Drawmer MX30 Pro - 2-Channel Automatic Gated Compressor Limiter
The MX30 Gated/Comp/Limiter is a low cost professional quality
dynamics processor containing some of the proprietary design
circuitry used in the more expensive models in the Drawmer range.
The MX30 has many automated features enabling fast, effective
dynamic control whilst retaining the instinctively laid out
control parameters, sonic character and high technical
specification which have made Drawmer the industry standard. The
MX30's competitive price point brings Drawmer's
professional processing into a much wider musician, project
studio and live performance area.
'Programme Adaptive' Gate
Used to remove unwanted noise below a pre-set level, each
channel consists of a variable Threshold Gate incorporating
Drawmer's 'Programme Adaptive' circuitry.
Although quick and simple to operate, the gate's
auto-circuitry continually optimises such parameters as Attack,
Hold, Ratio and Release, completely eliminating
'chatter' when the signal is fluctuating on or around
Threshold. Two LED's show when the signal is
'above' or 'below' Threshold and a push
button switch allows additional control of Release time. This
design approach also retains all 'leading edge'
information making the gate ideal for 'cleaning up'
vocals or retaining the 'punch' on gated drums.
Switching is provided for 'Fast' or 'Slow'
release characteristics. The 'Fast' mode can be used for
instruments with rapid decay times or for additional tightening
of the gating effect. The 'Slow' mode is more suitable
for vocals and instruments with longer decay times or can be used
to smooth over rough fade outs. A single LED indicates gating
action.
Soft Knee 'Auto Compressor'
The gate is followed by a variable Threshold, variable Ratio,
soft knee compressor with fully automatic Attack and Release.
Large transients are controlled instantly whilst small signal
variations are treated gently, retaining as much
'life' as possible and without generating
unpredictable side effects. From the slightest to the most
aggressive levels of compression, the MX30 handles it all with
ease and displays the amount of compression taking place on a
high resolution Gain Reduction bargraph meter.
Output
The Gain control is used to compensate for the amount of
compression and brings the signal to the required output level as
displayed by the output bargraph meter. A variable Threshold
'zero overshoot' limiter, essential for avoiding
distortion when mastering to digital or speaker protection in a
'live' situation, adds the final polish to the signal
by keeping control over signal peaks. The Limit threshold
provides an absolute maximum peak level which no signal can pass.
Fast transients are clipped instantly whilst more sustained peaks
are dealt with by applying Gain Reduction, indicated by a single
LED.
Controls
Gate Threshold
This control sets the level below which gating takes place and
may be set anywhere in the range of -70dB to +20dB. A green LED
illuminates to show when the signal is above threshold (i.e. gate
open) and a red LED illuminates when the signal is below
Threshold (i.e. gate closed).
Release
Either a Fast or Slow auto release contour may be selected
depending on the material being processed. An LED indicates when
Slow release status is engaged. Percussive material with little
or no reverb is generally treated using the Fast release setting,
whereas with slow decays or a significant amount of added reverb
will usually respond better to the Slow release setting.
Compressor Threshold
This determines the input level above which gain reduction
will be applied and may be set anywhere in the range of -40dB to
+20dB. Soft Knee compression takes place for signals exceeding
the threshold level by up to 10dB above which level, conventional
'ratio' compression is applied.
Gain Reduction Bargraph Meter
A nine segment LED bargraph meter continuously monitors the
gain reduction applied by the compressor over a range of 0dB to
30dB.
Ratio
Sets the final compression ratio that will be applied once the
10dB soft knee region is exceeded. The ratio may be continuously
adjusted from 1.2:1 to infinity:1 allowing the possibility of
true hard limiting. The higher the ratio setting the more
compression takes place (eg. A ratio of 8:1 means that an 8dB
increase in volume at the input will appear as a 1dB increase in
volume at the output).
Stereo Link
The unit can function as two independent
gated/compressor/limiters or when 'link' mode is
engaged for stereo use Channel 1 becomes the master,
automatically duplicating its parameters across to Channel 2. In
this mode the same degree of gain reduction is applied to both
audio channels to prevent image shifting.
Output Gain
The output level may be attenuated or amplified by up to 20dB
to compensate for level changes caused by compression. This
control comes directly before the Peak Limiter detector and this
fact should be taken into account when setting the Peak Limiter
threshold.
Peak Limit
This control sets an absolute limit that the output signal
will not be permitted to exceed. The limiter is 'zero
response time' and controls peaks without any audible
distortion. For transparent 'peak protection' the
output gain control should be set to ensure that the Peak Limiter
operates only occasionally. Alternatively, the unit can be driven
into heavy limiting for creative effects.
Input/Output Bargraph Meter
An eight segment LED bargraph level meter monitors the level
of the output signal over a range of -20dB to +15dB. When Bypass
is selected this meter reads input level.
Specifications
- Input Impedance: 20K Ohms (bal), 4K Ohms (unbal)
- Maximum Input Level: +21dBu
- Output Impedance: 50 Ohms (bal), 100 Ohms (unbal)
- Maximum Output Level: +20dBu
- Bandwidth: <10Hz to 36KHz -1dB
- Crosstalk @ 10KHz -94dB
@ 1KHz <100dB
- Noise At Unity Gain with Gate OFF @ 22Hz - 22KHz
- Distortion @ 1KHz
- Unity Gain, +4dBu input: < 0.03%
- +14dBu input, 10dB Gain Red: < 0.2%
- Power Requirements: 115Volt or 230Volt at 50-60Hz, 9
Watts
- Fuse Rating: T32mA for 230Volt, T63mA for 115Volt
- Fuse Type: 20mm x 5mm, Class 3 Slo-Blo, 250Volt working
- Case Size: 482mm (w) x 44mm (h) x 200mm (d)
- Weight: (incl packaging) 3.2 Kgs
Click here for more information
800-834-5986
