New Empress Compressor MKII

[Fuzzbass]

Well, actually that wasn't what I meant, and I should have been clearer. I meant that plain old passive pickups vary in impedance (that right?), so bypassing the pre in various active basses is gonna present different impedances to the compressor, and they'll be more or less prone to picking up the noise.

Sure, but my point was essentially that the active preamp overrides the pickups, regardless of pickup impedance... when the bass is in active mode, of course. I don't believe that any passive pickups will have impedance as low as active, but I'm not certain.

Usual disclaimer: IANA tech.

 

[frankzap]

As described previously, that input signal path is too close to leds power traces in the ribbon cable connecting the two boards inside. A custom print flex ribbon would have these traces at a higher distance and/or separated by a ground trace to isolate the inductive fields generated by the leds firing on and off with high current flows. These input traces act like an antenna for higher impedance signal originated in a passive pickup. Is like when you get your instrument close to a power amplifier and it picks up a strong hum (more so next to a tube amp with strong EM fields generated by its transformers and high voltage circuits). Maybe this is the reason why metering is not so common in analog pedals. It may be difficult to contain the effects of high currents flowing next to audio signals. It is excellent that such a simple and rapid fix can be offered and Empress did a nice job.

 

[TwototheValley]

I’ve been enjoying feeding various distortion pedals with the Empress Bass Compressor with the Tone+Colour switch engaged and the output slightly cranked. Adds a nice extra layer of harmonic character which stacks rather well....

 

[Ben Janusch]

When I first got the Empress Bass Compressor this week I tried it with my BB735A in passive mode and the static from the lights was horrible. It was even there in active mode, though not as bad. My Schecter Riot, which is active, no noise. After 2-3 days it seems like the static has calmed down? Not sure if it's the diodes breaking in a little. It's still there with the Yamaha in passive, but not nearly as bad. Anyway... glad I didn't send it back. Great compressor. Kicked my MXR off the board easily. Huge difference in hiss and much easier to dial in.

I bought this because my Darkglass Hyper Luminal broke and I've been struggling with Darkglass to get a resolution. The MXR was a cheap hold over that just wasn't cutting it. When the Darkglass is fixed I'm not sure it'll go back on the board.

 

[scubaduba]

I published my review over the weekend: https://www.compressorpedalreviews.com/post/empress-mkii-compressor-review

 

[Ewo]

Good job on the review!

This caught my eye: "I think the words might pop out a more on blue enclosure making them a bit easier to read." Yeah, that's exactly the reason I bought mine in blue. White lettering on a blue background is more contrast-y than black on a grey background.

 

[Loring]

Just got mine (bass comp) from the scratch and dent sale - took me a while to find the flaw. Small scratch beside one of the screws on the bottom!

owned the previous empress compressor and was expecting much the same in a smaller package - nope it is better and the tone + colour is amazing!

I do have a smidge of noise with my active Basses at the -3db point but you’d never hear it live. Looking forward to the fix though - this pedal is so quiet it will be awesome for recording once that little issue is looked after.

 

[Mitch -Empress]

Quick update on the compressor fix - our easy fix, replacing the ribbon cable with a flex PCB works and it does fix the issue. We are waiting for the parts right now. The shop producing the parts came back with an estimate that was longer than we expected, we are seeing if we can source the parts somewhere else faster now but it is looking like the fix will be delayed by a couple weeks as of right now. I'll keep you all updated when I have an exact timeframe when the Flex PCBs will go out.

 

[scubaduba]

Quick update on the compressor fix - our easy fix, replacing the ribbon cable with a flex PCB works and it does fix the issue. We are waiting for the parts right now. The shop producing the parts came back with an estimate that was longer than we expected, we are seeing if we can source the parts somewhere else faster now but it is looking like the fix will be delayed by a couple weeks as of right now. I'll keep you all updated when I have an exact timeframe when the Flex PCBs will go out.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Kenneth92]

Funny. When Darkglass had widespread issues with the Hyper Luminal and power supplies I didn't see this much hand ringing or complaining about qc or rushing to market

For real! But darkglass is all about that hype. Their fan base is loyal than a mofo.

 

[Bassgeer]

I am really interested in how this comp compares to the FEA Opti Fet, especially when comparing the warmth and colour settings between the two. Anyone have experience with both and can describe how they differ tonally, and in terms of the action and feel? I would call the Opti Fet syrupy but clean with a bit of warmth.

 

[Fuzzbass]

For real! But darkglass is all about that hype. Their fan base is loyal than a mofo.

"Hype" has nothing to do with it. Darkglass earned their loyalty by offering quality products, and excellent customer support: On the rare occasion that a mistake is made, they own that mistake and make it right. Obviously Darkglass isn't the only company in this category. Empress is another, and deserves that same customer loyalty/patience if a mistake is made.

 

[scubaduba]

I am really interested in how this comp compares to the FEA Opti Fet, especially when comparing the warmth and colour settings between the two. Anyone have experience with both and can describe how they differ tonally, and in terms of the action and feel? I would call the Opti Fet syrupy but clean with a bit of warmth.

Both are fantastic and you won’t go wrong with either. I’d describe the Opti-FET as inherently darker and maybe smoother feeling. In that sense the Empress is probably a touch more transparent. I prefer what the the color switch on the Empress does to my tone more than the Gain dial on the FEA but that is totally preference.

 

[scubaduba]

Oh, and I much prefer the form factor of the Empress.

 

[Bassgeer]

Oh, and I much prefer the form factor of the Empress.

Thanks for the observations! I have owned the Opti-Fet before and definitely find myself missing it, but am intrigued by the Empress. I really like that it has better metering and the blend control.

Cheers

 

[Kenneth92]

Quick update on the compressor fix - our easy fix, replacing the ribbon cable with a flex PCB works and it does fix the issue. We are waiting for the parts right now. The shop producing the parts came back with an estimate that was longer than we expected, we are seeing if we can source the parts somewhere else faster now but it is looking like the fix will be delayed by a couple weeks as of right now. I'll keep you all updated when I have an exact timeframe when the Flex PCBs will go out.

I literally just bought the bass version in silver, does that mean that I’m gonna have issues with it when I get it?

 

[bassjam]

I literally just bought the bass version in silver, does that mean that I’m gonna have issues with it when I get it?

Curious about this also- I can find them around, but not sure if it’s better to wait on the new batch?

 

[Zymba]

I literally just bought the bass version in silver, does that mean that I’m gonna have issues with it when I get it?

I'm not experiencing any strange noise issues with my unit and I run a passive bass. Sounds and functions beautifully. I don't know why that is but I'm kind of curious if anyone else is NOT having issues with theirs. I bought direct from the Empress pre-sale, fwiw.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I literally just bought the bass version in silver, does that mean that I’m gonna have issues with it when I get it?

I'm not experiencing any strange noise issues with my unit and I run a passive bass. Sounds and functions beautifully. I don't know why that is but I'm kind of curious if anyone else is NOT having issues with theirs. I bought direct from the Empress pre-sale, fwiw.

Others have reported that they don't have the issue at all. Mine does have the issue, but it only happens at the tail end of compression, and it's barely noticeable.

Again, the noise mostly just happens with passive basses, and won't happen if the pedal receives a buffered signal.

 

[DirtyDuke]

"Hype" has nothing to do with it. Darkglass earned their loyalty by offering quality products, and excellent customer support: On the rare occasion that a mistake is made, they own that mistake and make it right. Obviously Darkglass isn't the only company in this category. Empress is another, and deserves that same customer loyalty/patience if a mistake is made.

Exactly.