Drawmer - 1978 Stereo Tone Shaping FET Compressor

The 1978 is an analogue FET stereo compressor designed for processing buses, sub-groups and full mixes in the studio. Its fast response evens out dynamic variations with excellent consistency between the left and right channels, resulting in a stable stereo image.

The main controls are intuitive and allow you to achieve a precise result quickly, without requiring numerous adjustments or slowing down the creative process.

The four Character modes alter the compression’s character to produce a range of sonic signatures inspired by classic analogue references. The Saturation control rounds off this suite by adding controlled second- and third-order harmonics, capable of imparting greater density or a warmer texture depending on the context.
This combination allows you to transition from subtle processing to distinctly pronounced colouration without changing devices. The result retains excellent clarity and makes it easy to find the right balance for a wide range of musical productions, from delicate mixes to much more pronounced processing.

The Mix control simplifies parallel compression with a single knob that precisely blends the processed signal and the direct signal. This approach allows you to preserve useful transients whilst enhancing the overall density.

Significant adjustments can thus be precisely controlled, and the result easily gains in naturalness. A situation where the knob sometimes seems to be working almost as hard as the engineer, without needing a coffee break.

The equalisation of the detection circuit offers particularly advanced control thanks to adjustable low- and high-frequency filters, as well as stereo insert points accessible on the rear panel. This architecture facilitates targeted processing such as sibilance reduction, control of dominant low frequencies, or adapting the compressor’s response to different audio content.