Drawmer DS101 Noise Gate for 500 Series

Drawmer DS101: Compact, Accurate & Transparent Noise Gate for 500 Series

The Drawmer DS101 is the first noise gate specifically designed for the 500 Series rack system, joining the renowned Drawmer family of industry-standard noise gates, including the DS201, DS501, and DS404. The DS101 provides a high-end noise gate solution in a compact format, offering accuracy, transparency, and reliability for studio, live, and broadcast environments. With versatile features like variable high- and low-pass filters for frequency-conscious gating, the DS101 offers sophisticated dynamic control in a convenient form factor.

Accurate & Versatile Noise Gate

The Drawmer DS101 is based on a single channel of the iconic DS201 noise gate, incorporating advanced features that are essential for professional sound engineers. The variable high- and low-pass filters enable frequency-conscious gating, allowing for precise control over which frequencies trigger the gate. Comprehensive envelope controls—including attack, hold, decay, and range—provide extensive flexibility in shaping audio dynamics.

Linked Gating for Creative Applications

When two or more DS101 units are placed side by side in a 500 Series rack, they can be linked using an innovative infrared triggering mechanism. This feature allows multiple gates to be linked, while each maintains its own envelope shaping, enabling creative “envelope follower” effects that expand the possibilities for sound manipulation in the studio.

Gate with Ease

Setting up noise gates can often be challenging, especially when attempting to separate a signal from unwanted noise or crosstalk. The DS101 addresses these challenges with a pair of variable filters that act on the side-chain keying circuitry, allowing users to isolate specific frequencies for accurate gating. By utilizing the “key listen” function, the side-chain filters can be fine-tuned to reject unwanted high-frequency spillage, such as from nearby hi-hats when gating a snare drum. This ensures that the gate opens only when the desired frequencies are present, preserving the integrity of the performance.

Comprehensive Envelope Control

The DS101 features an extremely fast attack, allowing it to open in microseconds and preserve the natural attack of the gated sound. Comprehensive envelope controls enable gain adjustments to be made at rates that best suit the material being processed. For vocals, a fast attack prevents clipping of leading consonants, while a slower release prevents the abrupt cutoff of words and creates a smoother fade-out. This approach helps maintain natural-sounding results by avoiding sudden changes in noise levels, which can be distracting to listeners.

Sound Shaping & Creative Control

The DS101 can also be used creatively to reshape existing sounds. For example, the gate can be used to alter the attack or decay of a sound sample, adding unique dynamic effects. When combined with a sampler or drum machine, the DS101 acts as a triggered envelope shaper, providing precise control over sound dynamics. Additionally, the gate can be switched to accept an external key input, allowing it to be triggered by another audio source, such as using a snare drum signal to open the gate on an ambient microphone for a natural gated reverb effect.

Flexible Gating & Ducking Options

The DS101 offers versatile functionality, with each unit able to switch from gating to ducking for applications like voice-overs or removing clicks and pops. This flexibility makes the DS101 suitable for a wide range of audio tasks, whether in the studio, on stage, or in broadcast settings.

Key Features

• First noise gate designed for the 500 Series rack system
• Single-channel design based on the industry-standard DS201 noise gate
• Variable high-pass and low-pass filters for frequency-conscious gating
• Infrared triggering for linking multiple gates while maintaining individual envelope control
• Comprehensive envelope controls for attack, hold, decay, and range
• Fast attack time to preserve natural sound transients
• Gate or ducking modes for versatile dynamic control
• External key input for triggering the gate from other audio sources
• Ideal for studio recording, live sound, and broadcast applications