New Empress Compressor MKII

[labeledbass]

Awesome! Thank you for the update.

is this a fix they will allow the consumer to fix? I still want one, I have plenty of boosters I can run before

 

[Mitch -Empress]

Hey, I'd appreciate some education on this. What little electronics knowledge I possess doesn't explain to me why the click happens with a passive bass but not an active.

So...a buffer between the bass and the pedal cures the click, eh? Something to do with the pedal loading the pickups in a passive bass?

In our situation it's an issue with the input trace running too closely to the led traces. The high impedance acts sort of like an antenna and combined with the inherent parasitic capacitance in the trace, is susceptible to picking up radiated noise, such as the leds switching on and off. Active basses have low impedance buffered outputs, so the noise doesn't get coupled in.

 

[Mitch -Empress]

is this a fix they will allow the consumer to fix? I still want one, I have plenty of boosters I can run before

The fix should be easy for anyone to do by swapping out the ribbon cable. It only requires replacing the ribbon cable, no soldering and no disassembly of the compressor required. As soon as we have the parts and are sufficiently certain that this will fix the issue we will send out replacements to anyone that has already purchased the product, at no cost of course.

 

[monsterthompson]

The fix should be easy for anyone to do by swapping out the ribbon cable. It only requires replacing the ribbon cable, no soldering and no disassembly of the compressor required. As soon as we have the parts and are sufficiently certain that this will fix the issue we will send out replacements to anyone that has already purchased the product, at no cost of course.

Good to know. I'm guessing this will be easier than swapping the pad on my Zoia, which wasn't all that bad. The time from my request to getting a new pad was short, and the installation was very nicely detailed in the email from you guys.

It's got to be irritating to find this kind of an issue on such a highly anticipated pedal. I'm sure you tested these quite a bit before releasing them.

 

[labeledbass]

The fix should be easy for anyone to do by swapping out the ribbon cable. It only requires replacing the ribbon cable, no soldering and no disassembly of the compressor required. As soon as we have the parts and are sufficiently certain that this will fix the issue we will send out replacements to anyone that has already purchased the product, at no cost of course.

If this was purchased second hand would this still be available? serial # submission kind of scenario? I have a couple of purchase options right now, one is a dealer and one personal

 

[kranahan]

Oh my... This is good news! I just received my Bass Comp yesterday and tested it extensively for 3+ hours. I got the static/clicking noise every time the gain reduction meter lit up. It happened with three different basses though (2 passive and 1 active). I was this close to sending it back this morning!

 

[geobassix]

I got the static/clicking noise every time the gain reduction meter lit up.

Well described, I have got the exact same problem.

 

[Mitch -Empress]

Good to know. I'm guessing this will be easier than swapping the pad on my Zoia, which wasn't all that bad. The time from my request to getting a new pad was short, and the installation was very nicely detailed in the email from you guys.

It's got to be irritating to find this kind of an issue on such a highly anticipated pedal. I'm sure you tested these quite a bit before releasing them.

The fix is much easier that swapping ZOIA pads. Fortunately, as long as it works it is the easiest fix we could do. I couldn't imagine this happening in a normal year. It is easy to blame CoVid for everything and the hectic basement/home office development, but really there is no excuse to miss this.

 

[Mitch -Empress]

If this was purchased second hand would this still be available? serial # submission kind of scenario? I have a couple of purchase options right now, one is a dealer and one personal

We aren't going to require proof of purchase or anything to send the fix. If you have a bass compressor you get it fixed no questions asked.

 

[Ewo]

Just received an email from Empress, explaining the problem and the remedy. Very good customer support, I think.

 

[CliffD]

Certainly wont deter me from trying out the Bass Compressor. @Mitch -Empress when do you plan on shipping new units with the ribbon cable? Thanks.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Just received an email from Empress, explaining the problem and the remedy. Very good customer support, I think.

Amen. Product glitches can happen to the very best companies. Question is, how do they respond? Empress has made it clear that they'll make this right no matter what it takes. Cheers to them.

Mine shipped out just before they noticed the issue. I bought direct from them, so I'll just wait for them to ping me. I usually play passive 50% of the time, but there are workaround options until the fix comes in. Not a problem for me at all.

 

[Lowendtech]

I had not heard the issue in my setup. I use passive basses mostly but I use a XVive wireless. I just swapped out the wireless for a cable and now I can hear it but it’s pretty subtle and nowhere near as noticeable as the video. But it is there. Kudos to Empress for the customer service.

 

[Mitch -Empress]

Certainly wont deter me from trying out the Bass Compressor. @Mitch -Empress when do you plan on shipping new units with the ribbon cable? Thanks.

New Units with the new ribbon cable should be available to purchase from dealers in a few weeks. Glad it doesn't deter you from trying it out, thanks! Everyone has been so kind and understanding about the issue and we all appreciate it.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Will the new Empress work with a line level fix loop? Inquiring minds....

 

[Ewo]

I had not heard the issue in my setup. I use passive basses mostly but I use a XVive wireless. I just swapped out the wireless for a cable and now I can hear it but it’s pretty subtle and nowhere near as noticeable as the video. But it is there. Kudos to Empress for the customer service.

I'm guessing the wireless had the effect of buffering the bass from the compressor. Technical folks, what say yez?

I use a bass with a preamp and usually run it active, so I didn't hear any of the noise. Tried switching the preamp off...still don't hear any noise.

 

[Liko]

New at NAMM 20': Empress Compressor MKII

new features:

1. smaller footprint
2. selectable side chain filter
3. Dual input & output meters
4. Top connectors

I like the smaller footprint, but it still only has a ratio switch; I've always liked the concept of the Empress, but I've wanted a continuously variable ratio. Guess the Keeley Compressor Pro is still my wishlist compressor. If only they made that one a little smaller.

 

[frankzap]

I like the smaller footprint, but it still only has a ratio switch; I've always liked the concept of the Empress, but I've wanted a continuously variable ratio. Guess the Keeley Compressor Pro is still my wishlist compressor. If only they made that one a little smaller.

Take a look at Becos Stella.

 

[kesslari]

Not an empress user, but sure am impressed by empress Customer Service and the posts by @Mitch -Empress

 

[Fuzzbass]

Take a look at Becos Stella.

Amen to this. I own the Becos Stella Pro, it's amazing.

I also own the original Empress Compressor, and it's also amazing. I've never felt that it needed variable ratio, but we all have our own preferences.