Recognising the requirement for straightforward operation and minimal rack space in numerous general gating applications, Drawmer has ingeniously crafted the Drawmer DS404 Quad Noise Gate, incorporating novel ‘Programme Adaptive’ circuitry. This innovation positions the DS404 as an excellent choice for a diverse spectrum of input signals, spanning from drums and percussive instruments to vocals, pianos, and even full mixes.
The Drawmer DS404 encompasses the following features:
- Quad Gate: Offering four channels of Drawmer DS201 calibre noise gates.
- Frequency Sensitivity: The inclusion of adjustable Low-Pass and High-Pass Filters permits uncompromising frequency-selective gating. The unit can be toggled for either Internal or External Key sources, and the KEY LISTEN function facilitates monitoring of filter settings.
- Hard/Soft Gating: Each DS404 channel can function as a HARD or SOFT gate, yielding distinct characteristics. Dual coloured LEDs clearly indicate the operational mode. In HARD mode, the Drawmer DS404 delivers ultra-fast response times, stable triggering free from threshold-related chatter, and a specialised release contour ideally suited for drums and percussive content. Shifting to SOFT mode transforms the DS404 into a versatile expander capable of handling vocals and submixes. Drawmer’s proprietary ‘Programme Adaptive’ circuitry optimises attack time and ratio while also influencing manual release settings. A gentler release profile is employed to complement the SOFT gate.
- Threshold: The fully adjustable threshold control spans from +20dB to -70dB.
- Release Control: A fully variable release control ranges from 10 ms to 5 sec, ensuring that essential envelope control remains intact without sacrificing rack space efficiency.
- Attenuation Range: The Drawmer DS404 features switchable attenuation levels between 90dB and 20dB, catering to scenarios where complete muting isn’t desired.
- Chain Linking: Engaging the LINK control designates the right channel for SLAVE operation, wherein its gating mode, threshold, and envelope characteristics are governed by the left MASTER channel. Adjacent three channels or two stereo pairs can be linked in this manner, proving useful in any situation requiring linking.
- LED Displays: Drawmer’s recognisable tri-colour LED display is once again employed as the optimal means of indicating envelope statuses for each channel.
- Input/Output: The DS404 is equipped with balanced inputs and outputs utilising XLR connections.
