Empress Heavy Menace Distortion Pedal
The Heavy Menace is "the most versatile distortion pedal" Empress has ever created, in their own words. It's an evolution of their original Heavy pedal but with new features and a more compact enclosure. In addition to the original 'Heavy' and 'Heavier' modes, the Heavy Menace adds a new 'Lite(ish)' mode — covering any high-gain sound from classic hard rock to searing modern metal.Key FeaturesThree versatile distortion modes — Light(ish), Heavy, and Heavier.Footswitchable noise gate.3-band EQ with sweepable mid frequency.Weight control to sculpt low frequency response.Linked or independent switching of the distortion and gate.Gate key input (1/8" TS or TRS).True…
Description
here at Just Pedals we love this Empress Heavy Menace Distortion Pedal.
The Heavy Menace is "the most versatile distortion pedal" Empress has ever created, in their own words. It's an evolution of their original Heavy pedal but with new features and a more compact enclosure. In addition to the original 'Heavy' and 'Heavier' modes, the Heavy Menace adds a new 'Lite(ish)' mode — covering any high-gain sound from classic hard rock to searing modern metal.
Key Features
- Three versatile distortion modes — Light(ish), Heavy, and Heavier.
- Footswitchable noise gate.
- 3-band EQ with sweepable mid frequency.
- Weight control to sculpt low frequency response.
- Linked or independent switching of the distortion and gate.
- Gate key input (1/8" TS or TRS).
- True bypass or buffered bypass.
Enhanced EQ
Empress are obsessed with EQ, and the 3-band circuit on the Heavy Menace is one of their best. The 'Weight' control adjusts a high-pass filter in the distortion circuit to shape low-end character. Turn it up for a thick, full sound, or turn counter-clockwise for a tight response that's perfect for palm muting and extended-range guitars.
Midrange is a key element of a great distorted sound, so the mid frequency is sweepable from 200 Hz to 2.5 kHz to dial in the sweet spot for your guitar and amp. Scoop for a tight, aggressive sound, or push to add definition and cut through a mix.
Adaptive Gate
Players loved the gate on the original Heavy. Envelope followers in the circuit respond to your playing, letting sustained notes decay naturally but clamping down quickly during fast stops.
On the Heavy Menace, this gate is now footswitchable, with two available modes of operation. In normal bypass mode, the gate doesn’t affect the signal if the distortion is off, while independent bypass mode is like having separate distortion and gate pedals.
We’ve also added a key input so you can optionally trigger the gate with an external signal. This is particularly useful if you have additional pedals before the Heavy Menace in your signal chain, such as a low-gain pedal for stacking. Split a clean signal with a pedal like our Buffer+ and connect it to the Gate Key Input, and the gate will behave consistently regardless of changes at the main input.
Specifications
- Input Impedance: 1MΩ
- Output Impedance: 100Ω
- Frequency Response (-3dB): 35Hz – 17kHz
- Input Voltage: 9-12V DC
- Required Current: 250mA
- Power Input Connector: 2.1mm Barrel Connector
- Dimensions (H x L x W): 2.5" x 4.8" x 2.6"
- Weight: 1 lb
About Empress Effects
We have new and used Empress Effects gear available on our website for fast direct delivery direct to you from across sellers in all areas of the USA & UK.
Empress Effects is a Canadian manufacturer of high-quality guitar and bass effects pedals, known for their innovative designs and exceptional sound quality. The company was founded in 2009 and quickly gained a reputation for creating pedals that combine top-tier craftsmanship with user-friendly functionality. Empress Effects is particularly well-regarded for its attention to detail, versatile features, and the ability to produce pedals that suit a wide range of musical styles.
The brand’s products include a variety of effects such as overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb, modulation, and multi-effects units. One of their standout products is the Empress Tape Delay, which is praised for its realistic vintage sound and versatile control options. The Empress Reverb is another popular offering, known for its rich, atmospheric sounds that can cater to everything from subtle room reverb to deep, expansive hall sounds. Empress Effects is celebrated for producing pedals that meet the needs of both professional musicians and hobbyists, often incorporating advanced features like MIDI control and preset storage, making their products suitable for both live performances and studio work.
Distortion
A distortion pedal is a type of guitar effects pedal used to add gain, saturation, and harmonic distortion to the guitar signal, resulting in a more aggressive and gritty tone. Distortion pedals are widely used across various music genres, particularly in rock, metal, punk, and alternative styles, to achieve heavier and more intense guitar tones.
Here are the key features and functions of a distortion pedal:
1. **Gain (or Drive)**: The gain control adjusts the amount of distortion applied to the guitar signal. Increasing the gain setting increases the level of saturation and overdrive, resulting in a more distorted and aggressive tone. Lower gain settings produce a cleaner sound with less distortion.
2. **Tone**: The tone control adjusts the frequency response of the distorted signal, allowing you to tailor the tonal characteristics of the distortion effect. Depending on the pedal, the tone control may boost or cut specific frequency ranges, such as bass, midrange, or treble, to shape the overall sound.
3. **Level (or Output)**: The level control adjusts the overall output volume of the distorted signal. This allows you to match the level of the distorted signal with the rest of your effects chain or amplifier, ensuring consistent volume levels when engaging the pedal.
4. **Mode (or Voice)**: Some distortion pedals feature multiple modes or voicings that offer different types of distortion or gain characteristics. These modes may include options such as “Vintage,” “Modern,” or “High Gain,” each providing a distinct tonal flavor and level of saturation.
Distortion pedals offer several benefits and creative uses for guitarists:
– **Increased Gain and Sustain**: By adding gain and saturation to the guitar signal, distortion pedals increase the overall volume and sustain of the instrument, allowing notes and chords to ring out longer and with more intensity.
– **Tonal Shaping**: Distortion pedals often include tone controls that allow you to shape the frequency response of the distorted signal. This allows you to dial in the desired amount of bass, midrange, and treble to suit your playing style and musical preferences.
– **Emphasis of Harmonics**: Distortion pedals emphasize the harmonics and overtones present in the guitar signal, resulting in a richer, more complex tone with added depth and character. This can make lead lines and solos stand out and cut through the mix more effectively.
– **Versatility and Flexibility**: Distortion pedals come in a wide range of styles and voicings, from mild overdrive to high-gain distortion. This versatility allows you to choose a pedal that best suits your playing style, musical genre, and tonal preferences.
Overall, distortion pedals are essential tools for guitarists seeking to achieve heavier, more aggressive, and saturated tones. Whether used subtly to add warmth and edge to clean tones or used more aggressively to create crushing distortion, distortion pedals can enhance your guitar tone and bring new dimensions to your playing.
Guitar FX
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Pedal
A pedal is an electronic device that alters the sound of an electric guitar by applying various effects. Pedals are typically connected in a series between the guitar and amplifier, allowing guitarists to switch effects on and off with their feet while playing.
This enables musicians to quickly and easily change their sound, adding versatility and creativity to their performances.
Pedals are essential tools in many musical genres, including rock, blues, jazz, and metal, allowing artists to craft distinctive and dynamic soundscapes.
Once you buy one, you can’t stop and then you have to sell them and buy more.
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