Drawmer 1973 Three Band Stereo FET Compressor

Expanding on Drawmer’s renowned range of dynamics processors, the Drawmer 1973 is an affordable Three Band Stereo FET Compressor that every engineer will appreciate. It combines 30 years of development and experience, merging the functionality of the world-class Drawmer S3 with the familiar quality of the illustrious 1960 and 1968 models. This results in three bands of transparent, intuitive compression for the cost of a conventional single-band compressor.

How Does the 1973 Differ from a Full-Band Compressor?
The Drawmer 1973 uses a set of crossover filters to split the audio signal into three frequency bands. Each split signal then passes through its own compressor and is independently adjusted before being recombined. The final Wet/Dry mix and levels can then be tweaked, ensuring that compression in one band does not affect the others.

Unique Features and Benefits
The Drawmer 1973 can perform tasks that a single-band compressor cannot. For instance, it can prevent instruments like acoustic guitars, cellos, or double basses from sounding boomy on low notes without thinning the highs. For vocal tracks that sound too shrill, the timbre can be altered without losing detail and clarity. Heavier compression in the bass band can add thickness to the voice, mid-band compression controls raspiness, and high-band compression adds sizzle and definition. Sibilance can also be easily tamed.

Mastering Capabilities
In mastering situations, independent control over each band can resolve mix issues, bring out individual instruments, brighten the brilliance/air, and enhance the bottom end of a mix without causing “pumping” or “breathing” artifacts, all while increasing headroom.

User-Friendly Design
Multiband compressors can be intimidating due to numerous controls and poor layouts. The Drawmer 1973 is designed to be as simple, familiar, and intuitive as possible, while still providing complete control over the audio. The front panel features three near-identical compressor bands, arranged left to right, with Variable Crossover Frequency knobs separating them. Large, illuminated V.U. Meters and Output controls are positioned on the right.

Mix Control: Precision Compression
The Drawmer 1973 includes a ‘Mix’ Control, acting like a ‘parallel compression’ effect that blends Wet (compressed) and Dry (original) signals. This provides a straightforward way to control the amount of compression with a single knob. To avoid over-compressing and ruining a mix, simply mix in less of the wet signal and more dry. Conversely, more compression can be added by increasing the wet signal.

Award-Winning Excellence
Since its introduction, the 1973 has been nominated for and won several awards, including the prestigious Resolution Award 2014 in the Dynamics category and the KEYS musik und computer Award 2015 for Best Studio Tool.

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 Left/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 Switchable +10dB Meter Rescale Modes and a Switchable ‘Peak’ mode to Display Fast Transients Not Normally Seen on Conventional V.U. meters.
• Dedicated Gain Reduction Meters On Each Band.
• Internal Low Hum Toroidal Linear Power Supply with Voltage Selector Switch.
• Classic Drawmer Build Quality with Rugged Steel Chassis and Aluminium Front Panel.