Drawmer FC1 Single-Channel FET Compressor for 500 Series

The Drawmer FC1 is a single-channel FET compressor for the 500-series format, bringing the full control set and tonal shaping tools of a full-format Drawmer rack unit into a single 500 slot. FET gain reduction delivers the fast attack and release times characteristic of punchy, assertive compression, and the complete control complement—Input gain, Output gain, Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, and a Wet/Dry Mix knob for parallel compression—is implemented via 21-position detented high-precision pots for accurate recall. The BIG and AIR frequency shaping modes are drawn directly from the Drawmer 1973 multi-band compressor, and the CRUSH harmonic saturation circuit adds variable harmonic richness and analog color proportional to input gain. A PGM mode switch introduces a second, slower release time keyed to program material above threshold to reduce pumping under heavy compression, and stereo linking via the 500 chassis Link pin 6 allows adjacent modules to share gain reduction with the highest-GR module acting as master. Designed and hand-built by Drawmer in the UK.

Key Features

• FET gain reduction — fast attack and release times for punchy, transient-forward compression on drums, bass, guitar, and other dynamic sources
• Full control set with 21-position detented pots — Input gain, Output gain, Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, and Wet/Dry Mix; all controls implemented on high-precision detented pots for accurate session recall
• Parallel compression (Wet/Dry Mix) — blend compressed and uncompressed signal directly on the unit; dial in New York–style compression without an aux send
• BIG mode — reduces the sidechain’s sensitivity to low frequencies, creating a fuller, larger-sounding low end; reduces ducking and pumping caused by low-frequency dominance of the threshold—particularly useful for mix bus and drum bus compression
• AIR mode — preserves high-frequency detail that can be lost during compression; adds intimacy and transparency to the treble without harshness or sibilance; cymbals gain vibrancy, vocals open up without becoming edgy
• CRUSH harmonic saturation — adds harmonic richness, subtle distortion, and analog warmth; intensity varies with input gain level; fattens low end, adds midrange presence, and adds smooth shimmer to the top end
• PGM mode — introduces a second, slower release time proportional to program material above threshold; reduces excessive pumping and unnatural artifacts under heavy compression settings
• Stereo linking — links gain reduction of adjacent 500-series modules via the chassis Link pin 6; highest-GR module acts as master for all linked modules; link includes BIG, AIR, Threshold, and Ratio controls
• Comprehensive metering — dedicated gain reduction meter plus VU meter switchable between input and output level
• Hard-wire bypass — connects input directly to output with no signal alteration
• Designed and hand-built in the UK by Drawmer

Specifications

• Format: 500 series (1 slot)
• Gain Reduction Type: FET
• Controls: Input gain, Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Wet/Dry Mix, Output gain (all 21-position detented)
• Frequency Shaping: BIG mode (low-frequency sidechain filtering); AIR mode (high-frequency preservation)
• Saturation: CRUSH (harmonic; input gain–dependent)
• Program Mode: PGM (dual release time; program-dependent)
• Stereo Link: Via 500 chassis Link pin 6
• Metering: Gain reduction + VU (input/output switchable)
• Bypass: Hard-wire
• Construction: Designed and hand-built in the UK