Empress Effects Compressor MKII manual

COMPRESSOR
MKII
USER MANUAL
Introduction
When we released our original Compressor
back in 2011, it quickly became a favourite
among guitar and bass players alike who
were searching for something more than the
typical oversimplified controls found on most
compressor pedals. Now, based on our users’
valuable feedback, we’ve taken everything
great about our original Compressor and
made it even better.
On top of the full range of features and
controls normally only seen in high end studio
equipment, such as input and gain reduction
metering, independent attack and release
controls, a mix knob for parallel compression,
and an external sidechain insert, we’ve
now added a ‘tilt’ tone eq control, and a
selectable sidechain high pass filter built into
the Compressor’s detection circuit. Oh, and
the whole package is now half the size. Who
doesn’t love a small package?!
We hope the Compressor MKII becomes a
favourite of yours as well, and sincerely thank
you for choosing Empress Effects.
- Steve Bragg
Quickstart
Added Control: Here’s
a good starting point
for adding consistency
and sustain to your
playing while
retaining dynamics.
Adjust the input level
so the gain reduction
meter shows 8dB of
gain reduction when
playing your loudest.
Chicken Pickin’: This

one provides a nice
compressed country
sound. Adjust the
input for 10dB of
gain reduction when
playing your loudest.
Transparent
Compression: This
will give you nice
dynamic control
to level out your
playing. The 2:1 ratio
is very transparent.
It won’t really sound
compressed as much
as just sweeter
overall.
Limiter: This setting

will eat up your pick
attacks and create
a smoother sound.
You’ll also get lots of
sustain out of this.
The Basics of Compression
Compression can add consistency and sustain
to your playing or it can be used to add note
definition and other effects. It essentially
narrows the difference between high and low
audio levels by reducing the gain of any signal
over the threshold.
Threshold 1:1
2:1
Output
Level
(dB)
4:1
10:1
Input Level (dB)
The ratio determines how much gain

reduction will be applied to the signal once it
crosses above the threshold. At a 4:1 ratio, for
every 4dB of input signal above the threshold,
there will be 1dB of output signal. A 10:1 ratio
would output 1dB for every 10dB of input
signal, etc.
input: sets the level entering the Controls at
compressor circuit. Higher levels
result in more compression.
attack: controls how quickly the

compressor will reduce the gain when
an incoming signal exceeds the
threshold. Attack time increases as
you turn the knob clockwise.
Range: 50μs - 50ms
mix: controls the level between the

dry signal and the wet (compressed)
signal. All the way clockwise is 100%
wet signal and all the way
counterclockwise is 100% dry signal.
Blending in the dry signal brings back
the dynamics that can be lost during
compression. This technique of
parallel compression allows for added
sustain without losing the life
associated with an uncompressed
signal.
ratio: determines how aggressive

the gain reduction is.
2:1 - good for gentle gain control.
Very transparent.
4:1 - a great general purpose setting.
Still transparent but offers a large range of compression.
10:1 - heavy compression. Close to limiting.
t a Glance output: sets the output level. This
will not affect the amount of
compression. Can be used to
make up gain lost in compression
or as a boost for soloing.
release: controls how quickly the

compressor returns to its initial
level. Release time increases as
you turn the knob clockwise.
Range: 50ms - 1s
tone: a ‘tilt’ style tone control

centered at 500Hz. Turning
clockwise will boost treble and
cut bass. Conversely, turning
counter-clockwise will cut treble
and boost bass.
sidechain hpf: a high pass filter

that cuts low frequencies going
to the gain reduction control
circuit. Helps to avoid excess
compression, especially on bass.
bypass stompswitch: when the LED is shining, the

compressor effect is applied to the signal. When off,
the compressor is being bypassed (true bypass).
Attack controls how quickly the gain
reduction will begin after a signal has crossed
over the threshold. Release controls how long
it takes for the Compressor’s gain to return to
its initial level after the signal drops below the
threshold.
Sidechain
The sidechain is the Compressor’s level
detection circuitry. Based on the signal sent to
it, it will determine how much gain reduction
is applied. Typically that signal is a copy of the
input signal, taken from some point in the
audio path. In our case it’s taken after the
gain reduction has occurred, which is known
as ‘feedback’ style compression. It can be very
useful to alter the sidechain signal in order to
tailor how the compressor reacts.
Sidechain High Pass Filter
The sidechain hpf (high pass filter) switch
can be engaged to avoid triggering the
compression with high energy notes in
the lowest octave, which helps avoid over-
compressing and keeps the low frequencies
sounding full while still controlling errant high
notes that pop out.
Sidechain connector jack
The sidechain connector jack on the back of
the pedal allows you to alter the sidechain
signal by inserting an external device, such as
an EQ. You can also have an external audio
source trigger the compression by sending
audio in through the ring of the sidechain
jack.
The sidechain connector accepts a 1/8” TRS
plug: Tip = send, Ring = return, Sleeve =
ground.
Parallel Compression
The mix knob on the Compressor MKII allows
for parallel compression. Parallel compression
is achieved by blending a compressed audio
signal with the uncompressed version of
itself. It opens up a ton of possibilities. A great
use of parallel compression is to really squash
the compressed signal (so it sounds way too
over compressed), then use the mix knob to
blend in some of the uncompressed signal.
The result is very natural sounding, but feels
a lot more exciting, with more sustain and
retaining a good attack. Try experimenting
with it!
Setting the bypass state on startup

To change whether the Compressor starts
up in the engaged or bypassed state, hold
down the stompswitch while powering on
the Compressor. The first red gain reduction
led will flash to let you know you are in the
advanced configuration mode. Press the
stompswitch to toggle between states:
gain reduction led 1 = bypassed at startup
gain reduction led 2 = engaged at startup
When finished, press and hold the
stompswitch for 2 seconds to confirm and
save your selection, and exit advanced
configuration.
Specifications
Input Impedance: 1MΩ
Output Impedance: 2.2kΩ

Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
(-3dB):
Distortion: <0.1%
Noise: -101dB
Headroom: +15dBu
Input Voltage: 9VDC
Required Current: 100mA
Power Input 2.1mm Barrel
Connector: Connector
Height (enclosure
1.5”
only):
Height (including
2.5”
controls):
Length: 4.8”
Width: 2.6”
Weight: 1lbs
Powering the Compressor MKII
Go to www.empresseffects.com/power for a
full list of compatible power supplies.
Please note: The Empress Compressor MKII
requires at least 100mA of current to function
properly. Any power supply rated at 9V DC,
supplying negative tip polarity and at least
100mA of current should work.
Legal Stuff
FCC Compliance
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the

user’s authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules

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COMPRESSOR

Chicken Pickin’: This

Limiter: This setting

Input Level (dB)

The ratio determines how much gain

attack: controls how quickly the

mix: controls the level between the

ratio: determines how aggressive

release: controls how quickly the

tone: a ‘tilt’ style tone control

sidechain hpf: a high pass filter

bypass stompswitch: when the LED is shining, the

Setting the bypass state on startup

Input Impedance: 1MΩ

Output Impedance: 2.2kΩ

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the

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