Empress Effects Reverb

An Empress "workstation" reverb: studio sound tradition in pedal format

With the Reverb, Empress Effects aimed to put a true studio-quality reverberation unit at your feet: a pedal that's quick to dial in but capable of going very deep once presets, tap, and external control are activated. The concept is based on 12 effect families (Hall, Plate, Spring, Room, etc.) with variations, and especially on an evolving platform: new algorithms can be added via the SD card through updates.

Note: the pedal has continued to evolve, and Empress announces 32 algorithms in firmware 6.0 (and counting), while maintaining the simple approach: each mode remains controllable via front panel controls, without tedious navigation.

Who is it for? From plug-and-play guitarists to pedalboard sound designers

The Empress Reverb is aimed at anyone wanting a stereo reverb pedal capable of covering an entire set: from subtle slapback studio-style to infinite ambient washes. In blues, pop, rock, and indie, it adds depth and width without drowning the attack; in post-rock, shoegaze, and ambient, it becomes a true instrument thanks to modes like Swell, Reverse, Ghost, or Sparkle.

On stage, the presets and two scrolling modes (Bank/Scroll) facilitate sound changes between verse, chorus, and solo. In the home studio, the stereo and EQ controls (Low/Hi) help position the reverb in the mix, while tap functions (depending on algorithms) simplify rhythmic timing on more modern parts.

Controls, modes, and connectivity: lots of depth, without a screen

The ergonomics are designed for speed: you adjust Decay, Mix, and Output like on a studio unit, then shape the tone via Low and Hi. The Thing 1 and Thing 2 knobs change function depending on the mode (e.g., modulation, dirt, diffusion, size, etc.), providing a wide range of customization while keeping a clear front panel.

The pedal offers clearly musical categories: Hall/Plate/Spring/Room for realistic spaces, Sparkle for more "shimmer" atmospheres, Modulation to thicken and widen, Ambient Swell for faded attacks, Delay + Reverb for 80s and modern textures, and more radical modes (Reverse, Ghost, Lo-fi). And when you want to go off the beaten path, the Beer mode is specifically designed for "out of category" algorithms.

Regarding pedalboard integration, everything is there: True Bypass or Buffered Bypass (useful for preserving trails), MIDI via the control port, and the Universal Control Port to centralize expression, external tap, control voltage, external audio input, or MIDI control via 6.35mm Jack.

The sound

The sonic character of the Empress Reverb stands out for its very "studio" definition: the high end remains clear, reverb tails are dense and clean, and the stereo rendering quickly gives a "3D" sense of space. Thanks to the analog dry signal, your playing's attack and dynamics remain intact: you add air around the note rather than "blurring" your basic tone.

It excels both in discreet reverb (short room, fine plate) and large cinematic formats (long hall, swell, reverse). The more creative modes (Ghost, Lo-fi, Beer) provide organic textures, perfect for atmospheric intros, interludes, or transforming a guitar into a pad. Artist-wise, the Reverb is associated with musicians and producers from diverse backgrounds, including Andrew Huang, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Kid Koala, Donna Grantis, and Blair Dunlop.

Technical specifications

Effects	Reverb	EQ	Yes
Technology	Digital	Type	sector
Format	Pedal	Use	electric guitar
Cabinet Simulator	3	Color	Grey

Knobs	Decay, Mix, Output, Low, Hi, Thing 1, Thing 2	Universal Control Port (6.35mm Jack)	expression pedal, external tap tempo, control voltage (CV), external audio input, MIDI controller
2 scrolling modes	Bank or Scroll