Drawmer 1960 Overview The Drawmer 1960 is a hybrid vacuum tube/solid-state 2-channel rack processor that combines a warm, eight-stage soft-knee tube compressor with an ultralow noise microphone preamp and DI box, making it the perfect studio Swiss-army knife. This 19-inch, 2-RU rack unit is extremely versatile, offering up to 60 dB of gain on its whisper-quiet mic pre, variable passive EQ and brightness control on its auxiliary DI section, and simple yet unexpectedly adaptable compression via its switching attack and program sustain. With the stereo link, Drawmer 1960 may be used as a dual-mono or complete stereo processor, and the side-chain input allows you to patch in EQ for frequency-dependent compression or de-easing. The two completely analog, moving coil VU meters may be used to monitor the gain reduction or output signal level, and the output gain control adds an extra 20 dB of make-up gain to compensate for any gain lost during the compression process. This item has an AC power cord and an internal, universal power source for global compatibility. Simple Yet Versatile Compressor Because the compressor is a soft knee kind, it requires less control. The Threshold range is constantly changing between infinity and -24 dB, with the premise that signals below the threshold are virtually unprocessed, while signals beyond the threshold are subjected to escalating degrees of gain reduction according to how much they exceed it. The attack and release times are switchable rather than continually changing, with attack only allowing three options: slow, medium, and quick, and release having six. Positions one through four have set release times, while positions five and six have two alternative program-dependent release time modes, making the unit excellent for programming material with complicated dynamics, such as full stereo mixes and singers. Interestingly, the choice of release setting further modifies the attack timings, so the range of options is greater than it appears, and adjustable high-pass filters at 50 or 100 Hz provide further versatility. Low-noise microphone preamp The solid-state microphone preamplifier has a balanced input with up to 60 dB of amplification and configurable 48V phantom power. This low-noise, balanced microphone input enables engineers to fully utilize the capabilities of high-performance condenser mics, such as recording live classical music directly to digital without the use of a mixing console. Two balanced XLR mic and line inputs. Provides balanced XLR outputs. Use 1/4″ inserts for FX transmit and return. Powerful Direct Instrument Input In addition to the balanced microphone and line inputs on the back of the machine, an auxiliary input on the front panel allows direct access to guitars or electronic instruments. Equalization and brightness adjustment are included, as well as enough gain to overload the tube preamp for long-lasting effects. The Aux input is a useful feature since it combines the functions of a DI box and a passive equalizer with the compressor, allowing the instrument to be processed and routed to the mixing console or straight to the recorder. Drawmer 1960 2-channel Tube Microphone Features: The iconic 1960s series has a stereo preamp and tube compressor with soft knee circuitry. Offers dual mono or stereo operation with a link capability. Two high-quality microphone preamplifiers. Soft knee compressor. Two switchable VU meters for G.R. and V.U. Based on the renowned Fairchild 670 compressor. Eight active tube stages. Very low noise. Side-chain input with listen capability allows for independent monitoring of the S/C signal The auxiliary instrument input has its tube stage and extra EQ. Drawmer’s sturdy steel frame and aluminum front panel ensure classic build quality. Designed and handmade by Drawmer in the UK.
