The Drawmer 1977 is a 3-band channel strip with four sections that offers the possibility of processing audio signals with various functions and giving them a vintage character.
The preamp section has a "Select" pot which is used to select the input source, which is divided into Instrument, Line and Mic (48V) or Mic (Z). The preamp section also has an instrument input on the front panel, which can be used to connect active and passive guitars and electronic keyboards, among other things. The"Instrument Thru" socket also allows the instrument signal to be routed to another part of the chain for processing. The phase inversion can be activated via the "Ø" switch, which is particularly useful when a source is recorded with two microphones. The signals can be so similar that they cancel each other out, which would be corrected by the phase inversion function. The preamp section also includes a variable switchable high-pass filter. Its frequency can be continuously adjusted between 16Hz and 130Hz with a slope of 12dB per octave using the corresponding knob. This attenuates low-frequency signal components and allows higher frequencies to pass through.
The equalizer section is considered next. This offers a parametric 3-band EQ (low, mid, high), which is based on the equalizers of the 1970s. The center frequency at which the EQ should work is set with the respective "Frequency" rotary potentiometer. The " Slope" switch can also be used to select one of four options, which attenuates the input signal. The " Cut/Boost" control in the equalizer section of the Drawmer 1977 makes it possible to apply the amount of boost or cut to the frequencies set in the band. As the control is non-linear, subtle adjustments can be made for mastering or larger variations for sound shaping. Each of the three sections of the equalizer section has an overload LED which indicates to the user that the section has too much overall gain and should be reduced or a combination of the three cut/boost controls. In addition, the EQ section can be switched active or inactive using the bypass switch, allowing A/B comparisons to be made or the complete EQ stage to be removed from the signal path.
The compressor section consists of the familiar compressor elements. Threshold determines the input level above which the gain is reduced. The amount of compression is determined by the Ratio knob, whereby the speed at which the compressor reacts to the input signals is set by Attack. The amount of gain required to bring the signal level back to the same value as at the beginning is set using the"Make and Gain" control. The release times of the compressor are selected either manually using the corresponding control or automatically using the "PGM" switch. If PGM is active, the release times vary so that they automatically adapt to the dynamics of the incoming signal. The Drawmer 1977 compressor also offers a "Big" and an "Air" function: The "Big" switch gives you the option of reducing the sensitivity of the sidechain for low frequencies, which means that less gain reduction is applied to these frequencies, giving the impression that the
In addition, a saturation stage has been built into the device's compressor, which can be used to add harmonic distortion to the compressed input signal. Various options are available for this, such as high-pass filters and low-pass filters, which can achieve a result ranging from
The last section of the Drawmer 1977 is dedicated to the output of the device. Not to be overlooked is the large VU meter, which is equipped with an illuminated screen to keep you in control at all times. The VU meter has a "+10dB Pad" switch, which displays the meter's level meters either "normal" or "+10dB". The " Wet/Dry" rotary control ensures the correct mixing ratio between the uncompressed and compressed signal without the need for external devices. This gives you complete control over the overall level of compression.
After equalizing and compressing, it may be necessary to amplify the signal in order to achieve the desired output level. This is done on the 1977 via the"Fade" control, which can alternatively be used to switch off the output level by turning it all the way to the left. As a final feature, the device has a"PreAmp direct" switch, which activates a bypass that sends the signal directly to the Output after preamplification.