If I like the Effectrode PC-2A but not the Empress bass compressor ?

Not sure why you don't just get another PC-2A?

Your comment suggests a drastic tone change with the Empress, which is something I would not expect. Perhaps it's damaged or you had it adjusted improperly. All the comments I have read suggests Empress Compressors tend to be fairly tone neutral

Possible reasons for a tone shift: The newest version of the Empress Bass Compressors has a 3-way tone switch: 1. mid-scoop, 2. off, 3. mid-boost. The Compressor Mk II has a 3-way HPF switch in place of the tone switch: 1. 120hz, 2. off, 3. 240hz.

 

How about some more tubes?
Leveling Amplifier Studio Grade Compressor - Effectrode

 

The PC-2A seems to give you what you want. So as Wasnex said, why are you looking elsewhere?

Understandable that you don't care for the Empress: it's designed for transparency/clarity (outside of the colour switches).

 

Now we are getting somewhere...we know what you don't like about the PC-2A.

 

Since you like the PC-2A, don't look elsewhere, look at working with what you've got & like, ie fixing that too-much compression.
Contact Effectrode and ask if they'll mod it for you. If not, take the PC-2A to a qualified tech and have them mod it, if possible.

Alternatively, put something like an EHX "Signal Pad" pedal in front of it so you're hitting the compressor with less overall volume (after all, the Signal Pad is just a volume pot in a box with a bypass switch). Or just roll back the volume on your bass, see if that does it.

HOWEVER, then you might need some make up gain after the PC-2A (if not increasing the PC-2A's own gain)... and suddenly you've got all this extra nonsense going on when all it really needed was a tweak to the original circuit — contact Effectrode!





I'm sure people with more experience than I have will see my Signal Pad solution is fraught with holes/complications/misunderstandings of how it'll affect the compression/signal chain, etc. Hey, I'm still learning/trying-to-learn, so shoot it up!.

 

Have you talked directly to Effectrode and asked if they had any recommendations? Would they possibly mod it for you?

Also, not sure what the compression knob does, but if it mostly just sets the threshold, you could try turning your bass down to decrease how much compression it’s triggering.

 

Pretty sure you already know about it since you know Effectrode, but the LA-1A has a little more flexibility + 3 tubes, although it is a little bigger. It sounds absolutely amazing and kinda killed my search for other compressors...for the time being

 

Did you adjust the internal controls? PC-2A Supplemental - Effectrode full

 

Just put literally any pedal with a volume knob on it in front of the PC-2A and set it for less than unity gain.

 

Empress compressors don’t color the tone they just help to squat something evenly in the mix. I have a feeling you will keep tone chasing back to the instrument you’re holding if the complaint is that the empress compressor is “weak and thin” sounding. Not saying this in a judgementa way, but I’ve been down this road myself.

 

Retrospec Squeezebox is the one. I searched far and wide for the perfect tube-0-licious human squishy bass compressor, with lots of control ranging from inaudible to heavy compression... and this is it.

I can't speak for the reissue version, but my vintage squeezebox will be compressing me to the grave.

Retrospec Squeezebox

 

Not a cheap solution, but I have The Empress Bass comp at the start of my chain, and I added a Shaw Tube Injection at the end. That way I get great control and metering on the compression, and the fat tubey thickening laid on top of it. Just a suggestion that the warmth and compression don’t have to come from the same source.