Empress Effects ECM-519, User Manual

Controls at a Glance

xformer:

  Select how the output transformer is used in the circuit.

Off:

  The output transformer is not used and the output is 

balanced with active electronics.  Very clean sound with the 

largest bandwidth.

On:

  Inserts the output transformer in the circuit.  Smooths 

transients providing warmer top end and thicker low mids.

Loaded:

  Loads down the output transformer so it saturates 

easily.  Provides a warm, vintage feel.  Great for controlling 

cymbals and sibilance in vocals.

link:

  Links 2 compressors to form a stereo pair.   See “Using the 

Link Function” for details on connecting the units.

side chain hpf:

  The high-pass filter cuts out low frequen-

cies in the side chain below either 120Hz or 220Hz. 

manual / auto:

  Control the attack and release times manually or 

with one of the two auto modes:  *

auto1

:

  Great for dynamic control.  Use when tracking to 

control peaks or to smooth out a mix.

auto2

:

  Attack is more open making things sound big 

and present.

GR meter:

  This 10 segment meter shows the amount of gain 

reduction being performed by the compressor at any given time.