Trace Elliot pedals ???

There's a really old TE Dual Band compressor pedal around. The circuit was reproduced by Ashdown as pedal too...however...they are not small and they have some specific power requirements.

 

yep I had deep experience with the 18v Trace floor EQ. It was a fantastic device! Probably my fav EQ of all time the audio quality was amazing. My current EQ2 is more flexible but doesn't have exactly what the trace had.

 

Yes, 18 volts. I had one years ago. Ok compressor (not exceptional, but fine), but some component related to the input kept blowing up in the circuitry, it seems it had a hard time with the massive output of my G&L L-2500.

 

Those old Trace Elliot dual band compressors do pop up on Reverb and EBay pretty regularly.

 

I have an old dual band compressor from them. Might even have the 18v adapter

 

Well, the current production Trace Elliot Transit B preamp is supposed to recreate the tone of those old classic Trace Elliot amps, but not sure how close it gets.

 

I used one of these TE compressors for a number of years back in the day...I had a AH-400SM and wished I'd bought the SMX! If you get one, they tend to work best in the FX loop of your amp or right on the end of your chain. If you put it at the beginning of your chain (where most people put 'pressor) it doesn't quite have the same result. The TE Dual band Compressor is more of a "slap" sound effect than a "slap" limiter.
Ashdown made a version of this compressor too and a 12 band Graphic EQ pedal too. Both can be powered from a regular 9v PSU / Battery where as the TE ones need an 18v supply.

 

Trace Elliot had the SMX Compressor pedal and SM7EQ pedal back in the 1990s. Great stuff, I used to own both.

 

My take on the old TE dual band, with benefit of hindsight, is that it was really special and cool in its day, but it has been superseded in every way by more recent products. Was the TE awesome at the time, and for some years after? Yes, absolutely. Would I recommend seeking one out now? Nope.