Trace Elliot TE 1200 compressor

[BassAdder60]

My new TE1200 arrived yesterday and I quickly tried it and was reminded how great it sounds and easy to get good sounds out of it 

 

I’m liking the pre shape slightly scooped tone and adding a bit of low mids using the EQ sounds awesome 

Now I’m not sure if using the dual compressor is better Pre EQ or Post ? 
 

I think Pre sounds better and tames the low end boom nicely but curious what other uses have decided to use and why  ? 

 

[BassAdder60]

Update after rehearsal at volume 

 

Pre Shape needs to be off if playing Fingerstyle as I feel it sucks too much mids out ( great for slap but less so for rock unless a pick player 

 

Compressor works really well 

Edited January 6 by BassAdder60

[stevie]

Agreed.  I have a Markbass Compressore that I've stopped using since I got the Trace. The compressor's that good.

[BassAdder60]

My typical settings playing with a pick with Pre Shape ON and compressor ON post EQ 

 

I add back low mids just to bring the tone out a bit and the combination of Pre Shape and pick works well 

Pre Shape adds 50hz boost which you cannot achieve from the bass control EQ as it’s 70hz 

 

Edited January 6 by BassAdder60

[BassAdder60]

I’ve found that as a pick player and using shape ON ( awesome) it sounds better with compressor OFF 

I noticed more bass with it OFF even with the low control at minimum setting 

[Lozz196]

This is pretty much why I never get on with compression.

[BassAdder60]

Tried it again at volume and I think it sounds best 

Compressor Off 

Shape Off 

 

It then sounds full and punchy 

 

In isolation the Shape ON sounds wonderful but you get buried in the mix so OFF is better unless you play slap perhaps 

[Chienmortbb]

55 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said:

In isolation the Shape ON sounds wonderful but you get buried in the mix so OFF is better unless you play slap perhaps 

Exactly what I found with the Mesa D800 Voicing control, at home, wonderful. In the mix, I had to turn it off. 

[BassAdder60]

Perhaps in the studio and home it’s lovely but live with a band it blankets the sound a bit. This is still a great amp for sure 

[SimonK]

My relationship to the Trace pre-shape (granted on the GP11/12s) has been to turn it on, play a few notes, say "cool", then turn it off for the gig. The compressor is fine if you don't have anything better on your pedalboard, albeit I normally use compressors for peak limiting rather than anything more drastic.