DRAWMER / OC-1

<> The DRAWMER OC-1 is an optical compressor compatible with the 500 series. It delivers smooth, warm, and natural compression, making it especially ideal for vocals and acoustic guitars. Equipped with a full range of functions including BIG/AIR mode, CRUSH saturation, PGM mode, and parallel compression, it supports a wide range of sound shaping.

OC-1 500 Series Optical Compressor

~Uncompromising Compression in the 500 Series~

The OC-1 is an optical compressor that condenses DRAWMER's compression technology into the 500 Series format. Despite its single-slot size, it features the same comprehensive controls and advanced sound shaping functions as a full-size DRAWMER rackmount unit. It delivers high precision, flexibility, and the distinctive DRAWMER sound character.

The OC-1 employs optical compression, resulting in smooth, warm, and natural dynamic control. While suitable for all audio sources, it excels particularly with vocals and acoustic guitars.

■Freely Control Dynamics

Unusually for the 500 Series, the OC-1 boasts exceptionally comprehensive controls.

In addition to input/output gain, Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release are all adjustable. Furthermore, it supports parallel compression via the Wet/Dry Mix knob.

All controls utilize high-precision potentiometers with 21 click steps, ensuring excellent setting reproducibility. Dynamics can be precisely controlled.

■BIG Mode / AIR Mode

It features BIG Mode and AIR Mode, inherited from the award-winning 1973 multiband studio compressor.

These modes optimize the compressor's operation for low and high frequencies, adding richer thickness and warmth to the lows, and clarity and brilliance to the highs.

・BIG Mode

In BIG Mode, the low-frequency sensitivity of the sidechain is reduced, making the bass sound larger and more powerful.

It also reduces ducking and pumping, which can easily occur when the low frequencies over-compress the compressor, resulting in a more natural and musical finish even when applying compression to the entire mix.

・AIR Mode

AIR Mode preserves the high-frequency detail that is often lost during compression. As a result, the high frequencies become closer, more delicate, and transparent, improving the definition without adding unnaturalness or harshness. This is particularly effective with vocals and acoustic instruments; cymbals become more vibrant, and vocals become more open without the emphasis on sibilant sounds.

■CRUSH Saturation

The OC-1 also features the popular CRUSH harmonic addition function.

The effect changes depending on the input gain, adding rich harmonics, moderate saturation, and the warmth characteristic of analog equipment.

The low frequencies become fuller, the mid frequencies gain more presence, and the high frequencies gain a smooth sparkle, giving the entire mix a sense of life.

■PGM Mode

When PGM mode is turned on, a second, slower release time is automatically applied depending on how much the input signal (program material) exceeds the threshold.

This suppresses excessive pumping and unnatural artifacts even with strong compression, resulting in more natural compression.

■Stereo Link

Using the dedicated Link Pin 6 on the 500 series chassis, compressor modules installed in adjacent slots can be linked using the LINK button.

Ideal for multi-channel applications, the module with the greatest gain reduction becomes the master and controls the other linked modules.

When linked, BIG mode, AIR mode, Threshold, and Ratio are also synchronized.

■Output Gain

The Output Gain control adjusts the output level after compression.

■Meter

In addition to displaying gain reduction, the VU meter can switch between displaying input level or output level.

■Hardwire Bypass

Equipped with hardwire bypass, the input signal is sent directly to the output without any modification when bypassed.

■Designed and handcrafted by DRAWMER, UK.