Empress Effects Phaser Pedal

Full Description

A unique pedal

The Empress Effects Phaser is unlike anything else on the market. Featuring a unique VCA based design, the pedal offers unparalleled signal-to-noise ratio. Choose between two stage, four stage or ( as an Empress exclusive) three stage operating modes; all controllable via tap tempo sweeping through an impressive set of eight different waveforms.

Operating modes

The Empress Effects Phaser is equipped with multiple operating modes, the first of which is the Knob mode - when in this mode the speed of the phaser is set with the speed knob and the speed range switch. The fastest speed range will give you a ring a modulator type sound. With the Tap mode, the speed is set by tapping with the tempo stomp switch. The speed of the effect will be the tapped tempo, multiplied by the ratio knob. For example, if you set the ratio knob at 1:2, the speed of the phaser will be twice as fast as the tapped tempo. In Auto mode, the effect parameters are changed based on how you are playing. The changes follow the envelope of the input signal or are triggered by sudden changes in the signal volume. The pedal is equipped with a handy reference chart printed on the front of the pedal to help locate these modes.

Versatile controls

The Empress Effects Phaser comes equipped with a Blend control which, as you turn it clockwise, adds wet signal in. In blend knob mode, with the knob turned 100 percent clockwise, you hear only phased signal. When the knob is in this position there is no dry signal being added to the wet signal, so you'll get a vibrato type effect. The more you increase the width and speed, the more pronounced the effect becomes. To get a regular phaser sound when the pedal is in blend configuration, set the knob to the 12 o'clock position to add the dry and wet signal at equal volumes, giving you maximum phase cancellation.

The Sensitivity knob controls how the pedal listens to your input signal when in auto mode. For softer input signals, set the sensitivity to a higher value. For louder input signals, it should be turned down. In an auto mode that users trigger detection, the red LED above the tap switch indicates that a trigger has been detected. If you find the auto mode is missing some of the triggers, increase the sensitivity. If you also find the auto mode is triggering when it shouldn't be, decrease the sensitivity. When the pedal is in a submode that uses envelope detection, the red LED above the tap switch will light up when it is detecting maximum volume. Ideally, in envelope based submodes, the LED will only light up when you're playing at your absolute loudest. This will ensure you are experiencing the full range of the parameter sweep. Setting the expression switch to 'speed' will allow you to control the sensitivity with an expression pedal.

The width control knob determines how far the phase shift varies from the centre position. The Waveform provides eight phases including sine, triangle, asymmetric sine, swung sine, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square and step waveforms.

The Empress Effects Phaser allows all of its digital parameters to be controlled via MIDI control change messages, and to have its tempo changed with MIDI clock messages. The Empress Effects Midbox (sold separately) is the perfect tool for controlling the MIDI.

Specifications

• Power Input Voltage:9 - 18 V DC (Negative tip)
• Power Input Connector:2.1mm barrel connector (Negative tip)
• Power Consumption: 120mA
• Enclosure Material: Die Cast Aluminum
• Input connector:1/4" Jack
• Output connector:1/4" Jack
• Height (Enclosure only):1.5"
• Height (including controls): 2"
• Length:3.5"
• Width:4.5"
• Weight:1 lb