Recognizing that there are many general gating applications which require equipment that is simple to operate and which occupies the minimum of rack space, Drawmer have designed the DS404 Quad Noise Gate utilizing new and unique 'Programme Adaptive' circuitry. This makes the DS404 ideally suited for use over a wide range of input signals, ranging from drums and other percussive instruments through to vocals, pianos and even complete mixes.
Facilities available on the DS404 include:
Frequency Sensitive. The provision of variable Low-Pass and High-Pass Filters allows 'without compromise' frequency selective gating. The unit can be switched for either Internal or External Key source and the KEY LISTEN facility enables monitoring of the filter setting. Hard/Soft Gating. Each channel of the DS404 can be operated as a HARD or SOFT gate, providing quite different characteristics. Two coloured LEDs clearly indicate mode status. In the HARD mode the DS404 offers ultra-fast response time, stable triggering with complete freedom from chatter around threshold and a specialized release contour which is ideally suited to drums and other percussive material. In the SOFT mode the DS404 becomes a versatile Expander capable of handling vocals and sub mixes. Drawmer's unique 'Programme Adaptive' circuitry is used to optimise the attack time and ratio as well has having some effect on the manual release setting . A more gentle release characteristic is utilized to complement the SOFT gate Threshold. A fully variable threshold control provides a range from +20dB to -70dB. Release Control. A fully variable release control is provided with release times from 10 ms to 5 sec to ensure that essential envelope control is not sacrificed in exchange for an economy in rack space. Attenuation Range. The DS404 has switchable attenuation between 90dB and 20dB to allow for applications where a complete mute is not desired. Chain Linking. Operating the LINK control switches the channel on the right to SLAVE operation, where its gating mode, threshold and envelope characteristics are controlled by the MASTER (left) channel. Any adjacent three channels or two stereo pairs can be linked in this way for use in any conceivable situation where linking may be required. LED Displays. Drawmer's familiar tri-colour LED display is once again utilized as the optimum method for indicating the envelope status for each channel. Input/Output.The DS404 is provided with balanced inputs and outputs on XLR connections.
An adjustable bandpass filter can be inserted into the threshold detector path so that, regardless of level, only signals within a certain frequency range will open the gate. This is often preferable to full band gating, and with careful adjustment, you can use the tunable filter to allow the gate to open, for example, on the floor tom, but stay closed on the snare. Similarly, you could adjust another channel to open when the snare it hit, but reject the toms. This goes a long way to improving definition in your mixes. A "key listen" switch allows you to hear the output of the key filter rather than the gated output, making it easy to tune the filter to the desired range.
The Peak Punch™ feature is unique to Drawmer. When engaged, the initial attack when the gate opens is expanded upward momentarily adding punch to the attack of the gated signal. It really works on percussive sounds, improving definition without raising the average signal level to the point where it would be squashed by a following compressor.
The unique Drawmer "traffic light" display clearly shows when gate input signals are above, below, or at threshold for quick setting of threshold controls. The MX40 employs the same "trigger stabilization" as the more advanced DS201 and DS401 gates to prevent chatter and false triggering when the input signal is very close to threshold.
Gate inputs and outputs are balanced, +4 dBu operating level on XLR-type connectors. The external key inputs are ¼" unbalanced jacks.
The Drawmer MX Pro 30 Gated Compressor/Limiter is a low cost professional quality dynamics processor containing some of the proprietary design circuitry used in the more expensive models in the Drawmer range. The MX30 has many automated features enabling fast, effective dynamic control whilst retaining the instinctively laid out control parameters, sonic character and high technical specification which have made Drawmer the industry standard. The MX30’s competitive price point brings Drawmer’s professional processing into a much wider musician, project studio and live performance area.Operational control is split into three sections: Gate, Compressor, Output:‘Programme Adaptive’ GateUsed to remove unwanted noise below a pre-set level, each channel consists of a variable Threshold Gate incorporating Drawmer’s ‘Programme Adaptive’ circuitry. Although quick and simple to operate, the gate’s auto-circuitry continually optimises such parameters as Attack, Hold, Ratio and Release, completely eliminating ‘chatter’ when the signal is fluctuating on or around Threshold. Two LED’s show when the signal is ‘above’ or ‘below’ Threshold and a push button switch allows additional control of Release time. This design approach also retains all ‘leading edge’ information making the gate ideal for ‘cleaning up’ vocals or retaining the ‘punch’ on gated drums. Switching is provided for 'Fast' or 'Slow' release characteristics. The 'Fast' mode can be used for instruments with rapid decay times or for additional tightening of the gating effect. The 'Slow' mode is more suitable for vocals and instruments with longer decay times or can be used to smooth over rough fade outs. A single LED indicates gating action.Soft Knee ‘Auto Compressor’The gate is followed by a variable Threshold, variable Ratio, soft knee compressor with fully automatic Attack and Release. Large transients are controlled instantly whilst small signal variations are treated gently, retaining as much ‘life’ as possible and without generating unpredictable side effects. From the slightest to the most aggressive levels of compression, the MX30 handles it all with ease and displays the amount of compression taking place on a high resolution Gain Reduction bargraph meter.OutputThe Gain control is used to compensate for the amount of compression and brings the signal to the required output level as displayed by the output bargraph meter. A variable Threshold ‘zero overshoot’ limiter, essential for avoiding distortion when mastering to digital or speaker protection in a ‘live’ situation, adds the final polish to the signal by keeping control over signal peaks. The Limit threshold provides an absolute maximum peak level which no signal can pass. Fast transients are clipped instantly whilst more sustained peaks are dealt with by applying Gain Reduction, indicated by a single LED.Controls:
The Drawmer Six-Pack is a single 3U unit that will provide dynamics control in any format from mono to 5.1 surround. With six independent expander/gates, six independent auto or manual compressors, six ‘zero overshoot’ limiters and an LFE channel plus the ability to link channels individually, the Drawmer Six-Pack makes surround dynamics easy. In the studio, any analogue audio source from mono to stereo to full surround can be handled in one unit. In live sound, outboard applications such as drum processing or vocals can be dealt with in one easy to use unit, with both auto and manual operation. Alternatively the unit can be re-configured at the push of a button to provide dynamic control and speaker protection without image-shift for the fast developing surround sound speaker rigs employed in the club dance scene.
The design of each processing module is derived from the industry standard Drawmer DL241 Compressor to deliver transparent and predictable dynamic control. The six channels of processing are arranged vertically to occupy the minimum rack space. On Channel six the user has the option to switch in a 120Hz filter to create an LFE channel. This feature is also useful to derive an LFE from a previously recorded five channel only, full band surround mix. Instinctively laid out LED bargraph metering gives clear visual indication of all dynamic functions. Universal Linking facilities allow for the various configurations commonly used in multi-channel surround processing as well as the conventional stereo and single channel operation.
Controls and Features:
Peak Limiter - Programme Adaptive, variable Threshold, Zero Overshoot limiter variable from 0dB to +16dB. An LED display of limiter activity.
Compressor - Soft-Knee compressor with variable Threshold (-40dB to +20dB), Release (0.05 to 5 seconds), Ratio (1.2:1 to infinity), Attack (0.5 to 100mS) and Gain make-up (±20dB). Switchable auto/manual Attack and Release with LED status display.
Expander/Gate - with variable Threshold control (-70dB to +20dB) and variable Release time from 0.05 to 1 second. Dual LED gate status display is provided.
Metering - Eight LED bargraph meters display gain reduction, input/output levels and single LEDs display Master/Link status and Bypass.
Bypass - Each channel features switchable Bypass with LED status. A relay hard wire bypass system allows the unit to still pass audio when the power is off