Empress Phaser
You need this phaser. Maybe not for your board, maybe not to keep forever. But this will show you the future. This pedal is the most complete, versatile, and tweakable phaser we have ever played through. We know of no phaser that can match up. With so many unique and special sounds, controls, and parameters to mess with, you could lose yourself inside this little phase universe for days.
External Control: MIDI/EXP/TAP/REMOTE
Cost: $$$
HornFX Review
Interface: 3/5
This pedal packs a lot into just a few knobs and switches. It has unprecedented external control with its universal control input. There are a lot of settings, modes, and and multi-function knobs that must be memorized to fully understand the pedal. Sadly, there are no presets available even with the midi control.
Versatility: 4.5/5
This phaser can do everything under the phase heading. Its different wave forms and rhythmic settings are a nice way to greatly expand your use of phase. Not only does it do phase, but it has various envelope follower modes. Truly a unique and vast pedal.
Clarity of Effect: 4.5/5
This pedal can range from incredibly subtle to in-your-face. There is so much detail with which you can tailor specific sounds, that the effect can always cut through to your liking.
Complexity: High
Live application: 4/5
There is so much this phaser can do. It takes a lot of memorization and learning to be familiar with the intricacies of this pedal. That can make it hard to manipulate on the fly. The lack of presets can be frustrating when there is so much one can change and so many parameters. However, this pedal can produce such a vast array of fantastic and unique sounds that it would be an excellent addition to any board.
Product Information
Redefining the phaser effect from the ground up, Empress Effects has created a phaser pedal unlike anything else on the market. Employing a unique VCA based design, the Empress Phaser Pedal offers unparalleled signal-to-noise ratio. Choose between 2 stage, 4 stage or an Empress exclusive 3 stage mode; all controllable via tap tempo sweeping through an impressive set of 8 waveforms.
The Empress Phaser Pedal is the next generation in the evolution of digitally-controlled analog technology. It features an all-analog signal path but is controlled by a microprocessor, allowing it to maintain all its character and analog flavor while adding a ton of possibilities for control and adaptability. Sure, it does the classic jet sounds, super funky auto-wah and ring modulators, as well as having vibrato and Univibe sounds on tap. But what really sets the Empress Phaser Pedal apart are the auto modes: envelope following, audio-triggered sweeps, rhythms and direct control are just a few of the settings found on the Empress Phaser Pedal.
It also offers unsurpassed connectivity by featuring expression pedal control as well as accepting control voltage, external tap, external audio control and MIDI. All of this comes in a rock solid die cast aluminum enclosure with true bypass keeping things clean.
Killer Sound Quality - The Signal to Noise ratio is around 104 dB.
8 Auto modes - Envelope follower, center & speed, speed(sine), speed(square), audio sweep trigger, random level trigger, rhythms and direct control
Tap Tempo with Ratios - Use tap tempo to set the phasers speed; the ratio selection makes fast tempos and triplet based phase times easy.
2 / 3 / 4 Stages - Select 2, 4 or, an empress exclusive, 3 stages
5 Rhythms - Rhythms let your phaser boldly go where no phaser has gone before
Ultimate Control - Control over width, speed, resonance, waveform, and number of stages.
8 Waveforms - Phase through sine, triangle, asymmetric sine, swung sine, sawtooth, reverse sawtooh, square and step waveforms.
True Bypass - The Empress Phaser Pedal employs true bypass, so you can be sure that it's not affecting the signal when disengaged.
Gain - Set the output gain of the phaser to match your bypassed signal or use up to 6dB of boost to really drive your preamp
Small Size - The enclosure measures approximately 4.5" by 3.5" by 1.5", which is delightfully small when considering all the features packed into this unit.
Unsurpassed Connectivity - The Universal Control Port allows you to connect an expression pedal, external tap switch, control voltage, external audio input and MIDI all using a standard 1/4" jack!
True Display LEDs - Extremely responsive LEDs always let you know what the phaser is doing and help you adjust the sensitivity in the auto modes.
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
Product info from the Empress website.