Drawmer 1976 Stereo Three Band Saturation and Width Processor
3 Band Warmth and Width
The Drawmer 1976 three-band stereo saturation and width processor is designed to inject character, color, and life into your recordings and live sound, evoking the classic equipment of the 1970s. The completely analog saturation of the 1976 provides the realism that plug-ins can only aspire to, replacing the harsh, sterile digital sound with fullness, softness, and warmth. Why emulate saturation when you can have the real thing?
Inspired by the highly acclaimed saturation and width features of the DC2476 Digital Mastering Processor, the three bands of independent saturation on the 1976 are designed to add the pleasing imperfections inherent in classic gear. Saturation adds fullness to your music, transforming it from a cold, bleak landscape to a warm, vibrant vista. In addition, unlike conventional saturation products, the 1976 also features three bands of stereo width control to enhance depth and presence in your mix, all managed with a single, comprehensive set of stereo controls.
What is Saturation?
Saturation in music production can enrich the sound by adding a subtle form of distortion that introduces pleasant-sounding harmonics. This effect originates from the analog era when recordings passed through various hardware units, each adding unique character to the sound. In today’s digital age, these natural characteristics are lost, resulting in a clean but often sterile sound. The 1976 brings back this analog character in a completely natural way, adding warmth, presence, and life to any audio—whether digital or analog, drums, vocals, synths, or more.
Three-Band Saturation for Maximum Control
With three bands of independent saturation, the 1976 can achieve feats that single-band saturation could never accomplish. It can add grit to the bassline without affecting the overall balance of the mix or enhance vocals without muddying the low end. By separating the audio into low, mid, and high bands, you can target specific elements of the mix with precision.
Saturation Use Cases
Percussion: Saturation can “glue” the drum bus together, adding punch, depth, and pleasing harmonics while taming harsh transients. This brings life and excitement to drum tracks.
Basslines: Whether bass guitar or sine-generated basslines, adding saturation helps bring out grit, fatten the sound, and make the bass stand out in the mix.
Synths: Synthesizers can often sound too digital and clinical. Saturation warms them up, making them sound more natural and closer to true analog.
Vocals: Saturation is key to achieving great vocal sounds, making them fuller, warming harsh tones, and taming sibilance. Gentle harmonic distortion can take vocals to the next level.
Mix: Digital recordings can sound too clean. Saturation adds harmonic distortion that injects life and warmth, helping digital mixes emulate analog recordings.
Width Control for Added Dimension
Without stereo widening, your mix may lack the presence to engage listeners. The three bands of width control on the 1976 allow you to expand the stereo image, creating a more immersive experience. High frequencies can be spread across a wider soundstage without affecting the low end, adding depth and detail where it matters most.
Features
- Powerful three-band all-analog saturation for adding warmth to both digital and analog sounds.
- Designed to inject character reminiscent of 1970s-era gear, removing the sterile harshness of digital recordings.
- Three-band fully adjustable stereo width for controllable depth and presence in your mix.
- Fully variable crossover controls between the bands to tune signals for different levels of independent saturation.
- Genuine stereo operation with one set of controls for both channels.
- Can operate in stereo and mono modes.
- Mono switch for highlighting issues within the stereo mix.
- Internal low hum toroidal linear power supply with voltage selector switch.
- Classic Drawmer build quality with a rugged steel chassis and aluminum front panel.
- Designed and manufactured by Drawmer in the UK.
