Trace Elliot TE-1200: A 1200 Watt feature packed Bass Monster

01 Mar 2022 by Jef |

5,0 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 3 Minutes

Trace Elliot TE-1200 · Source: Trace Elliot

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After the great success of the small ELF, Trace Elliot announces that a new period of innovation has begun with the new TE-1200 bass amplifier. The TE-1200 is the manufacturer’s first major release in the new decade and delivers 1200 watts of real RMS power, a 4-band equalizer, the brand-typical “Pre Shape 1” switch and more.

Trace Elliot TE-1200

After the once globally popular brand, known for extremely potent bass amplifiers with that extremely striking green/black colour scheme, had only one tiny mini amp in its program from 2017 to 2022 and it was not clear what the manufacturer was doing, a real monster was announced today with the TE-1200.

Trace Elliot TE-1200

Multi-band compressor

With 1200 watts of real RMS power, it means you will have plenty of clean headroom, which is definitely worth its weight in gold. On the front of the TE-1200 there are controls for input amplification and output level, as well as lo-band and hi-band compressors.

The audio signal is divided into two bands, each with a separate compressor with an adjustable threshold. A separate switch activates this multi-band comp. The function that lights up when activated is also available via the foot switch that comes with the scope of delivery. By default, the compressor is applied at the front of the sound control. If desired, this can be reversed with the EQ pre/post compressor switch.

Trace Elliot TE-1200 side view

4-band EQ & Pre Shape 1

With the active EQ controls of the TE-1200, four separate frequency bands – bass, low mids, high mids and highs – can be adjusted to adjust the sound and with the pre-shape (also switchable by foot) the characteristic Trace Elliot “Pre Shape 1” curve is introduced into the signal path.

The input has a high impedance to enable a wide frequency response and dynamic range. A headphone jack allows quiet practice. A mute switch was also not forgotten. The front panel looks very neat, and yet the amplifier offers a wide range of functions without looking crowded.

Trace Elliot TE-1200 rear panel

MIDI I/O

On the back you will find a MIDI interface there, through which you can connect the supplied 4-button footswitch together with cable and forward the commands (control of the switch functions on the front) to another TE-1200. Because the amp also has a preamplifier output / power amp input to operate several devices at the same time.

USB recording

You also get a USB interface, which you can use for recording. Of course, you also get a good old XLR direct output (DI, Pre and Post switchable) as well as two Neutrik Speakon speaker outputs, a buffered effect loop and a tuner output. The minimum load is 4 ohms.

A padded gig bag and an optional 1.5U rack mounting set are also included. The amplifier weighs 5.2 kg which is pretty reasonable for all these features, and all that power.

RRP – USD 999