TRACE ELLIOT 715x - 7 Band Compressor Operation

Therefore, there is more control in the lower frequencies. Another difference is that each slider controls a
much wider frequency range than normally found. These design differences are in common with traditional
Trace Elliot ampliers and are part of the sound.
With the controls all set at 0dB (their mid ‘click’ position), no change is made to the signal. Moving a slider up
will progressively increase, or ‘boost’, the frequencies centred around the frequency marked above the slider.
Moving a slider down will progressively decrease, or ‘cut’, the frequencies.
Due to the exibility and massive cut and boost available, it is important to know how to get the best from the
circuit.
➢ Do not boost or cut all frequency bands. This will have the same effect as increasing or decreasing the
overall volume level without affecting the tonal characteristic of the sound.
➢ Do not use excessive bottom (30Hz to 40Hz) boost on the graphic unless your speakers can handle it.
Very few speaker systems are capable of handling frequencies as low as 30Hz and 40Hz with any degree of
efciency. Boosting at 30Hz, for instance, will not add to the perceived amount of bottom end in the sound,
it will only make your speakers ap to no useful effect. In fact, boosting at 100Hz or 180Hz will have the
apparent effect of adding far more bottom end than boosting at 30Hz, 40Hz or even 60Hz. The 30Hz slider has
been provided on the 12 Band to allow precise tailoring at very low frequencies. This slider should be used to
cut (not boost) the 30Hz to a level that allows the speaker system to work at its maximum efciency.
➢ Do not use excessive top (10Hz to 15kHz) boost, this will add mostly hiss to the sound as there is very little
signal output at this frequency from a bass.
➢ Try to keep the graphic sliders balanced around 0dB and in a smooth owing curve from one slider to the
next, and remember that after adjusting the graphic you may need to re-set the INPUT GAIN.
The fundamental frequency range of a regular, 4-string bass guitar is from 41.2Hz (bottom E string) to around
392Hz (two octaves up on the G string) - not a very wide range. Obviously a lot of harmonics are produced
when playing and these can extend up to 5kHz and more.
The attack portion of the note also produces other high frequencies when the string is rst struck. This attack
can be emphasised by boosting the top end. However, because of the fairly small range of frequencies from
a bass, by top end we mean between 2.5kHz and 5kHz. You will nd that by boosting at 5kHz the attack
will be emphasised, whereas boosting at 1.3kHz and 2.6kHz will bring out the harmonics in the note. Above
this frequency range you will nd it is better not to boost the signal as this will mainly emphasise any hiss
present.
If the VALVE circuit on a 12 Band unit is used at quite high DRIVE settings, you will nd the GRAPHIC EQ
extremely useful in shaping the overall tone due to having far more precise control than a simple bass, middle,
treble arrangement found on many other ampliers.
(13) COMPRESSOR switch and rotary control (7 Band)
Pressing this switch will add the COMPRESSOR to the signal chain. The blue LED above the switch shows
its status. It can also be switched on and off using the supplied footcontroller. The rotary control adjusts the
amount of compression applied to the signal; the further clockwise the control is set, the more the dynamic
range will be squeezed.
11