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Drawmer 1976 Stereo Saturation and Width Processor

3-band Stereo Analog Saturation and Width Processor with Variable Crossover Controls and Mono Operation
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Drawmer 1976 Stereo Saturation and Width Processor
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All-analog 3-band Saturation for Your Tracks and Masters

The Drawmer 1976 is a 3-band stereo saturation and width processor that injects character, color, and life into your recordings and front-of-house mixes in a sonic style inspired by the classic gear of the 1970s. Saturation can enrich the sound of your music by adding a subtle form of distortion that adds pleasant-sounding harmonics. The all-analog saturation of the 1976 will provide the immediacy and realism that plug-ins can only dream of, while replacing the harshness and sterility of digital with warmth, punch, and fullness. As Drawmer says: "Why emulate saturation when you can have the real thing?" At Sweetwater, we couldn't agree more!

Add depth and excitement

Inspired by the highly acclaimed saturation and width features of Drawmer's DC2476 Digital Mastering Processor, the three bands of independent saturation on the 1976 are designed to add the pleasing sonic imperfections that keep classic pro audio equipment in demand — especially in this modern era of digital workflows. Saturation is great for adding fullness to your bass lines, percussion, synths, vocals, and overall mixes; taking your music from cold and clinical to warm and vibrant. In addition, the 1976 also features three bands of stereo width control that really bring out the depth and add exciting presence to your mix — all with a single, yet comprehensive set of controls that provide genuine stereo operation.

Impart warmth, presence, and punch

In the analog era, audio ran through various pieces of hardware and each one added its own character, giving the music a pleasing sonic quality that was — and remains — much sought after. Today, in the digital age, these characteristics no longer occur naturally, lending a squeaky clean, dare we say, sterile quality to the audio. Although a step in the right direction, saturation plug-ins only emulate the harmonic distortion of vintage gear. The 1976 is the real analog deal; letting you add this character in a natural all-analog way. But the 1976 not only works magic on digital recordings; it imparts warmth, presence, and verve to any audio — analog or digital — be it drums, bass, vocals, synths, or what have you.

Saturation times three

Why 3-band saturation? Because the 1976 has three independent bands of saturation, it can isolate mix components far more effectively than single-band saturation. For example, in a finished mix, it can bring out the bass line, adding presence and growl without destroying the overall balance by adding distortion to the top end. Or it can enhance a lead vocal without making the bottom end sound muddy. You get the idea. Most world-class studios today use a hybrid workflow, leveraging the inherent advantages of a digital DAW environment, then flying out stems to an analog summing mixer. Merely passing the audio through an analog device will warm up audio; passing it through the 1976 will take the sound of your music to the next level!

Width control makes your mixes jump out of the speakers

Without stereo widening your mixes won't grab your listeners. This is where the 1976's three bands can be used to enhance the stereo field with added dimension, taking your mix from a flat wall of sound to an immersive, 3-dimensional listening experience. The 1976 makes it easy to control your mix's existing stereo elements, widening and narrowing where necessary to achieve your desired effect — and all from simply using the single stereo controls of the 1976's low, mid, and high bands. One big benefit of having independent width control for each of the bands is to permit the high frequencies to be spread across a broader soundstage without affecting the low end. The Drawmer 1976 is truly a magic box. You really owe it to yourself to hear what it can do.

Drawmer 1976 Stereo Saturation and Width Processor Features:

  • Powerful 3-band all-analog Saturation for adding warmth to both your digital and analog sounds
  • Designed to inject character into your audio reminiscent of 1970s-era gear and remove the sanitized digital harshness
  • Fully adjustable 3-band Stereo Width adds controllable depth and presence to you mix
  • Fully variable crossover controls between the bands allow you to tune in to signals for different amounts of independent saturation across the full frequency range
  • Genuine stereo operation with one set of controls for both channels
  • Can operate in Stereo and Mono
  • The Mono switch helps highlight problems within the stereo mix
  • Internal low-hum Toroidal linear power supply with voltage selector switch
  • Classic Drawmer build quality with rugged steel chassis and aluminum front panel
  • Designed and manufactured by Drawmer in the UK

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Analog Saturation Processor
  • Effects: 3-band Stereo Width, Saturation
  • Inputs: 2 x XLR
  • Outputs: 2 x XLR
  • Features: Variable Crossover control of Processing Bands
  • Form Factor: Rackmount
  • Power Supply: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 1.73"
  • Width: 19"
  • Depth: 7.95"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 1976

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Does exactly what I need it to do.

I make a lot of synthwave and vaporwave type electronic music. I have relied on amp and saturation plugins to give my tracks grit and warmth. I used izotope ozone to widen my tracks. This thing does both and with a warmth and smoothness I personally can't replicate in the box. The vibe is very similar to what you'd hear on rock albums in the 70s. When i add the Drawmer 1976 to my synthesizer heavy mixes it gives things life and soul. Very underrated piece of gear and if you couple this with a good analog vca compressor... well you've got yourself a deadly combo for your 2 bus. If you're making house music, synthwave etc and you want your mixes to stand out from the crowd.. this unit is a good start.
Music background: Electronic music producer
Rated 5/5

Real saturation!

This thing is so sick!!!! I use it on my master buss and add a lot but a lot of flavor, from little bit to low fi underground style, I mainly produce underground metal and punk and mostly of my clients want lo fi sounds like 80's or early 90's records, I used the UAD Fatso plugin but 1976 is a different monster, also you can make your mixes very wide. Yes you have to sit and take time to tweak it but guys this is super cool! Thanks to my bro Ben Jimenez to tell me about this little monster.
Music background: Recording/mixer/producer
Rated 5/5

A great, versatile unit to add some grit, sheen and/or depth!

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with the other review of this unit. I've been trying this out on drums and mixes so far and it's really unique. On drums it's very useful in bringing out some of the low mids and adding some crunch to the snare. I have liked throwing the lows in mono, keeping the kids right where they are at 0 and panning the highs with some saturation. The mono button is helpful for getting an idea of any phase issues but I haven't had any. The I/O is helpful as well in order to blast the signal and get some cool parallel sounds or just be gentle and subtle with it. It's not a noisy unit either which of course is nice.

Definitely not a surgical EQ machine but something really fun and useful for my home setup! Lots of cool saturation, EQ and stereo imaging options.
Music background: Home Recording/ Touring Musician
Rated 3/5

Not a Swiss Army knife

Most useful on soft transient instruments like piano and special effects. Only the high band is suitable for master bus processing saturation and width as mid and low bands saturation is quite harsh and stereo image adds to much phase issues.
Music background: Audio production
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