Empress Effects ParaEq Bass

The Bass ParaEq is a fully analog three-band parametric equalizer designed by Empress Effects specifically for bassists – both electric bass players and upright bass players using piezo pickups. This is not a guitar ParaEq MKII Deluxe with shifted frequencies; it is a purpose-built design optimised from the ground up for low-end instruments: band ranges, the dynamic low shelf behaviour, and the 10 MΩ Hi-Z input address specific problems that guitarists do not encounter with standard EQ pedals. Internal operating voltage: 27 V. Boost: +30 dB. Auto-detecting balanced TRS output. Buffered bypass. Power: 9 V DC or 9 V battery. Dimensions: approx. 122×63×66 mm (including controls).

10 MΩ Hi-Z input and balanced output – why both matter for bass

A standard instrument input in a guitar pedal runs at 1 MΩ – adequate for electromagnetic pickups in an electric bass, inadequate for piezo pickups in an upright bass. Piezos have a very high internal impedance; into a mismatched 1 MΩ load they lose low-end and become thin in the upper range – an effect audible as an unintended highpass filter. The Bass ParaEq input runs at 10 MΩ, eliminating that problem and preserving the pickup's full frequency range. The TRS output with auto-detection allows direct connection to a console or interface as a DI with galvanic isolation, or to the next pedal or amplifier via a TS cable – without switching modes. Long cable runs to FOH without signal degradation follow directly from the balanced output at 100 Ω impedance.

Dynamic low shelf and bass-tuned frequency ranges

The key difference between the Bass ParaEq and the guitar ParaEq MKII Deluxe is the behaviour of the low shelf section: the dynamic low shelf changes its frequency range depending on the amount of boost or cut applied. At subtle settings it operates broadly and gently; at deeper settings it narrows and becomes more precise, preventing uncontrolled low-end bloating under aggressive correction. The three parametric bands overlap in the frequency ranges critical for bass: boosting 200 Hz for body while simultaneously cutting 300 Hz to reduce mud is possible on adjacent bands without fighting the frequency range selector. HPF and LPF filters (12 dB/oct) clean up the frequency extremes. The +30 dB boost with an independent footswitch functions as makeup gain after subtractive correction or as a clean boost for soloing.

KEY FEATURES

• 3-band fully analog parametric equalizer, purpose-built for bass only
• 10 MΩ Hi-Z input – for piezo pickups on upright and electric bass
• Auto-detecting balanced TRS output – DI without additional hardware
• Dynamic low shelf – frequency range adapts to the amount of correction applied
• Three overlapping parametric bands: ±15 dB, continuous Q
• HPF and LPF (12 dB/oct) – frequency extreme cleanup
• Boost: +30 dB, independent footswitch
• 27 V internal operating voltage – studio-grade headroom
• Buffered bypass
• Power: 9 V DC or 9 V battery

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: fully analog parametric bass equalizer, stompbox
• Parametric bands: 3 (Low, Mid, High), ±15 dB, continuous Q
• Dynamic low shelf: frequency range scales with correction amount
• HPF: 12 dB/oct (adjustable)
• LPF: 12 dB/oct (adjustable)
• Boost: +30 dB (independent footswitch)
• Internal operating voltage: 27 V
• Input impedance (Hi-Z): 10 MΩ
• Output impedance: 100 Ω
• Balanced output: TRS (auto-detecting)
• SNR: above 107 dB
• THD: < 0.05%
• Bypass: buffered
• Power: 9 V DC, 300 mA or 9 V battery
• Dimensions: approx. 122 × 63 × 66 mm (including controls)