What we're all about:
At Empress Effects, we strive to make original and exciting effects. Every effort is made to ensure the highest possible sound quality in every pedal. We aim to maximize the tonal possibilities with innovative features, yet remain focused on providing an intuitive user experience while keeping the footprint on the pedalboard minimal. Our goal is to inspire musicians, and give them the tools to create any sound they can dream of(and even some they can't).History:
In 2005, having recently graduated from Queens University with a degree in electrical engineering, Steve was approached by a friend looking for a tremolo with a set of features that were unavailable on the market at the time. 7 Months later, Steve presented the tremolo to his friend. Turns out that his friend had already bought another tremolo and no longer needed it. Steve, now stuck with this new tremolo, went to sell it at a local used instruments store. The store liked it so much that they ordered 10. After speaking with a few other retailers, it was clear that there was a demand for these pedals. Thus Empress Effects was born.On the tail of the Tremolos success, Steve got ambitious and began work on the Superdelay. The Superdelay took 2 years to design! During this period, Steve realized that, even if he worked 24 hours a day, he couldn't keep up with demand. And thus, the Empress family grew. Mike came on to take over assembly and Jay joined to help design pedals. Dan was brought in to handle all the business stuff so Steve could focus on designing pedals.
With this new team assembled, things ran much smoother and now, with 2 full time designers, new pedals came much quicker! In 2008, the ParaEq(the first pedal designed entirely by Jay) was released.
The Team:
Steve Bragg - Founder / Designer
Steve's been messing with electronics since he was in high school. In 2004 he graduated from Queen's University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His friends think he's a pretty big nerd; he likes to do FFTs by hand and he gets angry when Nyquist's sampling law is broken. He was playing with his friends in Amos the Transparent before they began booking lengthy tours. You should check them out!
Steve's been messing with electronics since he was in high school. In 2004 he graduated from Queen's University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His friends think he's a pretty big nerd; he likes to do FFTs by hand and he gets angry when Nyquist's sampling law is broken. He was playing with his friends in Amos the Transparent before they began booking lengthy tours. You should check them out!
Dan Junkins - VP of Awesomeness
Dan wears a lot of hats here at Empress. He handles all the "business stuff" like sales, marketing, artist relations and accounting. Dan brings a wealth of experience in the music industry along with a degree in music and diploma in sonic design. In addition to the "business stuff", Dan is also involved in new product development and creates all of the media for Empress, such as video, audio, photography and graphic design.
Dan wears a lot of hats here at Empress. He handles all the "business stuff" like sales, marketing, artist relations and accounting. Dan brings a wealth of experience in the music industry along with a degree in music and diploma in sonic design. In addition to the "business stuff", Dan is also involved in new product development and creates all of the media for Empress, such as video, audio, photography and graphic design.
Jason Fee - Designer
Jason Fee was brought onto the Empress design team in 2007 to help design the Superdelay. Jay has a degree in electrical engineering from Queen's University. He's also a mastering engineer (check out Conduction Mastering) and a Supersleuth.
Jason Fee was brought onto the Empress design team in 2007 to help design the Superdelay. Jay has a degree in electrical engineering from Queen's University. He's also a mastering engineer (check out Conduction Mastering) and a Supersleuth.
Cody Gilchrist - Designer
Cody was added to the Empress team in 2010 after completing an Electrical Engineering diploma at Algonquin College. He spends most of his time doing research and development, working with Steve and Jason to help create new, awesome sounding effects pedals. He also plays guitar in a very heavy band called Collider. Check them out!
Cody was added to the Empress team in 2010 after completing an Electrical Engineering diploma at Algonquin College. He spends most of his time doing research and development, working with Steve and Jason to help create new, awesome sounding effects pedals. He also plays guitar in a very heavy band called Collider. Check them out!
Alex Cappon - Customer Service and Social Media
Alex handles all the repairs and is a customer service wizard! He also takes care of all of our social media accounts, so if you use the you-twitter-face-insta-tube, you're probably talking to Alex. He is, by far, the cleanest person at Empress and makes a mean chicken souvlaki!
Alex handles all the repairs and is a customer service wizard! He also takes care of all of our social media accounts, so if you use the you-twitter-face-insta-tube, you're probably talking to Alex. He is, by far, the cleanest person at Empress and makes a mean chicken souvlaki!
Mike Stack - Head Assembler
Mike has been in charge of assembly since 2007. He has a ton of experience both in electronics assembly and line assembly management. If you open up an Empress pedal, you'll see the love Mike puts into each pedal. He's part bionic.
Mike has been in charge of assembly since 2007. He has a ton of experience both in electronics assembly and line assembly management. If you open up an Empress pedal, you'll see the love Mike puts into each pedal. He's part bionic.
Yinqin Qi - Assembler
Yinqin helps Mike out with the assembly. They make a great team! Her cooking is stuff of legend 'round these parts and, as the only woman in the shop, she keeps everyone in line!
Yinqin helps Mike out with the assembly. They make a great team! Her cooking is stuff of legend 'round these parts and, as the only woman in the shop, she keeps everyone in line!