Empress Effects is proud to announce the release of the Bass ParaEq, a bass-specific parametric EQ pedal.

Building on the success of their acclaimed ParaEq MKII series, which has already gained popularity with bassists, the Bass ParaEq offers the same studio-grade precision but with features tailored for bass instruments.

Basses of all types — including electric and upright basses with active and passive electronics – can benefit from the Bass ParaEq offers the same studio-grade precision but with features tailored for bass instruments. 

Basses of all types – including electric and upright basses with active and passive electronics – can benefit from the Bass ParaEq’s tone-sculpting capabilities.

The new pedal follows the success of the Empress Bass Compressor and ParaEq MKII Deluxe, which have become some of the company’s best-reviewed and top-selling products. The Bass Compressor’s popularity confirmed what Empress had long suspected:  Bassists are eager for tolls built with their needs in mind, not just adaptations of guitar gear.

The Bass ParaEq retains the line’s powerful 3-band parametric EQ and studio-style features while introducing a base-optimized frequency layout, a selectable 10MΩ Hi-Z input for piezo-equipped instruments, a dynamically-adjusted low shelf, and automatic balanced output detection — perfect for live and studio use alike.

The Base ParaEq also offers an output boost, adjustable by a dedicated top-mounted knob and activated by its own footswitch, capable of delivering up to 30dB of boost. It’s perfect for helping your bass punch through during key moments in live performance.

Whether dialing in clarity for a dense mix of compensating for an unfamiliar venue, the Bass ParaEQ offers precise tonal control in a compact, road-ready form. With 27V of internal headroom to prevent clipping from even the hottest active pickups, the Bass ParaEq is the ultimate studio-style EQ designed to travel.

Key Features of the Bass ParaEQ include:

Adjustable frequency bands tailored for bass instruments

Selectable 10MΩ Hi-Z Hi-Z input for upright basses and piezo pickups

Auto-detecting balanced output for long cable runs and direct recording

Three sweepable parametric bands with variable Q

High-pass, low-pass, low shelf, and high shelf filters

Transparent analog signal path with 27V of internal headroom

Buffered bypass switching

Powered by a standard 9V external supply, 300mA (no battery compartment)

The Bass ParaEQ is now shipping worldwide. It can be purchased from the Empress Effects website for $374 USD and through authorized Empress dealers globally.

Empress Effects introduced the Heavy Menace distortion pedal. It is their most versatile distortion pedal, ever. Get any high-gain tone from crunch to crushing, with advanced EQ and gaiting for total control over sound and silence.

The Heavy Menace is the most versatile distortion pedal we’ve ever created. It’s an evolution of our original Heavy with new features and a compact enclosure. In addition to the original Heavy and Heavier modes, the Heavy Menace adds a new Lite(ish) mode, covering any high-gain sound from classic hard rock to searing modern metal.

Key Features:

• Three versatile distortion modes – Light(ish), Heavy, and Heavier
• Footswitchable noise gate
• Three-band EQ with sweepable mid frequency
• Weight control to sculpt low frequency response
• Linked or independent switching of the distortion and gate
• Gate key input (1/8” TS or TRS)
• True bypass or buffered bypass
• All-analog signal path

Enhanced EQ

We’re obsessed with EQ, and the 3-band circuit on Heavy Menace is one of our best.

Our Weight control adjusts a high-pass filter in the distortion circuit to shape low-end character. Turn it up for a thick, full sound, or turn counterclockwise for a tight response that’s perfect for palm muting and extended-range guitars.

Midrange is a key element of a great distorted sound, so the mid frequency is sweepable from 200 Hz to 2.5 kHz to dial in the sweet spot for your guitar and amp. Scoop for a tight, aggressive sound, or push to add definition and cut through a mix.

True Or Buffered Bypass

The Heavy Menace offers both tru bypass for maximum transparency, and buffered bypass to protect against signal loss over long cable runs.

Adaptive Gate

Players loved the gate on the original Heavy. Envelope followers in the circuit respond to your playing, letting sustained notes decay naturally but clamping down quickly during fast stops.

On the Heavy Menace, this gate is now footswitchable, with two available modes of operation. In normal bypass mode, the gate doesn’t affect the signal if the distortion is off, while independent bypass mode is like having separate distortion and gate pedals.

We’ve also added a key input so you can operationally trigger the gate with an external signal. This is particularly useful if you have added additional pedals before the Heavy Menace in your signal chain, such as a low-gain pedal for stacking. Split a clean signal with a pedal like our Buffer+ and connect it to the Gate Key Input, and the gate will behave consistently regardless of changes at the main input.

The Heavy Menace Pedal is priced at $249.99 USD.