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Empress Effects ParaEq MKII Deluxe Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal Certified Open Box

3-band EQ Pedal with +/- 15dB Boost/Cut Range, Fully Sweepable Q, Shelving Filters, Highpass and Lowpass Filters, and 30dB Boost Section
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Item ID: ParaEqMk2Dlxd1
Empress Effects ParaEq MKII Deluxe Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal

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This item is in like-new condition and perfect working order. Product includes all original accessories. This item ships in its original factory packaging.

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Empress Effects ParaEq MKII Deluxe Parametric Equalizer and Boost Pedal
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Twice the EQ Power at Half the Size

The Empress ParaEQ MKII Deluxe packs four new filters and vastly improved Q controls into a box half the size of the original ParaEQ! From the +/- 15dB boost/cut on all three parametric bands to the extended adjustability of the fully sweepable Q controls, this pedal’s slimmed-down size makes no compromises over the original unit, and it’s even been upgraded with a vastly improved headroom. In fact, the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe’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!

Four new filters and enhanced Q controls

The ParaEQ MKII Deluxe’s four filters and sweepable Q controls take the formidable formula of Empress equalization to a whole new level. The 12dB/oct highpass and lowpass filters take your sound-shaping potential even further, making it a breeze to carve up a signal for any sonic application. Next, the shelving filters trim and tailor your lows and highs in an exceptionally organic manner, bringing this little equalizer’s utility up to the realm of full-on studio rack gear. Finally, the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe’s Q controls have been upgraded from the notched positions of the standard version to fully sweepable functionality — perfect for treating pesky peaks and problem frequencies.

Your sound — only better

A 3-band parametric EQ section is the core of the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe, 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 Deluxe 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 Deluxe still sounds like your instrument, only much better!

Mighty 30dB boost section

Much more than just an equalizer, the Empress ParaEQ MKII Deluxe also features a powerful boost section, kicking up your signal by up to 30dB. While the ParaMKII Deluxe 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 Deluxe. 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 Deluxe. 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 Deluxe kicks up the headroom significantly over its previous iteration with a 27V design, all but eliminating clipping and unwanted artifacts. Finally, the ParaEQ MKII Deluxe 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 Deluxe Features:

  • All-analog signal path for a rich, expressive sound without altering your instrument’s original tone
  • Shelving filters to naturally trim down your highs and lows
  • 12dB/oct highpass and lowpass filters to carve out your sound for any mix
  • 3-band parametric EQ section provides 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
  • Fully sweepable Q to pinpoint problem frequencies in your signal with unmatched accuracy
  • 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
What is Certified Open Box Gear?

At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call "Certified Open Box" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.

Certified Open Box (also known as a demo) means we’ve had it out of the box for our YouTube channel, displayed at events, tested in our studio, or maybe it was in a customer’s hands for a few days and isn’t ‘factory fresh’ as a result. Every Certified Open Box item we sell has Sweetwater’s 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty and has been tested and verified up to ‘new’ specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it’s in perfect working order before we ship it to you.

When you buy a Certified Open Box item at Sweetwater, you get:
  • 2-year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty™!
  • Products inspected and tested by our factory-authorized techs, guaranteed to function like new (or better)!
  • FREE shipping on most items
  • Equipment that will MEET or EXCEED your expectations!

Click HERE to browse our current inventory of Certified Open Box equipment. Purchasing Certified Open Box gear from Sweetwater is a smart and safe way to save!

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Tech Specs

  • EQ: 3-band EQ, with Boost and Fully Sweepable Q
  • 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 Deluxe

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Reviews

Tone shaper
I have Randal/egnater mts heads and use synergy syn1 and syn2 in 4cm with them. The tone by itself was good but I wanted to get an eq to see how it could improve the tone, the boost was a bonus. It made a big difference in the definition of tone and clarity. Awesome tool.
Great for Upright Bass
It's amazing how many features the wizards at Empress squeezed into this little box. Anyone who plays an acoustic instrument with a piezo pickup knows you need a good preamp & EQ.

I especially like the HPF & LPF in combination with the hi & lo shelving. With the 3 band parametric, I'm able to dial out quite a bit of the gnarl that comes with the piezo - and the boost feature is impressive.

I gave it 5 stars for the quality and sound. If I could suggest any improvements it would be to somehow make the HPF a full size knob with better frequency graphics - as I tend to adjust it slightly as the room dynamics change throughout the gig.

This is my first Empress gizmo but probably not my last. Now I've got my eye on the bass compressor for my electric rig.
Music background: blue collar bassist
Just Smashing!
I'm not sure why this ParaEQ Deluxe is not yet on everyone's pedalboard? As a Bass player, this is absolutely indispensable!

Dead quite...a must have quality.

Total control..variable Q, overlapping points from 35Hz - 20KHz, +/- 15db gain

Trimming....HPF & LPF controls

Boost...come on, a boost, too?

If sounding the best you can is a priority in your signal chain? Then the Empress ParaEQ Deluxe is a gotta have it component.
Music background: Bass Player
Serious EQ / Not Overly Complicated
I've been reading the EQ battles on the forums for years and finally saw a YT video from SprectreSoundStudios that demystified what is a graphic EQ v parametric EQ and where to put it in your signal chain. I am NOT a knob tweaker, and if it takes more than 15 minutes to dial in a pedal, I'm out. I thought this pedal was for sure going to be a hard pass, but the features (short of a rack mount) were just too tempting to pass up. I'm so glad I got this one.

First of all, out of the box this thing is solid and assembled well. BONUS: a nicely detailed user manual that includes examples of dial settings to solve sound issues. Without that, this thing might have frustrated me – I would rather be playing than messing with a pedal.

I've always compensated for muddy sound by using my amp's onboard controls: bass 0, mid noon, treble 10. (I do NOT have a cheap amp either.) I just never realized what I was compensating for. With this pedal, I used one of the recommended settings, dropped it in my fx loop, and set my amp's controls to all noon. I was immediately in the vicinity of my desired sound. I tweaked a couple of knobs (less than five minutes work), and I was off and playing. The boost switch does just fine – my amp's power stage has plenty of headroom to accommodate without distorting.

I realize this is a bit pricey compared to a simpler graphic EQ, but if you're on the fence and can afford it, I would say go for it. I have zero buyer's remorse with this purchase.

Shout out to my excellent Sweetwater SE, Matt. He's been helping me for literally years at this point. Sweetwater is my first-stop shop for music gear.
Music background: Been playing for almost 40 years at this point. No outside gigs, just a guy who loves to play six nights a week at home.
Great for the studio in FX loop
When I first got this I didn't like it. I was trying to use it on my pedal board for live shows and it didn't feel right for that usage (something like the MXR 10 band or similar were easier in the moment). However, using this as a studio tool has changed everything. It stays in my amp's FX loop now. When I reamp I can fine tune the sound I want coming out of the amp into the cab. The control is amazing and makes the EQ section of my amp seem useless. I could use this live if it was pre configured and stayed in the FX loop. Clean headroom, killer pedal, worth the cash if you use it right.