Empress Effects has officially launched its Bass ParaEQ. This innovative pedal is poised to revolutionize bass tone shaping, potentially marking the first parametric EQ designed from the ground up specifically for bass instruments.
Bass ParaEQ
Bass players, prepare to experience unparalleled tonal control. The new Empress Effects Bass ParaEQ, a highly anticipated release, offers a comprehensive suite of parametric EQ tools in a robust, compact pedal format.
Building upon the esteemed legacy of their ParaEQ MKII Deluxe, this new iteration is meticulously tailored for the unique demands of bass frequencies.
A Rolls-Royce of EQ, Reimagined for Bass
Empress’s ParaEQ series has long been lauded as the “Rolls-Royce” of pedal EQs, celebrated for its surgical precision in sculpting mids and delicately taming bass frequencies.
This reputation for exceptional clarity and powerful, clean boost (up to 30 dB of gain) is now extended to the low-end domain.
Warm Tone
The Bass ParaEQ is engineered to excel with virtually any bass signal. Whether you command the deep resonance of an electric bass, the organic warmth of an acoustic, the rich complexities of a double bass, or the cutting-edge power of a synth bass, this pedal promises to deliver exceptional clarity and control across the entire spectrum.
Unprecedented Control for the Low End
The Bass ParaEQ boasts an exhaustive control set, ensuring bassists have every tool at their disposal: Low Q, Low Freq, Low Gain, Mid Q, Mid Freq, Mid Gain, High Q, High Freq, High Gain, High Pass, Bass, Treble, Low Pass, and a dedicated Boost accessible via its own footswitch.
Crucially, the frequency ranges of the three bands have been specifically optimized for bass. The low band now spans a focused 35 Hz to 500 Hz, the mid band from 100 Hz to 1600 Hz, and the high band from 375 Hz to 9.7 kHz. This thoughtful revision provides finer resolution in the most critical lower frequency ranges, preventing the high band from extending unnecessarily beyond 10 kHz.
Advanced Features for the Modern Bassist
Beyond its extensive EQ capabilities, the Bass ParaEQ incorporates features that cater directly to the needs of contemporary bass players.
It features a 10MΩ Hi-Z input, ensuring seamless integration with often finicky piezo pickups. Furthermore, an automatically detecting balanced output delivers pristine DI sounds and enables extended cable runs without signal degradation.
The balanced output jack intelligently adapts based on the connection, offering unparalleled flexibility for direct-to-DI setups or long cable runs. For the tech-savvy musician, an Advanced Mode, activated by holding both footswitches during power-up, allows for modification of the input jack behavior.
Price & Availability
The Empress Effects Bass ParaEQ has an MSRP of USD 375 / GBP 339 / EUR 399.
While the absence of an XLR output might be a consideration for some, the pedal’s unparalleled parametric control, bass-optimized frequency ranges, and intelligent connectivity options position it as a formidable new contender in the bass effects market.
More Information
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