Bought one yesterday off of the Verb. Due to arrive Friday…. looking forward to doing a side by side with my old original version.
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New Empress Compressor MKII
- Thread starter crguti
- Start date
Curious, did you guys check with the seller to confirm it was from the newer batch?
I had a unit at one point that suffered from "the issue". Empress took care of me and actually sent a VERY early serial number as a replacement and it has zero issues, also with the original ribbon installed. I don't think the new batch is in yet for the Bass Comps.
I believe the new batch is out. I bought one new a few days ago (silver), just received it and I got #250. From this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] apparently all serial numbers above 240 are the new ones that are fixed. Will report back when I get to play with it with various basses.
Hey there! Yes I did…. Actually reached to 2 sellers… both responded that they got them in the day I put the order in… 2 days ago. Both said it was from the new batch…I guess Empress sent to them first as I’ve been checking the Empress website pretty regularly and has shown out of stock. I went with the guy that advertised free 2 day shipping. I got the order in so late in the day that the tracking said it would be here tomorrow…..
Surprise, I got home and it was delivered today. Just spent about 45 minutes playing around with it…. Different rigs, different Basses…..Happy to report- Dead quiet and no issues! I really like it- pretty much what I was expecting. I’ve used the older Empress Comp for years on an off. Didn’t really need this, but hey…. Why not. It has a couple features the old one doesn’t have, which is cool.
Is there any way to see whether you got one from the new or old batch? Maybe a serial number or something?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I get my third (and final) bass compressor back from Empress on Friday. I’ll be sure to let everyone know how it goes. On my previous two units the noise was noticeable immediately so I really hope the third time is a charm!
So I’ve been using one on my board for awhile. No problems. Tuesday I was using my Kala Ubass for the first time in a couple years in band practice, and the low end was bottomless with the high pass filter set right. Truly impressive.
It has arrived! Unfortunately, I have to wait 10 hours to try it out…
Empress sent me a new comp as opposed to fixing the internals of my old one. My old serial number was #73 and the new one is mid 400s.
I’m going to put the BC through its paces and try @TwototheValley ’s settings to see if I can replicate any static noise. I am really hoping there is no issue with this bad boy.
Empress sent me a new comp as opposed to fixing the internals of my old one. My old serial number was #73 and the new one is mid 400s.
I’m going to put the BC through its paces and try @TwototheValley ’s settings to see if I can replicate any static noise. I am really hoping there is no issue with this bad boy.
After playing with my new BC (serial #250) I'm happy to report it is noise-free! My experience is very much in line with scuba's review: transparent with the tone+color switch in the middle, super versatile, great metering. For reference, I also own an Accountant, an OG Smoothie, and a Keeley Bassist, all of which have dedicated purposes. The BC is my general-purpose compressor now.
I’ve used my new Empress Bass Compressor for about one week, tried it with each of my basses, and it is absolutely what I was looking for!
So why do I use a compressor?
1. I have found some back line rigs don’t provide me with the evenness in note volume. For example, I once played through a rig that was so bottom tone heavy you almost couldn’t hear notes played on the G string. Using a compressor with that equipment allowed me to get closer to a tone I like. This is an example of using a compressor as a bandaid for equipment.
2. Added punch and note definition. This is the real reason I use compression. I like the added punch I get from compression set for a slow attack. This setting allows a bit of the original note volume through prior to compressing the signal.
In order for me to accomplish reason #2 I find a must-have feature of the compressor is a blend control and a high pass filter control. The blend control allows the original non-compressed signal to be blended with the compressed signal. The HPF controls frequencies allowed into the compressor, which consequently allows lower frequencies to bypass the compression process.
My first two compressors did not have Blend or HPF controls and they are very highly regarded compressors. I initially liked them (new shiny objects) however the more I used them the the more I realized they weren’t for me as my signal sounded squashed, too “compressed”.
I then bought the Cali76 and really liked the Blend and HPF features. The Cali76 does what I’m after in a compressor.
So why did I get the Empress? I ordered the Empress in December 2020, the sound issue was reported by users and in my opinion Empress went to work to correct the issue and prioritize the repair and correction of units belonging to existing owners. After waiting about 3 months with no shipping date in sight I chose to get the Cali76 which I will say again is an awesome compressor for my wants and needs.
My experience using this new Empress Bass Compressor? It is awesome! I can summarize the tone through the compressor as sounding like the bass I’m using. This compressor, with the Tone switch set to “Off” is clean. The three compression ratio settings all work well, each allows notes from my basses to come through clean. I repeat, this compressor is clean! How about the two “Color” options? I find both useful based on serving the song that’s played.
How does the Empress Bass Compressor compare to my Cali76? When the Cali76 is “On” I hear a change in the tone of my bass, the tone of my bass is “Thicker”. Others have described the Cali76 as adding a brightness to their tone, I notice less brightness when playing through the Cali76 with my main player, a G&L M-2500 Tribute. Whether one hears more low end or high end tones when compression is on may be affected by the pickups of the given bass being played. Both the Cali76 and Empress Bass Compressor, thanks to their Blend and HPF controls, allow me to get what I want from compression, added note definition allowing each note to have impact and be heard in a band setting while not overpowering the mix.
In my opinion there’s no loser between these two compressors. I really like what I get from the Empress and believe it will be on my pedal board for quite a long time
So why do I use a compressor?
1. I have found some back line rigs don’t provide me with the evenness in note volume. For example, I once played through a rig that was so bottom tone heavy you almost couldn’t hear notes played on the G string. Using a compressor with that equipment allowed me to get closer to a tone I like. This is an example of using a compressor as a bandaid for equipment.
2. Added punch and note definition. This is the real reason I use compression. I like the added punch I get from compression set for a slow attack. This setting allows a bit of the original note volume through prior to compressing the signal.
In order for me to accomplish reason #2 I find a must-have feature of the compressor is a blend control and a high pass filter control. The blend control allows the original non-compressed signal to be blended with the compressed signal. The HPF controls frequencies allowed into the compressor, which consequently allows lower frequencies to bypass the compression process.
My first two compressors did not have Blend or HPF controls and they are very highly regarded compressors. I initially liked them (new shiny objects) however the more I used them the the more I realized they weren’t for me as my signal sounded squashed, too “compressed”.
I then bought the Cali76 and really liked the Blend and HPF features. The Cali76 does what I’m after in a compressor.
So why did I get the Empress? I ordered the Empress in December 2020, the sound issue was reported by users and in my opinion Empress went to work to correct the issue and prioritize the repair and correction of units belonging to existing owners. After waiting about 3 months with no shipping date in sight I chose to get the Cali76 which I will say again is an awesome compressor for my wants and needs.
My experience using this new Empress Bass Compressor? It is awesome! I can summarize the tone through the compressor as sounding like the bass I’m using. This compressor, with the Tone switch set to “Off” is clean. The three compression ratio settings all work well, each allows notes from my basses to come through clean. I repeat, this compressor is clean! How about the two “Color” options? I find both useful based on serving the song that’s played.
How does the Empress Bass Compressor compare to my Cali76? When the Cali76 is “On” I hear a change in the tone of my bass, the tone of my bass is “Thicker”. Others have described the Cali76 as adding a brightness to their tone, I notice less brightness when playing through the Cali76 with my main player, a G&L M-2500 Tribute. Whether one hears more low end or high end tones when compression is on may be affected by the pickups of the given bass being played. Both the Cali76 and Empress Bass Compressor, thanks to their Blend and HPF controls, allow me to get what I want from compression, added note definition allowing each note to have impact and be heard in a band setting while not overpowering the mix.
In my opinion there’s no loser between these two compressors. I really like what I get from the Empress and believe it will be on my pedal board for quite a long time
Thanks for the link, turns out mine is 260 (blue). Can confirm that is has no issues!
Thanks for your excellent comparison and review!I’ve used my new Empress Bass Compressor for about one week, tried it with each of my basses, and it is absolutely what I was looking for!
So why do I use a compressor?
1. I have found some back line rigs don’t provide me with the evenness in note volume. For example, I once played through a rig that was so bottom tone heavy you almost couldn’t hear notes played on the G string. Using a compressor with that equipment allowed me to get closer to a tone I like. This is an example of using a compressor as a bandaid for equipment.
2. Added punch and note definition. This is the real reason I use compression. I like the added punch I get from compression set for a slow attack. This setting allows a bit of the original note volume through prior to compressing the signal.
In order for me to accomplish reason #2 I find a must-have feature of the compressor is a blend control and a high pass filter control. The blend control allows the original non-compressed signal to be blended with the compressed signal. The HPF controls frequencies allowed into the compressor, which consequently allows lower frequencies to bypass the compression process.
My first two compressors did not have Blend or HPF controls and they are very highly regarded compressors. I initially liked them (new shiny objects) however the more I used them the the more I realized they weren’t for me as my signal sounded squashed, too “compressed”.
I then bought the Cali76 and really liked the Blend and HPF features. The Cali76 does what I’m after in a compressor.
So why did I get the Empress? I ordered the Empress in December 2020, the sound issue was reported by users and in my opinion Empress went to work to correct the issue and prioritize the repair and correction of units belonging to existing owners. After waiting about 3 months with no shipping date in sight I chose to get the Cali76 which I will say again is an awesome compressor for my wants and needs.
My experience using this new Empress Bass Compressor? It is awesome! I can summarize the tone through the compressor as sounding like the bass I’m using. This compressor, with the Tone switch set to “Off” is clean. The three compression ratio settings all work well, each allows notes from my basses to come through clean. I repeat, this compressor is clean! How about the two “Color” options? I find both useful based on serving the song that’s played.
How does the Empress Bass Compressor compare to my Cali76? When the Cali76 is “On” I hear a change in the tone of my bass, the tone of my bass is “Thicker”. Others have described the Cali76 as adding a brightness to their tone, I notice less brightness when playing through the Cali76 with my main player, a G&L M-2500 Tribute. Whether one hears more low end or high end tones when compression is on may be affected by the pickups of the given bass being played. Both the Cali76 and Empress Bass Compressor, thanks to their Blend and HPF controls, allow me to get what I want from compression, added note definition allowing each note to have impact and be heard in a band setting while not overpowering the mix.
In my opinion there’s no loser between these two compressors. I really like what I get from the Empress and believe it will be on my pedal board for quite a long time
Hi! Did you ever get your Empress BC working and sounding to your liking? Cheers.
