem right, doesn't happen on mine. Maybe contact Empress support, but as you said, if it's an always-on device (as mine is) then it won't be relevant. I think I read that the pedal can be configured to be on by default instead of off when powered up, but that aspect doesn't concern me so I never really paid attention.

2. Happens to me too, but yes, that seems normal. Input is cut/boost on the input signal, Output is "makeup gain" that can boost or cut the effected signal. However I'm pretty sure that neither are supposed to function like a master volume, i.e. zero being the lowest point.
 
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#51
I use the input level for level-matching. This is pretty handy when you are using basses with different output levels. I will adjust the input level to get the same 3-4 green lights with each instrument. I leave the output gain at about 9:00. That seems to work best with upstream pedals including my SLO MKIII preamp.
 
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#52
Fuzzbass said:
1. The pop doesn't seem right, doesn't happen on mine. Maybe contact Empress support, but as you said, if it's an always-on device (as mine is) then it won't be relevant. I think I read that the pedal can be configured to be on by default instead of off when powered up, but that aspect doesn't concern me so I never really paid attention.

2. Happens to me too, but yes, that seems normal. Input is cut/boost on the input signal, Output is "makeup gain" that can boost or cut the effected signal. However I'm pretty sure that neither are supposed to function like a master volume, i.e. zero being the lowest point.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I have contacted Empress Support to let them know.

Like I said before, the pop is not a deal breaker as I plan to use it as an always on. I guess I just don't want to damage any amp speakers. Does anyone know if the "pop" from pedals when engaging does any damage?
 
#53
green3101 said:
I guess I just don't want to damage any amp speakers. Does anyone know if the "pop" from pedals when engaging does any damage?
Click to expand...

It would only cause damage if your amp was cranked loud enough to push your speakers to the limit. No risk at all if you keep amp volume low while setting up and powering on, which is good practice for reasons aside from this one. I suppose the biggest risk would be accidentally engaging/disengaging the pedal while in full roar, but if you never push your rig that hard then even that shouldn't be a concern.
 
#54
Fuzzbass said:
It would only cause damage if your amp was cranked loud enough to push your speakers to the limit. No risk at all if you keep amp volume low while setting up and powering on, which is good practice for reasons aside from this one. I suppose the biggest risk would be accidentally engaging/disengaging the pedal while in full roar, but if you never push your rig that hard then even that shouldn't be a concern.
Click to expand...
yeah good point - it shouldn't be an issue for me, as I plan on not actually having this on my "Floor Board", but rather on my pedaltrain Nano next to/on top of the amp, as it'll always be on and no-risk of knocking the dials or accidentally switching off.
 
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#55
revd said:
You know your pedals ;) Can I ask for your opinion on the Cali as "my only compressor"?

Ive got an MXR which is great but I'd appreciate top-mounted jacks, more versatile attack, parallel compression etc. Not sure how I'd feel about losing the metering, at least it would mean I'd stop staring at my comp when I play...
Click to expand...

I am no expert on compressors, there are MANY here who are very passionate about compressors and it was their opinions that got me to check out a Cali76CB...that and it fell into my hands via unexpected trade. Before that, I was more than happy with an EBS multicomp for over a decade. The Cali blows the EBS out of the water as well as the few others I had tried...so onward I go. Compressors don’t really excite me...granular delays, PLLs, and glitch pedals on the other hand...I have some opinions there ;)
 
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#56
So a couple of the Empress still hiss after the cable swap and one has a pop when engaged. But apart from that, all good? I am totally sold by this device in theory but in practice it still seems somewhat hairy.
 
#59
I have one with hiss and the click and I still won't give it back (until they send me a new one when they have more).

I'm also not a compressor lover, it's not something I lust after in other words. This thing is just great in all ways. Somehow it both evens your playing and enhances your dynamics in a very musical and super transparent way. You turn it on and you can tell it's doing something; and at first I was expecting more from it. I realized I can change what I'm doing now and that's where it all came together. You can change your technique and it's right there making it sound better. Then you turn it off and say "well that won't do anymore." Once you hear it, you can't un-hear it.

The colour modes are perfect for me. I've heard some stellar Comps (including the CB) and few sound better than the Empress, certainly none in this price range if you are going for transparent. May not be everyone's thing and that's ok, I love it.
 
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#60
I use the "regular" Empress compressor & the Cali76 CB on bass & have wound up preferring the character of the Cali76 most of the time. I think it's mostly that it has character whereas the Empress is seriously transparent to my ears. I think I also prefer the continuous ratio control on the Cali76 CB & I feel like I need to adjust input level w/ the Empress a good bit more switching between basses or pick vs. fingers.

I need to check out some comparisons of the old Empress to the Bass version here sometime. The old one is still a great compressor IMO, the metering is a heck of a lot nicer than the Cali & it has indeed been easier/more direct feeling for me to dial in as well, it's just been a bit clinical sounding to me compared to the Cali.

(edit to add that I run the Cali76 CB @ 18V, I also found it lacking in headroom @ 9V w/ my all passive compliment of basses)
 
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