Trace Elliot Pre Shape

[BassAdder60]

Hey folks my question is for Trace Elliot users in particular the TE1200 regarding the Pre Shape feature 

 

Playing finger style I found it was getting lost in the band mix which was to be expected as it’s a smiley face EQ 

 

However with a pick it seems to suit it very well as the mids are reduced and bass boosted resulting in a nice tone 

 

Anyone else using it ? 
 

The dual compressor also benefits a pick player as you can add a small amount of low end compression but higher top end compression to soften the tone slightly 

 

 

[Downunderwonder]

If it sounds good little else matters.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Cutting mids will lose you in the mix, but using a pick restores them compared to fingers. I use a pick most of the time, as I like a strong mid presence, but when I want a mellow tone I switch to my fingers. 

[BassAdder60]

9 hours ago, Bill Fitzmaurice said:

Cutting mids will lose you in the mix, but using a pick restores them compared to fingers. I use a pick most of the time, as I like a strong mid presence, but when I want a mellow tone I switch to my fingers. 

Thanks Bill, you make a point that is very true. We all think you must have mids boosted in your EQ to be heard in a band mix but this is mostly for those playing finger style.

Playing with a pick ( my preference) changes the note attack, increases mids by a huge amount and makes the tone less full. Reducing the mids ie Pre Shape seems to suit pick players as it drops mids, boosts bass too. 
As I prefer playing with a pick I try to get a full tone as close to finger tone as I can get ( near impossible) but with the benefit of note attack and speed plus palm muting etc etc 

[Rich]

I never use the pre-shape on my TE1200 as I'm predominantly a fingersman.

The old GP12SMX (still the best bass preamp ever made IMO) had two pre-shapes, one of which was far more usable in the real world than the other. But I still never used it live.  

[BigRedX]

IMO the pre-shape is there to make the amps sound impressive when you try them in the shop. They have minimal use in real-world situations.

[BassAdder60]

49 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

IMO the pre-shape is there to make the amps sound impressive when you try them in the shop. They have minimal use in real-world situations.

Yes you’re right although for playing with a pick it does give an instant preferred EQ curve that isn’t too mid heavy.  I think for finger style bassists Pre Shape does mask your tone too much in a band situation as it pulls down the mids but pick playing a PBass you need to get those mids turned down and boost the bass. Pre shape does that nicely with a one button press or Footswitch.

Of course in my case I’m playing rock which a pick, a PBass and Pre Shape seems to match well 

Edited yesterday at 10:03 by BassAdder60

[BigRedX]

"Tone" as completely subjective. AFAIAC even playing pick with a pick some more mids are always a good thing.

[BassAdder60]

21 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

"Tone" as completely subjective. AFAIAC even playing pick with a pick some more mids are always a good thing.

Indeed mids are your friend or a curse depending what you do with them 😂😉

Edited yesterday at 13:11 by BassAdder60

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

They were very good friends with Ox, Squire and Lemmie. 😉