Intro

For the mastering engineer, a multi-band compressor is a powerful tool. But as Spiderman’s uncle Ben famously says: with great power comes great responsibility. A multi-band compressor that is not used diligently may create more problems than it solves. This is why we created Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor.

Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor features an enhanced multi-band compressor sound design, fine-tuned to improve your mix with a minimum of tweaking. The S73 does most of the job for you by making the choices a mastering engineer would make. Simply use the Style parameter to switch between ready made mastering processing techniques to quickly find the sound that suits your mix the best.

Handles It All

When we designed Drawmer S73 IMP, we wanted to make it sound transparent and suit any program material. We analyzed dozens of mixes and reached the conclusion that most of them have similar problems. So we created algorithms for S73 IMP to fix those problems. S73 can deliver both gentle sheen for a mix that’s already great to begin with, as well as dramatic improvements for a more problematic mix.

Based on Drawmer 1973

Under the hood, the S73 is based on technology created by Drawmer for the 1973 Three Band FET Stereo Compressor. This is an award winning multi-band analog compressor design famous for its precision and flexibility. Softube has carefully modeled all the characteristics of the original analog hardware, and have taken the concept a step further by adding mastering sound design to create the Drawmer S73 IMP. The unit offers the perfect way to balance and shape your mix, and get great analog sound in no time.

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Original Drawmer 1973 hardware.

 

User Interface

Amount: Controls the amount of dynamic and spatial processing applied. However, you should use Mix knob to control the overall precessing level.

Gain reduction meter: Shows the overall gain reduction.

Style: Switches between the different styles of mastering algorithms. The algorithms are divided into three groups: CLEAN, BASS CONTROL and SPATIAL.

CLEAN group contains styles that make a mix clearer by improving definition between vocals, instruments and other elements of the mix. Scroll through the styles in the group to find one that suits your music the best.

BASS CONTROL group lists styles that treat problems in the low end. If your mix sounds boomy or muddy, try De-Rumble style first. Punch style will add punch and definition to the kick drum and bass.

SPATIAL group includes styles designed to widen stereo image of your mixes, bring out ambience and emphasize lead vocals in the mix.

VU meters: VU meters show output volume for left and right channel.

Mix: Mix knob controls the balance between DRY and WET signal and can be used for parallel processing.

Gain: Gain knob controls the output gain.

Air: Air switch will bring more “air” to your mixes. Use MIX knob to control the amount of Air you’re adding to the mix.

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  1. VU meters
  2. Air
  3. Style
  4. Amount
  5. Gain reduction meter
  6. Mix
  7. Gain

 

In use

Using the Drawmer S73 is easy, since you really can’t do anything wrong. Play around with different styles, place several instances after each other, and listen to the result.

Select style

Fundamentally, the Drawmer S73 IMP is operated by auditioning the different Styles and choose the one that suits your mix the best. It’s good to start with 1-3 dB of gain reduction and increase the amount if needed. It’s safe to combine two or more instances of S73 with different styles. Just add them in series in the insert slots of your DAW’s master channel. For example, an S73 instance with GENTLE compression often works well followed by one set to WIDE mix. As does DE-RUMBLE followed by CLARITY 1. See the Styles description section for a walkthrough of all included Styles.

Use parallel processing

The Mix Knob can be used for parallel processing. This is a very useful technique in which you create a blend of the processed and unprocessed sound. The processed portion will add a full and dense sound, while the unprocessed portion retains original dynamics. To use parallel processing, try increasing Amount until meter shows 5-10 dB of gain reduction—which is in most cases is considered a great deal of compression—and then use the Mix knob to blend in the unprocessed signal until you find a pleasing balance. Activating AIR will add even more excitement to the master.

Tip! Use several S73 instances with different Styles at the same time, for example De-Rumble followed by Clarity 1

 

Styles description

Here is a short description of the different mastering styles.

Clean

Clarity 1: Instant clarity and definition. Use gently.

Clarity 2: Adds definition in the midrange and tames high frequency harshness.

Neutral: The most neutral Style, ideal to polish mixes that are already great, and just add some sheen.

Gentle Comp: Adds glue and density to the mix. Keep gain reduction around 3 dB.

More Air: Lets your mix breathe, and adds sheen to the top end.

This style allows you to control the amount of air by using the Amount knob, while the Air switch will add additional sheen.

Bass Control

De-Rumble: Removes low frequency rumble from the mix and adds clarity and definition.

Punch: Adds punch to a kick drum and bass.

Spatial

Wide Mix: Gently widens your mix in the stereo field.

Ambience: Brings out existing ambience in your mix.

Vocals Enhance: Will bring the lead vocal upfront.

Please note that Spatial style group is not compatible with mono and multi-mono versions of S73

 

Drawmer S73 for Amp Room

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When purchasing this product, you automatically gain access to running the Drawmer S73 plugin as a module inside the Amp Room platform. The module can be matched and arranged together with any other native Amp Room module or other Amp Room-ready modules that you might own.

 

Extended Features

A whole range of added control can be accessed with Extended Features. Please see the separate "Extended Features" manual for more information.

 

Credits

Björn Rödseth, Oscar Öberg – Modeling
Paul Shyrinskykh – Sound design, manual
Torsten Gatu – Project management
Niklas Odelholm – Graphic design
Kristofer Ulfves – Marketing
Ulf Ekelöf – 3D rendering