DRAWMER / 1979 Channel Strip

<> DRAWMER/1979 is a modern channel strip that combines crystal-clear transparency, precise tone shaping, and vintage warmth. It features an ultra-clean preamp, natural-sounding ""Lift,"" a precision 3-band EQ, and a soft-knee FET compressor. It also features wet/dry mix functionality, bringing analog musicality to your recordings. Capture your perfect sound in a professional-grade 1U unit.

■Channel Strip (Mic Preamp with Lift, EQ, and Compressor)
The Drawmer 1979 is a modern interpretation of the classic channel strip, combining crystal-clear transparency, tone shaping, and vintage compression in a 1U unit.

Designed to bring true analog musicality to your recordings, it combines the clarity of an ultra-clean preamp, the natural control of ""Lift,"" the precision of a three-band parametric equalizer, and the warmth of a soft-knee FET compressor.

The 1979's preamp accepts mic, line, and instrument DI inputs and provides up to 66dB of stepped gain, allowing for ultra-clean, transparent recordings, enhanced sound sources, and refined instrument tone. Switchable impedance matching ensures optimal performance from all microphones, from high-end condenser microphones to ribbon mics and older dynamic microphones, unlocking each microphone's perfect ""sweet spot.""

""Lift,"" a dynamic gain module first introduced in 1972, boosts quiet signals below 0 dB while leaving louder sections untouched, naturally reducing dynamic range without compression artifacts. It adjusts gain in real time for a smooth, musical response, making it a truly ""set it and forget it"" solution. Ideal for recording vocals, fingerpicked guitar, piano, or ambient sounds, it enhances subtle detail and balance without adding noise or distortion.

The 1979 features a fully variable, three-band parametric equalizer with ±12 dB of cut or boost, and a switchable bandwidth (Q) control for the mid-band. Smooth, musical, and highly controllable, this EQ excels at gentle tonal adjustments as well as more surgical tasks like taming problem frequencies in a mix.

The soft-knee FET compressor delivers the smooth, musical control Drawmer is known for. It's capable of everything from transparent vocal leveling and mix glue to more assertive drum and instrument compression.

The signal path can be configured as either ""EQ > Compressor"" or ""Compressor > EQ,"" each producing different tonal qualities and coloration.

The output section includes a wet/dry mix function for parallel processing, allowing you to fine-tune how much EQ and compression are blended into the signal. The output gain can act as a make-up level or precisely level-match the interface input. A large, backlit VU meter ensures accurate level monitoring, and a bypass switch disables both EQ and compression for an ultra-clean, direct preamp output.

The result is a modern interpretation of a vintage classic, offering incredible control over the clarity, tone, and warmth of your recordings, helping you capture perfect audio every time.

■ Connections
XLR Input/Output:
Input: Female XLR (Balanced Input)
Output: Male XLR (Balanced Output)
Ground Loop Prevention: If hum occurs, disconnect the ground on one side of the cable.
Unbalanced Connection: Short pins 1 and 3 of the XLR.

■ Front Panel Configuration

Preamp Section
SELECT Input selection and impedance switching (Instrument / Line / Mic 200Ω, 600Ω, 2.4kΩ, +48V)
INSTRUMENT INPUT Front 1/4-inch jack. Compatible with guitars, keyboards, etc.
PHASE REVERSE Phase reversal switch (useful for correcting phase shifts when using multiple microphones)
INPUT GAIN 0 to +66dB (6dB steps). Sets the input level.
LIFT: Dynamic gain for boosting quiet signals (up to +10dB below 0dB).
LO CUT: High-pass filter (30Hz / 80Hz / 110Hz, 6dB/octave).

• EQUALISER (3-band parametric EQ).
Low: 50-700Hz: Bass and low-end adjustment.
Mid: 75Hz-10kHz: Mid-frequency character control.
High: 1.25-12kHz: High-frequency clarity adjustment.
CUT/BOOST: ±12dB: Boost/boost amount for each band.
B’WIDTH: Wide/Narrow: Mid-frequency bandwidth switch (wide/narrow adjustment).
EQ IN: EQ bypass switch (for A/B comparison).

• COMPRESSOR:
THRESHOLD: +20--30dB (soft knee characteristic).
RATIO: 1:1-20:1 (no compression/hard limiting).
ATTACK 0.2ms to 200ms
RELEASE 0.01 to 2.5 seconds
GAIN REDUCTION METER: LED bar displays gain reduction from 0 to 20dB
COMPRESSOR IN: Compressor bypass (for A/B comparison)
SWAP: Switches the order of the EQ and compressor (EQ → COMP or COMP → EQ)

OUTPUT SECTION
MIX (WET/DRY): Adjusts the amount of EQ/COMP processing (parallel compression effect)
OUTPUT TRIM: Continuously variable output trim from -10dB to +20dB
BYPASS: Completely bypasses the EQ/COMP/MIX (clean mic output)
VU METER: Displays output level with a needle-type VU (backlit)
+10dB PAD: For hot level. Switch on to correct VU 0dB to actual +10dB