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Empress Effects Heavy Distortion Pedal
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Your Price: $443.00 CDN
or from $47 CDN/mo
In this aptly named box you'll find a huge range of wicked sounding high gain tones. From crisp, mid-driven 80's metal, to scooped, modern down-tuned brutality. This little box of sonic mayhem does it all. The two independent channels can be voiced similarly so that one channel can be used as a solo boost, or they can be voiced entirely differently by using the mid range control in conjunction with the 3 position mid frequency select switch. Add in separate weight controls to shape the low end response of each channel, and a global hi/low eq section that allows you to fine tune your particular amp and cab combination, and you've got a serious tool to create a supremely heavy sounding rig. On top of all this Empress Effects has added an extremely responsive and hassle free noise gate that will ensure dead silent operation with even the most obscene amounts of gain added.
All Analog Signal Path - no digitals in here!
Super High Gain - It's called the heavy, what'd you expect?
Weight - An intuitive new control that changes the character of your low end.
3 Band EQ - Selectable mid frequency lets you get precise eq curves, with boost or cut up to 10dB per band.
Dual Channel Design - Heavy and Heavier let you set your channels similarly, for rhythm/solo, or completely differently for a wider range of tones.
Soft Touch Switches - Relay bypass and intelligent switching make this pedal super easy to use.
Noise Gate - Natural and aggressive settings let you tailor the gate to your needs, keeping noise out of your signal chain.
True Bypass - The Empress Heavy employs true bypass, so you can be sure that it's not affecting the signal when disengaged.
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.
Specs
Input Impedance 1M
Output Impedance 510 Ohm
Frequency Response (-3dB) 35Hz - 17kHz
Power Input Voltage 9 - 12 V DC (Negative tip)
Power Input Connector 2.1mm barrel connector (Negative tip)
Power Consumption ~ 200mA
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 1lbs
All Analog Signal Path - no digitals in here!
Super High Gain - It's called the heavy, what'd you expect?
Weight - An intuitive new control that changes the character of your low end.
3 Band EQ - Selectable mid frequency lets you get precise eq curves, with boost or cut up to 10dB per band.
Dual Channel Design - Heavy and Heavier let you set your channels similarly, for rhythm/solo, or completely differently for a wider range of tones.
Soft Touch Switches - Relay bypass and intelligent switching make this pedal super easy to use.
Noise Gate - Natural and aggressive settings let you tailor the gate to your needs, keeping noise out of your signal chain.
True Bypass - The Empress Heavy employs true bypass, so you can be sure that it's not affecting the signal when disengaged.
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.
Specs
Input Impedance 1M
Output Impedance 510 Ohm
Frequency Response (-3dB) 35Hz - 17kHz
Power Input Voltage 9 - 12 V DC (Negative tip)
Power Input Connector 2.1mm barrel connector (Negative tip)
Power Consumption ~ 200mA
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 1lbs
Q & A
There are currently no questions for this product.
Reviews
3.17.181.122
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you wanted metal ?? this brings the metal !!! 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
Features
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Bedford, Nova Scotia
bought this on a whim, I'm running an Orange TH30 thru the 4x12 Orange cab .... and something that I couldn't put into words, this pedal on the clean side suuure can get nasty (in a good way) ... in the front of the chain, with a TC Electronics Hall of Fame 2 after it, the nuances are phenomenal !!! works better than I had hoped for
Posted by Steve on Oct 12, 2024
Chugs and modern metal tones 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Kanata, Ontario
I was looking for a distortion pedal that could get modern metal tones out of my bedroom amp, an Orange Crush 35RT. I already have a Tube Screamer, a ProCo RAT, and a Metal Zone but could never get quite the precise, saturated tone I wanted (think Ola Englund or Misha Mansoor).
Well, now I can! While the TS and RAT are best in front of the dirt channel, and the MT-2 in the effects loop, with my bedroom amp the Empress Heavy works best in front of the clean channel. With the dials 12 o'clock I instantly got that modern metal distortion.
High and low frequencies are shared between the two distortion channels, heavier having a little more gain and oomph. Dialing in the best tone is more intuitive than on the Metal Zone: +/- 10dB with each dial. Toggle selector for mid frequency as well as a really good noise gate. I already had the ISP Decimator G-string on my pedalboard, but it's redundant with the Empress Heavy. I like the natural noise gate setting best.
The pedal is smaller than I thought and it's built like a tank.
TL;DR: instant modern metal chugs with great noise gate. I watched so many pedal showdowns and I am happy I chose the Heavy.
Posted by Fred on Jul 7, 2023
If you can afford it, get it 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
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Product Experience I've tried it
Closest Store Ottawa, Ontario
Borrowed one off a friend. Thanks to Covid 19 he couldn't come over to pick it up, so I got to demo it for three months (lol). Excellent pedal loaded with excellent settings. Built in noise gate is effective. Too expensive...
Posted by anonymous on Apr 14, 2021
Just get it already! 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
Are you here looking at reviews to see if you might like this pedal? Well, if you like any kind of distortion, this pedal will have those tones under the hood. From early 60s blues overdrive, to 70s rock, to 80s hair metal, to modern scooped. I have finally found the pedal I have been looking for. Sold my mesa throttle box, mxr fullbore metal, metal zone, Sansamp, OD-1 and TS-9. This pedal covers all of them. Just buy it and see.
Posted by Garett on Oct 26, 2020
best metal pedal 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Quality
Value
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
this pedal is badass if you plug it on an 18v.
Posted by pinoy metal on Oct 28, 2018
Pricy but very good. 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Cobourg, Ontario
Took a chance, paid the fee, now I am smiling.
This is 2 peds in one as both channels do not stack. I use the heavy chan as an 'always on' meaty od. I set the heavier chan with more gain, less weight for lead. This thing has a killer eq, mids for days. Does classic Sabbath to modern Djent with ease. So much gain available it is crazy. The gate is very handy for massive chug. All in, a great ped with options.
Posted by Mr. Hall on Apr 13, 2018
Yes,,,, worth the money 3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Oshawa, Ontario
Have you been contemplating this pedal for a while but can't justify the $400 price tag? It is definitely worth the money. Used infront of a clean amp it is without question the best distortion pedal on planet earth. The active high and low make it sound good with any speaker size. The noise gate is very effective and the weight knob can make even the weakest single coils fill the room with bass. In front of a dirty amp you can really tailor your sound and the heavy channel below half works great as an overdrive. Yes you can buy a noise gate an overdrive and distortion pedal for less money but this pedal does it all. As an overdrive maybe the tube screamer has a little more sparkle, but it only works infront of a good high gain amp. This thing will make any amp sing.
Posted by Rowski on Nov 19, 2017
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Distortion Pedal | 402810 |
