Drawmer S2 Dual Channel Tube Compressor - Manual (Page 7)

7 DRAWMER S2 O
PERATOR’S M ANUAL
2 V-BIG
Unlike previous Drawmer compressors the S2 V-Big control is fully variable allowing complete and subtle
adjustments to the perceived level of bass, and the control of ‘pumping’ and ducking that occurs.
Frequency: 75, 125, 250 Hz
Sets the frequency that the ‘V-Big’ control operates at, enabling the engineer to target a specific bass frequency.
Level: -10 - +10
With the control set in a positive position the side chain's sensitivity to low frequencies is reduced, with the result
that less gain reduction is applied to those frequencies, creating the effect that the bass is louder or 'bigger'. It also
has the benefit of reducing the ducking and pumping effect that occurs by high frequencies being 'pulled down' in
sync with the bass, helping to make mix compression much more affable.
If set in a negative position the opposite occurs i.e. with bass frequencies being quieter and pumping increased.
At the 0 position the ‘V-Big’ control is effectively off.
Active: Off - On
Switches the ‘Big’ control on and off.
3 V-AIR
V(ariable)-Air is used to manipulate the high end of an audio signal so that it sounds more intimate, detailed and
transparent, but without making it sound harsh or introducing any noticeably unnatural artefacts. Cymbals are
more vibrant without becoming splashy, and vocals sound more open but without becoming sibilant.
On the S2 the ‘V-Air’ section is not just an everyday side chain E.Q. that most compressor’s would incorporate,
replacing any dulling of high frequency detail by simply adding gain, but a fully variable dynamic process that
works in conjunction with the compressor, giving more ‘brightness’ as and when it’s required. Being full range the
S2 will compress quiet high frequencies whenever the low frequencies are being brought under control, resulting in
a dulling of these high levels, and in the worst cases, pumping - it is here where the V-Air controls are at their most
effective. As shown previously, the ‘Big’ section can also improve things.
Frequency: 500Hz - 12kHz
Sets the frequency at which the ‘V-Air’ control operates, enabling the engineer to target a specific frequency.
Level: -10 - +10
At the 0 position the ‘V-Air’ control is off. In a positive position higher frequencies are enhanced, to add definition,
particularly to the human voice and accoustic instruments - a negative position has the opposite effect, and may
be used to bring back the balance to a mix whose cymbols are too conspicuous, for example.
Active: Off - On
Switches the ‘V-Air’ control on and off.
4 DRY
Dry works by adding the original signal coming into the unit to the compressed signal that has been processed
by the S2, effectively reducing the percieved amount of compression taking place. It is easiest to think of it as
being similar to a parallel compressor, but with the advantage of being one simple knob. It provides completely
variable control over the whole amount of compression taking place without having to alter numerous settings in
order to do so.
Level: 0 - 10
At the 0 setting a fully wet (compressed) signal is passed through to the output. As the control is turned up to 10
the dry signal (no compression) is added, thus lowering the percieved amount of compression. Unlike conventional
wet/dry mixes the signal is never completely dry, even at 10 there is still a little compression taking place - use the
‘unit bypass’ (section 7) switch for a completely dry signal.
Active: Off - On
Switches the ‘Dry’ control on and off. When ‘off’ the signal is fully ‘wet’ i.e. compressed.