{"product_id":"gainlab-audio-empress-425604","title":"Empress","description":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Tradition of Tube Passive, Enhanced for Current Demands\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Empress belongs to the great lineage of tube passive equalizers that shaped the color of historic recordings: broad curves, ample bass, silky \"air\" treble, and a sense of space difficult to reproduce with purely digital EQ. Where vintage designs may be limited in contemporary production, the Empress goes further by integrating a \u003cstrong\u003emid band\u003c\/strong\u003e and a \u003cstrong\u003eshift\u003c\/strong\u003e function to cover more surgical needs while maintaining a fundamentally musical approach. This results in a studio tool that retains the organic grain and harmonic density of passive EQs while offering a more current shaping flexibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA Studio Equalizer for Mixing, Mastering, and Tracking\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned for environments where every adjustment counts, the Gainlab Audio Empress naturally finds its place in \u003cstrong\u003emixing\u003c\/strong\u003e (bus, stems, key tracks), \u003cstrong\u003emastering\u003c\/strong\u003e (tonal balance and finishing), and during \u003cstrong\u003etracking\u003c\/strong\u003e when an elegant color is desired upfront. Its passive topology favors EQ moves that remain pleasant even when pushed: you can \u003cstrong\u003efirm up the low end\u003c\/strong\u003e without heaviness, \u003cstrong\u003eclean up\u003c\/strong\u003e without harshness, and \u003cstrong\u003eopen up the top\u003c\/strong\u003e without aggressiveness. It is also an excellent choice for \u003cstrong\u003esound design\u003c\/strong\u003e: the tube stage adds a high-end harmonic texture that gives relief and a sense of substance without tipping into uncontrolled saturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFeatures Designed to Sculpt, Widen, and Densify\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCombined Boost and Cut: The \"Engineer\" Palette Serving the Musical\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ability to apply \u003cstrong\u003esimultaneous amplification and attenuation\u003c\/strong\u003e on bass and treble allows for approaches highly valued in the studio: enhancing one area while scooping another, creating an impression of extended bass without muddying the low mids, or adding air while controlling overly forward brightness. This type of curve interaction is a hallmark of passive EQs: the result often sounds more natural, wider, and integrates better in a dense mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eShift Function: Adjust Frequency Centers to Fit the Program\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eshift\u003c\/strong\u003e function is a major asset when adapting equalization to the source and style. By shifting frequency centers, you gain finer control over curve overlap and the actual EQ action zone. This is particularly useful for placing bass on a kick without bloating a bass instrument, or choosing a treble more \"presence\" versus more \"air,\" depending on the vocal, overheads, or mix bus. This flexibility brings the Empress closer to a modern production tool while retaining the organic behavior of passive EQs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eTube Gain Stage, Transformers, and Stepped Attenuators: Color, Headroom, and Recall\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe passive correction path is followed by a \u003cstrong\u003etube gain stage\u003c\/strong\u003e that adds density, cohesion, and a silky touch typical of tube circuits. Combined with \u003cstrong\u003enanocrystalline alloy transformers\u003c\/strong\u003e, the whole setup provides a solid foundation and a sense of depth while maintaining comfortable headroom for studio signals. Finally, the \u003cstrong\u003estepped attenuators\u003c\/strong\u003e facilitate \u003cstrong\u003erecallability\u003c\/strong\u003e: a crucial point when chaining sessions, revisiting a mix, or working in mastering with precisely reproducible settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e@media(max-width:632px){table[data-wb-spec]{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) minmax(0,1fr)}table[data-wb-spec] colgroup{display:none}table[data-wb-spec] tbody,table[data-wb-spec] tr{display:contents}table[data-wb-spec] td{display:block;overflow-wrap:anywhere;grid-row:var(--wb-l);background-color:var(--wb-lb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[data-r]{grid-row:var(--wb-r);background-color:var(--wb-rb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[colspan=\"2\"]{grid-column:1\/-1}table[data-wb-spec] td:empty{display:none}}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:1;--wb-r:5;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response - start\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e20 Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e3 channels\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:2;--wb-r:6;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response - end\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e20 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValve\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:3;--wb-r:7;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eequalizer\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRack unit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:4;--wb-r:8;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of channels\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:1;--wb-r:10;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInput\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e2 x balanced XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSNR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e88 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:2;--wb-r:11;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e2 x balanced XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConfiguration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e2 x 3 passive bands\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:3;--wb-r:12;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax input level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e+23 dBu\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGain stage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003etube\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:4;--wb-r:13;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInput impedance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003egreater than 10 kohms\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttenuators\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003estepped\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:5;--wb-r:14;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e20 Hz - 20 kHz, +\/-2 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTubes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003emilitary grade\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:6;--wb-r:15;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax output level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003egreater than 23 dBu\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransformers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003enanocrystalline alloy\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:7;--wb-r:16;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput impedance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eless than 65 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e230 V AC (EU), 110 V AC (US)\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:8;--wb-r:17;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHD+N (0 dBu)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eless than 0.08%\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e483 x 280 x 89 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:9;--wb-r:18;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNoise level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eless than -60 dBu\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e5.6 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Gainlab Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54361647907091,"sku":"425604","price":2750.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/0872\/6803\/files\/77947764cbe9abb779ec3e9e064ba59d01df15ed_GAINLAB_EMPRESS.jpg?v=1792675950","url":"https:\/\/woodbrass.shop\/products\/gainlab-audio-empress-425604","provider":"Woodbrass.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}