Empress Compressor

^# 11

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$129.99 to $274.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (21)

2 Critic Reviews

4 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Empress Effects Compressor MKII

$274.00 - $275.00

5.0 (2)

Find out who is using Empress Compressor

1 community setup

Featured in

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28 wishlisted

63 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

$274.00

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5.0 (36)

$129.99 8 available Used

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Average Price: $202

High-end/Boutique

$50

$201+

Price Tier

In the Compressor Effects Pedals category, Empress 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 1 merchant for "Empress Compressor". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Experience unparalleled control over your compression with the Empress Compressor. This pedal offers the precision of a studio compressor, neatly packaged for your pedalboard. With its multi-ratio analog design, you can subtly sustain your sound or dramatically squash it down. The Empress Compressor provides full control over attack and release parameters, and features a Mix knob for blending your compressed and uncompressed signals seamlessly. The added Meter function allows you to track your gain, reduction, or both at the same time, giving you a real-time and comprehensive view of your sound manipulation.

Key Features:

Multi-ratio analog design for versatile sound shaping
Attack and release controls for precision adjustments
Mix knob for blending compressed and uncompressed signals
Meter function for monitoring gain, reduction, or both simultaneously

Product specs

Brand	Empress
Model	Compressor
Finish	Blue
Year	2010s
Made In	Canada
Categories	Compressor Pedals

FAQs

What type of compression circuit does the Empress Compressor use?: The Empress Compressor features an all-analog compression circuit, known for its transparency and musicality, making it suitable for a wide range of instruments and styles.
Can the Empress Compressor be used with instruments other than guitar?: Yes, the Empress Compressor is versatile and can be used with bass, keyboards, and even vocals, providing smooth and consistent compression across different audio sources.
Does the Empress Compressor offer any tone-shaping capabilities?: The Empress Compressor includes a mix knob for parallel compression, allowing you to blend your dry signal with the compressed signal, and a sidechain high-pass filter to maintain low-end clarity.
What are the power requirements for the Empress Compressor?: The Empress Compressor requires a standard 9V DC power supply and consumes approximately 100mA of current, ensuring stable performance when used with most pedalboard power solutions.
Is the Empress Compressor suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Empress Compressor is designed with durability and ease of use in mind, featuring a robust build and intuitive controls, making it an excellent choice for both studio and live settings.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Empress Compressor

ProGuitarShopDemos

Empress Effects Compressor

JetCityMusic

Video Review - Empress Effects Compressor Pedal

Premier Guitar

Empress Effects Compressor MKII Demo | NAMM 2020

Premier Guitar

Why You Need a Compressor

Sean Daniel

Empress Effects Compressor - DEMO

Victor Hugo Targino

Reviews

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PROS

Superior tone improvement and clarity on various instruments
Offers a mix knob for versatile parallel compression
High-quality, durable build
LED meters provide valuable visual feedback
Features like sidechain enhance overall mix quality
Neutral sound respects instrument's character
Three compression ratio options (2:1, 4:1, 10:1) for flexible control
Effective for both subtle tone tightening and pronounced compression effects
Benefits a wide range of instruments beyond guitar and bass

CONS

Higher price point compared to other compressor pedals

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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The Empress Compressor's mix knob allows blending of the compressed signal with the raw tone, crucial for adjusting the level of compression effectively.
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The SC HP knob adjusts the frequency range that triggers compression, allowing users to avoid over-compressing low frequencies like those on a low B string.
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The tone control combined with 100% mix can achieve a lofi, tape deck style compression, showcasing the pedal's versatility.
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The inclusion of an input gain control, rather than a typical threshold, allows for easy manipulation of compression intensity, providing options for high headroom or lofi grit.
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User experience

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Owners find the LED meter on the Empress Compressor highly useful for monitoring input/output levels, aiding in right-hand discipline during performance.
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Comparisons

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Users praise the Empress Compressor for its transparency, comparable to studio-grade compressors like the 1176 or Distressor, especially when minimal tonal coloration is desired.
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The Empress Compressor is often favored over the MXR M87 due to its separate ratio and threshold controls, avoiding the MXR's combined knob confusion.
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Owners of both the original and MKII variants note no significant tonal differences, suggesting the upgrade is more about form factor and additional features like tone control.
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Existing users of the original Empress Compressor find the MKII's slimmer enclosure beneficial for pedalboard space management without sacrificing sound quality.
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Mods and upgrades

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Internal dip switches in the Empress allow toggling the mid cut and boost, providing flexibility in tone shaping without added distortion.
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Use cases and applications

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The Empress Compressor MKII is praised for enhancing plucked synth sounds, giving them an acoustic instrument-like quality, and adding texture to pad sounds with noise.
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When paired with a Rat-style distortion pedal, the MKII provides a heavily compressed sound ideal for users seeking intense sound squashing.
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Critic Reviews

Empress Compressor Review

compressorpedalreviews.com

The Empress Compressor is a transparent and flexible option for those seeking a neutral tone. It offers extensive control, though the constant tweaking can be overwhelming. Its compact size and lack of top-mounted jacks might not suit all pedal boards. The standout feature is its impressive LED system, offering clear visual feedback on gain reduction and input levels. While it doesn't fatten the low end, it enhances presence without significantly altering the tone. Ideal for players wanting a versatile compressor that maintains the character of their instrument across various styles. The Empress may not be the first choice for those seeking added warmth but excels in delivering clarity and precision. Overall, it's a well-built, lightweight pedal that provides a deep understanding of compression for both seasoned users and novices.

positive

Full Review

Review : Empress Compressor — That Guitar Lover

thatguitarlover.com

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 21 Ratings

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jackson_jr_prince

322

about 11 years ago

I LOVE THIS COMPRESSOR!

It sound wonderful, it has every option an bit of information I want in a compressor with the LED readouts. The side chain is amazing. Throw a bass through this and hook the side chain up to a subkick on a drummer and your whole band mix becomes outstandingly better. It's a very simple solution to making the kick and bass work together without worrying about a sound guy. It sounds great on everything I've ever thrown at it. I've run guitars, basses, synths, organs, rhodes piano, male and female vocals, even drums in post processing and it all sounds phenomenal. Can't say enough good things about this pedal. It's cliche to say, but it really is rack quality.

xavierl

over 10 years ago

Neutral and fantastic compressor...

The Empress is an amazing compressor. It is neutral, so it respects the character of your instrument (in my case a bass). More, it enhances its tonality. The five knobs are: input, attack, release, mix and output allows for a total control on the sound. There is also the possibility to choose between 3 compression ratios: 2:1, 4:1 and 10:1, which I find (as a amateur player) largely enough. I particularly like the light meter at the top that could be set for showing the gain reduction, the input volume or both. It is very useful to understand (roughly) how the compressor comes into play.

Roles:

Bassist

Genres:

Rock Post-rock Metal

raleigh_cody

about 5 years ago

Takes tone and playing style to the next level.

By gaining better control of my dynamics, I’ve been able to play faster, with a lighter touch, all while not compromising any tone or sound.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Progressive rock Space rock

danham

919

over 8 years ago

Always on, sounds fantastic

I love this pedal. Sounds great whether you dial back the mix and just have it keeping everything a bit tighter, or dialled up to 10:1 for full-on guitar quacking fun.

Gene Simmons uses it, so it must be good.

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