Empress Effects ParaEq MKII

The ParaEq MKII is a fully analog three-band parametric equalizer in stompbox format, designed by Empress Effects as the compact successor to the sought-after original ParaEq from 2010 – in a smaller enclosure with 27 V internal operating voltage and lower noise floor. The standard version (without the Deluxe designation) includes three parametric bands with a three-position Q selector (Wide/Mid/Narrow) and a +30 dB boost section with an independent footswitch – without the HPF/LPF and Baxandall shelving filters that are exclusive to the Deluxe version. SNR: above 107 dB. THD: below 0.05%. Headroom: +30 dBu. True or buffered bypass – selectable. Power: 9 V DC, 300 mA. Dimensions: approx. 122×63×66 mm (including controls).

Three parametric bands with three-position Q – what that means in use

In the standard MKII (non-Deluxe), Q in each band is switched between three positions: Wide (several octaves – for broad tonal shaping without influencing adjacent bands), Mid (moderate – for regional correction), and Narrow (tight – for resonance elimination and specific frequency problems). This approach is deliberate: three-position Q allows fast setup without hunting for an optimal value on a continuous pot, which on stage or during a session without an assistant reduces configuration time. Each of the three bands (Low, Mid, High) covers ±15 dB of boost and cut at freely selectable frequencies – band ranges overlap, allowing two bands to work in the same frequency region at different Q values simultaneously. The 27 V internal voltage delivers +30 dBu of headroom, preventing clipping from high-level signals from active pickups or synthesizers.

When to choose MKII over Deluxe

The ParaEq MKII without Deluxe suits players who need precise three-band parametric EQ and boost without additional extreme-frequency filters: a guitarist eliminating room resonance and smoothing tone before the amplifier, a keyboardist shaping synthesizer tonal balance live, a vocalist using EQ in a monitor chain. The absence of HPF/LPF and shelving is a conscious price and ergonomic trade-off – fewer controls, faster operation in low-light stage conditions. Bypass is selectable between true bypass (maximum transparency) and buffered bypass (signal protection over long cable runs) via internal configuration. A 9 V battery is supported as an alternative to a power supply.

KEY FEATURES

• 3-band fully analog parametric equalizer, stompbox format
• 27 V internal operating voltage – +30 dBu headroom, SNR above 107 dB
• Three parametric bands (Low/Mid/High): ±15 dB, Q in three positions (Wide/Mid/Narrow)
• Boost: +30 dB, independent footswitch
• No HPF/LPF or Baxandall shelving filters (available in Deluxe version only)
• True bypass or buffered bypass – selectable via configuration
• Power: 9 V DC or 9 V battery
• Compact enclosure with top-mounted jacks
• Compatible with guitar, bass, synthesizer, vocals

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: fully analog 3-band parametric equalizer, stompbox
• Parametric bands: 3 (Low, Mid, High), ±15 dB
• Q: 3 positions (Wide / Mid / Narrow) per band
• Boost: +30 dB (independent footswitch)
• Internal operating voltage: 27 V
• Headroom: +30 dBu
• SNR: above 107 dB
• THD: below 0.05%
• Input impedance: 1 MΩ
• Output impedance: 100 Ω
• Frequency response (–3 dB): 22 Hz – 25 kHz
• Bypass: true or buffered (selectable)
• Power: 9 V DC, centre-negative, 2.1 mm, 300 mA or 9 V battery
• Dimensions: approx. 122 × 63 × 66 mm (including controls)