It’s cliché to name a parametric EQ a “Swiss Military knife,” however with Empress’ up to date ParaEq MKII Deluxe, the comparability suits elegantly.

For those who’ve by no means tweaked a parametric EQ, it’s completely different from the passive controls on most guitars, providing more-precise/highly effective adjustment to particular frequencies/bands. The ParaEq Deluxe pedal has knobs labeled Low Freq, Mid Freq, and Excessive Freq, together with controls for Acquire (dB vary of the lower or enhance), Q (determines the middle frequencies), and small knobs to therapeutic massage the excessive/low filters and cabinets. Surgical adjustment of EQ could be achieved with out the Enhance footswitch engaged, however stomp on it and it’ll sound such as you swapped pickups or pushed an overdrive field ever additional. For those who’re enjoying with a band and your tone simply ain’t taking place, the ParaEq MKII Deluxe might be a lifesaver.

If you wish to get down and soiled, the Heavy Menace is a positive alternative. It could seem like a distortion field – which it positively is – however Empress expands on the acclaimed EQ from its authentic Heavy pedal to make this extra. There are three channel settings – Lite(ish), Heavy, and Heavier, which works from crunch to pure nastiness. The Weight knob shapes the low finish’s character to style, whereas Mid Freq allows you to add the element to the filth. The Gate Thresh knob accesses a built-in noise gate, which is a welcome high-volume characteristic.

Each Empress pedals are constructed like tanks and sport clear interfaces, however impress with their devotion to studio-grade EQ voices.

Whether or not you’re jamming with a band or enjoying at residence, the ParaEq MKII Deluxe allows you to element and sweeten your electrical, amplified acoustic, or bass with precision, in addition to offering a whopper of a lift (as much as 30dB). It may well additionally beat down suggestions on an acoustic/electrical, including to its gig utility.

This text initially appeared in VG’s December 2023 challenge. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.