3
DRAWMER
1973 O
PERATOR’S
M
ANUAL
DRAWMER
THREE-BAND STEREO
FET COMPRESSOR
The 1973 is a Three Band Compressor with the versatility,
control and ability to shape sound that no full band
compressor could ever provide and at an affordable price.
Expanding on the renowned range of dynamics processors
DRAWMER
introduce an affordable Three Band Stereo
FET Compressor that every engineer will completely
appreciate - the
1973
. The culmination of 30 years of
development and experience, the 1973 combines the
functionality and control of the world class
DRAWMER
S3 with the familiarity and quality of the illustrious 1960
and 1968, providing three bands of transparent, intuitive
compression for the price of a conventional single full band
compressor.
How does the 1973 differ from a full band compressor? In
essence, the 1973 comprises a set of crossover filters
that splits the audio signal into three frequency bands,
each split signal then passes through its own compressor
and is independently adjusted, after which the signals are
recombined and the final Wet/Dry mix and levels can be
adjusted. The advantage is that one band's compression
has no affect on the others.
What's so good about a three band compressor anyway?
The 1973 can pull off amazing feats that a single-band
compressor could never accomplish. For example, it can
easily prevent an acoustic guitar, cello, or double bass
from sounding boomy on low notes without thinning the
highs.
Are you recording a vocal track that sounds too shrill?
The timbre can easily be altered without eliminating detail
and clarity. Adding heavier compression in the bass band
can add to the thickness and richness of the voice, in the
mid band raspiness is controlled, whilst compression to
the high band can give sizzle and definition to an otherwise
bland voice. In addition, sibilance can easily be tamed.
In a mastering situation, having independent control over
each band can resolve a problem mix, pulling out individual
instruments, brighten the brilliance/air or make the bottom
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
end of a mix sound huge whilst simultaneously avoid
"pumping" or "breathing" artifacts and increase headroom.
Multiband compressors can be intimidating and difficult
to use due to a minefield of controls and poor lay out, with
this in mind, the 1973 has been designed to be as simple,
familiar and intuitive as possible whilst still giving complete
control over the audio.
Main Features:
Standard intuitive controls such as Threshold, Gain,
Switched Attack & Release with Gain Reduction
Metering on Each Band.
Fast Reacting Soft Knee F.E.T. Design with excellent
Lef t/Right Tracking across the Full Range of
compression.
Variable Wet/Dry Mix plus Output Gain Knobs give a
'Parallel Compression' function without the need for
external mixing devices, providing Complete and
Effortless Control over the amount of compression used
and Output Levels.
Variable Band Split Filters at a 6dB Per Octave slope
with Switch-able Mute and Bypass on Each Band make
'Tuning In' to a Frequency Simple.
‘Big’ and 'Air' Modes Help to preserve the Very Deep
Lows and Enhance the Sparkling Highs.
Two Analogue V.U. Meters with Swit10dB Meter
Rescale Modes and a Switchable ‘Peak’ mode to
Display Fast Transients Not Normally Seen on
Conventional V.U.s.
Internal Low Hum Toroidal Linear Power Supply with
Voltage Selector Switch
Classic Drawmer Build Quality with Rugged Steel
Chassis and Aluminium Front Panel.
