The Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe is a three-band parametric EQ and boost pedal from Canadian maker Empress Effects. Where a graphic EQ gives you fixed sliders at set frequencies, a parametric EQ lets you dial in the exact frequency you want to cut or boost, and choose how narrow or broad that cut is. Each of the three bands here offers 15dB of boost or cut, and a separate boost circuit adds up to 30dB of clean gain on its own footswitch12.
Empress describes both the ParaEQ MKII and the MKII Deluxe as having a low-noise, transparent signal path that is extremely versatile, built on a minimal circuit topology the company calls the opposite of graphic EQs1. The pedal runs internally at 27V, close to rackmount studio gear, which Empress says gives it enough clean headroom to handle even aggressive frequency boosts3. It was Empress Effects' top-selling pedal of 20233.
What it does to your sound
A parametric EQ can center on the exact frequency and make narrower or broader cuts and boosts as needed, which is what sets it apart from the fixed bands of a graphic EQ. In practice that means you can hunt down a specific problem, like a boomy low-mid or a harsh spot, and remove just that, or push a narrow band to make a guitar cut through a mix6.
Empress builds the ParaEq MKII Deluxe around what it calls a minimal circuit topology, the opposite of a graphic EQ, which the maker says offers the most control without degradation to the tone1. The pedal carries +30dBu of headroom2, and the Deluxe version adds high-pass and low-pass filters for precision work at the frequency extremes12.
The Deluxe's frequency response runs from 22Hz to 25kHz at -3dB, with total harmonic distortion under 0.05% and a noise floor better than 107dB1.
The controls
The control surface splits into two halves. The upper row handles the three parametric bands, and the lower knobs control high-pass, low-pass, and low- and high-shelf Baxandall filters3. Guitar World's buying guide lists the full set7:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Low Q, Mid Q, High Q | Bandwidth of each parametric band, fully variable on the Deluxe8 |
| Low Freq, Mid Freq, High Freq | Center frequency of each band |
| Low Gain, Mid Gain, High Gain | Up to 15dB of boost or cut per band2 |
| HP Filter | High-pass filter for cutting lows |
| LP Filter | Low-pass filter for cutting highs |
| Low Shelf, High Shelf | Baxandall shelving filters at the extremes3 |
| Boost | Up to 30dB of clean boost on its own footswitch5 |
The EQ and boost can run linked or independently, so you can switch the whole pedal on at once or bring the boost in separately from the EQ1. In Premier Guitar's demo, John Bohlinger noted that the Deluxe version adds fully variable bandwidth controls over the standard MKII8.
"the deluxe version that I'm playing here adds fully variable bandwidth controls"
On That Pedal Show, Mick and Dan walked through the pedal in their new pedal day episode, covering the Para EQ boost function and calling it an incredibly powerful EQ9.
ParaEQ MKII vs the MKII Deluxe
The ParaEQ MKII and MKII Deluxe launched together in November 2022, the biggest launch in the history of Empress Effects, following an original ParaEq that the company says has been loved and trusted by musicians on a variety of instruments for over a decade32. The two share the same three parametric bands and transparent signal path; the difference is the filters2.
| ParaEQ MKII | ParaEQ MKII Deluxe | |
|---|---|---|
| Parametric bands | 3, each with 15dB boost/cut2 | 3, each with 15dB boost/cut2 |
| Q control | Selectable widths10 | Fully variable bandwidth8 |
| HP/LP filters | No7 | Yes7 |
| Shelving filters | No7 | Low and high Baxandall shelves3 |
| Boost | Up to 30dB5 | Up to 30dB5 |
Guitar World's guide puts it plainly: the non-deluxe version of the ParaEQ ships without the HP/LP and shelving filters7, and Delicious Audio likewise notes the cheaper non-Deluxe version lacks the high/low cut and shelving filters11. Empress's Jay Fee told GuitarPlayer that the MKII Deluxe offers the most control and versatility because of the added filters and sweepable Q12.
Power and connections
The ParaEq MKII Deluxe runs on 9V DC, center negative, through a 2.1mm barrel connector, and requires 300mA1.
At 300mA this pedal draws more current than most compact analog pedals, and it has no battery option. It needs a power supply output that can deliver its full current, not a shared daisy chain tap.
Despite the 9V input, the pedal operates internally at 27V, which is where its +30dBu of headroom comes from13. Input impedance is 1MΩ and output impedance is 100Ω1. The enclosure measures 2.6" wide, 4.8" long, 1.5" tall (2.5" including controls), and weighs 1 lb1.
The Black Sparkle Edition
In June 2024 Empress released a limited run of 500 pieces of the ParaEq MKII Deluxe in a black sparkle finish13. The internals are the exact same as the standard Sky Blue edition, differing only in colorway, and it carried the same $349 price1. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, who owns the Sky Blue edition, called it his favorite EQ pedal, an always-on pedal with an extremely low noise floor, clarity and expansiveness13.
On bass
Empress says it built the dedicated Bass ParaEq after hearing from countless players who were already using the ParaEq MKII Deluxe on bass14. The Bass ParaEq adapts the same concept for low-frequency instruments, with the frequency clusters changed and honed for bass rather than guitar154. So the Deluxe itself works on bass, but the Bass version's bands are centered where a bass player needs them.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's EQ pedal buying guide was direct about the Deluxe's standing:
"Simply put, there is no alternative to the Empress Para EQ in a compact format."
The same guide noted it is useful as a studio tool for guitar, bass or synths7. Gearnews's EQ pedal guide describes the ParaEQ MKII as Empress's refresh of their classic parametric EQ, with three parametric bands, selectable Q widths, and a foot-switchable clean boost of up to +30dB10.
Who uses it
Empress's artist pages list a long roster of players using the ParaEq MKII Deluxe, including Paul Gilbert, Cory Wong, Tom Bukovac, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Andrew Huang, Kid Koala, Aaron Marshall, Douglas D'Lima, Brian Kobayakawa, Rye Jackson, Ben Flanders, Kelen Capener, Mark Webber, Ben Whiteley, Bryce Jacobs and Chris Wrate1617. Louis Wu is listed among the artists who use the ParaEq MKII2.
Videos
Empress Effects
Empress Effects
Questions
What is the difference between the ParaEQ MKII and the MKII Deluxe?
The non-Deluxe ParaEQ MKII gives you the three parametric bands with their Q, frequency and gain knobs, but ships without the high-pass and low-pass filters and the low and high shelving filters. The Deluxe adds those four filter controls, plus fully variable bandwidth, making it the more versatile of the two at a higher price.
Is the Empress ParaEQ MKII Deluxe true bypass?
It offers both true bypass and buffered bypass, selectable by the player. True bypass gives maximum transparency when the pedal is off, while buffered bypass keeps the signal strong over long cable runs. You can choose whichever suits your board.
Can I use the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe on bass?
Yes. Empress says countless players were already using the ParaEq MKII Deluxe on bass, and the company responded with the dedicated Bass ParaEq, which keeps the same concept but changes the frequency clusters to suit low-frequency instruments. The Deluxe itself still works for bass.
Can the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe be used as a clean boost?
Yes. It is an EQ/boost pedal with a separate boost circuit offering up to 30dB of gain, foot-switchable on its own. The EQ and boost can run linked or independently, so you can use it purely as a clean boost if you want.
How much current does the Empress ParaEQ MKII Deluxe draw?
It requires 300mA at 9V DC, center negative, through a 2.1mm barrel connector. That is a substantial draw for an EQ pedal, so plan an isolated power supply output rather than a small daisy chain.
What is the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe Black Sparkle Edition?
A limited run of 500 units of the ParaEq MKII Deluxe in a black sparkle finish, released in June 2024. The internals are identical to the standard Sky Blue edition, differing only in colorway, and it carried the same $349 price.
Sources (17)
- ParaEq MKII Deluxe, Empress Effects Inc.
- ParaEq MKII, Empress Effects Inc.
- ParaEq MKII Deluxe Black, Empress Effects Inc., 2023
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-05-23
- Empress Effects launches the ParaEQ MKII, promising the “most control of any EQ on the market”, Guitar World, 2022-11-02
- EQ and You, Empress Effects Inc.
- Best EQ pedals 2026: tame your tone, Guitar World, 2021-12-22
- Empress ParaEQ MKII Deluxe Demo, Premier Guitar, 2023-07-06
- New Pedal Day TC SCF Gold, GEE Design-A-Drive, BCC Difference Engine, Empress Para EQ MkII DLX, That Pedal Show, 2022-11-11
- The 7 Best EQ Pedals for Every Budget: Shape Your Tone in Seconds!, gearnews.com, 2025-09-15
- 2023 UPDATE! Best EQ Pedals For Guitar: Graphic & Parametric, Delicious Audio, 2023-12-13
- "The Empress Effects ParaEq MKII Pedals Are as Good as It Gets": Head of Engineering, Jay Fee, Explains How Their New Parametric Equalizers Can Take Your Sound to the Next Level, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2022-12-09
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-06-03
- Bass ParaEq, Empress Effects Inc.
- Review: Empress Effects Bass ParaEQ, Bass Musician Magazine, 2026-03-23
- Chris Wrate, Empress Effects Inc.
- Douglas D'Lima, Empress Effects Inc.
