British manufacturer Drawmer has expanded its 500 Series range with the introduction of the new Drawmer FC1 & OC1 compressors. Both models feature a comprehensive set of controls and advanced shaping tools, delivering the precision, flexibility and character associated with Drawmer’s renowned rack-mounted processors, all within a compact single-slot format.
While they share the same design philosophy, each unit is tailored to different applications. The FC1 is a FET compressor designed for those seeking powerful, punchy compression, thanks to its fast attack and release times. The OC1, on the other hand, is an optical compressor that provides smooth, warm and natural-sounding dynamic control across a wide range of audio sources, while particularly excelling on vocals and acoustic guitars.
With these two additions, Drawmer gives users the choice between two distinct approaches to compression, each with its own unique character while maintaining the quality and performance standards that have made the brand a worldwide reference in professional audio.
Total Control with the FC1 & OC1
Uncommon in 500 series compressors, the FC1 offers a full complement of features. Input/Output gain, all the familiar “Threshold”, “Ratio”, “Attack”, and “Release” controls, as well as parallel compression capabilities with the Wet/Dry Mix knob – all fully adjustable, and recallable through the 21-position detented high precision pots – allowing total control of dynamics. 
BIG and AIR Modes
A high-end feature taken from the award winning 1973 multi-band studio compressor, the fully selectable BIG and AIR modes shape how the compressor responds to low and high frequencies, adding extra richness and warmth on the lows, and more sparkle and brightness on the highs.
- BIG reduces the side chain’s sensitivity to low 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 due to highs being ‘pulled down’ by low-frequency dominance, helping to make mix compression much more affable.
- AIR preserves high-frequency detail that is sometimes lost in the compression process. The result being that the treble sounds more intimate, detailed and transparent, but without making it sound harsh or introducing any noticeably unnatural artefacts, adding definition, particularly to the human voice and acoustic instruments. Cymbals appear more vibrant without becoming splashy, and vocals sound more open but without becoming sibilant.
CRUSH Saturation
The FC1 also includes the popular CRUSH harmonic feature. The effect varies with the level of input gain, and adds harmonic richness, subtle distortion, and that elusive analogue warmth that brings mixes to life. The low end fattens, the mids gain presence, and the top end sparkles with smooth shimmer.
A PGM mode switch introduces a second, slower release time in proportion to the program material above the threshold. The effect is to reduce excessive ‘pumping’ and unnatural artifacts under heavy compression.
“Stereo Link”
Using the dedicated Link pin 6 on the 500 chassis, the Gain Reduction of compressor modules placed in adjacent slots can be linked together using the LINK button. This feature is ideal for linking multiple channel modules. The module requiring the highest gain reduction is master and trigger for all the other linked modules. The link feature includes the Big and Air, Threshold and Ratio controls.
Output Gain control allows the compressed signal to be adjusted and comprehensive metering shows Gain Reduction, and a choice of Input or Output level on the VU meter. To complete the feature set, a hard-wire unit Bypass connects the input directly to the output without alteration. 
Drawmer FC1 & OC1 Features and Technical Specifications:
- Full featured fast & energetic soft-knee FET design.
- All the familiar compressor controls and recallable through 21 indented steps on each.
- Input & Output Cut/Boost to get your levels perfect.
- BIG & AIR modes enhance low-end weight and high-end clarity without harshness or over-compression.
- Side-Chain Linking (via pin 6)
- Integrated ‘CRUSH’ feature that warms up your mix with harmonic saturation.
- Wet/Dry Mix provides effortless parallel compression.
- Hard wired bypass.
- Designed & handmade by DRAWMER in the U.K.
- Input Impedance: 20k Ohms
- Maximum Input Level: +18dBu
- Output Impedance: < 100 Ohms
- Frequency response:
- FC1: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±1dB
- OF1: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.2dB
- THD & Noise:
- FC1: a 1 kHz (ref: 0 dBu) 0,02%; a 1 kHz (ref: 10 dBu) 0,4%
- OC1: a 1 kHz (ref: 0 dBu) 0,04%; a 1 kHz (ref: 10 dBu) 1%
- Noise: -98 dBu
