5th August, 2022 - John Peippo

How many times have you done something and needed to reread the manual months later? Why not copy those instructions right onto said thing-a-majig? Check out our customer service Echosystem where we've stuck the looper manual onto the front just so we always know how to use it.

How do you not lose your much needed tools? Build them a home! Empress is no stranger to tool gremlins. That's why we love using colourful tape, foam, and other organizational devices. And for routinely used items, make sure to build their home in open sight and not in a hidden location. Below are the foam tool caddies we made for the customer service and repair office and for the mini pedals production cell.

We’re pretty techy here, and I’m sure you are too! So for Empress, using keyboard shortcuts is probably one of our number one time savers. Our design team uses them constantly to blast through computer work, and on the production floor, each builder uses them to prompt all of the build commands. We have a walkin' bass button and a smashin' drums button, do you?

How do you get work done without losing your mind? Use a checklist, of course! Breaking down an entire task into segments can ease your mind. Plus no need to remember things when everything is all laid out for you. As examples, here's our Buffer testing steps which go along with a helper ZOIA to ensure each pedal meets the same exact standard. Next is the start of day and end of day lists builders follow to make sure the cell is prepared for pedal building or is ready for the next builder. And the last image, is of our very flashy enclosure box reminder; turn on the light for which pedal needs more enclosures, and then you can replenish with ease!

Not everyone has access to 3D printers yet, but we can't talk about life hacks without bringing them up. Do you need a specific tool? Well you can make it! At Empress you can’t walk a foot without spotting something that was 3D printed. From tools, to holders, to even full-on pedal prototypes, it can all be printed. We’ll even print specific production parts such as the ZOIA’s SD card retainer or the pressfits for the Reverb’s lightpipes. Below are our 3D printers that are running almost constantly (hidden to the right is the back of the ZOIA production cell in case you wanted to know where ZOIAs are born!). Next is our Euroburo calibrator/tester, which is probably our largest chunk of 3D plastic. You can see it in action in our Euroburo Build Video. And lastly is one of the 3D printed jigs we use to hold the PCBs nice and secure during assembly. This one is for our Heavy pedal, but almost all of our pedals have their own specific jig made just for them.

That’s all for now!

If you enjoyed the little tour, please let us know at media@empresseffects.com and we would be delighted to make more content like this to show you our little home up in Canada!