Drawmer 1978 Stereo Tone Shaping FET Compressor
Compression, Character & Tone Shaping
The award-winning Drawmer 1978 offers an unparalleled array of controls to give complete mastery over your mix, all in a deceptively simple 1U frame. It is a Buss Compressor like no other—featuring compression with character, controlled distortion, tonal shaping, and wet/dry mixing. Others have tried, but none have managed to build a compressor as versatile and intuitive as the 1978. It’s never been easier to achieve that elusive sound that sets you apart from the rest. Glue your mix, bring out the bass, control the highs, add warmth, distortion, smoothness, and width, and sound less digital, more analog—all at a price that’s right for even the smallest studio.
Characterful Bus Compression
In addition to the familiar Ratio, Threshold, Attack, and Release controls, the 1978 features four character switches that offer a wide range of compression flavors, as well as a variable saturation control to add harmonic distortion to the signal. Sidechain functionality is included with sidechain insert points on both channels, and a comprehensive sidechain EQ section offers LF and HF controls with selectable shapes and frequencies, ideal for frequency-conscious compression, such as de-essing. A wet/dry mix control also allows you to blend the processed signal with the dry for easy parallel compression.
1978 Highlights
- Compression: Familiar Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release controls plus a Gain Reduction Meter make setup easy and intuitive.
- Character: Four character switches provide a multitude of compression flavors, while a variable Saturation knob allows you to dial in harmonic distortion, all under complete control. These controls can smooth out a fast release, widen the stereo image, warm things up, and more—the effect depends on the material and amount of compression applied.
- Shaping: Tonal shaping is provided via a comprehensive sidechain EQ, offering simultaneous control of frequency and level for the low and high bands. This works in conjunction with insert points to provide even more control.
- Output: Wet/Dry Mix and Output Level knobs provide a parallel compression effect, giving complete control over the mix.
- VU Meters: Dual-color backlit VU meters provide visual indication of the amount of saturation as well as fast-reacting level indication.
Superior Build Quality
The Drawmer 1978 is equipped with fast-reacting dual-color backlit VU meters that indicate both the amount of saturation added and overall levels. Time delay relays are incorporated into the outputs to provide clean power-up and power-down with no pops or bangs, and a low-hum toroidal linear power supply ensures consistent performance. Made in the UK with high-quality components, the Drawmer 1978 is a truly flexible compressor built to last.
Award Winning
The Drawmer 1978 is the winner of the Resolution Award 2016 in the dynamics category.
Features
- Fast-reacting stereo FET design compressor with excellent left/right tracking across the full range of compression, housed in a 1U rack mount unit.
- Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release controls, plus Gain Reduction Metering for familiar and intuitive control over audio.
- Four character switches provide a variety of compression flavor combinations, allowing the 1978 to emulate the characteristics of other compressors.
- Saturation knob for dialing in variable amounts of second and third harmonic distortion under complete control.
- Comprehensive sidechain EQ providing simultaneous control of frequency and level for low and high bands, with stereo insert points for even further control.
- Variable Wet/Dry Mix and Output Gain knobs offer a parallel compression function without the need for external mixing devices, providing effortless control over compression levels and output.
- Two analog VU meters with switchable +10dB meter rescale mode, featuring dual-color backlighting to indicate saturation.
- Time delay relays on outputs for clean power up/down.
- 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.
