Empress Effects Bass ParaEq

The Empress Bass ParaEq is the only parametric EQ pedal on the market built from the ground up for bass. It gives players studio-grade tone shaping in a compact pedal format that is purpose-built for low-end instruments, not just adapted from guitar gear.

Following the success of our Bass Compressor—and after hearing from countless players who were already using the ParaEq MKII Deluxe on bass—we knew it was time to give bassists more than a “good enough” EQ. The Bass ParaEq delivers the same transparent, tone-sweetening power that made the Deluxe a favourite, but with frequency ranges, filters, and features tailored specifically for bass.

With a dynamic low shelf, bass-tuned EQ bands, a Hi-Z input for upright players, and an auto-detecting balanced output, it’s built to give bassists the control they’ve always deserved—on stage, in the studio, everywhere.

Features

Parametric Rules

The parametric EQ bands on the Bass ParaEq are engineered to overlap in key bass frequency ranges, giving you precise control over your tone. With the Bass ParaEq, you can boost 200Hz for thickness while cutting 300Hz to reduce muddiness. Each EQ band’s variable Q filter lets you shape your sound as broadly or surgically as needed.

Used to graphic EQs? Or just not sure what to cut or boost? Check out our guide to visualizing frequencies and start mastering your EQ game.

Sound Great in Any Room

Every room sounds different—some boost certain frequencies, others cause feedback. The Bass ParaEq’s high- and low-pass filters are a great starting point to remove unwanted energy and prevent problem frequencies from ringing out. Once you’ve removed what’s not essential, use a narrow Q on one of the parametric bands to target and tame specific resonances.

And if you need to shape the low end without muddying up your tone, the dynamic low shelf has your back. As you increase boost or cut, the shelf’s break frequency adjusts—giving you broad, musical control when you need it and tighter sculpting when you don’t. It’s like having multiple low shelves in one knob.

Get the Most From Your Signal

The Bass ParaEq works with every kind of bass, including uprights. The piezo pickups in upright basses have a very high impedance, which traditional guitar pedals aren’t designed to handle—leading to low-end loss and a dull, thin tone. That’s why the Bass ParaEq includes a selectable 10MΩ high-impedance input, preserving the full fidelity of your instrument.

Need to send your signal over long cable runs? The Bass ParaEq will automatically detect when a balanced cable is plugged into the output and adapt the signal accordingly—so you don’t lose tone or suffer interference.

Specifications