Cali76 compact bass vs Empress

[taylor16]

My interest in both of these pedals is getting the better of me. Going to (likely) order both and send back the one I like least but would appreciate those who have played both for their impressions. I'm currently using a Keeley Bassist which I really do like but would like more control with attack and release which both offer (Empress more so than Cali76).

Cheers!

 

[Bassheart365]

Bought the Cali76 CB and then sold my Empress. Easier to dial in, smaller footprint, and I really like the HPF for retaining the low end of things.

 

[Dave Hill]

Got to a/b both yesterday over at @10cc 's place. We coordinated so that I bought a Cali76CB and he an Empress.

First impression was that they sound fairly similar...neither seemed to color the sound too much. Both fattened up and evened out the signal, just as expected.

The Cali feels a little more substantial and better constructed, while the meter and separate attack/release on the Empress were nice.

For many years I used a dbx 160a. I actually prefer the controls on that unit, particularly how you can set the threshold point and switch between hard and soft knee. But that unit never seemed to fatten my tone like the pedals, it acted more like a limiter.

I guess on the Cali and Empress, the only way to set the threshold is via the input(?).

Also, anyone know the range of the ratio knob on the Cali? I'm looking for 4:1.

 

[DirkP]

Got to a/b both yesterday over at @10cc 's place. We coordinated so that I bought a Cali76CB and he an Empress.

First impression was that they sound fairly similar...neither seemed to color the sound too much. Both fattened up and evened out the signal, just as expected.

The Cali feels a little more substantial and better constructed, while the meter and separate attack/release on the Empress were nice.

For many years I used a dbx 160a. I actually prefer the controls on that unit, particularly how you can set the threshold point and switch between hard and soft knee. But that unit never seemed to fatten my tone like the pedals, it acted more like a limiter.

I guess on the Cali and Empress, the only way to set the threshold is via the input(?).

Also, anyone know the range of the ratio knob on the Cali? I'm looking for 4:1.

Threshold: Don't know the Empress, but to be fair: the Cali76 is a 1176 clone and the original uses the same way to set the threshhold. Works fine.
The Cali Compact Bass has a wide range of ratios from 1:4 up until limiting, very close the original. If only it would have an ALL-Buttons-In-Mode for slapping...

 

[Dave Hill]

The Cali Compact Bass has a wide range of ratios from 1:4 up until limiting

Assuming you mean 4:1, that is the minimum ratio setting?

 

[DirkP]

Assuming you mean 4:1, that is the minimum ratio setting?

Cali talks a secret language: at the lowest setting if you increase the input signal 100% (doubling the volume) the output increases 13%. At the highest setting it would increase 3%. (user manual page 4)

From Wikipedia: A ratio of 4:1 means that if the input level is 4 dB over the threshold, the output signal level is 1 dB over the threshold.
(Dynamic range compression - Wikipedia)

I don't know how to translate this? I would say in the case of the Cali, if I increase the signal 100% and it is still under the threshhold of the Cali, it's zero percent compressed and gets 100% through as it is. So maybe I'm too tired from programming today or there is something missing in the manual.
But it sounds incredible good...