Multi-FX: Your Best Board Starts Here

Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal

3-band EQ Pedal with +/- 15dB Boost/Cut Range, Adjustable Q, and 30dB Boost Section
Share
Item ID: ParaEqMk2
Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal
Price:$274 and 00 cents
$46.00 suggested monthly payments with 6 month financing‡ 36 month financing available* with $399.00 minimum purchase on one invoice.

In Stock!

Only 6 left in stock! More on the way.
Add to Cart
Sales engineer photo
Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Complete Your Order
Product Image - This Item - Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal
Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal
$274.00
+
+
=
Buy all:
Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal
In Stock!
Price:$274 and 00 cents
Add to Cart
Add to list
Skip to Description
Most Popular Accessories & Related Items
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Studio-grade Equalization in a Pocket-sized Stompbox

The Empress ParaEQ MKII packs the studio-level parametric equalization power of the original ParaEQ into a pedalboard-friendly-sized box. From the fully sweepable +/- 15dB boost/cut on all three parametric bands to the extensive adjustability of the variable Q controls, this pedal’s slimmed-down size makes no compromises over the original unit, and it’s even been upgraded with vastly improved headroom. In fact, the ParaEQ MKII’s 107.9dB signal-to-noise ratio, 0.03% introduced distortion, and 27V functionality deliver a clear, noise-free sound that’s simply unprecedented in a stompbox format! A 30dB boost section rounds out the ParaEQ MKII, providing everything from a subtle push to a long signal chain, to taking your favorite tube amp into raunchy overdrive territory. A worthy addition to the trailblazing Empress catalog of pedals, the ParaEQ MKII shatters the limitations of stompbox equalization!

Your sound — only better

A 3-band parametric EQ section is the core of the ParaEQ MKII, providing you with the power to sculpt and fine-tune your sound with stunning all-analog sonics. What really impresses us here at Sweetwater is that the ParaEQ MKII allows for serious modification of your sound, but the true character is never lost — running a guitar, bass, or any other instrument through the ParaEQ MKII still sounds like your instrument, only much better! In addition to the standard EQ controls, this pedal also sports a wide range of Q controls that can take your aural adjustments anywhere from a wide swath of general tone shaping to a laser-focused elimination of problem frequencies.

Mighty 30dB boost section

Much more than just an equalizer, the Empress ParaEQ MKII also features a powerful boost section, kicking up your signal by up to 30dB. While the ParaMKII boasts true-bypass construction, running a long signal chain of buffer-less true bypass pedals can often lead to a weak signal — easily rectified by dialing a touch of boost on the ParaEQ MKII. And yes, it’s just as adept at pushing your hot tube tube amp into raw, singing saturation!

Studio-quality sound

A little bit of noise is simply part of the deal when it comes to pedals, right? Not when you’re running the Empress ParaEQ MKII. This pedal is designed to match the squeaky-clean operation of studio-grade equalization units, with an incredible 107.9dB signal-to-noise ratio that’s almost unheard of in a standard EQ stompbox format. In addition, the MKII kicks up the headroom significantly over its previous iteration with a 27V design, all but eliminating clipping and unwanted artifacts. Finally, the ParaEQ MKII introduces a minute level of distortion into your signal — 0.03% to be exact, ensuring that you hear your instrument and your instrument only!

Empress ParaEQ MKII Features:

  • All-analog signal path for a rich, expressive sound without altering your instrument’s original tone
  • 3-band parametric EQ sections provide 15dB of cut and boost to sculpt your sound
  • Hit the boost section to kick up your signal by 30dB — perfect for driving amps and raising the volume of long signal chains
  • Adjustable Q takes you from general tone shaping to an ultra-precise notching of problem frequencies
  • Pedalboard-friendly form factor is half the size of the original ParaEQ
  • Exceptionally low-noise design boasts an incredible 107.9dB signal-to-noise ratio with less than 0.03% gain introduced into the signal
  • Designed to excel with a wide variety of instruments, from guitars to electronic violins and more
  • True bypass construction keeps your signal clear when the pedal is disengaged
  • 27V operation provides the same studio-level headroom as world-class rack gear

Resources

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • EQ: 3-band EQ, with Boost
  • Analog/Digital: Analog
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • True Bypass: Yes
  • Height: 2.5"
  • Width: 2.6"
  • Depth: 4.8"
  • Weight: 1 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: PEQ2

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Reviews

Super high-quality EQ pedal
I wanted an EQ pedal that was simple to operate; added minimal noise to my rig; and could tweak/enhance my overdriven guitar tone when placed before amp and/or pedal gain. Tried a different brand and it was super noisy and had to return it. After some research and dialogue with Caleb at Sweetwater, we thought the Empress Para EQ MKII would be perfect for me. Well, that's exactly how it worked out. This pedal checks all the boxes for me. It's also cool they make a Deluxe version for those guitarists that want even more tweakability. But the standard version was all I needed. It's a really high-quality piece of gear that will forever be on my pedal board! Sounds killer!
Music background: Guitarist
Worth the $$$
Does everything they claim and more. Sqeaky clean, pristine sound quality with zero noise. Runs on a 9v power supply which is converted to 27v internally. This pedal draws 300ma which is not a problem for me since my Voodoo Lab provides up to 500ma per outlet, but be sure that your power supply is up to snuff.
This is my first parametric EQ. I find it easier to use than a graphic EQ and it's faster to shape your tone. Just create a "bump" or "dip" with the gain and then dial the band selector to where it sounds best, then adjust the Q accordingly.
I will probably never need all 30db of boost (30db !) but it is handy when I need a little volume bump for soloing.
Built like a tank (it better be, for this kind of money, LOL).
This is a well-designed, well-built piece of musical equipment. Definitely worth the $$$, imo.
Music background: 40+ Years Experience
Spectacular pedal steel EQ performance
Getting a pedal steel guitar to glisten is no easy business. I was running a Carter D10 > Black Box > some stuff > Hilton volume pedal > Quilter 202 and could just never get the EQ right through the amp. This pedal did the trick. It's spectacular. I love having the on-board control to adjust and...some pedals just sound GREAT. Only thing I wish is that the boost wasn't so hot - would be nice to have more fine control over it.
Music background: Play lots of instruments and lots of genres
Neck Pickup Solution
Bought this pedal after hearing Tom Bukovac rave about it on Homeskoolin'. Finally solved the 45 year neck pickup riddle. I always struggle w/ getting a balanced tone between neck and bridge pickups...especially w/ joined neck guitars and humbuckers. This pedal works perfectly. Very quiet, and I can dial in targeted, subtle, low mid cut and boost the highs slightly to sit perfectly in the mix at a rehearsal or gig. Note that it requires a 9V 300 mA power supply. My older Voodoo lab pedal power 2 only provides 125 mA w/ one bank providing 250 mA. I upgraded to a pedal power 3 plus (also from Sweetwater). (12) 500 mA outputs. It was long overdue, but I did not notice this before I made my purchase. A fantastic upgrade all around. My Gibson's are finally getting out of the house!
Music background: Playing, gigging teaching guitar for more than 45 years
A game changer after ten minutes
I am a theremin player (currently playing a 2022 Moog Etherwave), and have been on a quest for a way to capture the warm, almost stringlike tones of the old RCA tube theremins from the early/mid-20th century. While that's just not truly possible, I have at least sought to tame some of the buzzier overtones from my Etherwave. I'm thrilled to report that after just ten minutes with the ParaEQ MKII, I've already found a great sound that targets my undesirable frequencies without muddying the original tone of the instrument.

The ParaEQ MKII's approach to EQ is a little daunting at first, but thanks to some guidance on YouTube before I received my pedal, I had a clear idea of where to start. While the added flexibility of the Deluxe version would no doubt be useful, I found it perfectly effective to choose between the three Q settings for each band, and I don't miss the HP/LP or shelving filters for my purposes in simple tone shaping.

Empress has a reputation for solid build quality and this pedal definitely delivers-- thing is built like a tank. The knobs/switches have a great level of tension for fine adjustments, which I was a little skeptical about at first with those teeny black knobs.

I still have plenty of tweaking I want to do, but I'm so excited by my early results with the ParaEQ!
Music background: Amateur thereminist