Why an Equalizer Makes a Difference - The Empress ParaEQ

For many years, musicians have had the opportunity to put an equalizer in their effects chains. For the majority, stomp style effects have been of the graphic kind with the Boss units being the most popular. I may be a bit heretical but with enormous respect, I have yet to find a Boss effect that I liked enough to keep. I had also tried the MXR 10 band graphic eq and while it worked, it didn't deliver on my needs.

Back in the olden days, when there was no internet and no music streaming, some of us got heavy into home stereo. I remember the myriad graphic eqs on the market that went into a tape monitor loop and also remember how they never really delivered on the promise. But one product did, and I went deep into debt to get one.

This monster is the SAE 1800 Parametric Equalizer. Parametrics work on specific frequencies that you select and allow for boost or cut like a graphic, but use a Q variant to control the shape of the very specific EQ curve. I also had an SAE Integrated amp that I sold to buy my first Bob Carver Magnetic Field Amplifier and back in the day SAE were widely respected as top notch kit.

Parametrics are more work than graphics and much more precise as a consequence. I wanted the ability to selectively boost or cut frequencies dependent on the guitar and the amp being used. The idea of a stomp style unit that I could move around, and also try in different positions in the chain made the most sense.

Empress Effects, a Canadian company, makes a product called the ParaEQ. It is a small stomp style device offering three bands of equalization where you choose the frequency, the Q and the amount of boost or cut up to 15db. The ParaEQ also includes a simple clean boost function, useful to kick in to make leads a bit louder or simply to open up the overall tone. I am a big fan of truly clean boosts, but many so called clean boosts really aren't and add colour to your tone. The Empress ParaEQ is, in my experience thus far, colourless.For those who like short lists, here are the predominant features of the ParaEQ

• All analog signal path
• Highly transparent equalization
• Flexible control with overlapping Q if desired
• +- 15dB boost or cut per frequency bandQuiet operation
• Plenty of headroom
• Up to 30dB of clean boost independent of the band specific boost
• True bypass
• Less than 0.03% distortion
• Compact size
• 9/12/18v internally switchable power options for managing headroom

So what does all this mean in real life? I can only speak for my personal experience. Like all the Empress products that I have bought or tested, there is no loss going through the pedal, and no noise pickup. A lot of boost will raise your noise floor because the boost is consistent, but I have to say that having auditioned a great many alleged clean boost pedals, a lot of them are inherently really noisy whereas the Empress Effects ParaEq is not.

I love the ability to choose which frequencies that I want to work on, and to adjust the Q for how selective I want the boost or cut to be. You will note the very wide frequency options, which is indicative that while the ParaEQ is marketed as a guitar pedal, you could as easily use it for bass or keys.

The input pad allows for cuts of -6dB or -12 dB if you wish to manage overly hot inputs. It's a three position switch rather than a variable control, but in my tests these options have been very satisfactory.

Some few may be concerned that the ParaEQ is mono only, it does not offer a stereo option.

Since I use power supply blocks on my boards, they all have a couple of outputs that can push more than 9 volts. Some pedals will use more voltage to increase headroom. Some will auto-sense. In the case of the ParaEQ, this is set via internal switching.

I have found the ParaEQ to be much more usable for my needs than either the BOSS GE units or the MXR options. Both companies make fine products, I just prefer the fine control of the Empress Effects unit. Sometimes these are referred to as boutique pedals. Yes they do cost more, than some other options, but I have concluded that they sound better, and that makes it worthwhile for me.

Highly recommended