TransAudio Group, the U.S. distributor for Drawmer, is introducing the new 1972 dual mic/lne and instrument preamplifier, which sports two identical channels of analog pre-amplification in a 1U rack chassis constructed of steel for added reliability in studio and live sound applications.
The new 1972 is equipped with a Select input source switch that has six positions to cover the 1/4-inch front panel Instrument input jack for guitars, basses, or electronic keyboards, and five more positions covering separate rear-panel XLR input jacks for microphones with or without 48-volt phantom powering or line level input sources.
Other switch positions are provided to match microphones with 200, 600 or 2,400-ohm impedances. Low impedance passive ribbon microphones can provide an improved result when impedance-matched correctly.
Up to 66 dB of clean gain in 6 dB steps is provided by THAT Corporation technology using a 12-position rotary Gain switch. The switch’s detents make it easy to recall settings from previous sessions – well-suited for rapid changeovers in live recordings – when there is no time to reset record levels. Input levels are monitored on a five LED color-coded meter directly above the Input Gain control, while a compact analog VU meter monitors the final Output level.
Front panel controls continue with a Phase reverse button and the switchable Lo and HiCut filter section that also works as a smooth bandpass filter. The LoCut section is switchable in/out and is a 12 dB/octave filter with the ability to sweep any frequency between 15 Hz to 350 Hz. Having a fully-adjustable LoCut filter allows users to fine tune and negate low-frequency rumble, stage vibration – even traffic noise without affecting the natural, musical bass frequencies.
The HiCut or low-pass half of this filter ranges from 1.5 kHz to 20 kHz and is also a 12 dB/octave design. It can be used to remove system hiss and sibilance. Either section can be used separately.
Also onboard is Lift, a low-level, upward expander. When switched in, Lift adds gain to input signals below a level of -30 dB and continues adding gain until a level of 0 dB is reached. Further, starting at -30 dB, the amount of added gain is gradually reduced as the average level approaches 0 dB. It’s designed to be useful for studio, TV sound, conferences, and public address system recordings.
Another tool is Shape, basically an “instant sonic fixer” that’s comprised of two separate, fixed-frequency tilt or see-saw equalizers both centered at 500 Hz. Low Shape will provide up to a 2.5 dB boost at 40 Hz and, at the same time, attenuates -2.5 dB at 10 kHz. Conversely, High Shape reduces by 2.5 dB at 40 Hz and, at the same time, boosts up to 2.5 dB at 10 kHz. With both Low and High Shape buttons engaged, a useful “scoop” centered at 500 Hz can be generated.
“As usual, Drawmer studied the marketplace and engineered an affordable dual mic pre with one-of-a-kind features to meet today’s intricate recording issues and live sound applications,” says Brad Lunde, present of TransAudio Group. “The 1972 is destined to be a staple piece of gear in every audio rack.”
The new Drawmer 1972 is now available at a U.S. MSRP of $1,149.
