The Empress Compressor Mk II is an Empress compressor pedal. Close alternatives include the Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor and the Demon FX Super Symmetry Compressor. It pairs well with the PRS MT100 and the Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head.
Empress Compressor Mk II
Empress · pedal
The Empress Compressor Mk II is a studio-quality RMS compressor pedal from Canadian manufacturer Empress Effects, delivering precise dynamic control with Input, Output, Ratio, Attack, Release, Blend (parallel compression), and LED metering. The Blend control is a defining feature enabling parallel compression that mixes dry and compressed signals for natural, transparent compression that preserves dynamics while adding sustain. Widely regarded as one of the finest compressor pedals available.
What stands out
“The Blend control is a defining feature enabling parallel compression that mixes dry and compressed signals for natural, transparent compression that preserves dynamics while adding sustain”
— from the listing
“the empress compressor mk ii is a studio-quality rms compressor pedal from canadian manufacturer empress effects”
— from the listing
“The Empress Compressor Mk II delivers studio-quality RMS compression with Blend parallel compression for natural, transparent dynamic control at the highest pedal quality level, suited for players who want studio compressor performance on t…”
— from the community notes
“Strengths: Studio-quality RMS compression with Blend parallel compression preserves dynamic feel and sustain simultaneously”
— from the reviews
“Full Attack, Release, Ratio controls for comprehensive dynamic shaping”
— from the reviews
- parallel compression
- compressor
- studio
- dynamic
- transparent
- attack
- release
- natural
Genres the Empress Compressor Mk II is commonly used in
- Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country Pop
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Empress Compressor Mk II
PRS MT100
PRS
18% matchPRS MT100 leans toward mid-forward, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head
Orange
18% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module goes after Empress Compressor Mk II in the chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt after Empress Compressor Mk II
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Egnater Tweaker 88 Head after Empress Compressor Mk II
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Ceriatone 2202H goes after Empress Compressor Mk II in the chain
Carol-Ann OD-2R
Carol Ann
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Carol-Ann OD-2R after Empress Compressor Mk II
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H after Empress Compressor Mk II
Pedals that stack with the Empress Compressor Mk II
JHS Smiley
JHS Pedals
18% matchWhat JHS Smiley brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2
Electro-Harmonix
18% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
What Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2 brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Strymon BigSky
Strymon
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Strymon BigSky after Empress Compressor Mk II in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Empress Compressor Mk II — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Fender Hammertone Reverb after Empress Compressor Mk II in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Empress Compressor Mk II — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 goes after Empress Compressor Mk II in the chain
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Warm Audio Jet Phaser after Empress Compressor Mk II: modulation reads clearest once the core tone is set
Donner Big Mouth Distortion
Donner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Donner Big Mouth Distortion goes after Empress Compressor Mk II in the chain
Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just
Demon Fx
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just goes after Empress Compressor Mk II in the chain
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor
Wampler
70% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, natural
Demon FX Super Symmetry Compressor
Demon Fx
68% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, natural
Walrus Audio Deep Six V3
Walrus Audio
67% similarityShared character: blend, compressor, attack
Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor
Origin Effects
67% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, transparent
Wampler Ego Compressor
pedal
65% similarityShared character: blend, compressor, attack
Friedman Sir-Compre
Friedman
64% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, studio
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone
Pigtronix
64% similarityShared character: blend, compressor, attack
DryBell Module 4
Drybell
64% similarityShared character: blend, compressor, attack
MXR CSP204 Custom Comp Deluxe
MXR
63% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, mix
Maxon RTC600 Compressor
Maxon
62% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, studio
Walrus Audio Deep Six Compressor V3
Walrus Audio
61% similarityShared character: recording, compressor, transparent
Carl Martin Honey Comp
Carl Martin
59% similarityShared character: compressor, transparent, studio
See all alternatives to the Empress Compressor Mk II (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Empress Compressor Mk II?+
The closest matches in character are the Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor, the Demon FX Super Symmetry Compressor, the Walrus Audio Deep Six V3.
What pairs well with the Empress Compressor Mk II?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS MT100, Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head, Synergy SL2 Module — PRS MT100 leans toward mid-forward, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.