Empress Effects Bass ParaEQ

A ParaEQ Designed for Low-End Instruments, Not Just a Simple Adaptation

Following the success of the Bass Compressor and the widespread adoption of the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe by bassists, Empress developed a version dedicated to low registers: the Bass ParaEQ. It retains the brand's signature transparency and precision but with frequency ranges and filter behaviors designed to work on the fundamental, definition, and attack of an electric bass as well as a double bass. The result: an equalization/boost pedal that acts as a true correction and enhancement tool, on par with studio equipment.

Who Is It For, and In What Contexts?

The Empress Bass ParaEQ is aimed at both demanding bassists and studio musicians seeking surgical control without sacrificing the instrument's character. In rock, funk, pop, metal, gospel, jazz, or ambient music, it allows you to place the bass "in the mix" instantly, eliminate stage resonances, or regain clarity on a loaded amp. On a live pedalboard, it can serve as the main EQ and solo boost; in a home studio, it becomes a quick solution for recording a clean, stable, and reproducible sound.

Controls, Filters, and Connectivity: The Complete Toolbox

The Bass ParaEQ features three parametric bands with sweepable frequencies, fully adjustable Q, and gain per band, ranging from broad, musical shaping to ultra-precise correction of problematic frequencies. The dynamic Low Shelf facilitates low-end adjustment: the more you boost or cut, the more the action range adjusts to remain clear. Added to this are high-pass and low-pass filters to clean up rumble, tame overly harsh highs, and stabilize your sound in a PA system. Practically, the 10 MOhms input is ideal for piezo pickups (double bass), and the balanced output on a 6.35mm TRS jack with automatic detection secures long cable runs with a clean signal. The bypass is buffered to preserve signal integrity on large pedalboards.

Sound Character

The keyword here is transparency: the Bass ParaEQ does not impose an artificial color; it reveals and organizes your spectrum. The lows gain solidity without bleeding, the low-mids are cleaned up without hollowing out the instrument's personality, and the attack can be made clearer without harshness thanks to the low-pass filter. The boost remains clean and dynamic, with a very "console-like" headroom feel. Within the ParaEQ family, users known for their frequency sculpting demands like Justin Meldal-Johnsen are found, proving that this type of tool is often an "always on" when seeking a controlled sound.

Technical specifications

Effects	EQ	Type	sector
Format	Pedal	Use	electric bass
EQ	Parametric	Color	Purple

3 bands of parametric EQ	sweepable frequencies, variable Q, +/-15 dB boost or cut per band	Length	4.8"
Frequency response	14 Hz - 22 kHz	Width	2.6"
Total harmonic distortion	< 0.1%	Weight	1 lb
Noise	< -107 dBu	Documentation	yes
Headroom	+30 dBu	Power supply	no
High-impedance input	1 MOhm or 10 MOhms (ideal for piezo/double bass)	Required power	9V DC (center negative)
Output impedance	100 Ohms	Consumption	300 mA (minimum required)
Balanced output	6.35mm TRS jack with automatic detection (also works unbalanced)	Power connector	2.1mm (barrel)
Height	2.5"