DRAWMER DS501 – Power Gate

The DS501 is a sophisticated dual channel noise gate with fully tuneable \'Peak Punch\' incorporating a number of features pioneered by Drawmer, which are invaluable to the sound engineer, and not found on conventional noise gates.

• \'Tuneable\' Peak Punch.
• Variable high pass and low pass filters for \"frequency conscious\" gating.
• Comprehensive envelope control, attack, hold, decay, and range.
• Key input for external triggering.
• \"Key Listen\" facility.
• Extremely fast attack time, to preserve the natural attack of the sound.
• Balanced inputs and outputs.
• Stereo linkable.
• Can be used for \"Gating\" or \"Ducking\".
• High audio specification.

Positioned in the Drawmer range over the industry standard DS201 Dual Gate, the DS501 Power Gate features a new dual mode ‘tuneable’ Peak Punch processing section on each channel. In tuneable mode a fully variable frequency selector with a range from 75Hz to 16kHz allows the user to shape the transients of the gated signal and ‘tune-in’ to the particular area of the audio spectrum where the Peak Punch is to be active. In addition a variable ‘more’ control allows the user to tailor the amount of processing. A secondary Full Band Peak Punch mode is also available.

Designed principally for drum and percussive gating applications, tuneable Peak Punch makes it possible to add transient punch to frequencies lacking in individual drum sounds, adding greater definition and presence to the gated signal. Using low frequency Peak Punch adds depth to thin drums, whilst higher frequency Peak Punch can dynamically emphasise rim shots or the ‘crack’ of a snare drum. Setting up noise gates can be tedious and unrewarding. For example, when attempting to separate a signal from unwanted noise or crosstalk that is relatively high in level, spurious triggering of the gate by unwanted components within the sound can be a serious problem. This can often be experienced in the studio when recording a drum kit. If a gate is used to clean up the snare drum sound it is quite likely that the nearby hi-hats will spill into the snare drum microphone and cause the gate to open. Increasing the threshold level may cure this problem, but then there is a very real danger that any quieter snare drum beats may not cause the gate to open at all and the performance can easily be ruined.

The DRAWMER solution to this problem is the inclusion of two variable filters, one high-pass and one low-pass, which act upon the side-chain keying circuitry. By setting the output switch to key listen the user can hear the action of the filters and adjust them to reject high frequency spillage from the hi-hats. This now enables the gate to only open on the lower frequencies present in the snare drum.

The very fast attack of the DS501 means that it can open in a matter of micro seconds, thus preserving the natural attack of whatever sound is being gated and the comprehensive envelope controls mean that the gain can be changed at whatever rate best suits the material being processed. With vocals for example, a fairly fast attack is needed so as not to clip the leading consonants but a slower release time will prevent the end of words being clipped off and will also fade out any noise gradually rather than cutting it off abruptly. This latter point is very important as the human ear is far more sensitive to rapidly changing noise levels than to a constant low level noise.

Another important role played by the gate is in the reshaping of existing sounds. An example of this might involve a simple sampling delay line used to store a sound to be re-triggered later and added to a mix. A gate can be used to impart a slower attack or faster decay to the sound and careful setting of the decay envelope can effectively hide any noise present at the end of the sample. When using a sampler or drum machine the gate can be considered a triggered envelope shaper, and the wide range allowed by the envelope controls make the DS501 ideal for this application.

The unit can be switched to accept a key input, which allows the gate to be triggered externally. An example of this would be to use a snare drum signal to open the gate on a separate ambient microphone to create a natural alternative to gated reverb.

Each channel can be individually switched from Gating to Ducking for \'voice over\' applications or the removal of \'clicks\' and \'pops\'.

Interactive Reference-Class 2-Channel Expander/Gate/Compressor/ Peak Limiter with
Integrated De-Esser, Dynamic Enhancer, Tube Simulation and Low Contour Filter 

Whether you?re recording, mixing or mastering, the COMPOSER PRO-XL MDX2600
gives you total dynamic control. It includes all of the features you would expect from
a reference class compressor?plus a voice-adaptive de-esser, a new dynamic
enhancer, authentic tube emulation and much more. These are some of the indispensable
tools for producing clean, consistent audio with virtually no loss in signal quality.

Features:
Switchable IKA (Interactive Knee Adaptation) program-adaptive compression circuitry
combines the advantages of hard-knee and soft-knee characteristics
Integrated de-esser with switchable male/female voice recognition removes excessive
sibilance from your vocal tracks
IGC (Interactive Gain Control) peak limiting circuitry combines clipper and program
limiter for reliable and inaudible protection against signal peaks
Switchable dynamic enhancer for brilliant, lively audio even with heavy compression
IRC (Interactive Ratio Control) expander/gate circuitry for virtually inaudible
noise suppression
Switchable tube simulation for the extra warmth and transparency of classic
tube circuitry
Automatically or manually adjustable attack and release times
Switchable low contour filter prevents "pumping" due to low-frequency
dominated compression
Stereo couple function with independent output level settings
Switchable side chain input with side chain monitor function
Ultra low-noise 4580 operational amplifiers and state-of-the-art THAT¬ VCA's
Separate 12-segment LED meters for input/output levels and gain reduction
Dedicated "traffic light" threshold and de-esser level displays
High-quality detented ALPS¬ potentiometers and illuminated switches
Servo-balanced inputs and outputs with ? in. TRS and gold-plated XLR
connectors
Relay-controlled hard bypass switch with auto bypass function in case
of power failure
Manufactured under ISO9000 certified management system
 

Innovation

The ARX AFTERBURNER? is a unique Multi Mode compressor/limiter
designed for use in any professional audio dynamics control application.
Multiple Modes
The Afterburner can be set up and used in three different ways:
In Two channel mode, it performs as two independent compressor/limiters,
with 'industry standard' variable Threshold, Ratio and Output gain. In stereo
mode, our New Adaptive Stereo Link circuitry provides increased stereo
imaging accuracy when linking both channels as a stereo pair. A single front
panel switch puts the Afterburner into its alternative Mono mode, setting it up
as a Single channel, Dual Band compressor/limiter, with separate dynamics
control of both Low and High frequencies, opening up a whole new range of
gain control techniques.
Enhance Switch
In any mode, the Afterburner features an 'Enhance' switch, which provides
frequency restoration to preserve the spectral balance of the audio signal,
compensating for the sagging Low and High frequency response of compressed
program material. Think of it as a 'smart' loudness control.
 
Features
Switchable Modes - Stereo; Dual Channel Single band; or Single Channel
Dual Band (Low and High)
Low and High frequency compression in Single Channel mode
'Enhance' switch restores spectral balance of compressed signal
New Hard/Soft knee compression switch
New Adaptive Stereo Link circuit for accurate stereo imaging
New Above/Below Threshold LEDs enable at-a-glance compression
confirmation
Balanced XLR and Jack Inputs and Outputs
Sidechain Insert points
Intuitive user-friendly layout
Flawless performance
 
New Above/Below Threshold LEDs enable at-a-glance compression confirmation
New Hard or Soft knee compression option
New LED metering provides accurate Level status, with separate Gain Reduction
metering in easy to read 'wide scale' meters. There is also comprehensive LED
indication of all operating functions and status in any mode.
Balanced Inputs and Outputs
On the rear panel, each channel has true differential Balanced inputs and outputs,
on both XLR and TRS jack connectors. As well, each channel has a TRS jack
Sidechain access insert point, for applications such as De-essing (when used with
an external equalizer such as the ARX Multi Q or EQ 260).Other features include a
true Hardwire bypass switch for each channel, and passive RFI filters on the inputs.
Universal AC Power
AC power range is a universal 100 to 120V or 220 to 240V AC, and is connected to
the unit via a removable power lead and standard 3 pin IEC connector, with built-in
fuse and voltage change switch.
With its smooth compression, intuitive user friendly layout, high density precision
circuitry, and extensive user-variable operating parameters, the unique ARX Afterburner
is equally at home in Studio, Installation, Broadcast and Sound Reinforcement
environments. It can provide great sounding dynamics control effects that are not
available with any other device.
 
T E C H N I C A L  S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Input Impedance Balanced 20 Kohms, Unbalanced 10 Kohms
Input Headroom + 22 dB
CMRR >60 dB, 20 Hz-20 KHz
Output Impedance Balanced 300 ohms, Unbalanced 150 ohms
Output Level (Max) + 22 dB
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20KHz ±0.2dB
Signal to Noise ratio -93 dB Unweighted, -99 dB 'A' weighted
Distortion .02% THD @ 0dB,1KHz
Dynamic Range 115 dB
Sidechain Insert Impedance 10 Kohm
Filter Section
Filter Type Phase corrected 6dB/octave
Summed Filter Response ±0.2dB through crossover region
Dividing Frequency 250 Hz
Enhance Section
Low Enhance 50 Hz, High Enhance 10 KHz
Power Requirements 100/120 V AC, 220/240 V AC
Weight 5 lbs/2.2 Kg
Dimensions 19“W x 1?“H x 6“D, 482 x 44 x 155mm
Input/OutputConnector type XLR, Balanced Jack
Sidechain Insert Connector TRS Jack

Front Panel Controls
Hardwire bypass IN/OUT switch
Threshold, Ratio and Output Gain controls
Above/Below Threshold LEDs
12 segment LED Output Level display
Numbered marker panel for labelling compressor assigns
7 segment LED Gain Reduction display
Enhance switch and status LED
Adaptive Stereo link switch and status LED
Dual/Single channel mode switch and status LEDs
Rear Panel Connectors
Balanced Inputs and Outputs, on both XLR and TRS jack
connectors. In Single channel (Mono) mode, use Channel
1 Inputs and Outputs only
Sidechain Insert TRS connector on each channel
AC input connector, with voltage switch and fuse.
 

The Avalon VT-737SP features a combination of TUBE preamplifiers,
opto-compressor,sweep equalizer, output level and VU metering in a
2U space.
PREAMPLIFIER
The VT-737SP has three input selections: 1. The VT-737SP features a
higher-performance microphone input transformer with +48v phantom
selection. 2. Instrument DI high source input with jack located on front
panel. 3. Balanced line input, discrete high-level Class A. The Class A
preamplifier utilizes two cascaded, dual vacuum tube triodes configured
with minimum negative feedback. A high gain switch boosts the overall
gain of the preamplifier. The four high quality tubes are configured as
singled ended anode coupled followers. A passive-variable high pass filter
and hard-wire relay bypass completes the input signal conditioning. The
phase reverse relay is available on all three inputs.
OPTO-COMPRESSOR
The opto-compressor features a minimum signal path design with twin Class
A vacuum tube triodes for gain matching. The optical attenuator acts as a
simple passive level controller. Full dynamic control from soft compression to
hard- knee limiting can be achieved with threshold, ratio-compression, attack
and release controls plus gain reduction selection on the large VU meter. Special
spectral control including de-ess is available with the dual sweep mid EQ to side-
chain switch. The EQ section can be flipped pre or post the opto-compressor
via a front panel switch for alternate effects and tone shaping. Two VT-737SPs
can be linked via a rear panel link cable for stereo tracking. The compressor
bypass is a sealed silver relay for the most direct signal path.
SWEEP-EQUALIZER AND OUTPUT LEVEL
The VT-737SP equalizer utilizes 100% discrete, Class A-high-voltage transistors
for optimum sonic performance. The high and low frequency bands provide the
smooth characteristics of an all passive design, while the dual mid bands include
variable frequency and switched Q-width selection. The enhanced range of the mid
bands is extended into the high and low bands by the use of X10 frequency multipliers.
The bypass switch incorporates a sealed silver relay for the most direct signal path.
When the EQ to sidechain is engaged, the high-low EQ remains in the audio path for
"tone enhancement“. The output level control provides a variable control of the overall
signal path. The output amplifier utilizes another dual triode vacuum tube driving a
100% discrete, Class A, high-current, balanced and DC coupled low noise output
amplifier.

AVALON VT-737SP FEATURES
Vacuum tube triode signal path, transformer balanced microphone input, high-voltage
circuits for maximum headroom to +30dB, low noise -92dB, internal discrete power
supply with toroidal transformer, soft-start tube life extender, stereo link for compressors,
all discrete Class A equalizer with musical passive filter design, sealed silver relays for
signal routing, large control knobs with professional conductive plastic potentiometers,
VU meter for output level monitoring and compressor gain reduction.

VT-737SP SPECIFICATIONS
Circuit topology Four dual triode vacuum tubes (Sovtek 6922), high-voltage discrete
Class A
Gain Range Microphone: Transformer balanced 850/2500 ohm, 0dB to +58dB Instrument:
Unbalanced 1 meg ohm, 0dB to+30dB Line: Balanced Class A 20k ohms, -27dB to 28dB
Maximum input level and connector types Microphone26dB@25Hz, +30dB@1kHz balanced
XLR Instrument+30dB unbalanced front panel jack socket
Line +36dB balanced XLR
Maximum output level +30dB balanced 600 ohms, DC coupled, discrete Class A
Output type and gain XLR connector, output trim gain -45dB to20dB
Noise 20kHz unweighted -92dB
Noise microphone EIN -116dB, 22Hz to 22kHz unweighted
Distortion THD, IMD 0.5%
Frequency response -/2.5dB 10Hz to 120kHz input filter included
Frequency response -3dB 1Hz to 200kHz line in-out
VU meter and gain reduction High quality illuminated OVU =+4dB and gain reduction to -20dB
High cut filter Variable 6dB per octave 30Hz to 140Hz
Compressor type Optical passive attenuator incorporating twin vacuum tubes and stereo link
Threshold - Ratio Threshold variable -30dB to +20dB, ratio-compression variable 1:1 to 20:1
Attack - Release Attack variable 2mS to 200mS, release variable 100mS to 5 seconds
Equalizer type Discrete Class A, variable active and switched passive design
Frequency bands (4) Treble - switched 10kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz, 32kHz, +/- 20dB range, shelf
High mid - variable 200Hz to 2k8Hz and 2kHz to 28kHz, +/- 16dB range, hi-lo Q Low mid -
variable 30Hz to 450Hz and 300Hz to 4k5Hz, +/- 16dB range, hi-lo Q Bass - switched 15Hz,
30Hz, 60Hz, 150Hz, +/- 24dB range, shelf
AC power Internal toroidal 100v to 240v, 50-60Hz selectable, 75 watts maximum
Dimensions 19 x 12 x 3.5 in (482 x 305 x 89mm)
Weight 22lbs (10kg)
Dimensions-shipping carton 21 x 18 x 8 in (533 x 457 x 203mm)
Weight-packed 26lbs (11.8kg)

Shure DP11EQE Dynamics Processor Specification:

    GENERAL:
        Frequency Response: 20 to 20k Hz +/- 1.0 dB re 1 kHz
        Dynamic Range: 104 dB minimum, A-weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
        Sampling Rate: 48 kHz
        Digital-to-Analog, Analog-to-Digital Conversion: 20 bit resolution
    Voltage Gain:
        1 dB +/- 1dB (power off)
        12 dB +/- 2 dB (input 10 dBV, output +4 dBu)
        12 dB +/- 2 dB (input +4 dBu, output 10 dBv)
        0 dB +/- 2 dB (equal input and output sensitivities)
    Impedance:
        Input: 47 kilohms +/- 20% actual
        Output: 120 ohms +/- 20% actual
    Input Clipping Level
        +18 dBu minimum (at +4 dBu setting)
        +6 dBV minimum (at 10 dBV setting)
    Output Clipping Level
        +18 dBu minimum (at +4 dBu setting)
        +6 dBV minimum (at 10 dBV setting)
    Total Harmonic Distortion
            LED Signal Indicators
        Signal: 40 dB
        Clip: 6 dB down from input clipping
    Propagation Delay from Input to Ouput
        0.8 ms (all filters flat, no dynamics processing, 0 ms delay), up to 2.1 ms (all processing enabled)
    Polarity
        Input to output: inverting optional (default: non-inverting)
        XLR: pin 2 positive with respect to pin 3
        1/4-inch TRS: tip positive with respect to ring
    Operating Voltage
        DP11EQ: 120 Vac, 50/60 Hz, 50 mA max
        DP11EQE: 230 Vac, 50/60 Hz, 25 mA max
        DP11EQJ: 100 Vac, 50/60 Hz, 50 mA max
    Temperature Range
        Operating: 0 degrees to 60 degrees C (32 degrees to 140 degrees F)
    Fuse
        DP11EQ: 120 Vac. Fuse: 100 mA, 250V time delay
        DP11EQE: 230 Vac. Fuse: 50 mA, 250 V time delay
        DP11EQJ: 100 Vac. Fuse: 100 mA, 250 V time delay
    Dimensions
        219 mm x 137 mm x 44 mm (8-5/8 in x 5-3/8 in x 1-3/4 in)
        Weight: 930 g (2.05 lbs)
    DYNAMICS PROCESSOR
        Gate and Expander:
        Threshold: 72 to 1 dB, 0.5 dB resolution
        Attack: 1.0 to 200 ms
        Decay: 0.05 to 1 second
        Gate Hold Time: 0 to 0.5 seconds
    AGC Leveler
        Threshold: 72 to 1 dB, 0.5 dB resolution
        Attack: 0.2 to 3 seconds
        Decay: 0.5 to 5 seconds
        Hinge: Threshold to 1 dB, 0.5 dB resolution
    Compressor and Limiter
        Threshold: 72 to 1 dB, 0.5 dB resolution
        Attack: 1.0 to 200 ms
        Decay: 0.05 to 1 second
        Knee: Hard or Soft selectable
    No Overshoot Peak Limiter
        Propagation delay: 1 ms
        Threshold: 72 to 1 dB, 0.5 dB resolution
        Attack: 0 msDecay: 100 ms
    PARAMETRIC EQUALIZER
        Parametric Filter Frequency Bands
        Up to 9 bands, variable frequency, variable Q
    Boost/Cut Range
        +6 dB to 18 dB per band
        Q Range
        1/40-octave to 2 octave
    High and Low Shelf/Cut Filters
        Shelf, +6 to 18 dB per filter
        Cut, 12 dB per octave nominal
    DELAY
        Up to 1.3 seconds, 21 microsecond resolution

Product Features:

Ultra-high resolution 24-bit/96 kHz mastering processor featuring 32/40-bit floating-point DSP technology
Audiophile 24-bit/96 kHz A/D- and D/A converters offering 113 dB dynamic range
4 concurrently selectable EQ modules (31-band graphic EQ, 10-band parametric EQ, Feedback Destroyer plus 3 Dynamic EQs per stereo channel)
Ultra-high resolution 61-band real-time FFT analyzer with additional auto EQ function for room and loudspeaker equalization
Unique VPQ (Virtual Paragraphic EQ) option allows parametric control of graphic EQs
State-of-the-art compressor/expander with peak limiter per stereo channel, additional stereo imager and stereo delay for delay line applications
Multi-functional level meters (peak/RMS, VU and SPL meter with dBA/dBC weighting via RTA/Mic input)
64 user memories for complete setups and/or individual module configurations
Separate mic/line input with phantom power for RTA and Auto-EQ applications
Balanced inputs and servo-balanced outputs with gold-plated XLR connectors, stereo aux output, AES/EBU and S/PDIF inputs and outputs (XLR and optical)
Professional Wordclock input and MIDI connections for full remote control, preset dumps and system updates
Open architecture allowing future software updates via MIDI
"Planet Earth" switching power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy saving
High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany