Empress ParaEQ MKII released!

[micguy]

The Empress is also an analog pedal where the EQ2 is not (if that's important - always a subject of discussion), sounds terrific, and you can see everything (with good eyesight, ha) at a glance without a display device. As a technology person, I understand the appeal of the Source Audio products- the USB interface, customizability, very fine control over many parameters of an effect. Those are sophisticated products. I have seen that on the level of the Darkglass Hyper Luminal, which is not as sophisticated as the EQ2 or Atlas, but also has a USB interface and a controls app.

As a musician I appreciate the sound of the Empress and as you said, the quick hard knobs adjustability. What is the best way to play music and find sounds easily that enhance the performance experience? Depending on each player's preference, it could be the EQ2 way or could be the Empress way. This has been discussed extensively over the years on TB.

I'd want to hear from someone who owns both the EQ2 and the Deluxe, which will happen soon, to compare the sound and usability of the two. I will say the sound of the Deluxe is very, very nice in my experience so far.

Right now, the Mark II ParaEQ is hitting the market and in our hands, and those of us who are choosing to buy one are seeing what all the tumult is about. It really is a remarkable fully parametric, shelf filtering, and pass filtering analog device, in the standard pedal size format.

Your quoting of my post left off the "if" clause in front - the Source Audio is definitely better for certain situations, but not all.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

The Deluxe just arrived today.
After a brief brain lapse (300mv requirement), I was not disappointed - it's everything I expected!
It's just a great / powerful combination in a really nice footprint.
My one wish is that it had a +/- level control instead of Boost.

PS: Thanks @Mike_Empress

 

[SteveC]

I can power with my CIOKS right?

 

[Michael Vee]

I can power with my CIOKS right?

Low draw, so yes. Works great with my OneSpot for off-board trialing.

 

[sunbeast]

Man GAS is getting strong for me on the Deluxe. Been hankering for a good EQ for my synthbass rig and this seems to tick all the boxes I want

 

[Michael Vee]

Man GAS is getting strong for me on the Deluxe. Been hankering for a good EQ for my synthbass rig and this seems to tick all the boxes I want

Join us!

 

[SteveC]

I think the snownami has delayed my pedal. Oh well. No chance to try it anytime soon anyway really.

 

[Bright Midnight]

Empress has impressed me beyond measure!

 

[SteveC]

Empress has impressed me beyond measure!

If this eq is anything like the bass compressor, I will have a seriously amazing rig.
Empress Bass Compressor
Empress Para EQ Deluxe
REDDI

 

[Mike_Empress]

I can power with my CIOKS right?

As long as you're power supply has an output with 300mA or more on tap, then yes (9Vdc center negative of course)! I've also seen people get away with using the 250mA outputs on Voodoo Power 2 Plus. Give it a try, and if it doesn't turn on, you'll need a PS with more juice.

 

[smeet]

I’ve been looking for a great end-of-chain eq for a while, and I’m torn. The immediacy of the Empress is really appealing. But I play in some radically different sounding bands - metal, folk/fusion, and funk - which could each benefit from different eq presets, a la EQ2. I don’t really want to build multiple boards just for eq.

So do I make it a routine to tweak my settings before each gig/practice? Or, do I give up the quick and easy room adjustment? Or do I spend money on building another board so I have a metal and a non-metal setup?

Arg.

 

[Bright Midnight]

If this eq is anything like the bass compressor, I will have a seriously amazing rig.
Empress Bass Compressor
Empress Para EQ Deluxe
REDDI

I first tried out the Bass compressor after having owned a Headrush Gigboard and Ampeg Optocomp...I sold both because the compressors on the gigboard just didn't impress me, and the Optocomp, while a good unit, sounded 'thin' to my ears... then I tested the Empress at a local music store, paired with a TC Spark booster through a Markbass combo, the bass was a SBMM Ray 34..... there was no denying that I had found 'my' compressor, what a sound!

 

[johnk_10]

i plan to get a Paraeq MKII as soon as i get the funds together.

 

[smeet]

Ordered me a paraeq mkII deeeeeeeluxe yeeeeehaaaaw

I wanted to wait for a used one, couldn’t do it. I’ll report back if I’m not too busy bring a world famous eq influencer.

 

[djmay]

Yes, 12dB/octave. HPF cutoff frequency ranges from 10Hz to 330Hz, and the LPF cutoff frequency ranges from 1.5kHz to 22kHz.

LPF cutoff should be much lower. I use ~680 with my Alembic SF-2 and I know others go even lower.

 

[Bassist30]

Had the first version. But this new version may change my mind of its capabilities.

 

[smeet]

LPF cutoff should be much lower. I use ~680 with my Alembic SF-2 and I know others go even lower.

LPF at 680Hz would be VERY low, turning everything to mud. I think you mean HPF, which cuts off lower frequencies. I personally set HPF at around 60Hz and LPF around 4K or higher.

 

[djmay]

LPF at 680Hz would be VERY low, turning everything to mud. I think you mean HPF, which cuts off lower frequencies. I personally set HPF at around 60Hz and LPF around 4K or higher.

No, I mean lpf. My hpf is a ~80. No mud; quite clear and I do not have to play loud to be heard.

 

[smeet]

No, I mean lpf. My hpf is a ~80. No mud; quite clear and I do not have to play loud to be heard.

Interesting… what kind of music do you play?

 

[djmay]

Interesting… what kind of music do you play?

Latin, r&b, swing, jazz, etc. with a big band.