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New Empress Compressor MKII

#45
I mean, they got the ZOIA out the door without major delays.

Oh wait.

source.gif


I kid, I kid! I love Empress. But yeah I wouldn't be holding my breath right now.
 
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#49
Bassist30 said:
Just a little curious why put an EQ knob in a compressor? To sell it as the same price of its older model, tells me with all its extras some parts had to be lost to quality. Maybe I'm wrong. Hope so.
Click to expand...


Size doesn’t equal quality.
It’s already smaller than the prior model, regardless of the new features.
I doubt Empress would put out an inferior product given the reputation of their present compressor. There are probably dozens of reasons how and why they did it.

As for why the EQ, it could be similar to the reasons Diamond adds one, which people seem to like. Compression can make the highs and/or lows seem less prominent so a tilt EQ can help add sheen if the sound gets dulled, or bass if the lows seem overly reduced by compression.
 
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#50
monsterthompson said:
Size doesn’t equal quality.
It’s already smaller than the prior model, regardless of the new features.
I doubt Empress would put out an inferior product given the reputation of their present compressor. There are probably dozens of reasons how and why they did it.

As for why the EQ, it could be similar to the reasons Diamond adds one, which people seem to like. Compression can make the highs and/or lows seem less prominent so a tilt EQ can help add sheen if the sound gets dulled, or bass if the lows seem overly reduced by compression.
Click to expand...

Use to have a Diamond. Understand what you are saying but to those who rather have compression only yet not coitizing those who like it as a effect.. Studio quality compressors don't have eq at least the ones I know, but than again we are talking about pedals. Basically a pedal cant compete with the likes of a LA2A or 1176. But The new version will make many happy. Just saying and don't know for sure this pedal has more bells and whistles than the older version at the same price. Just thinking quality vrs profits.
 
#51
Bassist30 said:
Just saying and don't know for sure this pedal has more bells and whistles than the older version at the same price. Just thinking quality vrs profits.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 1176 and LA2A are in a different class. It isn't apples to apples comparison. Also, it is a tilt EQ so if you don't want to use it, then just don't turn the knob.

As long as we are arguing the hypothetical (since this is still vaporware), the previous version was released several years ago. Perhaps they company has gained experience that allows them to pack more features in a smaller box without compromising quality. Maybe the old box was over-sized and there was a bunch of empty space in the housing. Maybe they needed a bigger housing for the old manufacturing process. Maybe the bigger housing is what was available at the time the previous version was designed and that became the size they were stuck with for that model. Pedals have been trending for a while now and having a compact design has become of bigger importance. Customers are demanding top-jacks and small housings to fit on nano boards, which wasn't the case 10 years ago.

Perhaps there is better new technology being utilized. Perhaps there is better "old technology" being utilized but it wasn't as easily obtained in prior years. There are a bunch of reasons for change. The real test will be how it sounds and how reliable the product is when it gets in the market. I'd rather base my expectations on the company's reputation for quality products to-date than on the size and knob count of the enclosure. Of course, the new pedal could always be a flop. Lots of time "new and improved" is just new. Sometimes the old standard is popular because it just works.
 
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#54
monsterthompson said:
Yeah, the 1176 and LA2A are in a different class. It isn't apples to apples comparison. Also, it is a tilt EQ so if you don't want to use it, then just don't turn the knob.

As long as we are arguing the hypothetical (since this is still vaporware), the previous version was released several years ago. Perhaps they company has gained experience that allows them to pack more features in a smaller box without compromising quality. Maybe the old box was over-sized and there was a bunch of empty space in the housing. Maybe they needed a bigger housing for the old manufacturing process. Maybe the bigger housing is what was available at the time the previous version was designed and that became the size they were stuck with for that model. Pedals have been trending for a while now and having a compact design has become of bigger importance. Customers are demanding top-jacks and small housings to fit on nano boards, which wasn't the case 10 years ago.

Perhaps there is better new technology being utilized. Perhaps there is better "old technology" being utilized but it wasn't as easily obtained in prior years. There are a bunch of reasons for change. The real test will be how it sounds and how reliable the product is when it gets in the market. I'd rather base my expectations on the company's reputation for quality products to-date than on the size and knob count of the enclosure. Of course, the new pedal could always be a flop. Lots of time "new and improved" is just new. Sometimes the old standard is popular because it just works.
Click to expand...

Lots of thought without assumptions, I like it.
 
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#55
I wish Empress would give an update on the new compressor. I’d like to know when the hard release date is, and what changes they’ve made to it since NAMM. I’m hoping they’ve given it lower HPF frequency points than it did at first (maybe 80 & 120 Hz). Or even better if they’ve made it a variable HPF frequency knob, like on the Cali76-CB.
I check Empress’ website once or twice a week, but no updates yet. I’m definitely preordering a Mk II as soon as they allow it.
 
#56
Well, no news is... no news. The pandemic is causing all kinds of issues, including supply chain. Whatever the cause of the delay, this probably boils down to "it'll be ready when it's ready", and if Empress aren't certain when it'll be ready then there's no reason for them to guesstimate and cause further frustration if they are wrong. Got my fingers crossed for sooner rather than later.
 
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#57
Killens84 said:
I wish Empress would give an update on the new compressor. I’d like to know when the hard release date is, and what changes they’ve made to it since NAMM. I’m hoping they’ve given it lower HPF frequency points than it did at first (maybe 80 & 120 Hz). Or even better if they’ve made it a variable HPF frequency knob, like on the Cali76-CB.
I check Empress’ website once or twice a week, but no updates yet. I’m definitely preordering a Mk II as soon as they allow it.
Click to expand...

I repeat:

Adamixoye said:
I mean, they got the ZOIA out the door without major delays.

Oh wait.

View attachment 3754312

I kid, I kid! I love Empress. But yeah I wouldn't be holding my breath right now.
Click to expand...
 

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