I use the former version of the Empress Compressor for some years now and it has become the central sound shaping tool in my setup ever since. Gives you full control over your dynamics and really cleans up your frequency spectrum in a band mix. It's a very unspectacular sounding pedal if you listen to it playing alone (except for the surprisingly good signal to noise ratio). In a band mix it is capable of making your bass sit in the mix perfectly without changing the character but delivering a much more focused sound. It just tightens up everything as much as you want it to. This thing is worth every penny for me! The 18V option really makes a big difference with this pedal: cleaner sound with much more headroom.
Great you like the compressor. Just one note regarding mentioned "18V option". Majority of Empress pedals incl. their compressors are powered via circuitry, which outputs stabilized, constant -8 and +8 volts thanks to use of DC-DC converters. Eg. you always have cca 16 V of internal headroom regardless you use standard external PS with 9V, 18V or anything between. So although you can use 18V PS, it won't change internal headroom or sound of the pedal. Such design is a big advantage, when you don't want mess with several voltages on your pedalboard or if you already have suitable 9V PS.
Just an FYI for people as this wasn’t clear in the video. SC HP is ONLY a high pass filter on the Side Chain input. From Empress website: “sc hp: a variable high pass filter that filters low frequencies from the sidechain. The filter frequency increases from 20Hz to 400Hz as the knob is turned clockwise.”
The Empress Bass Comp has been on my board for a while and it's a gamechanger. Myriad options and tones available and it provides me the ability to dial in my tone exactly as I like it. Not to mention it's exceptionally well built and by a company with great customer service. Highly recommended!
Used to try first edition of this pedal - one of the greatest for its price. And from this vid it seems that Empress done all things right as they usually do it. Sounds great as usual.
I've read that people were complaining about malfunctioning on the pedal and the company sending spare parts to fix it. So check the version and models of the pedal just be careful not to run into problems :)
@@Mark-db1ok still love it, I use the Stomp XL, with only the Empress and OC-2 in front of it. Simple, hard to get a bad sound. It'll still never leave my board!
I bought one of these a few months ago and it's been always on ever since. I've also got an FEA Labs DB-CL that I use for slap tones but this is a fantastic always-on compressor.
I have got FEA DB-CL too and I found it's a bit too slow get the low B under control how I wish it so I am looking forward to try the Empress. What is your experience with low B string and empress? Did you try to cascade FEA and Empress?
You couldn't find much about it? I wonder where you searched for infos then. There are many reviews to be found about this compressor. Check out talkbass and compressorpedalreviews.com
@@bassmaster5387 to clarify, videos demonstrating the device to my standards. Text reviews are useless to me unless I'm only concerned about the internal functions of the device.
@@jamcam9 Ah ok. This review is actually not that extensive, they did not use the tone colour option, which is adds some harmonic distortion, which sounds very nice!
@@bassmaster5387 agreed, a lot more could have been demonstrated. This video led me to patrick hunter's video which was a very good demonstration of the device. I think I'm sold on it, now I just have to save up!
I thought my sound was pretty damn good. I switched to the Empress Bass Compressor and it pushed it over the top. I've played them all. Everyone has their favorite, but this one is mine.
@basstheworldofficial which do you prefer for gigging? I'm building a DI board for gigging. I haven't decided on a compressor yet. I was also looking at Collaboration Devices "The Compressor" and Caveman BC1.
Finally found that Lego set, “everyone is awesome” haha. I kept searching for like “Abba Lego set” and it would just show me the roller disco set (which is dope)
MORE ON COMPRESSION! :D Is there any point in having side chain compression within stand alone bass rig, i.e. no trigger from other instruments? For example I route side chain right after tuner towards compressor at the very end of signal chain?
People please I can't afford 1200+ eutro basses or 200+ pedals....why, just why? It's just like an 1800euro bottle of scotch...can you really tatse the difference or is that just the placebo fx?
I want to know the same! from all the videos I have seen on CZcams until now, Cali 76 seams to me to be the better choice but Cali 76 is inconvenient having just one led as indicator of compression. I find empress is much better in that sense. Still, what is better? Can anyone please do a shootout and a low B string slap fingers and pick playing?
@@_B_E_A_D_G_C I am looking for a compressor that can take sonic abuse. Sorry for the lack of better technical terms I am looming for something that can handle low string. I have tried several compressors and most of the time I noticed that when I finally reach the level reduction that is good for the low B the compressor farts. So... it makes me think that I need to break the reduction in to 2 pedals cascading in order to avoid this phenomenon. I wish to avoid it though and just have one pedal coloured or not coloured
@@delusionwalker8852 I have a 6 string , and the Empress handles it wonderfully. With the HP filter you can dial in how much of the lows you want affected. I find the metering to be super helpful
All I got to say is that your dad is one badass bass player. I watch all the videos just for him. He has the best rock faces ever.
dude...your dad really knows how to demo a pedal
I use the former version of the Empress Compressor for some years now and it has become the central sound shaping tool in my setup ever since.
Gives you full control over your dynamics and really cleans up your frequency spectrum in a band mix. It's a very unspectacular sounding pedal if you listen to it playing alone (except for the surprisingly good signal to noise ratio). In a band mix it is capable of making your bass sit in the mix perfectly without changing the character but delivering a much more focused sound. It just tightens up everything as much as you want it to.
This thing is worth every penny for me!
The 18V option really makes a big difference with this pedal: cleaner sound with much more headroom.
Great you like the compressor. Just one note regarding mentioned "18V option". Majority of Empress pedals incl. their compressors are powered via circuitry, which outputs stabilized, constant -8 and +8 volts thanks to use of DC-DC converters. Eg. you always have cca 16 V of internal headroom regardless you use standard external PS with 9V, 18V or anything between.
So although you can use 18V PS, it won't change internal headroom or sound of the pedal. Such design is a big advantage, when you don't want mess with several voltages on your pedalboard or if you already have suitable 9V PS.
The voltage is internally regulated. It doesn't sound different because you power it with 18v.
Just an FYI for people as this wasn’t clear in the video. SC HP is ONLY a high pass filter on the Side Chain input. From Empress website: “sc hp: a variable high pass filter that filters low frequencies from the sidechain. The filter frequency increases from 20Hz to 400Hz as the knob is turned clockwise.”
The Empress Bass Comp has been on my board for a while and it's a gamechanger. Myriad options and tones available and it provides me the ability to dial in my tone exactly as I like it. Not to mention it's exceptionally well built and by a company with great customer service. Highly recommended!
Used to try first edition of this pedal - one of the greatest for its price. And from this vid it seems that Empress done all things right as they usually do it. Sounds great as usual.
I've read that people were complaining about malfunctioning on the pedal and the company sending spare parts to fix it. So check the version and models of the pedal just be careful not to run into problems :)
It would becool to compare the Empress with the Cali 76 !
Your dad is simply amazing.
I have one of the old ones it is the best pedal compressor hands down you guys are great 🤘
Yeah, I bought this a couple months ago and it's awesome. Blows my mxr m87 out of the water.
Nothing but praises from me, the tone switch is usable in all three positions. Had it for a month, and i'll have it forever.
So it's one year later, what are your thoughts now? I'm looking hard at getting one of these. Thanks!
@@Mark-db1ok still love it, I use the Stomp XL, with only the Empress and OC-2 in front of it. Simple, hard to get a bad sound. It'll still never leave my board!
@@findingtheFOOT Great to hear, thanks! I'm going to pull the trigger on one of these.
Amazing pedal ! Tks for your review 👍
I bought one of these a few months ago and it's been always on ever since. I've also got an FEA Labs DB-CL that I use for slap tones but this is a fantastic always-on compressor.
I have got FEA DB-CL too and I found it's a bit too slow get the low B under control how I wish it so I am looking forward to try the Empress.
What is your experience with low B string and empress?
Did you try to cascade FEA and Empress?
@@delusionwalker8852 I haven't tried the cascade before and I don't have a 5 string so I can't tell you how the empress would handle it, sorry :-/
@@Tooltrocity
Pity.... but thanks for the reply anyway 😀👍
As always, thank you for a great review! I just bought one of these myself, so now I'm even more excited to get it!
I own this compressor and 100% love it
The HPF is a must when compressing bass, I always diall down the bass knob on my basses (when they have an on-board eq) to make it work.
Or just use an opto comp
Good demo video as always Gregor, the Empress Bass compressor is awesome ! & the best part is it's made in Canada 🇨🇦 Like me me 😁
Meemee, ima Canadaman.
I've been wanting one of those for a year +. It's so hard to justify paying for a good compressor when you're a bedroom player.
Own this model and an older Empress Compressor and they are great!
bass Buddha is back!!! :D
I still use the mk1, incredible feature set, tone and value for money.
Frank says:,,Zziss iz sir gut''
Jabba can jam!
What do you feel is the major difference other than a bit of color between Cali76 and the Empress?
Love ur everyone is awsome Lego set!
Got it too 😂
The rest - is awsome as ever 😊
Thanks for reviewing this. I was looking at maybe getting a compressor pedal and was looking at this one but couldn't find much about it.
You couldn't find much about it? I wonder where you searched for infos then. There are many reviews to be found about this compressor. Check out talkbass and compressorpedalreviews.com
@@bassmaster5387 to clarify, videos demonstrating the device to my standards. Text reviews are useless to me unless I'm only concerned about the internal functions of the device.
@@jamcam9 Ah ok. This review is actually not that extensive, they did not use the tone colour option, which is adds some harmonic distortion, which sounds very nice!
@@bassmaster5387 agreed, a lot more could have been demonstrated. This video led me to patrick hunter's video which was a very good demonstration of the device. I think I'm sold on it, now I just have to save up!
I thought my sound was pretty damn good. I switched to the Empress Bass Compressor and it pushed it over the top. I've played them all. Everyone has their favorite, but this one is mine.
Please review sourceaudio atlas compressor!
Hi...
Can the hi pass filter also work without there being a sidehain that is connected? - Thanks.
Yeah that’s what I want to know. This vid certainly suggests that
Empress vs Cali 76 ?
A yamaha BBg5s coupled with an Empress pedal .. oh my
Love your content brother 👍🏼
Frank itt, is amasing.... real pro :)
My next purchase! :)
How do you feel it compares to the EBS multicomp?
This is a much more sophisticated design for those who want to control every little detail. The EBS is much more of a plug and play pedal
@basstheworldofficial which do you prefer for gigging? I'm building a DI board for gigging. I haven't decided on a compressor yet. I was also looking at Collaboration Devices "The Compressor" and Caveman BC1.
Finally found that Lego set, “everyone is awesome” haha. I kept searching for like “Abba Lego set” and it would just show me the roller disco set (which is dope)
Whats the difference between the Mk II and the 'Bass" designator. Are they both MK 2 circuits? thanks
Definitely a tie between this compressor and the Cali76 bass compressor.
This one is More Quiet - that's for sure.
The Cali76 is great but also more colored harmonically like an actual 1176. You can get a fair amount of dirt out of it at certain settings.
Great video! I lovwe your reviews. Just ordered my Empress Compressor pedal from Sweetwater! Cheers!
I am starting to be more and more convinced that Frank the dad. Sus how much you are trying to convince us other way around
What pickups is Frank swapping into his Yamaha basses?
Is the riff Frank is playing at the beginning 0:09 from a song or just a jam?
I believe these are songs he uses for studies with his students
Where do I get the "Mr. Bassface" t-shirt?
MORE ON COMPRESSION! :D
Is there any point in having side chain compression within stand alone bass rig, i.e. no trigger from other instruments? For example I route side chain right after tuner towards compressor at the very end of signal chain?
Are we completely sure Frank doesn’t also play drums in Dinosaur Jr.?
What's the 5-string your dad was playing? Sounds great!
It looks like a surveyor
Yamaha BBG5S
Bass Face Frank!
Anyone compare this to a good opto comp?
I have a gurus optivalve and it’s amazing
Please Gregor get one to try out
Also cicogiani from Italy
I hope you are going to play Bass well in some day.
Lol! “AKA, still not my dad”
People please I can't afford 1200+ eutro basses or 200+ pedals....why, just why?
It's just like an 1800euro bottle of scotch...can you really tatse the difference or is that just the placebo fx?
Френк Ит лучший !!!!!
Your man is a fantastic player! However, I am concerned about his health.
Sounds great, £269 🤔
My personal view, I hate compressors. When I’ve used one, it feels like I’ve lost the dynamics of my playing
This video is an absolute travesty. Completely missing the great Frank Itt's facial expressions. Which is the whole reason to watch.
GREGOR IS A CALI 76 BETTER THAN THIS
I want to know the same!
from all the videos I have seen on CZcams until now, Cali 76 seams to me to be the better choice but Cali 76 is inconvenient having just one led as indicator of compression. I find empress is much better in that sense.
Still, what is better? Can anyone please do a shootout and a low B string slap fingers and pick playing?
Cali 76 is more colored, Empress Is more clean and transparent. It really just depends on what sound you’re going for. Both are top tier pedals.
@@_B_E_A_D_G_C I am looking for a compressor that can take sonic abuse. Sorry for the lack of better technical terms I am looming for something that can handle low string. I have tried several compressors and most of the time I noticed that when I finally reach the level reduction that is good for the low B the compressor farts. So... it makes me think that I need to break the reduction in to 2 pedals cascading in order to avoid this phenomenon. I wish to avoid it though and just have one pedal coloured or not coloured
@@delusionwalker8852 I have a 6 string , and the Empress handles it wonderfully. With the HP filter you can dial in how much of the lows you want affected. I find the metering to be super helpful
@@_B_E_A_D_G_C Thank you i asked the first question and you answered all my questions thanks