GAINLAB EMPRESS, 2×3 Band Tube Equalizer

Gainlab EMPRESS 2×3-band tube amplifier

What is your first thought when you hear the term “passive equalizer”? At first you probably think of the airy high frequency components, the rich subs and the widely applicable cuts and boosts that can be used side by side.

These types of equalizers have been around since the early 1950s, the best-known Pultec EQP-1 from Pulse Techniques was the first to simultaneously provide passive filter circuits alongside high-performance line amplifiers.

The disadvantage of the EQP-1 was that it could not perform precise frequency isolation, but it was capable of altering any sound in the core. Many modern equalizers are based on the original EQP-1 in both structure and features that can be limiting in a modern music environment and production

our goal in the lab was to improve the classic concept with the gainlab empress. First, we added an additional middle frequency filter between the low and high frequency filters to improve the device’s versatility in today’s music environment

We left the option for simultaneous clipping and amplification in the low and high band, allowing all those tricks that a user normally expects from an equalizer. In addition, the shift function can be used on these bands to shift the center frequency of simultaneous clipping and amplification relative to each other.

After extensive bench testing, using the equalizer in real applications, it was found that the versatility of the device far exceeded expectations. It was found to be suitable for recording and master coloring and can be used for any equalizer task. In fairness, it dominates the entire frequency range and usually sounds great in extreme conditions, which is why we named it Empress.

In summary, the gainlab Empress is a two-channel passive equalizer with a tube amplifier that has three bands on each side. Thanks to its compact design, it only needs 2U of space in the studio, but it will have a significant impact on your sound.

Video gainlab empress