Empress Compressor MK II (blue)

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.

Enter the Empress Compressor MKII, a compressor pedal with all the controls needed to truly take advantage of this extremely useful effect. Thanks to its wide range of controls and transparent compression characteristics, the Empress Compressor MKII is the do-all answer for any guitarist.

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.

They’ve also added a sidechain, which allows for adjustment of the signal going to the compression circuit or for keying, and inout/output jacks, all on the upper side of the pedal, allowing to save space in your pedalboard.

Not limited to the guitar, this compressor works great on bass, keys or even vocals!