Blend valves and FETs for quality compression. The 1968 MkII is a 1U Tube/FET ‘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, however the 1968 MkII utilisies a J-FET (Field Effect Transistor) gain reduction circuit that operates faster than an opto-isolator. The 1968 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.
Description | Value | |
---|---|---|
INPUT | Input Impedence | 20k Ohms |
Maximum Input Level | +20dBu | |
OUTPUT | Output Impedance | <50 Ohms |
Maximum Output Level into 10k Ohms Load | +21dBu | |
BANDWIDTH | -1dB | <17Hz to 28kHz |
-3dB | <10Hz to 47kHz | |
NOISE @ UNITY GAIN | 22Hz to 22kHz (RMS) | -85dB |
CROSSTALK | @ 1kHz | better than 100dB |
@ 10kHz | better than 70dB |
Description | Value | |
---|---|---|
% DISTORTION (THD & NOISE) @ 1kHz | Line Input with BYPASS selected | <0.01% |
Line Input with NORMAL selected | <0.35% | |
POWER REQUIREMENTS | 230Volt or 115V at 50-60hZ | 13VA |
FUSE RATING | @ 230Volt | T160mA |
@ 115Volt | T315mA | |
Conforming to IEC 127-2 | ||
FUSE TYPE | 20mm x 5mm, Class 3 Timed-Blo, 250Volt working | |
CASE | Depth | 225mm |
Width | 482mm | |
Height | 44mm | |
Weight | 4.0kg |