Anyone not like Drawmer 1968 on mix bus?

[trustyjim]

I've read a handfull of threads where person after person chimes in liking the Drawmer 1968 on mix bus. Does anybody not like this on mix their bus?

How does it stack up against some of the more sought after mix bus compressors like the new version of the 33609, the Smart C1/C2, Dramastic Obsidian, API 2500, or a pair of Retro 176's?

If you had the budget to get any of the above "sought after" units, would you get the Drawmer too?

Please only answer if you have experience with the Drawmer and at least one other high-end mix bus compressor.

[Zep Dude]

I don't like it on the mix bus.......NOT!!!!

thumbsup

[Ackman]

Originally Posted by trustyjim

I've read a handfull of threads where person after person chimes in liking the Drawmer 1968 on mix bus. Does anybody not like this on mix their bus?

How does it stack up against some of the more sought after mix bus compressors like the new version of the 33609, the Smart C1/C2, Dramastic Obsidian, API 2500, or a pair of Retro 176's?

If you had the budget to get any of the above "sought after" units, would you get the Drawmer too?

Please only answer if you have experience with the Drawmer and at least one other high-end mix bus compressor.

The 1968 is a very good sounding unit on the 2-buss when not pushed too hard. I would take the API 2500 and Smart C2 over it, in that order. I have not heard the Dramastic, but from what I've heard, it would be chosen in front of the 1968 as well. I bought the 1968 for budget reasons, and I like it and think it is a great value.

[dhiltonlittle]

i have not heart the 1968 but have heard great things about it. i own a smart c2, crane song stc-8, and recently picked up and api 2500. i tried out the dramastic a few months ago and it was an excellent compressor also. i've got to agree with ackman. if i could only have one the api would be at the top.

[Clive Banks]

i've found the 1968 ok for drum busses but i don't think i would use one on the main mix buss.
it doesn't veil the sound or anything like that but appears to me to narrow the spectrum a little.

[alcohol]

I tried them both the 1968 and the API 2500 at home.

the 1968 added more obvious color, but I liked the sound of the API 2500 better and bought that.

[Jeancab]

For stereo bus, I mainly use a 1968, or an A.S. C2 (or a LCA2B.)
They are different, complement each other, I like both on mix bus.
The 1968 does not sound "cheap" vs a C2 or a LCA2B, IMO.
The drawmer has his own spot level, not too high..

[Strobian]

When I think bus compressor, the Drawmer is not one. I have heard one before and to me it would be more of something I might use on a drum bus or synth to add color or effect at times, its got a unique sound that you can't really put into a good or bad category, just a sound. I have the 2500 its pretty great, and would defo use the fore mentioned units like a C2, or 33609, etc. before the 1968.

[computa]

tried the 1968 on a project. did nothing for me but i feel that way about all drawmer stuff. just not for me

[rob S]

i have a 1969 which i believe is the same thing with the addition of the mic pre.
i like it better hitting it harder.
the C1 is better on the 2buss than the C2, in my experience.

[Niv]

its way stupid to compare that drawmer with an api, they choose totally different directions. there is no one-for-all-solution, if you need tight, compact compression with a strong open go with api, if you want it red brown heroin coloured, round, soft and warm, take the drawmer or someting COMPARABLE, and not something totally different.

[thenoiseflower]

1968 is Fine on the 2 bus.
Better on the drums in parallel. hitting hard.

Someone mentioned the Dramastic SXL, that thing is SEX on the 2 Bus.
and great everywhere else too.

[tobymusic]

I have a 1968ME too. I think the reason why it's not so popular on the 2-buss is that it doesn't let you choose a ratio and it's always soft knee, which i personally don't like on the 2-bus. Anyways, to hear it working, you'll have to make it work a couple of dBs, and as soon as it is doing that, it's probably not good any more. But it has a lot of great uses, and i like the sound of it.

I have mine modified to be able to to turn the soft clipping on/off. It's really clean as soon as i turn off the soft clipping.

Toby

[IntenseJim]

Originally Posted by Niv

if you need tight, compact compression with a strong open go with api,

Originally Posted by Niv

if you want it red brown heroin coloured, round, soft and warm, take the drawmer

That sounds beautiful.

[radicalron]

The 1968 is a nice unit. Worth the price for sure. I really like it on the drum bus.
= Big Sound with the LP "Huge" switch engaged. It can work on the 2 bus, depending on the type of music your mixing. I recently mixed some raw rock n roll, and the 1968 was just the thing to "glue" the mix together. Well built unit, with a nice sonic signature.
-Not as versatile as the API 2500. Not as clean as the Smart C2. The 1968 uses tubes on the output. Just be careful not to turn the output up too much, It Causes the tubes to saturate. Can be nice as an effect, but gets mushy on the 2 bus. The 1968 is an awesome tracking compressor. I especially like it on Bass.
Having said that, I actually prefer the Smart C2 as my Ultimate choice for the 2 bus. I like the API 2500, but while the sonic signature of the 2500 works wonders on some music, I find it can be too colored on other types. I do alot of Jazz, World music, the transparent Smart C2 gets used the most.

[kurt]

On the 2 buss, I like 1968ME better than Portico 5043

[Fabio]

I have C2, Stc8 and 1968...which is better? depends on your goals and your tastes. They are all great machines but you really have to try them to understand how they work and to see if you like them. Personally if I have to choose one, I'd go for the Crane Song, imo the most versatile. C2 and 68 are different and they put their signature in different way on your music more than STC8. Between them for aggressive stuff C2 (or ssl type comp) is the way to follow. Great also on drums (try in parallel), piano, clean guitars. About the 1968, I love it also for guitars, drums and keys groups and it's a nice tracking tool too.

[Tom Agee]

I like the 1968 for vocals and acoustic guitar, for 2 buss the API 2500 is far more versatile.

[oudplayer]

Have only used the 1968ME on a few projects, but I found it to work decently as a drum submix compressor or on individual sources with fast attacks but not so good as a mix buss comp. I'd "go to" a Smart C1/C2, Manley VariMu, Api 2500, STC8 before the Drawmer. It might work ok for majorly stoner jam-band stuff when you want a really mushy mix, I'd imagine, but that kind of music and mixing style ain't my cup of tea anyways.

[Don Clendenon]

when it first came out as the 1969 i emailed fletcher to find out what his settigs were. he uses attack 4 and release 1 which gives a really punchy sound to the music without hicupping like the c2 or the 2500. i think its all in the way you set it up weather it coems out mushy or not.

[seansolo]

no to the Drawmer.

yes to the 33609

yes to the C2

Mostly I just push thru the SSL mix bus compressor a bit and then hand them off to the ME.

[trustyjim]

I just want to post a little follow-up here. A big thanks to everyone for their advice, it gave me some good ideas about what I wanted to try out.

I ended up going with a 33609 and a pair of Retro 176's. The 176's are great on the mix bus! The neve can be too but I personally have a hard time getting it to sound right. Does anyone have any tricks or settings for using it on the mix bus?

I have my sights set now on an API 2500 to complement the retros, and a better set of 2ch converters to re-capture the magic at the end of the chain (currently going back into Apogee AD-16X).