Empress Reverb – Best Reverb Pedal Ever? In depth, high quality tests.
Benn Jordan | May 4, 2026
Today we look at what I believe to be, by far, the best reverb pedal in existence, and show you why I believe it. Includes guitar, percussive instrument, and synth tests along with a breakdown of every algorithm.
I just got one and am having trouble programming and recalling easily. Does anyone know of a video that walks us through that well? All of the videos I find brush over that aspect
The ONLY reverbs I'm not in love with (just started using one of these myself) is the spring reverb. It really doesn't sound like a spring reverb (and I play fender amps a lot so I should know), but EVERYthing else is pretty sweet. Will get a spring specific reverb pedal to supplement the reverb section of my board. I mean… if it doesn't drip… its not spring.
Empress is a very special reverb. The high density in the near field is similar to real chambers and EMT plates and curiously absent in many other verbs. In modern verbs, Lexicon hardware 224 and 480 and Waves H-verb are notable exceptions and I find myself going back to them all the time. That characteristic helps a vocal stand out clearly from other long tail verbs.
If you listen to 40s and 50s Sinatra recordings, which of course were live in the studio, you’ll hear that because real chambers and plates with no predelay were the only reverb available. A really good singer can use that instant flood of sound like an accompanist and I’ll never tire of that trick.
So many videos on this pedal on youtube don't do it justice. But your video on the empress reverb is the video making me consider actually buying it. Thank you😍
Benn, since you're infatuated with reverbs – all kinds – I wonder what your take is on the obscure and esoteric QRS rack units from Germany. Quantec Room Simulator. Extortionally expensive, and not – as of yet – mimicked or ported to any software plugin of any kind. I would love to see a demo review YT flick from you on this one, if you can even just loan it from somewhere. I e the new ones, not the old 8 bits from the 80s.
They sell them with 30 year guarantee. Hence the price so they wont go out of business… 🙂
I've heard that – initially – they are nothing to write home about, but in the long run. I e they don't hit you with a bat on your head with impressive reverb, but after a while, it just sounds natural. A sort of "just leave it on" circuit. But I dunno…
I started making records in early 1970s. At that time in recording history, a studio would spend house money if they wanted the studio’s sound to stand out, to earn them top clients. No rack mount box existed. Building two stereo chambers, installing two EMT plates was $100k and many did so. Singers would cross the ocean to record in your room so, it was worth it. The first electronic reverb was the $25k EMT250, and you had to get a tune up for your air conditioning. After EMT’s several groundbreaking units, we could finally see that a big change was coming. This 14 year old guitar pedal is the apotheosis of that change. To this day, people rent the Lexicon 480, a hundred pound flight case that they know will give them what’s needed.
The bottom line, I guess, is this all is how important reverb was and is to music.
Surprised that you don't think the Eventide H or H90 is an obvious comparison point. There are some effects that differ between the two, but I think the H9 and H90 have a similar hifi, clean presentation to this pedal. They also share an affinity to pitch algorithms? It's just weird that you say it's on par with Eventide units that have been out for decades, but that Eventides latest can't hold a candle. I'm never using my H9 thinking 'lord this sounds cheap'. Rather I'm thinking 'how can I afford another one?'
@MELOPSMUSIC
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
is this pedal can reproduce natural sounds ? Like classics rooms …or is she more dedicated to ambient and unrealistic sounds ? Thx
@lesliefarlow5734
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I got a Strymon Big Sky but it's a lot to remember I'm looking for an easier to use basic on/off reverb
@newpathway
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Tried them all, Empress Reverb is the best!
@deviltribe8672
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I just got one and am having trouble programming and recalling easily. Does anyone know of a video that walks us through that well? All of the videos I find brush over that aspect
@marco_correnti
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
is it possible to kill the dry sound completey? Because at 6:06 when you play it seems the mix is 100% wet but the dry is still there?
@RR1976
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
The ONLY reverbs I'm not in love with (just started using one of these myself) is the spring reverb. It really doesn't sound like a spring reverb (and I play fender amps a lot so I should know), but EVERYthing else is pretty sweet. Will get a spring specific reverb pedal to supplement the reverb section of my board. I mean… if it doesn't drip… its not spring.
@artysanmobile
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Empress is a very special reverb. The high density in the near field is similar to real chambers and EMT plates and curiously absent in many other verbs. In modern verbs, Lexicon hardware 224 and 480 and Waves H-verb are notable exceptions and I find myself going back to them all the time. That characteristic helps a vocal stand out clearly from other long tail verbs.
If you listen to 40s and 50s Sinatra recordings, which of course were live in the studio, you’ll hear that because real chambers and plates with no predelay were the only reverb available. A really good singer can use that instant flood of sound like an accompanist and I’ll never tire of that trick.
@sqwook
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Anybody ever tell you, that you sound a lot like Will Forte?
@DJANTONIVS
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I was gonna buy Eventide H9 but meow forget it, I'm gonna have to buy me an Empress Reverb. 🥲 There goes my money.
@Joldrath
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
So many videos on this pedal on youtube don't do it justice. But your video on the empress reverb is the video making me consider actually buying it. Thank you😍
@henkehakansson2004
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Benn, since you're infatuated with reverbs – all kinds – I wonder what your take is on the obscure and esoteric QRS rack units from Germany. Quantec Room Simulator. Extortionally expensive, and not – as of yet – mimicked or ported to any software plugin of any kind. I would love to see a demo review YT flick from you on this one, if you can even just loan it from somewhere. I e the new ones, not the old 8 bits from the 80s.
They sell them with 30 year guarantee. Hence the price so they wont go out of business… 🙂
I've heard that – initially – they are nothing to write home about, but in the long run. I e they don't hit you with a bat on your head with impressive reverb, but after a while, it just sounds natural. A sort of "just leave it on" circuit. But I dunno…
@artysanmobile
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I started making records in early 1970s. At that time in recording history, a studio would spend house money if they wanted the studio’s sound to stand out, to earn them top clients. No rack mount box existed. Building two stereo chambers, installing two EMT plates was $100k and many did so. Singers would cross the ocean to record in your room so, it was worth it. The first electronic reverb was the $25k EMT250, and you had to get a tune up for your air conditioning. After EMT’s several groundbreaking units, we could finally see that a big change was coming. This 14 year old guitar pedal is the apotheosis of that change. To this day, people rent the Lexicon 480, a hundred pound flight case that they know will give them what’s needed.
The bottom line, I guess, is this all is how important reverb was and is to music.
@artysanmobile
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I’ll never forget the first time I heard the Empress. A stomp box with better reverb than my tc M5000, which was my reference reverb at the time.
@DDRaph
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I just bought one of these because theyre your favorite.
@bchspace
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I am super empressed by your Eyebrow!
@NullStaticVoid
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Surprised that you don't think the Eventide H or H90 is an obvious comparison point.
There are some effects that differ between the two, but I think the H9 and H90 have a similar hifi, clean presentation to this pedal. They also share an affinity to pitch algorithms?
It's just weird that you say it's on par with Eventide units that have been out for decades, but that Eventides latest can't hold a candle.
I'm never using my H9 thinking 'lord this sounds cheap'. Rather I'm thinking 'how can I afford another one?'
@curtisangelamay1510
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Great demo
@gypsumcanary3340
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Is this still your favorite reverb?
@Gibson1976uk
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
I have just ordered the ZOIA!! does anyone know if the reverb in this unit is similar to the reverb pedal?
@starkickermusic2100
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Hey Ben, thanks again for another great video! So after having this for the past five years, is it still your favorite reverb pedal?
@stoatystoat174
May 4, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Is gated reverb for 80s snare? I hate sparkles, but not people for liking them 😑