Drawmer 1968 settings for mix buss!

[MattioliCo]

We're using a Drawmer 1968 here!
I'm curious to know what settings you guys use on the mix buss!
Cheers

[KRStudio]

There is no preset for a reason. Your music needs it's very own setting. There is no real starting point other than slowish attack, mid release. Twist knobs and see what happens. Have fun with the 1968 it's a great piece of gear.

Jeff

[aidyhall]

I've had more success with attack on 4, release on 1 ... and the BIG switch off, usually. It's a little bit more 'grabby' and kind of glues the mix a bit like an SSL at those settings. Too much low end gets through and the compressor doesn't pull the mix together enough with BIG on, although it does depend on the mix, obviously. Though for drum buss duties, BIG is usually on ...

As always, your mileage may vary ...

[once a roadie]

attack 6 or 5 (slowish)
release 4
big ON
gain 12:00 - 02:00

[dudge]

Big on
Attack 4
Release 4 or 1
2 or 3 dB gain reduction on the highest peaks
meters backlight just flickering red on peaks.

[Fabio]

Originally Posted by dudge

Big on
Attack 4
Release 4 or 1
2 or 3 dB gain reduction on the highest peaks
meters backlight just flickering red on peaks.

When I use it on the 2 buss same starting point here!

[swafford]

Big on
attack 4 or 5
release 1

I love this unit, but am I missing the reason there's no other markings between what's already there?

[adamaudio]

don't forget attack 5 release 2 - big on
or attack 2 release 2 - big on
or attack 6 release 1 - big on

these are powerful groovy settings!

adamaudio

[Lipps]

Im on
Attack 4
Release 4
Big on
Output +10
knockin off 3 dbs

Warm Glue

[Drumsound]

I use a '69. Threshold at 0 attack 2 release 4 output gain 0, big switch on. That's where I start. At 3 or 4 times during the mix I go to the 69 and play with those settings, change attack and release, maybe threshold, but often that stays at 0 because I don't want the mix comp that obvious. Recently a mix even sounded a little better with the big switch OUT!

[once a roadie]

Originally Posted by moracspace

Sounds like a decent setting but the gain settings are irrelevant

au contraire mon frere - the gain knob on this thing is where some magic happens to the high end...

[Fletcher]

Well... I can say it was kinda originally set up with the thought of Attack= 4 Release= 1 (or 4 which is a program dependent version of release =1) as the point of 'approval' for the unit [big switch engaged].

The other times were put on their for variation... but in my twisted mind [consultant to the project] those were the highly suggested starting points.

As always, YMMV.

Peace.

[MattioliCo]

Thanks all!

Agreed Fletcher, I started with the Attack=4, Release=1, big on and it seems to be working for me!

[Mike Caffrey]

Originally Posted by aidyhall

I've had more success with attack on 4, release on 1 ... and the BIG switch off, usually. It's a little bit more 'grabby' and kind of glues the mix a bit like an SSL at those settings. Too much low end gets through and the compressor doesn't pull the mix together enough with BIG on, although it does depend on the mix, obviously. Though for drum buss duties, BIG is usually on ...

As always, your mileage may vary ...

Me too.

Sometimes a release of 4.

Sometimes and attack of 5 or 6.

Once in a while an attack of 3, but always with a release of 1.

[Mike Caffrey]

Originally Posted by swafford

Big on
attack 4 or 5
release 1

I love this unit, but am I missing the reason there's no other markings between what's already there?

Maybe because the knobs are switches, not rotary pots?

[BLueROom]

Originally Posted by Mike Caffrey

Maybe because the knobs are switches, not rotary pots?

He may be talking about the gain knob which has a huge gap between markings.

[Jorg]

would the release at 1 of this unit be fast enough for electronic music at 140bpm with 4/4 bassdrum?

[Fletcher]

Yes

[Jorg]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Yes

Thanks! At that price I'll take the risk and order one.

[Zep Dude]

Originally Posted by moracspace

Sounds like a decent setting but the gain settings are irrelevant

Actually, on this unit the gain settings do change the sound. Pushing the gain brings the unit more into distortion (for better or worse depending on what you want). However, output gain settings are also a function of input gain so it is a bit of a moving target.

[desotoslo]

hey, excuse this brief hijack please: is the 1968 the type of piece that could benefit a signal even when it's not compressing? can you essentially bypass the compressor, or compress very little, and still add that tube warmth? thanks!

[Fletcher]

If you drive the output rather hard you can get some tube based distortion... "tube warmth" if you want to call it that, yeah, what the hell.

[desotoslo]

cool, thanks for the input, Fletcher. i'm on a limited budget and am looking for the (nonexistent) all-in-one solution.

[fetti]

I'm using it for a number of tasks of which mix buss is one. You should play with it. If you can't find settings you like it may be due to inequity in the mix. You bought it, you might as well play with it. What's the right way to kiss a girl? I say "my way" you say "your way". It's more important to listen and focus on what she responds too.

[DirkB]

Been using it on the drumbus lately. I use the output gain to get a nice red color on the VU meters when kick and snare hit (at least that's what it lights look like after listening ).
This gives a little thickness to the sound and takes care of some peak limiting which means the mix require less peak-limiting at mastering.

Cool unit.

Regards.
Dirk

[Mike Caffrey]

Originally Posted by desotoslo

hey, excuse this brief hijack please: is the 1968 the type of piece that could benefit a signal even when it's not compressing? can you essentially bypass the compressor, or compress very little, and still add that tube warmth? thanks!

You could, but you'd end up with really hot levels and there are other things that do that more effectively and easily.