NAMM leaks, announcements, and rumors

[echorec]

I know it is Mu-Fx, but just typed Mu-Tron...sorry to offend you. And we do have a thread here for Mu-Fx/Mike Beigel...and I have kept a close eye on everything they have done...was just a funny side note...really sorry for not being an "expert".

Frank told me that the Spin Cycle was in the 300s I think direct. He does the old MSRP/Street price stuff...so Spin Cycle is 439 or what ever but 339 street (or whatever). Aphazing is 339 but 229 street/direct (is what I think he said). Anyway...

And, yes I know I could go to bigcity...just don't want to. No reason too. Didn't like how they talked to me (via e-mail). Prefer to go visit Perfect Circuit or Analogue Haven. Both have been awesome and really really great to deal with. Not really looking to give them business.

I was not offended, nor was I trying to give you a history lesson or question your expertise. It was my interpretation that you were likely aware of the difference, but I was just verifying we were on the same page, for the purpose of shared discussion and for anyone else following along, who may not have been as abreast of the whole Beigel-Haz rift.

That is good to know on pricing. Their direct site only shares an Amazon link with a $449 purchase price, so perhaps there will be other checkout options in the near future, as I'd like to A/B the SpinCycle with a Strymon Lex at some point.

https://www.experimentalnoize.com/products_players.php

As for BCM, I wasn't trying to plan your itinerary like you're some kind of international tourist on a student holiday. I know you live in California from recent posts. I was just simply trying to share that BCM is a cool spot to tour, if you haven't previously done so. I went there to window shop and see the Swarmatron up-close a few summers ago, and I liked Stephie. She was friendly and helpful, with no interest in pushing me to buy anything. Roger, the owner, tends to be quite laconic and impatient with non-VIPs, so I understand how you could've found your dealings with him unpleasant. You're far from being the first person to give Roger a poor grade on customer service.

[echorec]

I can't believe how blatantly they copied the Strymon layout, but this thing looks killer! I'm way more interested than I was in the BlueSky.

I guess that's open to interpretation, but I'm inclined to disagree. I don't think the Empress is anymore similar to the BigSky, than the BigSky is to the Space in terms of orientation or general parameters.

modes / 3 foot switches / 2 horizontal rows of knobs / MIDI / LED menu screen / surface knobs for live adjustments or intensity (*excluding menu pots)

Eventide (2007) 12, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, 10
Strymon (2013) 12, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, 8
Empress (2016) 12, Yes, Yes, Yes, No, 7

They were certainly aware of the BigSky/Space and their features, and I wouldn't dispute that there are conceptual similarities, but much of that boils down to practicality and culture. In the English-speaking world, people read left-to-right, and with a horizontal layout, there's really nowhere else to put those potentiometers. If the enclosure was vertical or had a right-to-left orientation that wouldn't have made any practical sense.

Another way to create dissimilarities would have been to exclude multiple control parameters. Of course by omitting these features, that certainly wouldn't have made sense from a competitive standpoint. I would say that they were attempting to mirror the Space/Sky's respective depth and range, rather than trying to borrow from them. I certainly don't think the engineering team at Empress is running short on creativity, but like I said it's a horizontal layout produced in a left-to-right orientation. It was going to be unavoidable to create a big budget verb without overlapping in multiple aspects.

[fever606]

So how much money is Empress kicking over to Dr. Seuss' estate for each one of those reverbs they sell?

[DarkAxel]

I had numerous discussions about Empress with my friend (who's big time into pedals, knows a ton of builders, is on Haunted Mids etc.)

Don't you guys think that Empress is being held back by the low amount of available presets, no MIDI (those were the comments about Superdelay, I see the Reverb has it now, yeah?) and lack of display (still prevalent in the Reverb too)? I mean - in comparison with Eventides and Strymons...

For the price, it's a bit old school "lacking" is what I'm saying

[doommeow]

I had numerous discussions about Empress with my friend (who's big time into pedals, knows a ton of builders, is on Haunted Mids etc.)

Don't you guys think that Empress is being held back by the low amount of available presets, no MIDI (those were the comments about Superdelay, I see the Reverb has it now, yeah?) and lack of display (still prevalent in the Reverb too)? I mean - in comparison with Eventides and Strymons...

For the price, it's a bit old school "lacking" is what I'm saying

Dunno. There's plenty of characters that complain about things like presets, displays, programmable controls, etc. This is perfect for that section of the market. And really, what percentage of the gear buying public is really using MIDI, whether on their board or at all? More and more everyday, yes, but it's a minority.

[rustywire]

What do ghost and beer reverb sound like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPr7cYLq3dk&t=3m39s

[DarkAxel]

I had numerous discussions about Empress with my friend (who's big time into pedals, knows a ton of builders, is on Haunted Mids etc.)

Don't you guys think that Empress is being held back by the low amount of available presets, no MIDI (those were the comments about Superdelay, I see the Reverb has it now, yeah?) and lack of display (still prevalent in the Reverb too)? I mean - in comparison with Eventides and Strymons...

For the price, it's a bit old school "lacking" is what I'm saying

Dunno. There's plenty of characters that complain about things like presets, displays, programmable controls, etc. This is perfect for that section of the market. And really, what percentage of the gear buying public is really using MIDI, whether on their board or at all? More and more everyday, yes, but it's a minority.

Oh totally. I'm not a part of that at all, I actually like that old school thang it has going on - not for that price though

you know... In the context of the pricerange perspective and shit. Compare to the immediate competition

[lordgalvar]

Echorec: no big deal man. Haha. Much like the Echorec will never be CB's (same with the fuzzrite), mutron will never be haz. Mutron will always be Mike...no matter what.

I've got a ton more to cover. Spending time with my family wins though so no more NAMM and updates will be scattered from me.

Played the industrialectric 4046-m...sounded freaking amazing and tracked like a dream. Great sounding and awesome.

Also found out the dwarfcraft she-fuzz was discontinued which is (I think I heard that on here before though). There was mention of some stuff from them on the horizon ... Don't know what, but exciting anyway. Dwarfcraft will be 10 years old soon too. Congrats to Aen and Louise!

[Bartimaeus]

I can't believe how blatantly they copied the Strymon layout, but this thing looks killer! I'm way more interested than I was in the BlueSky.

I guess that's open to interpretation, but I'm inclined to disagree. I don't think the Empress is anymore similar to the BigSky, than the BigSky is to the Space in terms of orientation or general parameters.

modes / 3 foot switches / 2 horizontal rows of knobs / MIDI / LED menu screen / surface knobs for live adjustments or intensity (*excluding menu pots)

Eventide (2007) 12, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, 10
Strymon (2013) 12, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, 8
Empress (2016) 12, Yes, Yes, Yes, No, 7

They were certainly aware of the BigSky/Space and their features, and I wouldn't dispute that there are conceptual similarities, but much of that boils down to practicality and culture. In the English-speaking world, people read left-to-right, and with a horizontal layout, there's really nowhere else to put those potentiometers. If the enclosure was vertical or had a right-to-left orientation that wouldn't have made any practical sense.

Another way to create dissimilarities would have been to exclude multiple control parameters. Of course by omitting these features, that certainly wouldn't have made sense from a competitive standpoint. I would say that they were attempting to mirror the Space/Sky's respective depth and range, rather than trying to borrow from them. I certainly don't think the engineering team at Empress is running short on creativity, but like I said it's a horizontal layout produced in a left-to-right orientation. It was going to be unavoidable to create a big budget verb without overlapping in multiple aspects.

You're quite right. In terms of features, I wouldn't say that it copies any particular previous unit more so than any other. I'm interested in this unit because I know it will have a sound unique from the Pristine Praise and Worship BlueSky.

I should have been clearer: I only really meant in terms of knob placement. The Mode Select knob dominating the left side of the pedal, the two rows of pots on the right, and the fact that the bottom row is two timbre-related knobs followed by two parameter knobs. I couldn't help but compare it to my Timeline.

[echorec]

You're quite right. In terms of features, I wouldn't say that it copies any particular previous unit more so than any other. I'm interested in this unit because I know it will have a sound unique from the Pristine Praise and Worship BlueSky.

I should have been clearer: I only really meant in terms of knob placement. The Mode Select knob dominating the left side of the pedal, the two rows of pots on the right, and the fact that the bottom row is two timbre-related knobs followed by two parameter knobs. I couldn't help but compare it to my Timeline.

I'm in agreement for the most part, but I wasn't quite sure what you meant. Sometimes I see people making puzzling comments, however, which I find to be quite ridiculous. The other week I saw someone on Instagram griping about the new EHX looper having half 1/2 speed like the Ditto X2. I thought to myself, "Are you kidding me?!? TC Electronic didn't invent time. Chronos did, you damn fool!"

[echorec]

I actually like that old school thang it has going on - not for that price though

It may sound silly to the non-gear whores, but the high price tag of the Empress is actually going to save me money. Now instead of being tempted to buy a Météore, Context, and a blueSky to go with the verbs I already have, I'll just buy the Empress.

i personally dont like menu diving so i'd prefer the empress stuff when comparing to strymons bigger boxes (love the el cap and whatnot).

definitely a market for people like me and i think they fill that "niche", if you will, just fine.

I'm right beside you on this. As much as I love knob-twiddling, I hate menus. I have astigmatism with dry eyes, so the last thing I want when I'm playing music is staring at more screens. My music time is supposed to be a break from the computer. I've used all the big box Strymons, but the DIG is my absolute favorite Strymon unit. I'd also much rather have the Lex and Flint on-hand than a pair of Mobius units doing similar sounds, simply for convenience and time management.

[Jwar]

I fucking hate menus as well! That Empress looks like the shit!! I wonder what the price point will be?

[Chankgeez]

Premier Guitar has some more to share on the Empress Reverb.

[There probably aren't many reverb sounds Empress Effects' new stereo midi-compatible won't make when it hits in early summer. The crazily tweakable unit starts with very nice hall, plate, spring, and room emulations--then the real fun begins. Modulation, octave effects, programmable expression pedal parameters--you could get lost for a long time in this thing. Expect a street price of around $449.]

Reading is fundamental, jwar.

[Jwar]

NO it isn't. LOL

[oscillateur]

I should have been clearer: I only really meant in terms of knob placement. The Mode Select knob dominating the left side of the pedal, the two rows of pots on the right, and the fact that the bottom row is two timbre-related knobs followed by two parameter knobs. I couldn't help but compare it to my Timeline.

Yeah, but as echorec explained, it's one of the only designs that makes sense given the specific constraints of this pedal.
I'm pretty sure that design would have been exactly the same if the Strymon boxes didn't exist. Some designs (in a very generic sense, talking about almost anything here) are just more efficient. It's basically the whole point of evolution.