The award-winning 1973 is a three-band stereo FET compressor that delivers the versatility, control, and sound-shaping power that no full-band compressor can provide.
Building on over 30 years of Drawmer dynamics expertise, the 1973 combines the functionality of the world-class S3 with the character of the classic 1960 and 1968. It offers three bands of transparent, intuitive compression in a compact and powerful design.
The Drawmer 1973's Big and Air switches, akin to those found on the legendary S3, are powerful dynamic EQ tools designed to shape your sound in a more musical and intelligent way. Rather than acting as simple EQ boosts, these switches enhance your audio while reducing the influence of those frequency ranges on the compressor's detection circuit. The result: added tone and presence without unwanted compression artifacts.
BIG reinforces the low end without causing over-compression, adding punch and warmth to kicks, bass, or entire mixes.
AIR opens up the highs with delicate sparkle, giving vocals, cymbals, and acoustic instruments clarity and presence without harshness. Used together, Big and Air bring depth, balance, and musical sparkle to your mix, and form a signature part of the 1973’s sound.
The 1973 uses crossover filters to divide audio into low, mid, and high frequency bands, each compressed independently before being recombined. This provides precise control over individual parts of the spectrum.
For example, you can tame boomy lows on an acoustic guitar without affecting the clarity of the highs, or smooth harsh mids while leaving the rest of the mix untouched – something no full-band compressor can achieve.
With independent control of lows, mids, and highs, the 1973 adapts seamlessly to both mixing and mastering.
On vocals, heavy compression in the low band can add thickness, the mid band can control raspiness, and the high band can add sheen and definition. Sibilance is also easily tamed. In mastering, the three bands can solve problem mixes by tightening the low end, brightening the top, or revealing midrange detail - all while avoiding pumping and breathing, and with greater headroom.
"This is not only a great multi-band compressor but one of the nicest hardware dynamics processors we have used in some time."
Many multi-band compressors can appear intimidating. The 1973 avoids this with a clear, intuitive front panel.
Each of the three bands has an identical set of controls arranged left to right, separated by variable crossover points. To the right, large illuminated VU meters and output controls provide instant visual feedback and easy operation.
The 1973 includes a Mix control for simple parallel compression. By blending the wet (compressed) and dry (original) signals, you can fine-tune the amount of compression with a single knob.
This makes it easy to avoid over-compression, dial in more dry for transparency, or add more wet for stronger effect. Parallel compression has never been simpler.
Combining detailed control, musical response, and an intuitive layout, the 1973 brings the power of multi-band compression into any studio.
The 1973 has been nominated for and won several awards since it's introduction, including winning the prestigious Resolution Award 2014 in the Dynamics category and also the KEYS musik und computer Award 2015 in the Best Studio Tool catagory.
