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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, whilst the 1968 MkII utilisies a J-FET (Field Effect Transistor) gain reduction circuit that operates faster than an opto-isolator. The 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.
The key features are as follows:
*2 Channel Tube/FET Compressor.
*2 soft-knee compressors with variable threshold, attack, release and output gain.
*Switchable BIG and BIGGER control on each channel.
*Dual mono or true stereo link operation.
*Side chain access and side chain listen facility.
*VU metering of gain reduction and output levels.
*Switchable +10dB mode on VU re-scales the meter for users working at ‘hot’ output levels.
*VU red warning glow to signify ‘approaching clipping’.
*Balanced +4dB XLR in/outs.
Due to customer demand we have introduced new features to the 1968 MkII:
*Expanded the BIG to include BIGGER - setting the filters to 75Hz and 150Hz
*Added internal jumpers that can be configured to remove the soft clip section.
*Added internal jumpers to make the output hotter by 6dB, if required.
*Improvement have been made to the PSU to lower the noise floor.