Drawmer DS101 User Manual

DRAWMER

DS101

NOISE GATE

FOR THE

500 SERIES RACK SYSTEM

CONTENTS

Warranty
Safety Consideration
Radio Frequencies Statement

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Introduction
Installation
Audio Connection
Typical Connection Guide

Chapter 2 - Control Description

The Gate Controls
The Key Filters
Quick Start Guide
Noise Gate Operation

Chapter 3 - General Information

If a fault develops
Contacting Drawmer
Specification
Block Diagram
Session Recall Sheet

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DRAWMER

This manual is copyrighted © 2012 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 W ARRANTY

Drawmer Electronics Ltd., warrants the Drawmer DS101 Noise Gate
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 [phone].
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.

This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by misuse,
modification, unauthorised repair or installed with other equipment
that proved to be faulty.

THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER
ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR STA TUTORY.
DRAWMER MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING , WITHOUT LIMIT A TION,
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 L TD. 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, T O 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. Y ou may have additional rights that vary from
state to state, and country to country.

COPYRIGHT

For the USA

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO

FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off an
on, then the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:

Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that

to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Unauthorised changes or modification to this system can void the
users’ authority to operate this equipment.
This equipment requires shielded interface cables in order to meet
FCC class B limit.

For Canada

CLASS B NOTICE

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio
noise emissions set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.

CLASSE B AVIS

Cet appareil numérique ne dépasse pas les limites de la classe B au
niveau des émissions de bruits radioélectriques fixés dans le
Règlement des signaux parasites par le ministère Canadien des
Communications.

SAFETY CONSIDERA TIONS

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.

PLEASE BE SURE TO POWER OFF YOUR 500 SERIES RACK BEFORE INSTALLING OR REMOVING

THIS OR ANY OTHER 500 SERIES MODULE. HOT SWAPPING COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THIS OR

In the interests of product development, Drawmer reserve the right to modify

or improve specifications of this product at any time, without prior notice.

2

WARNING

OTHER EQUIPMENT .

CHAPTER 1

DS101

NOISE GATE FOR THE

500 SERIES RACK SYSTEM

The Industry-Standard High-End Noise-Gate comes to the 500 Series!

The DS101 is the first noise gate designed specifically for the 500 Series rack
system and takes its place alongside the Drawmer family of industry standard
Noise Gates, such as the DS201, DS501 and DS404. Anyone familiar with those
units will immediately be at home with the DS101.

Based on a single-channel of the DS201 the DS101 is a sophisticated noise gate
incorporating a number of features pioneered by Drawmer, which are invaluable to
the sound engineer, such as variable high and lowpass filters for “frequency
conscious gating.” Other features include comprehensive envelope control, attack,
hold, decay, and range, plus a whole host of other features, all adding up to one
amazing processor.

When placed side by side in a 500 series rack two or more gates can be linked
using the new infra red triggering mechanism employed on the DS101. This means
that any number of gates can be linked with each having their own envelope shaping
whilst the trigger pulse passes through unchanged, this opens up a whole world

of “envelope follower” effects limited only by your imagination.

Drawmer DS101 single-channel Noise Gate Features at a Glance:

Fully featured noise gate based on the industry standard DS201.
Takes up a single 500 series slot.
Proprietary Hysteris or “trigger stabilization” to prevent “chatter” around the
threshold.
Fully variable high pass and low pass filters for “frequency conscious” gating.
Comprehensive envelope control, attack, hold, decay, and range.
External triggering via key input or the new IR trigger pulse from another DS101.
“Key Listen” facility.
Extremely fast attack time, to preserve the natural attack of the sound.
Linkable - up to ten units in one rack space.
Drawmer “traffic lighting” metering.
Can be used for “Gating” or “Ducking”.
Low noise design.

DS101 - Noise Gate for 500 Series Systems

3

DRAWMER

INSTALLATION

Congratulations on purchasing your new Drawmer product. In order to protect your
new investment, please take a few moments to fill out the warranty registration
card provided in the box, or alternatively visit our website at www.drawmer.com and
fill out the form online.
Quick and easy to do, registering your audio product is important and helps to
serve as proof of ownership for any future warranty issues.

The DS101 does not function stand alone and requires the power supply and the
audio connectors provided by an API 500 series compatible rack frame (not
included).

Installing the DS101 into a 500 Series compatible rack.

1. Before you install anything be sure to turn off the 500 series rack and unplug it

from the mains supply. The 500 Series have not been designed for ‘hot swapping’
and doing so could damage this and other products within the unit, making any
warranty void.

2. After removing the DS101 from it s p ackaging locate a single free slot per DS101.

Note that if you are installing more than one DS101 locate them in slots adjacent to
each other so that the linking feature can work.

3. Whilst looking down into the 500 series rack ensure that the DS101 card edge

connectors line up with the EDAC type connector of the rack, then gently push the
DS101 in place keeping it as square as possible until it is fully located. Do not use
excessive force!

4. Tighten the two front panel screws.

5. Connect the XLR cables to the rear and power up the rack. The DS101 will power

automatically and should be ready to use.

AUDIO CONNECTIONS

The inputs and outputs found on
the back of the 500 rack are
electronically balanced on
conventionally wired XLRs (pin
1 screen, pin 2 hot, pin 3 cold
and XLR shell is connected to
chassis).
The use of balanced wiring is
recommended.

(Please consult your 500 series
manual for further information).

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TYPICAL CONNECTION GUIDE

DS101 - Noise Gate for 500 Series Systems

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DRAWMER

CONTROL DESCRIPTION

The DS101 noise gate incorporates many
impressive features, many pioneered by
Drawmer, which are invaluable to the sound
engineer and not found on conventional noise
gates:

• Variable high-pass and low-pass filters for

‘frequency conscious’ gating, with ‘Key listen’
facility.

• Comprehensive envelope control, attack, hold,

decay and range.

• Ultra-fast response time.

• ‘Traffic light’ display giving clear indication of

gate status as well as Threshold Metering.

• Key input for external triggering.

• Linking. Each DS101 can be linked to another

whilst still retaining independent envelopes.

• Can be used for "Gating" or "Ducking".

• High audio specification.

These features are based on the industry
standard, DS201 Noise Gate manufactured by
Drawmer since 1981.

The Gate Controls

Threshold Infinite to -62.0dB

Sets the level below which gating starts to take
place. For normal noise removal applications,
it is usual to set the Threshold as low as is
possible without spurious triggering occurring,
so that none of the desired signal is lost. The
meter above clearly shows the threshold level
in response to the actual signal.

CHAPTER 2

Attack 10uS to 1S

Controls the speed that the gate opens. The
fastest Attack time ensures that the gate does
not clip the leading edge of extremely fast
signals.

Hold 2mS to 2 Seconds

Determines the amount of time the gate is held
open after the signal falls below the Threshold.
This helps to prevent spurious re-triggering
when using fast Release times, but is also
instrumental in creating the classic gated reverb
sound which is often applied to drums.

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