Empress Bass Compressor vs Origin Cali76 Compact Bass

[Alien8]

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)

I had the original Empress for many years before and it is an excellent comp as well. The added features on the new one take that excellent foundation and add some really important tools for me. The CB is no slouch at all and has its own qualities and as you mention, it's not as clinical, a little less transparent, but still right there with it. The new empress is different in this regard too, it's still your tone but just with more impact and life and is less clinical (going on memory). It feels weird saying that about a compressor, but thats what the good ones do IMO.

 

[bassjam]

Have had a chance to borrow a friends Cali for the past week and compare it to my old version Empress. As others have said- the Cali is kind of addicting. Took me a bit to dial it on as where the Empress was easier to me to get what I liked. Switching back and forth- When I’d play the Empress in my living room, I missed the slight color of the Cali. When I played the Cali, I missed what I felt was a touch tighter( or maybe sharper?) feel of the Empress. Was able to take both to my gig last night..... Preferred the Empress by a slight margin with the way it slotted in the mix with my rig. Really sounded great- I haven’t used it in a while.... Glad I dig it out of my pedal drawer

 

[Yonni]

I’ve had my Cali a few weeks now and love it. It’s always on and really easy to dial in for my p, my J and my active Lakland. Love the subtle colour it adds. I’m still curious to try out an Empress and as soon as music shops open up again here I’ll see if I can. But I can’t imagine giving up the Cali. It’s so much more than I expected from a compressor. I think I made the right decision in changing my order.

 

[Bassist30]

Called Empress yesterday. They are working on the problem. Stated the new batch of compressors will be out this summer.

 

[Bassist30]

Bought the Cali76 TX.... Not looking back. It does what a compressor was made to do without some sort of EQ. But I truly understand why some would like that. It does ad something of a eq. For my purposes I want all eq to be separate. Even thinking about carrying my old Urei with me.

 

[ric4682]

Bumping this old thread to see if there’s any new opinions or insights to these two pedals. My buddy and I are both looking for new compressors and these both seem very interesting. Especially with the High Pass side chain they both have.

 

[Planespotter]

I’ve owned both and kept the empress. Mine has the updated ribbon cable and zero issues with passive or active basses. Both pedals are awesome, but I prefer the empress. The color/tone switch is awesome. I use it set to the mid bump with the color turned off via the internal switches, but I could see how someone would love the subtle grit it gives with the colour on.

 

[anightintunisia]

I haven’t tried the Cali76 but I have the older Empress compressor that I got on the TB classifieds. Super clear, very easy to dial what I’m looking for, and was a game changer both at gigs and studio. I’d be curious to try the Cali76 CB if I get a chance to borrow one but I’m super happy with the Empress.

I’m running the Shaw Tube Injection (amazing piece of gear I don’t see myself ever giving it up unless I’m running direct into a B15) before the Empress with basses that already can stand completely on their own, I don’t think I need the extra colour of the Cali. Although I could see how it would be great for others!

 

[scubaduba]

Agreed. The Empress in front of the Shaw would be my preference too.

 

[kevmac]

The Empress Bass Compressor will offer you a touch more control (separate attack/release controls), significantly better metering, and the ability to choose between a truly "transparent" tone, or something with more tone colouration (two different options of that in fact). It's also worth noting you have a side chain loop/input available on the Empress, which can be used for a variety of things, most notable you could input something like a kick drum for classic pop/dance music style sidechain compression pumping.

The Cali76 CB will give you continuous control over the compression Ratio (as opposed to the three way switch on the empress), and can reach higher compression ratios in comparison to the Empress (although 10:1 is more than enough for most needs). The Cali76 also has this particular tonal quality in the way it adds some colour to the sound, and a punchy attack characteristic in the upper midrange which you can't really get anywhere else (NB the empress gets something similar to this in it's right hand tone switch position, though not as percussive/punchy to my ear).

There is no bad choice to be made between these two. You will be happy with either choice and both will serve you well in whatever context.
I would lean slightly towards the Empress, purely due to it's metering and the tone+colour options - I appreciate having a couple of instant gratification tone magic options on hand (or tonal transparency if so desired).
However, the tonal coloration of the Cali76 can be very addictive, and if you are familiar with and desire that sound it's the only place to get it really.

The Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples thread actually gives a very good representation of the particular tonality of the Cali76 as you can hear how it impacts various differences DI/Preamp setups.

TL;DR - two amazing compressors, with some subtle and nuanced differences. Empress delivers more versatility, Cali76 embodies a particular 'sound'.
Buy either blind and you will be ecstatic.

You couldn't be more correct.They're both incredible comps.So much so I had to get both.Guys like me are effects makers dreams.

 

[JackNoneReacher]

Has anyone noticed a difference in noise level between these two compressors?

 

[crguti]

the old empress compressor adds noise in the signal when selecting 'both' in the meter. If you just select' input' or 'gr' the noise is gone.

 

[JackNoneReacher]

Thank you. That points me toward the Cali and the empress bass. I do t have access to testing these two pedals together, is one noticeable quieter than the other?.

 

[dwellers]

Old thread but a great read. Thank you to all who commented!

I have a Keeley Bassist that I pretty much have on all the time, noon for all the settings. Not much going on there (that I notice) but I'm not much of a fiddler.

Anyone have or had the Keeley and then "upgraded" to the Empress or Cali76? Big difference? Or just subtle?

Thanks again!

 

[Justin Keoni]

I’ve owned both and kept the empress. Mine has the updated ribbon cable and zero issues with passive or active basses. Both pedals are awesome, but I prefer the empress. The color/tone switch is awesome. I use it set to the mid bump with the color turned off via the internal switches, but I could see how someone would love the subtle grit it gives with the colour on.

Hi. I know this was a while back, but can you further explain these internal switches to me, as I didn’t even know this was a thing.

 

[crguti]

^ It is in the manual written with very small font.

 

[Bighouse]

Bought the Empress silver but I’m having regrets- that blue looks pretty sexy…

 

[Bighouse]

Hi. I know this was a while back, but can you further explain these internal switches to me, as I didn’t even know this was a thing.

read the fine print at the bottom of the pages here in the manual centerfold.

 

[bassjam]

At one time I owned the old Empress, the new Empress, and the Cali…. Sold the Cali, still have the 2 Empress comps. If I could only own one, I’d keep the new Empress. Actually as I think about it, the old Empress is sitting in a drawer not being used at all.

 

[Bighouse]

The old empress is dead. Long live the new Empress!