Empress Bass Compressor

^# 60

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$269.00 to $274.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (3)

2 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

All time low price

Find out who is using Empress Bass

1 community setup

7 wishlisted

29 saved

Page last updated Jun 19, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated June 19, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (67)

$274.00

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5.0 (5)

$274.00

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5.0 (4)

$378.89 $104.89 · All time low

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5.0 (16)

$274.00 24 available New

$250.00 4 available Used

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5.0 (1)

$274.00

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5.0 (1)

$274.00

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$274.00

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4.9 (93)

$275.00 $269.00 $6.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $271

High-end/Boutique

$70

$201+

Price Tier

In the Bass Effects Pedals category, Empress Bass Compressor is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Empress Bass Compressor". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the power of your bass with the Empress Bass Compressor, a pedal designed to bring out the best in your sound. This robust compressor is a master of dynamic control, offering a range of controls that allow you to shape your sound with precision. With controls for Input, Output, Attack, Release, Mix, and Tone, you're in the driver's seat when it comes to defining your sonic signature.

The Ratio and Sidechain HPF switch is a standout feature, giving you the ability to alter the compression ratio and control the high-pass filter in the sidechain signal. This lends you a level of customization that is rare in bass pedals, allowing you to fully contour your sound to match your playing style.

The Empress Bass Compressor also boasts a series of LED indicators that provide real-time feedback on the status, input, and gain reduction, ensuring that you're always in the know. Plus, the true bypass feature means that when the effect is off, your signal remains clean and unaffected.

Key Features:

Compressor pedal specifically designed for bass guitars
Controls for Input, Output, Attack, Release, Mix, and Tone
Switches for Ratio and Sidechain HPF
LED indicators for status, input, and gain reduction
True bypass for a clean signal when the effect is off
6.3 mm jack for input and output
3.5 mm jack plug for Send/Return
Barrel connector for power supply, with negative polarity inside
Power consumption: 100 mA
Power supply via 9 - 18 V DC mains adapter (not included)
Colour: Blue Sparkle
Note: Battery operation is not supported

Owner's manual

Empress Bass Compressor User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type	Bass Compressor
Analog/Digital	Analog
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Other I/O	1 x 1/8" TRS (sidechain)
True Bypass	Yes
Power Source	9V DC 100mA power supply (sold separately)
Height	2.5"
Width	2.6"
Depth	4.8"
Weight	1.0 lbs.

FAQs

Does the Empress Bass Compressor work well with active basses?: Yes, the Empress Bass Compressor is designed to handle both active and passive bass signals, providing transparent compression without altering your original tone.
What power supply does the Empress Bass Compressor require?: The Empress Bass Compressor requires a 9V DC power supply with at least 100mA, which is sold separately.
Is the Empress Bass Compressor suitable for live performances?: Absolutely, the Empress Bass Compressor offers true bypass for zero coloration and an all-analog signal path, making it ideal for maintaining sound quality during live performances.
Can I use the Empress Bass Compressor with a sidechain input?: Yes, the Empress Bass Compressor includes a 1/8" TRS sidechain input, allowing for advanced compression techniques.
How does the Empress Bass Compressor affect my bass tone?: The Empress Bass Compressor is known for its transparency, ensuring your bass tone remains clear and uncolored while providing consistent dynamics.

Videos

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Hondo Felder Music

Empress BASS Compressor Review!

Hondo Felder Music

Empress - Bass Compressor

Bass Stuff

Empress Bass Compressor - the best compressor pedal for harp!

Emily Hopkins

Empress Bass Compressor - Demo

Pertybass

Empress Effects Bass Compressor Guitar Pedal Demo at Music City Canada

Music City Canada

Empress Bass Compressor w/ Fender P-Bass

Gregor Fris

Reviews

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PROS

Quick setup, easy to dial in
Visible input level and compression amount with LED lights
Useful wet/dry, attack, and release controls
Provides several suggested settings for beginners
Offers precise control over guitar sound
Does not color the sound, versatile for various applications
Transparent tone with options for slight coloring
Built like a tank, high standard construction
Responsive LED meters for visual feedback
Works well with active bass, enhances overall sound

CONS

Bright power light may be distracting for some
Does not handle maximum studio levels well, distortion at high input signals

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Empress Bass Compressor.

Features and functionality

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The Empress Bass Compressor has top-mounted jacks, which facilitate placement on crowded pedalboards, enhancing its usability in compact setups.
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The indicator lights provide crucial input gain and compression info, simplifying adjustments for users familiar with compression.
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The small form factor of the Empress Bass Compressor is particularly appreciated for saving space on pedalboards.
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The Empress Bass Compressor's sidechain high-pass filter helps balance compression across strings, especially useful for a 5-string bass to prevent excessive low-end compression.
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The mix knob allows precise blending of compressed and uncompressed signals, providing a customizable balance of natural and processed tones.
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The Empress includes a tone coloration switch, allowing users to balance different bass pickups' characters without adjusting other settings.
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User experience

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Owners report having to reconfigure settings when switching between active and passive basses, though adjustments are straightforward.
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Owners find the LED meter crucial for real-time feedback, aiding in right-hand discipline by indicating when playing dynamics are too aggressive.
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Owners appreciate the Empress for its ability to maintain tonal consistency across different basses, thanks to its straightforward control layout and tone coloration switch.
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Comparisons

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The Empress Bass Compressor is praised for transparency, while the Origin Cali76 Bass Compact is noted for adding a vintage, squishy tone, requiring more setup time.
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Users often compare the Empress Bass Compressor to the LA-2A emulation found in Line 6 HX/Helix products, with some preferring the latter for its simplicity and tone.
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Users compare the Empress to ProTools' stock Pro Compressor, finding similar functionality with options like mix and sidechain high-pass, but in pedal form.
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The Empress Bass Compressor offers direct access to settings, unlike the Hyper Luminal, which depends heavily on software, potentially complicating setups for some users.
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Use cases and applications

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A preferred setting for "always-on" tone includes a 4:1 ratio, SC HP at 10 o'clock, and attack/release tailored to music style and venue acoustics.
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The Empress is praised for its versatility in gigging environments, with the sidechain high-pass knob being especially useful for maintaining low-end clarity.
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Value and pricing

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Empress offers discounted prices on cosmetically imperfect units, providing cost-effective options for those seeking high-quality compression pedals.
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Critic Reviews

Review: Empress Bass Compressor - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass

bassmusicianmagazine.com

The Empress Bass Compressor delivers impressive control and transparency, allowing players to shape their sound with precision. Its sidechain high-pass feature and mix knob enhance versatility, while the new tone settings offer both clarity and coloration options. However, navigating its complexities may challenge beginners, and some might prefer more granular control over compression ratios. Overall, this pedal is a thoughtful evolution of the original, catering well to discerning bassists seeking subtlety and depth in their tone.

positive

Full Review

Empress Bass Compressor Review

compressorpedalreviews.com

The Empress Bass Compressor shines with its impressive versatility and intuitive controls, making it a joy for bassists seeking transparency combined with tonal enhancement. The standout features, like the sidechain high-pass filter and unique tone+color circuit, deliver subtle harmonic richness without overshadowing your natural sound. However, the limited three ratio selections may leave some users wanting more flexibility. Priced at $249, it offers significant value, though those craving a heavier compression effect might find it lacking. Overall, it’s a well-crafted pedal that elevates your tone while maintaining clarity—just don’t expect it to act as a true limiter.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

emithebee

180

7 months ago

The best compressor for bass

Excellent for any tone shaping you wan, the EQ toggles are really useful and every control is super responsive.

Roles:

Bassist

Genres:

Rock Funk / Soul Indie rock

thundermouth

148

over 2 years ago

Fantastic Bass Compressor

Firstly, I’m new to using compressors and I will admit this is my first. The feedback for this pedal online was fantastic across the board so I took the plunge. Not disappointed at all. Well built and it looks pretty too. The LED meters are very responsive to input. The tone is very transparent, but I really like the slight colouring options for the mids with the Tone + Colour switch. While transparent, I find this unit gives me a great little bit of punch. I obviously can’t compare to any other compressors having not used any others but what I can say is I’m 100% pleased with my Empress Bass Compressor. It has everything I could ever see myself needing from such a pedal.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I still find myself tinkering but currently have Ratio at 2:1, Input at 1, Output at 10, Attack at 2, Release at 10, Mix at 1, SC HP at 9 and Tone + Colour to the right.

Roles:

Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

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