Wow, so they added all these functions to color the sound, its always been a super transparent comp, that you can really dial in
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New Empress Compressor MKII
- Thread starter crguti
- Start date
This isn’t just a rebadge and new enclosure. You can tell a lot of thought went into the design and circuit.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
I’m really liking the colour switch functions. It brings a whole ‘nuther tonal palette option. Working with my’73 P with TI’s, it imparts some nice magic on either side of centre. Both voicings are very useful.
The Bass Comp is a keeper.
Oh, and the LED displays are very useful for visually understanding what’s going on. Very helpful in dialling in very different basses. Going between my passive P and J to my (also passive but much higher output) Dingwalls or active J is a piece of cake.
And watching the LED’s dancing around is just plain old fun.
Empress knocked it out of the park with this offering IMO.
The Bass Comp is a keeper.
Oh, and the LED displays are very useful for visually understanding what’s going on. Very helpful in dialling in very different basses. Going between my passive P and J to my (also passive but much higher output) Dingwalls or active J is a piece of cake.
And watching the LED’s dancing around is just plain old fun.
Empress knocked it out of the park with this offering IMO.
Okay, after reading the first impressions of some of you here, I need to hear what the color switch does. I'm interested to know if it can replace my low gain drive or not.
It would depend on how forward you want OD to be in your sound. If you want overdrive to be obvious and clearly audible then I don’t think you would find the Empress to be a replacement for your OD pedals.
Do the new tone shaping options of the Bass Compressor make it a closer competitor to the Diamond Bass Comp? I've been looking at both and while I like the versatility of the Empress as a compressor, the Diamond's tone shaping is a huge draw. The new Empress sounds like maybe it's trying to bridge that gap and provide the best of both?
Well, all I can say is Holy $#&%! After a 30 minute session this is an always on keeper! This with the WD800 makes a warm round tone even warmer. It’s transparent but rounds the notes so well that if it’s turned off it’s very noticeable. The color switch in the scoop position adds just the right amount of hair but still is very smooth. Truly astounding, Empress hit it out of the park and these will be very popular, trust me , just get one!
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
Yes it is! I do believe I have found my forever rig! I just need a second cab!
I just got mine in the mail today - i'm extremely impressed so far, it is the PERFECT size and profile and has great controls; it's almost like it was designed just for me!
It took a lot to dethrone my Seymour Duncan Bass Comp, I have no idea how Empress was able to stuff it all into such a small package.
It took a lot to dethrone my Seymour Duncan Bass Comp, I have no idea how Empress was able to stuff it all into such a small package.
WHAT I thought it was designed for me! LOL , yup those guys got it going on!
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
It’s only colourful if you want it to be. And it’s really good either way. Bass Comps are sold out. There are MKII’s are still available. Two different animals. To be clear, the Bass Comp is what we are discussing.
Products
I probably missed it, but is the intent to discontinue the previous model or continue to offer it as another flavor?
The MKII replaces the original Empress Compressor. The Bass Compressor is a new addition.
