The Drawmer 1979 is a modern analogue channel strip designed to deliver pristine signal capture, flexible tone shaping, and classic dynamic control within a compact 1U rackmount format. Combining an ultra-clean microphone pre-amplifier, the distinctive Drawmer Lift circuit, a musical three-band parametric equaliser, and a vintage-inspired soft-knee FET compressor, the Drawmer 1979 brings together multiple stages of analogue processing in a single, highly adaptable unit. Each section can be independently bypassed, and the signal path order of the equaliser and compressor can be switched, allowing the Drawmer 1979 to adapt easily to tracking, mixing, and sound design duties.
At the front end, the Drawmer 1979 features a high-performance THAT Corporation microphone pre-amplifier offering up to 66dB of stepped gain. With support for microphone, line-level, and instrument DI sources, the pre-amplifier is designed to deliver exceptionally low noise and high transparency, making it suitable for everything from delicate acoustic recordings to high-output sources. Switchable microphone impedance allows optimal matching for a wide range of microphones, including condensers, ribbons, and vintage dynamics, ensuring each microphone can be operated at its ideal electrical load.
A defining feature of the Drawmer 1979 is the Lift circuit, originally introduced on the Drawmer 1972. Lift is a dynamic gain module that raises quieter signals below 0dB while leaving louder material unaffected. Rather than compressing peaks, Lift works by gently increasing low-level detail in real time, reducing perceived dynamic range without introducing compression artefacts. This makes it particularly effective on vocals, finger-picked guitars, piano, and ambient sources, where subtle detail and balance are critical.
Tone shaping is handled by a fully variable three-band parametric equaliser offering up to ±12dB of cut or boost per band. The mid band includes switchable bandwidth control, allowing both broad, musical shaping and more focused corrective work. The equaliser is designed to be smooth and controllable, suitable for gentle enhancement as well as precise frequency management within a mix.
Dynamic control is provided by a soft-knee FET compressor that delivers the characteristic musical behaviour associated with classic Drawmer designs. It can operate transparently for vocal levelling and mix cohesion, or more assertively for drums and instruments. A rear-panel sidechain insert allows external processing of the detector signal for advanced compression techniques. The FET stage can also be fully bypassed when ultra-clean signal paths are required.
The output section of the Drawmer 1979 provides additional flexibility through a wet and dry mix control, enabling parallel EQ and compression without external routing. Output gain allows precise level matching or make-up gain, while a large backlit analogue VU meter provides clear visual monitoring. A global bypass switch disengages both the equaliser and compressor, leaving a direct, unprocessed pre-amplifier output when required.
Internally, the Drawmer 1979 uses a low-hum toroidal linear power supply with a voltage selector, along with time-delay relays on the outputs to ensure silent power-up and power-down. The unit is housed in a rugged steel chassis with an aluminium front panel and is designed and handmade by Drawmer in the United Kingdom.
Features
- Ultra-clean THAT Corporation microphone pre-amplifier with up to 66dB of gain
- Mic, line, and instrument DI inputs with switchable microphone impedance
- Lift dynamic gain module for enhancing low-level detail without compression artefacts
- Fully variable three-band parametric equaliser with ±12dB cut or boost
- Switchable bandwidth control on the mid band
- Soft-knee FET compressor with musical, vintage-style response
- Rear-panel sidechain insert for advanced compression techniques
- Switchable EQ and compressor order in the signal path
- Independent bypass for pre-amplifier, EQ, and compressor sections
- Wet and dry mix control for parallel EQ and compression
- Output gain control for level matching and make-up gain
- Large backlit analogue VU meter with switchable +10dB rescale
- Time-delay output relays for silent power-up and power-down
- Internal toroidal linear power supply with voltage selector
- Designed and handmade by Drawmer in the United Kingdom
