At our recent GearExpo UK show, we heard from Drawmer that they would soon be launching a pair of new 500-series compressors. A few weeks on, the company have officially announced the introduction of the OC1 and FC1, which share a common feature set but offer two different ‘flavours’ of compression. 

The first of the two new modules, the OC1, is the company’s debut optical compressor, and has been designed to deliver natural-sounding gain reduction. By contrast, the FC1 is a FET-based module with quick attack and release times that’s said to be ideal for dialling in ‘punchy’ sounds. 

Both are equipped with the same set of controls, with Input Gain, Threshold, Ratio, Attack and Release parameters joined by Big and Air modes, which add some extra impact in the low end and some additional brightness in the high-frequency range, respectively. A PGM mode switch then introduces a second, slower release time in proportion to the program material above the threshold — Drawmer say this reduces excessive 'pumping' and avoids unnatural artefacts when using heavy compression settings. 

The company’s popular Crush circuitry has made its way into both designs, too, which can be used to add increasing amounts of harmonics as the input signal level increases. Mix controls offer instant parallel compression, and a pair of meters display gain reduction and either the input or output signal level. All controls are provided on 21-position detented pots, and a Link control allows the gain reduction of modules in adjacent slots to be linked for stereo and multi-channel use.

Both new modules are available now, and are priced at £348 each including VAT.

www.drawmer.com/products/500_series.php