Empress Effects releases Bass ParaEQ bass EQ pedal

May 21, 2025 · 5 sources

Empress Effects announced the release of the Bass ParaEQ on May 21, 2025, describing it as "the only bass-specific parametric EQ pedal on the market today"¹. The pedal is now shipping worldwide and sells for $374 USD from the Empress Effects website and through authorized dealers¹².

The Bass ParaEQ carries three sweepable parametric bands with variable Q, each offering 15dB of boost or cut, plus high-pass, low-pass, low shelf and high shelf filters³². Empress says the frequency layout is tuned for bass, with a selectable 10-megohm Hi-Z input for piezo-equipped instruments, a dynamically adjusted low shelf and automatic balanced output detection¹². The analog signal path runs on 27V of internal headroom, which Empress says prevents clipping from hot active pickups¹². A footswitchable clean boost adds up to 30dB³². Power comes from a standard 9V external supply drawing 300mA, with no battery compartment².

Reported frequency ranges differ between accounts. Guitar Pedal X lists the low band at 35 to 100Hz, the mid at 100Hz to 1,6k and the high at 375 to 9.7k³. Gearnews gives the low band as 35 Hz to 500 Hz, the mid as 100 Hz to 1600 Hz and the high as 375 Hz to 9.7 kHz⁴. MusicRadar reports the boost can send up to 20dB to a bass amp, set via a mini-dial⁵, while other accounts put the boost at up to 30dB³².

MusicRadar reports the pedal has 14 dials in total and runs on 9V, with an internal voltage booster raising this to 27V⁵. Gearnews lists a US MSRP of $375⁴; Empress and other outlets give $374¹³².