What would be your first thought when you hear the term “passive equalizer”? Most likely, you think about airy high frequencies, rich low-end, and the widely applicable cuts and boosts that can be used simultaneously. These types of equalizers have been around since the early ’50s. The famous Pultec EQP-1 from Pulse Techniques was the first design to combine passive filter circuits with high-quality tube line amplifiers.The downside of the EQP-1 was its limited ability to perform precise frequency isolation, but it was capable of fundamentally transforming the character of a sound. Many modern equalizers are based on the original EQP-1 in both structure and function, which can become limiting in modern music production environments.
Our aim in the lab was to improve upon the classic concept. First, we added an additional mid-frequency filter between the low and high-frequency sections in order to increase the versatility of the unit for modern music production. We kept the option for simultaneous cutting and boosting in both the low and high bands, allowing users to perform all the classic tricks expected from this type of equalizer. Furthermore, the Shift function can be used on these bands, allowing the center frequencies of the simultaneous cut and boost stages to be shifted relative to one another. After extensive bench testing and real-world applications, the versatility of the unit exceeded all expectations. It proved to be equally suitable for recording, mixing, and mastering applications, while also excelling in virtually any equalization task. It is fair to say that the Empress dominates the entire frequency spectrum, and most of the time it sounds great even under extreme settings hence the name. In summary, the Empress is a dual-channel passive equalizer equipped with a tube amplifier and three bands per channel. Thanks to its compact design, it requires only 2U of rack space, yet it can have a significant impact on your sound.
“…The Empress is another great-sounding piece of hardware from Gainlab Audio. It has been nicely designed and put together beautifully, using high-quality components.”
“Striking a fine balance of old school topology, modern malleability, and features, Empress is sure to be finding its way into many-a professional studio racks in the coming years. A piece and a company worth keeping an eye on.”
Field of application
› Mixing
› Mastering
› Recording
› Sound Design
› Saturator
Main properties
› 2×3 band setup
› Stepped attenuator design
› Tube based gain stage
› Military grade vacuum tubes
› Nanocrystaline alloy transformers
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Use your Gainlab Audio equipment with Session Recall software! We add a free device definition code for each of our products.
Session Recall is an application designed to save the settings of analog devices without memories. It will allow you to save complete configurations of one or more devices into sessions that you can recall at any time. Whether you are a musician, a composer, or an audio engineer, Session Recall will flawlessly integrate into your workflow and will save your precious time.
Sound On Sound Magazine’s Review of our Empress EQ
A DETAILED EMPRESS EQ TEST IN THE APRIL ISSUE OF SOUND ON SOUND MAGAZINE
White Sea Studio’s Empress Review
Wytse Gerichhausen’s Empress Test, Review and Unboxing video
MixbusTV’s Empress Review
It is a detailed review video from David Gnozzi about our Empress EQ, with many great samples and examples.
EQing Tips and tricks by Dr.Mix with our Empress
Three classic equalization hacks by Dr. Mix
Empress at the Amazing Sound Studios
Igl Schönwitz's video with our Empress in German language.
Empress, KMR UK Virtual Demo Room Video
Empress equalizer demo video by KMR UK. (No talk)
Empress on MixbusTV’s Analog Deathmatch Part II.
VIDEO FROM DAVID ON MIXBUS TV IN WHICH HE COMPARES THE LF BAND OF DIFFERENT EQUALIZERS. CHECK IT OUT ON YOUTUBE IF YOU WANT TO HEAR HOW OUR EMPRESS SOUNDS COMPARED TO THE API 5500 OR MAAG.
Empress on MixbusTV’s Analog Deathmatch Part I.
VIDEO FROM DAVID ON MIXBUS TV IN WHICH HE COMPARES THE HF BAND OF DIFFERENT EQUALIZERS. CHECK IT OUT ON YOUTUBE IF YOU WANT TO HEAR HOW OUR EMPRESS SOUNDS COMPARED TO THE API 5500 OR MAAG.
OSC Audio Empress Test Drive
It is a very detailed video from our far eastern partner about the Empress.
