Empress Effects ParaEQ Bass Effects Pedal

Product voorbijview

The Empress Bass ParaEq brings the full control and transparency of the ParaEq MKII Deluxe to a pedal designed specifically for bassists. As the only parametric EQ pedal built exclusively for bass, it gives players tone-shaping power that no other pedal offers. With bass-tuned frequencies, a dynamic low shelf, and features built for both electric and upright players, it offers the kind of tone-shaping flexibility usually reserved for studio racks.

Following the success of the Empress Bass Compressor—and the popularity of the ParaEq MKII Deluxe among bassists—Empress recognized the need for an EQ pedal made specifically for low-end instruments. The Bass ParaEq adapts everything that made the Deluxe great, but optimizes the experience for bass. The result is an EQ/boost pedal that feels less like an adaptation and more like an essential part of a bassist’s rig.

Three bands of parametric EQ, each with fully sweepable Q controls, allow for broad tone shaping or surgical precision. A newly designed dynamic low shelf adjusts its range depending on how much boost or cut is applied, offering intuitive control over the foundation of a bass tone. The high- and low-pass filters help remove unwanted low-end rumble or harsh upper frequencies, while the clean boost section delivers up to +30dB of gain—ideal for solos, make-up gain, or hitting the front end of an amp harder.

The 10MΩ high-impedance input makes the Bass ParaEq a great match for upright basses with piezo pickups, maintaining clarity and low-end response. An auto-detecting balanced output makes it easy to send a clean signal over long cable runs without tone loss or extra gear.

With 27V of internal headroom, a low-noise signal path, and Empress’s signature transparent EQ circuitry, the Bass ParaEq brings studio-quality tone-shaping to the pedalboard—purpose-built for bass.

Figuur 1: Boven view of the Empress Effects ParaEQ Bass Effects Pedal, showing all knobs and footswitches.

Belangrijkste kenmerken

• All-Analog Signal Path: Preserves your instrument’s natural character with rich, organic tone.
• Tailored for Bass: The only parametric EQ pedal built specifically for low-end instruments, with frequency ranges and filter behavior engineered just for bass.
• Ultra Transparent, Sweet-Sounding EQ: Shapes your tone without masking the details of your sound.
• Tons of Control: With sweepable frequency, variable Q, and ±15dB of cut and boost across 3 bands.
• Dynamic Low Shelf: A responsive shelf that adjusts its range based on how much you boost or cut.
• 10MΩ Hi-Z Input: Perfect for upright basses and piezo pickups that lose low end with standard inputs.
• Gebalanceerde uitgang: Auto-detecting TRS output for clean signal over long cable runs or straight to DI.
• Ultra Quiet: Low-noise design keeps your signal clean, even when boosting.
• +30dB of Clean Boost: Push your signal hard for solos, make-up gain, or amp-driving punch.
• 27V Internal Headroom: Hoogvoltage operation like studio rack gear—nearly impossible to clip.
• Gebufferde bypass: Maintains signal integrity across your pedalboard and cable runs.
• Compacte afmetingen: Enclosure measures approximately 2.5” x 4.8” x 2.6” with top jacks to fit any board.

Instellen

Stroomvereisten

The Empress ParaEQ Bass pedal requires a 9V DC power supply with a minimum of 300mA, center negative polarity. Ensure your power supply meets these specifications to prevent damage to the unit.

Verbindingen

Sluit uw instrument aan op de Invoer jack on the rear of the pedal. Connect the Uitvoer jack naar je amplifier or next pedal in the signal chain. The pedal features a balanced output (TRS) for clean signal over long cable runs or direct connection to a DI box.

Afbeelding 2: Achter view of the pedal showing Input, Output, and Power connections.

Eerste inschakeling

Once all connections are made, connect the power supply. The pedal will power on. The bypass LED will illuminate if the pedal is active, or be off if in bypass mode (depending on advanced configuration settings).

Gebruiksaanwijzing

Controles voorbijview

The ParaEQ Bass pedal features three bands of parametric equalization, each with dedicated controls for Q (bandwidth), Frequency, and Gain. Additionally, it includes a clean boost and bypass footswitches.

• Low Q / Mid Q / High Q: These knobs control the 'Q' factor, or bandwidth, of each EQ band. A lower Q value results in a broader, more gentle EQ curve, affecting a wider range of frequencies. A higher Q value creates a narrower, more surgical EQ curve, targeting a specific frequency more precisely.
• Low Freq / Mid Freq / High Freq: These knobs select the center frequency for each of the three parametric EQ bands.
  • Low Freq: 35Hz - 500Hz
  • Mid Freq: 100Hz - 1.6kHz
  • High Freq: 375Hz - 9.7kHz
• Low Gain / Mid Gain / High Gain: These knobs control the amount of boost or cut (±15dB) applied at the selected center frequency for each band. Turning clockwise boosts the frequency, counter-clockwise cuts it.
• Boost Footswitch: Activates or deactivates the clean boost function. The boost level is controlled by the small black knob labeled "boost" located above the footswitch. This provides up to +30dB of clean gain.
• Bypass-voetschakelaar: Toggles the pedal's effect on or off. When the effect is off, the signal passes through the pedal with buffered bypass.

Geavanceerde configuratie-opties

The ParaEQ Bass pedal offers advanced configuration options accessible via the side panel. To enter advanced configuration, hold down both footswitches while powering up the pedal. To exit, hold down both footswitches again.

Figuur 3: Zijkant view showing the Advanced Configuration Options label.

• Independent Boost / Dependent Boost: This setting determines whether the boost function operates independently of the EQ section or is engaged simultaneously with the EQ.
• Hi-Z Input Enabled / Lo-Z Input Enabled: Toggles between high-impedance (10MΩ) and low-impedance input modes. The Hi-Z input is ideal for passive piezo pickups found on many upright basses.
• Boost LED / Bypass LED: Configures the behavior of the indicator LEDs.

Onderhoud

The Empress ParaEQ Bass pedal is a robust device designed for reliable performance. To ensure its longevity and optimal operation, follow these maintenance guidelines:

• Schoonmaak: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the pedal's enclosure. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, solvents, or excessive moisture, as these can damage the finish or internal components.
• Opslag: Bewaar het pedaal, wanneer het niet in gebruik is, op een koele, droge plaats, uit de buurt van direct zonlicht, extreme temperaturen en hoge luchtvochtigheid.
• Verbindingen: Periodically check all cable connections for tightness and ensure they are free from corrosion. Use high-quality instrument cables.
• Voeding: Always use the correct power supply (9V DC, 300mA minimum, center negative). Using an incorrect power supply can cause irreversible damage and void your warranty.

Probleemoplossing

If you encounter issues with your Empress ParaEQ Bass pedal, please refer to the following common troubleshooting steps before contacting support:

• Geen stroom/LED's uit:
  • Ensure the power supply is correctly connected and meets the 9V DC, 300mA minimum, center negative specifications.
  • Try a different power outlet or power supply if available.
• No Sound/Signal Loss:
  • Check all instrument cables. Try swapping them out with known working cables.
  • Zorg ervoor dat uw instrument en amplifier are working correctly by bypassing the pedal.
  • Verify that the pedal is engaged (Bypass LED status).
  • Check the gain knobs; if all are set to minimum cut, there might be no audible output.
• Ongewenst geluid/gezoem:
  • Ensure you are using a regulated, isolated power supply. Daisy-chaining power supplies can introduce noise.
  • Controleer op aardlussen in uw signaalketen.
  • Move the pedal away from power transformers or other electronic devices that might cause interference.
• EQ Not Responding:
  • Ensure the pedal is engaged.
  • Verify that the gain knobs for the respective bands are not at the center (0dB) position.
  • Check the Q settings; a very narrow Q might make the effect subtle if the frequency is not precisely targeted.

If these steps do not resolve your issue, please contact Empress Effects customer support for further assistance.

Specificaties

Garantie en ondersteuning

Garantie-informatie

Empress Effects pedals are built to the highest standards and are covered by a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. For specific warranty terms and conditions, please refer to the official Empress Effects webwebsite of neem rechtstreeks contact op met hun klantenservice. Bewaar uw aankoopbewijs voor garantieclaims.

Klantenservice

For technical assistance, troubleshooting beyond this manual, or warranty inquiries, please visit the official Empress Effects website or contact their customer support team. You can often find FAQs, firmware updates, and contact information on their support pages.

Empress Effects Official Webwebsite: www.empresseffects.com