New Empress Compressor MKII

[Alien8]

I almost wonder if there's two issues at play, like a -2 led AND a -3 led issue. Mine is very clearly the -3 led.

Has anyone tried the coupon code to see how much it is? Reverb and EchoSystem call to me.

 

[Lowendtech]

Being really happy that the problem is almost gone is a dream customer for a retailer/manufacturer with a problem in their device.

I believe that the issue has been fixed for the majority of the people that have done it and the few that haven’t been resolved are, so far, in the extreme minority. Like 2 or 3 people that I’m aware of.

Big bummer that the flex replacement doesn't resolve the issue.

 

[Loring]

Very cool of them. After my experience with the ES-8 and the general attitude of that won't happen to my unit...and then it did...it's just not worth it to roll the dice for me. Buying aftermarket Band-Aids using other pedals to fix the problem isn't really appealing to me either. I'll wait until there is a redesigned one released and it's been in enough hands for enough time to vet out any other potential problems before I check it out. Big bummer that the flex replacement doesn't resolve the issue. I feel bad for Empress...it aint cheap to mail parts out for all sold products, plus then you have people who want straight up refunds and covering the shipping for those refunds aint cheap either.

So you have an ES8? if so you have buffers...

 

[scubaduba]

Yep, seems the problem is resolved for the majority. Great piece of kit. It’s not every day that you can have a single compressor that is highly versatile, highly transparent if you want it, colored if you want it, smooth and aggressive sustain if you want it, sharp attack and punchy if you want it, sidechain, parallel compression, best LED metering in the business, extremely pedalboard friendly… easy as an always on device or effective as an effect… Oh and two different color schemes to choose from.

I’d say that has the makings of a compelling offering. Highly recommended.

 

[Lowendtech]

I was bored for a moment so I did a thing. I put a (passive) FCS ‘66 J > cable > BC > Messenger v3 > headphone out to my Westones and heard no issues with the comp at any led level, bypassed or not, in the chain or out. It always sounded the best in the chain and activated. That’s my personal experience reference.

 

[cosmicevan]

So you have an ES8? if so you have buffers...

Yeah. ES-8 is problematic so I am going to get rid of it. I play passive basses and usually run compression up front before my buffers, but yeah lots of buffers in my chain. I’ll eventually check out the compressor.

 

[MascisMan]

Received my Bass Comp today from CME. No issues at all. Not sure if it is a new batch with the new ribbon or what. Works great though with both of my passive basses.

 

[Alien8]

Does anyone else's add hiss? Mine seems to hiss when idle. Bypass is quiet. I realize it's a comp, but this is enough to make me say something.

 

[Ryan L.]

Mine is very, very quiet. Pretty much dead silent when on.

 

[Loring]

mine is silent - if your gain is way up and you have cable / bass noise it will make it louder

 

[willsellout]

I want one of these. Might be ordering from CME. At least if I have issues I know the company will take care of it.

 

[Ryan L.]

Like I mentioned before, this compressor totally stopped me wanting to get another Cali76 CB to replace the one I sold. It might be more transparent than the Cali, but everything just sounds *better* when it’s on. Notes are punchier, crisper, and better defined. It’s an always-on pedal for me.

 

[Alien8]

mine is silent - if your gain is way up and you have cable / bass noise it will make it louder

I spent a good amount of time looking for noise sources because of the Bass Comp being added. I found and eliminated a few, but when I connected bass -> comp -> headphone amp the noise was still there, so I used really short soldered cables and still there. With nothing connected at the input, pedal on hiss, pedal off silent. This is all without added volume or anything after it. Tried different power supplies too, all good quality.

This is all with the input knob below noon and output at about 8 o'clock. The hiss certainly gets way louder as the input knob is turned up but never goes away.

I get around it now by boosting the signal before it. Once I get a replacement I will know if its my stuff or that one unit.

 

[WorktheWood]

I was told by Empress and Chicago Music Exchange that all their current inventory has the new ribbon cable installed. This is where I bought mine and have yet to have any problems with any bass.

As far as hiss goes. I do find that it adds just a touch more hiss than my Cali76 CB but not much, and it's certainly not audible in a gigging situation.

 

[revd]

As far as hiss goes. I do find that it adds just a touch more hiss than my Cali76 CB but not much, and it's certainly not audible in a gigging situation.

Why should a compressor add any hiss? Is it designed that way or slightly malfunctioning?

 

[WorktheWood]

I've never had a pedal that was dead silent, though several have been nearly so where I had to put my ear up to the speaker to hear it. Of course, if you have to go to that extreme to hear it then it is essentially silent.

Why should a compressor add any hiss? Is it designed that way or slightly malfunctioning?

 

[revd]

I've never had a pedal that was dead silent, though several have been nearly so where I had to put my ear up to the speaker to hear it. Of course, if you have to go to that extreme to hear it then it is essentially silent.

Fair enough. However, I really don't notice any hiss from my MXR. My amp isn't the quietest itself, Ampeg with a noisy fan, but sticking my head in the speaker just now I didn't hear anything.

 

[Alien8]

All Comps naturally add some noise and if you have noise already they boost it. I expect some out of any comp, like drive or fuzz can add. It's just part of the deal and I'm trying to sort out if my rig is causing it and it's getting amplified.

Also, REALLY important to point out, I'm not using an amp which could naturally cut off the noise.

 

[Planespotter]

Glad to hear it! I just ordered one from CME this weekend. I can’t wait to try it!

I was told by Empress and Chicago Music Exchange that all their current inventory has the new ribbon cable installed. This is where I bought mine and have yet to have any problems with any bass.

As far as hiss goes. I do find that it adds just a touch more hiss than my Cali76 CB but not much, and it's certainly not audible in a gigging situation.

 

[MascisMan]

I have been using this comp for about a week now and love it.

@Mitch -Empress

My only wish (for a v2?) would be the Tone + Colour option be foot-switchable (via second footswitch). Basically when bypassed it is in the "center" position. The three-way toggle is then converted to two-way toggle with the two options being the 500Hz cut or 2kHz bump. Choose your flavor via toggle and the footswitch lets you go from "center" to your chosen tone + colour option and back.

I like the center for everything general purpose, but, find myself switching on the 2kHz bump for a "boost" effect when I want to cut through. Obviously this can't really be done mid song. Would be awesome to switch between the two with a footswitch.