Empress Effects launches ParaEQ MKII and MKII Deluxe EQ and boost pedals

November 2, 2022 · 2 sources

Empress Effects unveiled the ParaEQ MKII and the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe, an updated version of its ParaEQ stompbox, Guitar World reported on November 2, 2022¹. The original combined a parametric EQ and a boost in one pedal, with three bands of EQ, selectable Q widths and individual gain dials for the EQ bands¹.

The MKII packs that control into a compact pedal format, rearranging the dials into a clearer layout¹. Each EQ band offers +/- 15dB of boost or cut, and the boost circuit provides up to +30dB¹. The low, mid and high Q mini dials, located at the top of the unit, set the range of the EQ bands themselves¹. The signal path is all analog and the pedal is true bypass¹.

The MKII Deluxe adds four mini dials for filter shaping: high-pass, low-shelf, high-shelf and low-pass filters¹. Guitar World described the level of control as comparable to the EQ processors found in DAWs¹.

The ParaEQ MKII and MKII Deluxe were listed at around $274 and $349 respectively¹.

In a separate interview published by GuitarPlayer on December 9, 2022, Empress Effects head of engineering Jay Fee said the pedals run off 27 volts of headroom from a standard 9-volt DC connection, which he described as triple that of a regular guitar pedal². He said the circuit was designed from the bottom up and appears in a smaller enclosure².

Fee said the ParaEq MKII suits sweetening tone or targeting problem frequencies, while the Deluxe offers the most control and versatility because of the added filters and sweepable Q². He named Tom Bukovac, Paul Gilbert and Aaron Marshall of Intervals as players using the pedals, and said bassists Tim Lefebvre and Justin Meldal-Johnsen also use them².