Empress reboots one of the top compressor pedals on the market, and launches new bass version

Empress Compressor MKII pedal
(Image credit: Empress Effects)

Canada's Empress Effects is famed for numerous stompboxes, chief among them its perennial live and studio favorite, simply known as its Compressor pedal. For 2020, the company has updated and downsized that pedal to become the Compressor MKII, and launched an all-new Bass Compressor.

The Compressor MK II keeps its forebear’s essential controls and features – including independent attack and release controls, mix knob and external sidechain insert – but cuts the physical size of the pedal in half.

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Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.