post your Empress Compressor settings!

[axwell26medison]

Hello everyone! Got an empress compressor from fellow tb’ers. Could you please tell me what is the settings for getting a decent sustain from my 4 strings passive bass. Thanks in advance!

I like to use a fast attack (counter-clockwise) and slow release (clockwise) to get more sustain from my Empress.

 

[Adamixoye]

I like to use a fast attack (counter-clockwise) and slow release (clockwise) to get more sustain from my Empress.

If the goal is sustain, cranking up the mix (clockwise) and input (clockwise) would also be a good idea.

 

[Adamixoye]

If the goal is sustain, cranking up the mix (clockwise) and input (clockwise) would also be a good idea.

It's possible to overdo any of the above, but that's the general direction you should go.

 

[Lanier_LS]

What should be the ratio?

 

[Adamixoye]

What should be the ratio?

Heavier compression (10-to-1) will result in more "squishing," a greater evening of the signal, while lighter compression (2-to-1) will better retain the decay of your original signal. The answer is always "to taste" but nominally slamming a high input into high compression will give you the strongest sustain.

 

[hintz]

I like to use a fast attack (counter-clockwise) and slow release (clockwise) to get more sustain from my Empress.

I do the opposite

If the goal is sustain, cranking up the mix (clockwise) and input (clockwise) would also be a good idea.

But I do this as well!!

4:1 ratio as well. It seems counterproductive to have a comp set with slow attack/quick release but I find this allows me to punch through the mix better with that initial attack coming through. Despite what others say, I still don't find the empress to be "sterile" or too clinical sounding. Rather it adds some magic to my tone

 

[Adamixoye]

View attachment 3264725
I do the opposite
But I do this as well!!

4:1 ratio as well. It seems counterproductive to have a comp set with slow attack/quick release but I find this allows me to punch through the mix better with that initial attack coming through. Despite what others say, I still don't find the empress to be "sterile" or too clinical sounding. Rather it adds some magic to my tone

Those are some extreme settings, particularly the zero output part

 

[hintz]

Those are some extreme settings, particularly the zero output part
View attachment 3264812

. It doesn't sound extreme at all actually, and the output is barely on(set to unity)

 

[Bassist30]

View attachment 3264725
I do the opposite
But I do this as well!!

4:1 ratio as well. It seems counterproductive to have a comp set with slow attack/quick release but I find this allows me to punch through the mix better with that initial attack coming through. Despite what others say, I still don't find the empress to be "sterile" or too clinical sounding. Rather it adds some magic to my tone

If it works for you than keep it. I love the empress but I don't know what you mean about sterile or clinical.

 

[hintz]

If it works for you than keep it. I love the empress but I don't know what you mean about sterile or clinical.

Maybe I misspoke? I've heard others say it's sterile, I don't ever plan on getting rid of it either. Had it for almost 3 years, no complaints

 

[derekale]

Just arrived ... tried for a while.
I'm trying to understand which one I prefer: the new Empress or my old Keeley?

 

[IamBF]

View attachment 2843233 This is what mine looks like, roughly

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Thank you! I'm a newbie traveling back in time on this thread to learn. I have no idea what "heavier squish", transients, "fully wet" are even trying to tell me. Thanks again!!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Has anybody had any success pulling-off a quasi-"New York" compression vibe? I've seen it done with professional recording gear (i.e. ProTools). As I understand things, it's essentially parallel compression with a fairly heavy-handed "squash" on the affected side.

Riis

 

[keatz]

Has anybody had any success pulling-off a quasi-"New York" compression vibe? I've seen it done with professional recording gear (i.e. ProTools). As I understand things, it's essentially parallel compression with a fairly heavy-handed "squash" on the affected side.

Riis

I only just got my empress today, but try this.
10:1, input 2 oclock, attack 9 oclock, release 1 oclock, mix 12 oclock, output 11 o'clock

 

[Zooberwerx]

I only just got my empress today, but try this.
10:1, input 2 oclock, attack 9 oclock, release 1 oclock, mix 12 oclock, output 11 o'clock

That's pretty much where I have it although your attack is bit faster...certainly merits a trial. When A/B'ing the comp live vs bypassed, I find things balance out with the output at ~8:30. I'm of the impression 11:00 would be pretty loud.

Riis

 

[keatz]

That's pretty much where I have it although your attack is bit faster...certainly merits a trial. When A/B'ing the comp live vs bypassed, I find things balance out with the output at ~8:30. I'm of the impression 11:00 would be pretty loud.

Riis

Yes you are right, it is a bit louder than unity

 

[butterfingers1]

I have the new Empress, I like the Smooth & Warm setting in their user manual, sort of below noon settings.