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Empress ParaEQ MKII released!
- Thread starter corvette_br
- Start date
I know this thread is for the ParaEq MkII pedals, but I thought I would share my Google review of my Empress Effects Pedals as a whole. Please note some of this is a repeat of my previous post, but edited so that it is easier to read (hopefully).
This review is for the following Empress Effects Pedals: Buffer+, Bass Compressor, and ParaEq MkII Deluxe (x2).
I purchased the Buffer+ pedal for a few reasons and this is what I have found so far:
Bass Compressor: If you are looking for a clear, transparent compressor this pedal is for you. If you want a bit of character with your compression, this has that too! Very versatile and it makes me play (and sound) better. I highly recommend this compressor pedal for bass. The Bass Compressor pedal works phenomenally well with the ParaEq MkII Deluxe.
ParaEq Mk II Deluxe: This pedal is awesome. Less than five minutes in and I have my bass tone tighter, fuller and more articulate than ever before. I am really enjoying the ParaEq Mk II Deluxe with the Empress bass compressor. Adding the eq after the compressor is ear opening. The definition I am able to achieve with the Deluxe post compression is a thing of beauty. I was never able to get where I am tonally with just my bass amp and/or my onboard bass preamp. The Deluxe opens up (or closes) all the doors you will ever need or want. This is the first equalizer pedal I have ever used, and I am glad I decided to get this one.
I recently acquired a second ParaEq MKII Deluxe, it arrived yesterday. It is awesome to have two ParaEq MkII Deluxe pedals on my board! I have one set for my F Bass BN5 and the other for my Fodera YYS5. My two basses have different tonal characteristics and having a pedal dedicated for each is a luxury.
In closing, I am still growing with these pedals, and I expect that I will learn more about their attributes through use. All of the Empress Effects pedals I use are truly top notch and the customer service at Empress Effects is excellent.
This review is for the following Empress Effects Pedals: Buffer+, Bass Compressor, and ParaEq MkII Deluxe (x2).
I purchased the Buffer+ pedal for a few reasons and this is what I have found so far:
- I wanted to route my pedals efficiently. This pedal does it wonderfully. Having the Guitar IN (bass for me)/Amp OUT jacks on one side with the Tuner out/Loop In/Out on the other works perfectly. The design layout of the jacks enables me to design my board efficiently.
- I wanted a tuner out and a means of muting my signal. I love my Vanderkley Spartan amp, but it does not have a tuner out (or effects loop). I have noticed a big difference in my bass tone when I used the tuner out on the Buffer+. Simply getting my tuner (Peterson Stobostomp HD) out of my signal chain improved my tone/clarity. Being able to mute my signal with the Buffer+ is helpful in switching basses/shutting down power to my amp, it also saves wear and tear on the mute switch on my amp. I am a hobbyist and not one who gigs, having the tuner always on is great. I LOVE THE TUNER OUT!
- The option to BOOST. In use the boost knob is great, it works as advertised. Clean and pristine. I have found that I prefer to use the boost from this pedal vs. the boost from my ParaEq.
- The options provided with the pad switch. My Spartan pad switch is -12db, your Buffer+ pedal allows me to pad -3db, which is much more usable. This is really a moot point though as I have stopped padding my signal since I started using compression, but still, it is an option, plus the ability to switch a +3db is great (if needed).
- The noise reduction switch. I use quiet pedals, so this switch is not really needed at this time, but again it is an option.
Bass Compressor: If you are looking for a clear, transparent compressor this pedal is for you. If you want a bit of character with your compression, this has that too! Very versatile and it makes me play (and sound) better. I highly recommend this compressor pedal for bass. The Bass Compressor pedal works phenomenally well with the ParaEq MkII Deluxe.
ParaEq Mk II Deluxe: This pedal is awesome. Less than five minutes in and I have my bass tone tighter, fuller and more articulate than ever before. I am really enjoying the ParaEq Mk II Deluxe with the Empress bass compressor. Adding the eq after the compressor is ear opening. The definition I am able to achieve with the Deluxe post compression is a thing of beauty. I was never able to get where I am tonally with just my bass amp and/or my onboard bass preamp. The Deluxe opens up (or closes) all the doors you will ever need or want. This is the first equalizer pedal I have ever used, and I am glad I decided to get this one.
I recently acquired a second ParaEq MKII Deluxe, it arrived yesterday. It is awesome to have two ParaEq MkII Deluxe pedals on my board! I have one set for my F Bass BN5 and the other for my Fodera YYS5. My two basses have different tonal characteristics and having a pedal dedicated for each is a luxury.
In closing, I am still growing with these pedals, and I expect that I will learn more about their attributes through use. All of the Empress Effects pedals I use are truly top notch and the customer service at Empress Effects is excellent.
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BN5HardCaseGuy, excellent reviews. Thanks for taking the time to write that and share it with us.
I did want to inquire about your stating that the sound is improved by not running your signal through the Strobostomp. Did you previously use the buffered output setting on the Stomp, vs. true bypass?
I have a Strobostomp also, and I can't always tell much difference in the sound when I have it on the board and in the chain vs. when I don't. I do use buffered output on the Stomp, and I do hear an small improvement with a passive bass. It's not audible to me with an active bass. This is what one would expect with buffering.
I did want to inquire about your stating that the sound is improved by not running your signal through the Strobostomp. Did you previously use the buffered output setting on the Stomp, vs. true bypass?
I have a Strobostomp also, and I can't always tell much difference in the sound when I have it on the board and in the chain vs. when I don't. I do use buffered output on the Stomp, and I do hear an small improvement with a passive bass. It's not audible to me with an active bass. This is what one would expect with buffering.
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Hi Michael,
I really do not know how my Strobostomp is set (buffered or tb). My Strobostomp is probably set to true bypass, based on your response or it makes sense to me that it is. I forgot that it was even an option on this pedal! I use active basses too and I have not changed any settings on the Stobostomp (or I do not remember if I did). I covered the entire bottom of the pedal with Velcro so I am unable to check the battery compartment to see how my pedal is set (doh). There was a learning curve to attaching the Velcro on this pedal and I ended up ruining the Velcro supplied with the pedal. In the end I just covered the entire bottom of the pedal as I use a power supply and did not need to access the battery compartment.
Regardless of how my Stobostomp is set, that tuner out on the Buffer+ is great, I really like that it is separate from the rest of my loop. Could the buffer be better on the Empress Buffer+ vs. the Stobostomp HD?
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I've looked at the Empress Buffer+ myself, but ultimately concluded that if I continue to use the Strobostomp in buffered mode, I didn't need the extra pedal. Actually, the ParaEQ Deluxe has buffering built into it as well, and of course, the boost. If I wanted to run with just a headstock tuner, I could pull the Strobostomp off my Nano+, but I love the Stomp and want to keep it it on the board.
As you noted, the switch is in the battery compartment. Here's a screen cap from the Strobostomp manual:
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Got my MKII deluxe today. This is my first parametric EQ pedal, and WOW!!
my rig is a g&l kiloton 5 into a reeves 225, which is a great sounding rig, but with the ParaEQ, I’m able to dial out the Honk of the kiloton5 around 500hz, and boost the lows around 100k and it sounds like a blanket lifted off my tone.
I’m loving this thing!
my rig is a g&l kiloton 5 into a reeves 225, which is a great sounding rig, but with the ParaEQ, I’m able to dial out the Honk of the kiloton5 around 500hz, and boost the lows around 100k and it sounds like a blanket lifted off my tone.
I’m loving this thing!
I've just "completed" my new board, which should allow me to get my metal sound and my vintage/groove sounds. So far it's only seen actual use in the metal band. Funk band coming up soon!
Metal default patch:
Dingwall NG3 > Doc Lloyd > (Lil Fella) > DG Infinity > MB2 > PC-2A > Para EQ II
Other stuff default patch::
Nordy P/MM > Doc Lloyd > (Octabvre) > (C4/Future Impact) > (Doom2) > MB2 > (Proton) > PC-2A > Para EQ II
Everything except the Doc Lloyd and the tuner go through a Road Rage loop switcher, so I don't get signal degradation from bypassed pedals. And with a couple of stomps, I can get my plain Jane bass sound too. I tried switching the order of Comp/EQ, and the sound felt more powerful and up front with the PC-2A first.
Currently the Para EQ is giving me a bump at about 200Hz and 1kHz, plus HPF and a bit of high shelf boost.
I know it's way way overkill, but hey, get off my back, jeez. I also want to CUT THROUGH the mix and play lots of notes high up on the neck, so sue me.
Metal default patch:
Dingwall NG3 > Doc Lloyd > (Lil Fella) > DG Infinity > MB2 > PC-2A > Para EQ II
Other stuff default patch::
Nordy P/MM > Doc Lloyd > (Octabvre) > (C4/Future Impact) > (Doom2) > MB2 > (Proton) > PC-2A > Para EQ II
Everything except the Doc Lloyd and the tuner go through a Road Rage loop switcher, so I don't get signal degradation from bypassed pedals. And with a couple of stomps, I can get my plain Jane bass sound too. I tried switching the order of Comp/EQ, and the sound felt more powerful and up front with the PC-2A first.
Currently the Para EQ is giving me a bump at about 200Hz and 1kHz, plus HPF and a bit of high shelf boost.
I know it's way way overkill, but hey, get off my back, jeez. I also want to CUT THROUGH the mix and play lots of notes high up on the neck, so sue me.
For a quick setup gig, it would be all you need.
Could anybody compare this EQ (deluxe version) with Broughton Resonant Filter Equalizer? I mean, I have RFE on my pedalboard, so don't really need an EQ. But I also have other Empress stuff - Bass Comp, Phaser and had the ZOIA - and I really like them.. So, you know.. 
The filters on RFE are, as the name suggests, resonant. Which I use quite a bit - so not sure whether I would not miss that. Probably the curve could be tailored in similiar way. Maybe with combination of high pass and low shelf boosted (or low pass and high shelf boosted on the other side)..
The filters on RFE are, as the name suggests, resonant. Which I use quite a bit - so not sure whether I would not miss that. Probably the curve could be tailored in similiar way. Maybe with combination of high pass and low shelf boosted (or low pass and high shelf boosted on the other side)..
Hey @Cube Bass - I have both, but neither for that long yet. There is some overlap in functions between the two. The Mid EQ on the Broughton is semiparametric, where on the ParaEQ, it's adjustable Q. Broughton mid is fixed Q, probably in the 1 range- the unit doesn't have stated spec there.
You can simulate the filter resonance on the ParaEQ by boosting the low shelf and high shelf as you said, but those are set at fixed frequencies. 200 Hz for the low shelf, and 1 kHz for the high. Everything below and above those frequencies are boosted (or cut.)
On the RFE, the resonances will boost around the frequency set by the filter controls, so there possibly is finer control there. The RFE documentation is not clear about the boost, whether it boosts everything below or above the frequencies set by the HPF and LPF, or if the boost is only at the set frequency. I should email Josh and ask. I would think it'd be just at the frequency, and not a broad boost, or it would partially defeat the purpose of the passband filter, ie: you want to roll off the frequencies under (HPF) or over (LPF) the setting, not boost them.
The ParaEQ Deluxe is a fair bit more expensive than your RFE, and if you don't need the fully parametric 3-band EQ, you should stick to the RFE you already have. It does the passband filter controls with a bit more finesse and still has a semiparametric mid control, which most bass amp heads do not. It's nice to be able to zero in on frequencies between the amp head mid controls if needed.
The ParaEQ is a much more attractive unit, if that is of concern, and the look would blend in with your other Empress pedals very well, compared to the spartan red RFE with white knobs. I have an Empress Bass Compressor II in silver next to the ParaEQ and they look great together.
The ParaEQ has the 3 band full parametric, and if you want that much control over your sound, say if you have a lot of different instruments that you play in diverse live environments, then it's a very nice tool to have. That's the big advantage it has over the RFE.
But RFE does the resonance control. If you don't need the 3 band parametric, there's no reason to move on from the RFE, other than you want to have another Empress on your board.
(Edit - I've emailed Josh, and will post his reply.)
You can simulate the filter resonance on the ParaEQ by boosting the low shelf and high shelf as you said, but those are set at fixed frequencies. 200 Hz for the low shelf, and 1 kHz for the high. Everything below and above those frequencies are boosted (or cut.)
On the RFE, the resonances will boost around the frequency set by the filter controls, so there possibly is finer control there. The RFE documentation is not clear about the boost, whether it boosts everything below or above the frequencies set by the HPF and LPF, or if the boost is only at the set frequency. I should email Josh and ask. I would think it'd be just at the frequency, and not a broad boost, or it would partially defeat the purpose of the passband filter, ie: you want to roll off the frequencies under (HPF) or over (LPF) the setting, not boost them.
The ParaEQ Deluxe is a fair bit more expensive than your RFE, and if you don't need the fully parametric 3-band EQ, you should stick to the RFE you already have. It does the passband filter controls with a bit more finesse and still has a semiparametric mid control, which most bass amp heads do not. It's nice to be able to zero in on frequencies between the amp head mid controls if needed.
The ParaEQ is a much more attractive unit, if that is of concern, and the look would blend in with your other Empress pedals very well, compared to the spartan red RFE with white knobs. I have an Empress Bass Compressor II in silver next to the ParaEQ and they look great together.
The ParaEQ has the 3 band full parametric, and if you want that much control over your sound, say if you have a lot of different instruments that you play in diverse live environments, then it's a very nice tool to have. That's the big advantage it has over the RFE.
But RFE does the resonance control. If you don't need the 3 band parametric, there's no reason to move on from the RFE, other than you want to have another Empress on your board.
(Edit - I've emailed Josh, and will post his reply.)
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Thanks @Michael Vee for calming me down (at least for now.. )
In my case it would be exchange. I would maybe even sell the Broughton Flip Top as well. Nothing wrong with it, just don't think I need it. So it would be without loss - just two pedals for one. It seems that distributor for Empress in my country stopped with distribution of this brand, so I can't make a side by side comparision for myself.
For the RFE, i believe the resonance is only on the cutoff frequency - similiar to how filter on a synth works. But still would be interesting to know what topology of filter that is.
I am not really in how nice pedals are visually, but must say that the Bass Comp in sparkle blue looks really cool in flesh.
To react on other piece of your info/topic of consideration - I have only one bass and want it to stay this way, though I'll maybe exchange it for something else later this year. But the venues I play in with my band on the other hand are really diverse, sometimes even in a bad way - so some kind of tool like this is needed.
)In my case it would be exchange. I would maybe even sell the Broughton Flip Top as well. Nothing wrong with it, just don't think I need it. So it would be without loss - just two pedals for one. It seems that distributor for Empress in my country stopped with distribution of this brand, so I can't make a side by side comparision for myself.
For the RFE, i believe the resonance is only on the cutoff frequency - similiar to how filter on a synth works. But still would be interesting to know what topology of filter that is.
I am not really in how nice pedals are visually, but must say that the Bass Comp in sparkle blue looks really cool in flesh.
To react on other piece of your info/topic of consideration - I have only one bass and want it to stay this way, though I'll maybe exchange it for something else later this year. But the venues I play in with my band on the other hand are really diverse, sometimes even in a bad way - so some kind of tool like this is needed.
After writing all that in the last post, I did hear back from Josh Broughton, who said the Resonant Filter Equalizer (RFE) Mid control is set to a Q of .9, so it's just under an octave, which is what many amp mid controls use for their set frequencies.
Josh also said the resonant boosts on the RFE are only for the frequency you set, so if you have HPF set for 80 Hz, the boost you set is just for 80 Hz. It doesn't effect the slope underneath the frequency, so that same HPF setting of 80 Hz means that 40 Hz will be down 12 dB, just as you'd expect with that 12 dB/octave filter slope. Same is true for the LPF.
The obvious conclusion I hadn't reached was that the ParaEQ can do either of those RFE resonance boosts, simply by setting the Bass EQ frequency to be that of the corner frequency of the LPF, setting the Q to it's narrowest, fully clockwise setting, and boosting to suit. Same is true for the High EQ and the LPF. So the ParaEQ can emulate the Broughton RFE, but also offer a fully parametric mid band.
So, Cube Bass - you can definitely replace your RFE with a ParaEQ Deluxe and also add to your Empress collection!
Josh also said the resonant boosts on the RFE are only for the frequency you set, so if you have HPF set for 80 Hz, the boost you set is just for 80 Hz. It doesn't effect the slope underneath the frequency, so that same HPF setting of 80 Hz means that 40 Hz will be down 12 dB, just as you'd expect with that 12 dB/octave filter slope. Same is true for the LPF.
The obvious conclusion I hadn't reached was that the ParaEQ can do either of those RFE resonance boosts, simply by setting the Bass EQ frequency to be that of the corner frequency of the LPF, setting the Q to it's narrowest, fully clockwise setting, and boosting to suit. Same is true for the High EQ and the LPF. So the ParaEQ can emulate the Broughton RFE, but also offer a fully parametric mid band.
So, Cube Bass - you can definitely replace your RFE with a ParaEQ Deluxe and also add to your Empress collection!
One month of use update.
Having two ParaEq MkII Deluxe pedals is still awesome. I have stopped using the onboard preamp on my BN5 and YYS5. I play both basses passive through their own dedicated ParaEq. The YYS5 has active EMG pickups, but I prefer the tone I can get from using ParaEq with the YYS5 in "passive" mode (not so much a fan of the Pope preamp). To my ears the tone is better without the onboard Pope standard preamp activated (set flat). I feel the same about the F Bass preamp (set flat with ParaEq), it just sounds better to me passive through the ParaEq. I really like the F Bass preamp, no complaints, but I find my BN5 sounds better passively with the ParaEq. My BN5 passive is beautiful, but add the the ParaEq and it is gorgeous. I have went through a wide range of settings on both basses with the ParaEq Deluxe and have reached the point where I can say that I am so glad I got the Deluxe version (x2)!
The Empress Bass Compressor is still awesome too, I forget it is even on, but I know when it is off. I have it set on "more control" setting from the manual with the HP at 1 o'clock. Pretty much set and forget = perfection. Leaving the compressor at this setting helped me tweak the ParaEq more successfully for both basses.
Finally, the Buffer+: Yes, it too is still awesome. I still prefer using the boost on the buffer+ vs. the ParaEq. The ParaEq boost feels warmer sounding. The ParaEq boost sounds a lot like my F Bass preamp (not a bad thing)! In my opinion the Buffer+ boost sounds clearer, less warm to my ears and I just simply prefer it. One new development with the Buffer+, I love the noise filter switch! It clears up speaker hiss/noise without being a tone suck. I notice it helps more with the F Bass in single coil mode than with the EMG's on the YYS5. At first I did not like it, but I was running everything active at that point. Running passively may not have changed anything, and it may just be I hear the benefit of using the noise reduction now. More later....
Having two ParaEq MkII Deluxe pedals is still awesome. I have stopped using the onboard preamp on my BN5 and YYS5. I play both basses passive through their own dedicated ParaEq. The YYS5 has active EMG pickups, but I prefer the tone I can get from using ParaEq with the YYS5 in "passive" mode (not so much a fan of the Pope preamp). To my ears the tone is better without the onboard Pope standard preamp activated (set flat). I feel the same about the F Bass preamp (set flat with ParaEq), it just sounds better to me passive through the ParaEq. I really like the F Bass preamp, no complaints, but I find my BN5 sounds better passively with the ParaEq. My BN5 passive is beautiful, but add the the ParaEq and it is gorgeous. I have went through a wide range of settings on both basses with the ParaEq Deluxe and have reached the point where I can say that I am so glad I got the Deluxe version (x2)!
The Empress Bass Compressor is still awesome too, I forget it is even on, but I know when it is off. I have it set on "more control" setting from the manual with the HP at 1 o'clock. Pretty much set and forget = perfection. Leaving the compressor at this setting helped me tweak the ParaEq more successfully for both basses.
Finally, the Buffer+: Yes, it too is still awesome. I still prefer using the boost on the buffer+ vs. the ParaEq. The ParaEq boost feels warmer sounding. The ParaEq boost sounds a lot like my F Bass preamp (not a bad thing)! In my opinion the Buffer+ boost sounds clearer, less warm to my ears and I just simply prefer it. One new development with the Buffer+, I love the noise filter switch! It clears up speaker hiss/noise without being a tone suck. I notice it helps more with the F Bass in single coil mode than with the EMG's on the YYS5. At first I did not like it, but I was running everything active at that point. Running passively may not have changed anything, and it may just be I hear the benefit of using the noise reduction now. More later....
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BN5HardCaseGuy, I have come to the same conclusion as you; I run all my basses through my Empress Para EQ.
I have the original version.
My active basses are kept flat, as is my amp, and I use only the Empress to control the tone.
My Ibanez Musician, which is my only bass which can be run active or passive is now only run passive with the Empress as its tone controls.
It doesn’t sound better, it sounds vastly better!
It’s the same with all my basses.
And the Empress is the only pedal I have found which can at least partially tame the zing in my Ernie Ball Stingray.
The Empress =
Mike
I have the original version.
My active basses are kept flat, as is my amp, and I use only the Empress to control the tone.
My Ibanez Musician, which is my only bass which can be run active or passive is now only run passive with the Empress as its tone controls.
It doesn’t sound better, it sounds vastly better!
It’s the same with all my basses.
And the Empress is the only pedal I have found which can at least partially tame the zing in my Ernie Ball Stingray.
The Empress =
Mike
Michael Jewels, thanks for your reply.
Like your Stingray, the ParaEq cuts out the innate boom + zing of the EMG's in my YYS. What this pedal can do for the EMG pickups is wonderful, it has cured my buyer's remorse!
Like your Stingray, the ParaEq cuts out the innate boom + zing of the EMG's in my YYS. What this pedal can do for the EMG pickups is wonderful, it has cured my buyer's remorse!
One year anniversary of the release of the ParaEQMkII and I have one arriving tomorrow.
Decided three dirt types (DCX Bass, ReVolt #2/3 Channels) were enough, and with the BOOST and HPF/LPF, it was too good to pass up. When I bailed on an H90, due to the need of hiring a technician, after returning an effect and the C4 , due to needing a laptop and a technician.
It just popped up in my face...
I'm running the Two Notes ReVolt Bass Tube Preamp and OPUS IR loader. I really want to be able to EQ prior to the cabinet IR, and not afterwards, as is the treatment by the OPUS. Perfect!
Decided three dirt types (DCX Bass, ReVolt #2/3 Channels) were enough, and with the BOOST and HPF/LPF, it was too good to pass up. When I bailed on an H90, due to the need of hiring a technician, after returning an effect and the C4 , due to needing a laptop and a technician.
It just popped up in my face...
I'm running the Two Notes ReVolt Bass Tube Preamp and OPUS IR loader. I really want to be able to EQ prior to the cabinet IR, and not afterwards, as is the treatment by the OPUS. Perfect!
The Empress Buffer + should have had the guitar in and amp out swapped. The cables get on top of each other how it is now.
Got a gift certificate for Xmas and cashed it in on this! Arrived yesterday morning so I got to do a quick sound check at home then promptly packed it up for my gig last night.
Disclaimer: I am planning to use this primarily with my upright as I have some other preamp / eq gizmos that work fine with my electrics.
First impressions: the HPF and LPF are very handy and every other adjustment led to musical sounding results. The boost is very nice and I used it for a coupla solos which was super cool.
I’ll report back after a few more occasions!
