DRAWMER
Dual Channel
Vacuum Tube Compressor
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Warranty
Safety Consideration
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Introduction
Installation
Audio Connections
Power Connection
Chapter 2 - Control Description
Control Description
The Quick Setup Procedure
Chapter 3 - General Information
If a fault develops
Contacting Drawmer
Specification
Block Diagram
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CONTENTS
COPYRIGHT
This manual is copyrighted
8 2011 by Drawmer Electronics Ltd. With all rights reserved. Under copyright
laws, no part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or translated
into any language in any form by any means, mechanical, optical, electronic, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Drawmer Electronics Ltd.
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Drawmer Electronics Ltd., warrants the Drawmer 1968 MkII
Dual Channel Vacuum Tube Compressor to conform
substantially to the specifications of this manual for a period
of one year from the original date of purchase when used in
accordance with the specifications detailed in this manual. In
the case of a valid warranty claim, your sole and exclusive
remedy and Drawmer’s entire liability under any theory of liability
will be to, at Drawmer’s discretion, repair or replace the product
without charge, or, if not possible, to refund the purchase price
to you. This warranty is not transferable. It applies only to the
original purchaser of the product.
For warranty service please call your local Drawmer dealer.
Alternatively call Drawmer Electronics Ltd. at +44 (0)1709
527574. Then ship the defective product, with transportation
and insurance charges pre-paid, to Drawmer Electronics Ltd.,
Coleman Street, Parkgate, Rotherham, S62 6EL UK. Write the
RA number in large letters in a prominent position on the
shipping box. Enclose your name, address, telephone number,
copy of the original sales invoice and a detailed description of
the problem. Drawmer will not accept responsibility for loss or
damage during transit.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
REPLACE THE MAINS FUSE ONLY WITH
A FUSE THAT CONFORMS TO IEC127-2.
250 VOLT WORKING, TIME DELAY TYPE
RATED AT 230V=T160mA and 115V=T315mA.
DRAWMER
1968 MkII
Dual Channel
Vacuum Tube Compressor
CAUTION - MAINS FUSE
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
AND BODY SIZE OF 20mm x 5mm.
THE MAINS INPUT FUSE MUST BE
This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by
misuse, modification or unauthorised repair.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES,
WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY. DRAWMER MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. PURCHASER’S SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN.
IN NO EVENT WILL DRAWMER ELECTRONICS LTD. BE
LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY
DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS,
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW, DAMAGE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN IF
DRAWMER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states and specific countries do not allow the exclusion
of implied warranties or limitations on how long an implied
warranty may last, so the above limitations may not apply to
you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may
have additional rights that vary from state to state, and country
to country.
CAUTION - MAINS CABLE
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE
OR TAMPER WITH THE
SUPPLIED MAINS CABLE.
CAUTION - SERVICING
DO NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING.
REFER ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
In the interests of product development, Drawmer reserve the right to modify or
improve specifications of this product at any time, without prior notice.
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DRAWMER 1968 MkII OPERATOR’S MANUAL
CHAPTER 1
DRAWMER
1968 MkII
DUAL CHANNEL VACUUM TUBE COMPRESSOR
INTRODUCTION
The 1968 MkII is a 1U Tube/FET dual channel / ‘stereo
bus’ compressor which by design delivers a transparent
‘open’ sound even during periods of heavy compression.
The original Drawmer 1960 used a tube stage at the front
of the compressor, whilst the 1968 MkII utilisies a J-FET
(Field Effect Transistor) gain reduction circuit that operates
faster than an opto-isolator. The compressor uses a 12AX7
tube makeup gain amplifier where you can add, with the
Output Gain control, up to 20 dB of additional gain.
The need for a ratio control has been removed as the
compressor operates on the soft knee principle where the
onset of compression is progressive.
The 1968 MkII expands attack times to six choices: 2, 9,
15, 25, 30 and 50 ms. Release times come in three fixed
times (100ms, 500 ms and 1 second) and three program-
dependent choices--200 ms to 2 sec, 500 ms to 5 sec
and 1 to 10 seconds--all program-dependent and
automatic.
The 1968 MkII provides full sidechain access for connecting
an external equalizer for vocal stressing or de-essing.
Featured on both channels is a switchable ‘BIG’ and
‘BIGGER’ mode which applies less processing to the
fundamental low frequency but still disciplines the upward
associated harmonics which if untamed can result in a
‘boomy’ or ‘boxy’ sound. The result - a solid bottom end
with enhanced sub-bass and a smoother, wider frequency
response overall. This lets the operator use more
compression on an overall mix with less pumping action
caused by a kick and/or bass instrument.
The outputs of Channels 1 and 2 are monitored on two
yellow illuminated VU meters - with a red warning glow to
signify ‘approaching clipping’. A three-position switch
adjusts the meters to show either normal output level, gain
reduction or VU +10dB mode, which re-scales the meter
for users working at ‘hot’ output levels.
An output switch selects normal compressor output, hard-
wired bypass and sidechain listen.
The key features are as follows:
• 2 Channel Tube/FET Compressor
• 2 soft-knee compressors with variable threshold, attack, release and output gain
• Switchable BIG and BIGGER control on each channel
• Dual mono or true stereo link operation
• Side chain access and side chain listen facility
• VU metering of gain reduction and output levels
• Switchable +10dB mode on VU re-scales the meter for users working at ‘hot’ output levels.
• VU red warning glow to signify ‘approaching clipping’
• Balanced +4dB XLR in/outs
DRAWMER 1968 MkII OPERATOR’S MANUAL
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