Empress BASS Compressor Review!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 сер 2024
- Possibly best bass compressor ever...legit. I've used quite a few and this might be my favorite. Let me know what you think!
NOTE: Some people have had issues with the -1 and -2db LEDs causing an audible clicking sound when using a passive bass, however, Empress (like the bosses they are) already have this sorted and have a way to fix the issue. Here's a link to the most recent IG post for more info:
/ ciy2vlwhcnh
2/3 basses in this video were passive, but I did not experience any issues. Thanks for reading!
Come hang out with me at the discord...
/ discord
...and on twitch!
/ hondofeldermusic
Timestamps:
0:00 - Start
0:23 - Soundclips
1:53 - Build
2:35 - Controls
6:37 - Impressions
9:40 - Bonus Clips
12:13 - Closing Thoughts
Gear used in this video:
Empress Effects Bass Compressor
empresseffects.com/products/b...
Serek Lincoln and Midwestern 1:
www.serekbasses.com/
Sandberg Guitars Forty Eight
www.sandberg-guitars.de/basse...
Trickfishamps:
www.trickfishamps.com/
3leaf Octavbre
www.3leafaudio.com/shop/octabvre
Horrothia FX Type One
www.horrothia.com/type-one
Empress Effects Reverb (used with chorus!)
empresseffects.com/products/r...
Universal Audio Apollo x8:
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Want to contact me? Here's how!
IG:
/ hondofeldermusic
Website:
hondofelder.com/
e-mail:
hondo@hondofelder.com
I don’t know why I haven’t seen your videos before, but this was incredible. High production quality, really informative, and much less “ON” than most other channels (which I really appreciate!). Awesome stuff!
Thank you! Really glad you got something out of the video 🤘🏽. I know what you mean about being "on". I dont know how they do it! More power to 'em. They have more energy in a 10m video than I have all day lol.
Loved your observation about Hondo's relaxed, "less ON" style. How refreshing!
This compressor is absolutely amazing, it has a lot of options and brings the bass more alive. Loved it. HONDO IS THE MAN!
Thank you so much for this. I'm really into learning more about compression right now and what is best suited for me. Your explanation of features and specifically the sidechain effect and then your expanded commentary on things to pay attention to was awesome. You have a new fan 👍
This is hands down one of the best in-depth gear videos I’ve seen in a while, my friend! Thanks for spending the time to really get into the features and using your own impression to explain its uses. By this point in the industry, most of us watching these videos want the nitty gritty, and you deliver most excellently!
Thank you! i really appreciate the kind words, and you taking your time to watch.
My copy of the Empress is on the way, so I decided to check out your review. Can't remember when I've enjoyed watching a UA-cam video so much. You stayed right in the sweet spot of what I was looking for informationally--so helpful. A huge bonus was the look and feel of your video. Production values top-notch, lovely images, and a delightfully laid-back style. Lighting, graphics, sound quality... all excellent. This is the first of your projects that I've seen, and I'm looking forward to seeing more. When I unbox my compressor next week and start messing with it, I'll have a nice head-start thanks to you. Best wishes!
Thank you so much! Really appreciate you watching and the incredibly kind words. Hope you love the compressor! 🤘🏽
I'm rewatching this to reenforce my comp knowledge. You've become a go to for product reviews and demos.
Much appreciated my friend! 🤘🏽😁
A genuinely great video. So much important detail that people commonly overlook.
Excellent video, thank you! The explanation about distortion before or after compression was very helpful.
First time seeing your channel. I'm out of words how impressed I am with Your work. Great quality, great tones, great contents. Won't even speak about the bass collection.
I hope great things are coming for You and your channel. Peace!
Oh wow! Thanks so much for the kind words. I've been struggling to find time to shoot/play lately and your comment is incredibly motivating. Thanks again!
Great job demoing the pedal, Hondo! That little blue box sounds amazing!
Thank you! It really is a little "press for better tone" box lol.
This was an outstanding video. I was very impressed with the overall production, explanation, background music and ambience. Then of course, the excellent review. Well done!! Impressive.
Thanks so much! Glad you dug it! 🤘🏽
Late to the party, but man do I enjoy your videos! It's so nice to see high quality content in a relaxed atmosphere, instead of the hyper personalities of YT. Really excellent work(and pedal!)
Really glad you dig the vids, and thanks for watching!
Thanks Hondo. As always a super informative and helpful video.
Thanks for watching!
If reverb hadn't randomly suggested this pedal, and I hadn't thusly searched for it on YT, I would've never found this great review and channel.
I'm glad you found it and dug the video! Thanks for the kind words :)
What a great video, Hondo! I've been using the Empress Bass Compressor for a few months and, as you said, the manual is really great and makes understanding what looks like a complicated pedal feel very user friendly and easy to understand. With that said, this video will be a great resource for folks who learn better by watching something like this than reading a manual. You explain everything really well and provide some useful inspiration with your playing. Nice shout on the Benn Jordan video too!
Appreciate the kind words! 🤘🏽😁
Very informative, high quality demonstrations as always. Had no idea it about the internals/'always on' switching. More than likely my next compressor when I'm finally ready to move on from the BC-1X I have now.
Thank you! It also has a sidechain feature i didn't get into because i couldn't demonstrate it. If you send a signal into a 3.5mm jack on the top, you can use a kick or something else to trigger the compression. Killer feature, but not something i could use unfortunately.
So chilled. So informative.
This comment made me smile big time man. Thanks!
Your usual fine demo.I ordered one today for $227 delivered.So I'm happy with that.I own a DG Hyper Luminal and the Origin Effects Cali 76 Compact Bass so it's joining great company.I've been told I'll like this one best.Bring it on!
I've played all those, and the empress wins hands down for me. Cali is close though. It's an embarrassment of riches at this point with those three haha.
On point as always Hondo!
Thanks! Truly appreciate the support my friend.
Awesome video, just ordered mine! Thank you!
Great video. I already own this pedal but it was educational for sure. I now know how to better use the controls and I appreciate the insight into pedal chain as well. Right now I have it first, but I think I will change it so it is last!
Just bought this and subscribed to your channel. Thanks for this great video.
Thank YOU for watching! 🤘🏽
Great video thanks for informative and interesting insights!
Super good demo, chief => subscribed right away. This thäng is marvelous²
Thank you!!
It really does look so nice! The videos don’t pick up that sparkle. It’s really stunning.
Dude, amazing compressor! So sick.
Sweeten
Love your playing and bass selection 🤘
I have a reverend and it’s my only gig bass now
Even my 60 j with custom shop doesn’t get that love anymore
First off, thanks for the great review. Your format is terrific. Second, this pedal is really impressive. The controls are really well thought out and the best I've seen in that regard. Everything you would want in a compressor and more. Empress crushed it. I would love to know your thoughts on this pedal compared to the Cali76.
Thanks for the kind words! i haven't spent much time with the 76, but it's also cool. i prefer the empress because 1) i'm biased and i love the company lol and 2) The controls are a bit more up my alley. i prefer the set ratios instead of the continuous knob, and the tone switches and SCHP on the empress are very useful.
@@HondoFelder Agreed! Just bought the Empress. The controls sold me. Thanks again for the great review.
Loved this vid. Thanks Hondo!
Thank you for watching!
Great video! Super helpful.
Proper review - thanks man
Nicely done, thank you!
Hey found your channel and I gotta say pls keep up the good work
Thank you for watching, and for the kind words!
Great overview. Love the aesthetic
Thanks for checking it out! 🤘🏽
Fantastic video demo 🙌🏿👌🏿
Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
Much appreciated! Thank you for watching! 👊🏽😁
Awesome demo, this has to be the best one out there. Really like how you explained some of the principles and applications of compression for bass while you went over the functions of this compressor. I’ve got a cali76 CB and I’m thinking about trying this one.
Would running this first in the chain to control dynamics and then running the cali76 after some mod pedals be cool potentially? That idea hit me when you ran this after the chorus pedal.
I actually just got a Cali myself. Planning on a comparison soon! Yes i think running two comps could be cool!
very hight produced quality nice job
great vide dude. God Bless!
Thank you brotha!
Yeah... this is exactly what I needed to see to make my decision.. just grabbed one
Hope you love it!
My favorite compressor was the LA-1A tube compressor (which I still love and may use again with my SS combo amp) until I tried the Empress.
😈🤘🏽
Dude - lovely video - would you recommend putting this at the start or end of your signal chain?
Thank you! It depends on your goal. If you want to make sure your sound is nice and controlled going into other pedals, i’d put it at the front. If you want to control the entire output of the board, then i’d put it at then end. 🤙🏽
Your was really helpful! I wish all bass pedal demos were as detailed with good sound examples. Have you tried the Cali76 Bass Compressor? I’m comparing that to the Empress and there are no videos comparing them.
I havent played them back to back, but the empress definitely left a better impression on me after the first time I played it. I think the Empress is preferable for its controls, but odds are you cant go wrong with either.
Great video, amazing compressor! would you please do a video on the Octabvre mk3?
I'm actually already working on it my friend! Thank you for the kind words and happy new year!
@@HondoFelder oh very nice, thank you! And happy new year too 😉
Watched the video, went online, bought it. Empress should cut you a check
Ha! I wish. Thanks for watching!
What I like about this pedal is that it actually has meters. Been using it for years
Great video, but I’ve seen a couple of other videos where the user was hearing a buzz or click at around the -2, -1 area in the LED indicators when the pedal was disengaging. Did you have that problem? I’m also wondering how this stacks up head to head with the MXR M87.
I did not have that issue, but Empress did a press release about that issue. The newer ones don't have the problem, and if you get an older one that has the issue, they'll send you the replacement part for free if you submit a ticket to them. Basically a simple cable swap. I haven't heard the M87, so I can't help there. Sorry!
Hi great video! Would you recommend this for tapping on bass?
No doubt! it's killer for just about any technique. You might find that tapping feels a little more natural.
Thanks for amazing review. Have you ever tried the Cali76 Compact Bass? If so, how would you compare those? I had the Cali, but it was stolen (with lots of other stuff), so I am contemplating about whether to get it again or maybe get this instead..
Ah man, that sucks! I tried the Cali and I liked it a lot. I think if you really enjoyed the Cali, get it again. If you think you might like to try something different, go with this. They are on par with each other quality wise in my opinion, so there's no wrong choice.
@@HondoFelder Thanks. If it wasn`t stolen I would stay with Cali - it was hard and long decision process due to the price tag.. The Empress has features for which I chose Cali - dry blend and that high pass filter side chain (well, the fact I saw it in Tony Levin`s arsenal played a role too). But it also have those independent attack/release dials and the tone color switch. Would you say that the behavior and sound of those comps themselves is similiar and these controls are useble bonus?
(The rethinking process is real pain - I didn`t plan any changes maybe except chorus. Now I am forced to plan the signal chain from scratch, begining from comp decision. Also the Damnation Audio drive from your review sounds cool. Probably will get either comp, that MBD-2 and some multifx tool this time.. At least I found my bass and have it back already.)
@@MrKubass I think the behavior is similar, and the tone switch is a very nice touch on the empress, but I cant recall the sound of the Cali well enough to compare them properly :(. I just remember being very happy with it haha. I think you will be happy either way!
@@HondoFelder I just remembered about this little conversation. I've bought the Empress two months ago and it is great. Like you I can't recall the exact sound of Cali to make comparison, but it seems to me somehow easier to dial settings on Empress. Also the tone switch is really useful.
Hi! Amazing video, very professional and clear! I actually use a DBX 160A (i love it) but i would like to buy a pedal compressor (easier to travel with). I hesitate between the empress and the darkglass hyper luminal. What do you think about the darkglass? Thank you!
To me, the Empress sounds better over all and is faster to dial in. If i were to compare another compressor with this one, i'd take a look at the Cali76 Bass Comp. I think that's the only other one i'd put on the same level of the Empress. I think it's got a little more "tone" to it where the Empress is a bit cleaner, but i think it's splitting hairs at that point. The biggest deal is the control over the attack and release times on the Empress and Cali. The luminal doesn't have that (last time i checked), and it's kinda important. All that said, just my opinion!
@@HondoFelder thank you very much. The darkglass has the attack and release option but you need to program it on your computer (USB). I bought today the empress (the gain reduction and the input on the LED's made the decision for me, i use it a lot on my DBX 160A) :)
@@marcelalapeche Congrats! 🎉 Hope you love it!
@@HondoFelder i'll receive it next week ;)
@@HondoFelder I just received my empress compressor and it's just amazing! exactly what i was looking for! It combines so good with my darkglass B7K ultra! Thank you for your video that conviced me! Next step, take this on tour with my band Esthesis!
If I'm using a compressor to get more predictable and sustained activation of a synth pedal, do the rich features of the Empress really help me that much?
Good question. If you only want to squash your signal to get consistency for triggering other stuff, and never really use it with your dry signal, you could probably get something else that's cheaper and has fewer features to do that to an equal level.
⚡🖤⚡
Hondo, would you do one episode on your Horrothia FX Type One? It sounds soooooo good!
I absolutely will! 🤘🏽
@@HondoFelder Looking forward to it! You already sold me one on this short clip!
@@karenkuang3471 it’s easily my favorite chorus pedal! It’s only got one knob, so it should be a short video lol.
@@HondoFelder We're glad to hear you play more anytime! :))
Hi...
Can the hi pass filter also work without there being a sidehain that is connected? - Thanks.
Yup!
Did Empress rectify the problems some people were having with this pedal?
Yup. They have had a easy free fix since the date of the video.
Hi, did you had a chance to compare it to a Becos Stella ? Can't decide between both... Thanks
Nope, that's a new one to me! I'll see if I can get one in my hands to do some comparisons.
@@HondoFelder thanks, i'ld be very thankfull if you can do an A/B comparaison. Greetings
I've read that it has 2:1, 4:1, and 10:1 ratios. Did you find that this was an issue or are these settings optimal?
Not an issue at all. I look at it like gentle, moderate, and aggressive compression. Between the ratios, SCHPF, and mix knob, I could basically get any sound I was shooting for.
Hello there! \o
O hi!
You said you typically don’t like playing slapbass. How come Just curious.
Its just very rare that i find it fits in a song. If it does though, it can be fun. I don’t practice it because i don’t like it much, which means i suck at it, which means I like it even less. Its a vicious cycle 😂
I use BOSS BC-1X and Ovnilab modified BOSS CS-3 for my compression needs. I am a huge BOSS fan, they have never let me down and altough I have tried many boutique pedals, only very few have made it to my pedalboards.
Heard only good things about them Empress pedals, but with the price tag they carry, they really should be something "extra special"...🤔
Good video as allways.👍
Greetings from Finland.🇫🇮
P.S. As a flanger fan I would highly appreciate review of those, with and without some agressive distortion!🤟
If you look at it solely on features, the Empress offers more than either boss. Neither of the Boss pedals have a Wet/Dry, or a SC HP, and both of those can make a big difference if you're looking for certain tones. The Empress also has a sidechain input that would let you trigger it with a kick if you're doing crazy electronica stuff. That combo and the build quality definitely warrant the price in my opinion. That said, if you're happy, you're happy!
I'll see what i can do about getting in some flangers! Any recommendations?
@@HondoFelder Thanks for answering. You're right there, Empress is more "tweakable" than BOSS. I have trusted the MDP to do its "magic" and it had worked for me atleast on my agressive setup. The CS-3 is used on my "ambient" setup as it is more sudbtle. I think that MDP technology makes wonders on my sound as I distort my whole signal and use KMA Tyler to split my signal and use different distortions for the highs and the lows.
I am happy with BOSS, but will most definetly try out Empress if I ever have chance.
Any boutique flanger will do, 'cause I know you can get the best out of them.😁👍
How does this compare to the cali 76 compact ?
Equally good on how nicely they control dynamics, but 76 feels a littler grittier/denser in a maybe good, maybe bad kinda way. I have both, i use the 76 for heavier stuff, and the Empress for basically everything else.
@@HondoFelder when I switch the 76 on it sounds like the low end changes. Less low lows and a more pronounced low mid. I’m wondering if the Empress does this as well or is more transparent in that region. Thx!
@@bobbydreg5597 That might be what I was hearing as well. Empress doesn’t do that IMO.
@@HondoFelder thanks man. I think I’ll be scooping one up soon!
Hondo, Are you still using this pedal?
I am! I sold it for a while due to financial reasons, but i've bought it back and am still loving it. 😄
@@HondoFelder Thanks! I did that same and am thinking of buying it back or trying out a smoothie.