MXR Studio Compressor vs. Empress Bass Compressor: Brief Review

S

Sterling92

May 7, 2018
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13
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#1
I've used the MXR Studio Comp for years. Just a few days ago, I picked up a used Empress Bass Comp and the comparison has been interesting.

I set both compressors to 4:1 ratio with a fast attack and fast release. (Note: the attack and release controls are opposite on MXR vs Empress; on MXR, faster is clockwise, counterclockwise on the Empress). I set them for roughly the same amount of compression and matched the output. Mix, SC HP, and "Tone + Colour" are all off on the Empress. Recorded DI without any addition effects, eq, etc.

The results were fun! Have a listen:

No Compression

MXR Studio Comp

Empress Bass Comp

I was under the impression that these compressors are very similar, and both highly transparent. Maybe that's true relatively, in the world of bass comps, but I noticed a significant difference in feel and sound.

The MXR is super transparent and clean to my ears. Perhaps it could even be considered "sterile" to some.

The Empress is actually less transparent to my ears; the gain reduction is more obvious, and can even result in a tiny bit of grit (even without the "tone + colour" engaged). It sounds slightly warmer than the MXR to me--I think the MXR may clamp down on the lows *slightly* more. The Empress feels more responsive. I love it, but if you're going for squeaky clean, the MXR might actually be better.

The LED monitoring is way better on the Empress, not even close.

Basics:

Both pedals have a set threshold and the same basic controls: input (gain), output, attack, release. Many pedal compressors lack independent attack and release controls, so that is an immediate plus for both.

Both have a limited selection of compression ratios rather than a continuous sweep. This is absolutely fine with me for a pedal compressor, but I guess it's possible some people want more control.

There is a difference in the available ratios: the MXR offers 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1 while the Empress offers 2:1, 4:1, 10:1. For me, the ratios on the Empress are more useable--I only ever used the 4:1 on the MXR, and will definitely use the 2:1 on the Empress from time to time. But if you're using it as a limiter, the MXR ratios may be better.

The Empress does offer several features not present on the MXR:
  • Mix knob (blends in dry signal)
  • Side Chain HPF (option to send some of your lows through unaffected by the compression)
  • Side Chain send/return
  • "Tone + Colour" switch
Doubt I will use the side chain send/return, but the Mix and HPF may come in handy--we shall see. Don't know how much I will use the "Tone + Colour" yet, but it sounds great and not too extreme.

The Empress is slightly larger (see pics)

Also, already impressed with Empress customer service--very responsive and helpful, even though I purchased the pedal used.
IMG_3846.jpeg
IMG_3845.jpeg
 
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#2
Sterling92 said:
  • Side Chain HPF (option to send some of your lows through unaffected by the compression)
Click to expand...
I feel like I comment on this in every thread about the Empress...

The side chain HPF does not leave a quantity of low frequency content unaffected by the compression. Regardless of side chain HPF settings, the entire bandwidth of the signal is compressed equally. Only the detector circuit is affected by this control. Empress have confirmed that this is correct here on TB in another thread.
 
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#4
silky smoove said:
I feel like I comment on this in every thread about the Empress...

The side chain HPF does not leave a quantity of low frequency content unaffected by the compression. Regardless of side chain HPF settings, the entire bandwidth of the signal is compressed equally. Only the detector circuit is affected by this control. Empress have confirmed that this is correct here on TB in another thread.
Click to expand...
Yes, you are correct, but that does impact on how the pedal responds to lower notes.

The detector circuit is what tells the compression to kick in--the HPF filters out low frequencies from the detector circuit. Because the detector circuit does not "see" these low frequencies, they do not trigger the comp to kick in.

So by turning up the HPF (which controls the frequency of the HPF cut-off, ranging from 20hz to 400hz), it does make your low notes less likely to trigger the comp and get compressed.

But you are correct that when the comp *does* kick in, it still compresses the entire frequency range.

It's just easier to say it lets more of your lows through without compression, which is how most people will perceive it.
 
#6
Sterling92 said:
It's just easier to say it lets more of your lows through without compression, which is how most people will perceive it.
Click to expand...
I fully disagree with this. It is not easier, it is no more complex explaining it accurately, and stating what you have above misleads people into effectively thinking they have either a multiband or a bandlimited compressor, neither of which is accurate.
 
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#7
Sterling92 said:
it lets more of your lows through without compression, which is how most people will perceive it.
Click to expand...
You may already know, but the low E string (to cite one example) isn't just 40Hz. Even with flatwounds, you get the harmonic series of overtones going many octaves above the fundamental: they gradually weaken in strength, but exist nonetheless. Therefore, low E can still trigger compression even when HPF is set to 100Hz. And when the compressor is triggered by the higher overtones, it compresses all overtones, 40 and 80Hz included: nothing is being "let through uncompressed".

With sidechain HPF, users will perceive less squish (greater dynamics) when playing down low. Sure, it may even result in greater volume from the low notes, but I agree with silky that it's important not to say that the compressor is "letting anything through": it simply isn't reacting as aggressively to those lower notes. FWIW my highly casual description is "HPF can be valuable if you find that low notes are overly compressed".
 
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#8
silky smoove said:
I fully disagree with this. It is not easier, it is no more complex explaining it accurately, and stating what you have above misleads people into effectively thinking they have either a multiband or a bandlimited compressor, neither of which is accurate.
Click to expand...
Well...it's been clearly stated now, lest anyone be led astray. 😜
 
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#9
Fuzzbass said:
You may already know, but the low E string (to cite one example) isn't just 40Hz. Even with flatwounds, you get the harmonic series of overtones going many octaves above the fundamental: they gradually weaken in strength, but exist nonetheless. Therefore, low E can still trigger compression even when HPF is set to 100Hz. And when the compressor is triggered by the higher overtones, it compresses all overtones, 40 and 80Hz included: nothing is being "let through uncompressed".

With sidechain HPF, users will perceive less squish (greater dynamics) when playing down low. Sure, it may even result in greater volume from the low notes, but I agree with silky that it's important not to say that the compressor is "letting anything through": it simply isn't reacting as aggressively to those lower notes. FWIW my highly casual description is "HPF can be valuable if you find that low notes are overly compressed".
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💯 I would hazard a guess that you're hearing more first harmonic and up than fundamental on the low E or B, especially through most small cabs.

That's a good way to put it.
 
#12
Empress is much faster - The MXR is letting the transient come through. We can not tell if that is a difference is the setting or the speed of the compressor itself. They both sound good, different flavors. The empress is an emulation of an 1176 which is fast and colored. It is doing the 1176 thing to that bass tone. It's colored. I would describe the MXR as neutral or transparent, not sterile. Both good, which ever you like better is better.
 
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#14
MKII Empress is a Urei 1176 emulation according the google search result. That is exactly how it sounds to my ears. Very popular compressor of which there are many emulations including the Cali76. Universal Audio 1176, Walrus Deep Six, and Waves 1176, to name just a few.
 
#15
Dbassmon said:
Empress is much faster - The MXR is letting the transient come through. We can not tell if that is a difference is the setting or the speed of the compressor itself. They both sound good, different flavors. The empress is an emulation of an 1176 which is fast and colored. It is doing the 1176 thing to that bass tone. It's colored. I would describe the MXR as neutral or transparent, not sterile. Both good, which ever you like better is better.
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Interesting--let me listen again. I did not feel that the attack was any faster on the Empress. They are both set to the fastest attack, so the MXR *should* be comparable or even slightly quicker, per the manuals. (Not that that always means much)

FWIW, I do feel that the Empress has a much broader and more useable attack range. And I do really like the subtle color it adds. (Never used a 1176, so can't say if it's similar)
 
#20
So the promotional blurb from Empress for this device describes it as 1176-like and that is what it sounds like.

"Here’s the newest version of the best compressor pedal available for years, the Empress Compressor MKII, an amazing resized pedal. When it comes to compressors, guitarists have been coddled, cosseted, and patronized. They’ve been told that real compressors are too complicated, that three knobs are enough. Well, the folks at Empress Effects know that just ain’t true.

Attack and release controls give you precise control over the compression characteristics of your guitar signal. Super fast attack times (down to 50 microseconds) allow for 1176-like compression that has been unavailable in a pedal until now. The mix knob lets you blend wet (compressed) and dry signals in parallel, allowing for transparent dynamic control. A gain reduction meter helps set the compressor to function optimally. Also available is input metering and “both” which overlaps the input and gain reduction meters. With 3 available compression ratios there is a huge range of sounds available."
silky smoove said:
Not according to Empress it’s not. I’ll trust the manufacturer over random google results.
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