The MX30 Gated/Comp/Limiter is a low cost professional quality dynamics processor containing some of the proprietary design circuitry used in the more expensive models in the Drawmer range. The MX30 has many automated features enabling fast, effective dynamic control whilst retaining the instinctively laid out control parameters, sonic character and high technical specification which have made Drawmer the industry standard. The MX30Æs competitive price point brings DrawmerÆs professional processing into a much wider musician, project studio and live performance area.

Extended information

Operational control is split into three sections:- Gate, Compressor, Output:

æProgramme AdaptiveÆ Gate
Used to remove unwanted noise below a pre-set level, each channel consists of a variable Threshold Gate incorporating DrawmerÆs æProgramme AdaptiveÆ circuitry. Although quick and simple to operate, the gateÆs auto-circuitry continually optimises such parameters as Attack, Hold, Ratio and Release, completely eliminating æchatterÆ when the signal is fluctuating on or around Threshold. Two LEDÆs show when the signal is æaboveÆ or æbelowÆ Threshold and a push button switch allows additional control of Release time. This design approach also retains all æleading edgeÆ information making the gate ideal for æcleaning upÆ vocals or retaining the æpunchÆ on gated drums. Switching is provided for 'Fast' or 'Slow' release characteristics. The 'Fast' mode can be used for instruments with rapid decay times or for additional tightening of the gating effect. The 'Slow' mode is more suitable for vocals and instruments with longer decay times or can be used to smooth over rough fade outs. A single LED indicates gating action.

Soft Knee æAuto CompressorÆ
The gate is followed by a variable Threshold, variable Ratio, soft knee compressor with fully automatic Attack and Release. Large transients are controlled instantly whilst small signal variations are treated gently, retaining as much ælifeÆ as possible and without generating unpredictable side effects. From the slightest to the most aggressive levels of compression, the MX30 handles it all with ease and displays the amount of compression taking place on a high resolution Gain Reduction bargraph meter.

Output
The Gain control is used to compensate for the amount of compression and brings the signal to the required output level as displayed by the output bargraph meter. A variable Threshold æzero overshootÆ limiter, essential for avoiding distortion when mastering to digital or speaker protection in a æliveÆ situation, adds the final polish to the signal by keeping control over signal peaks. The Limit threshold provides an absolute maximum peak level which no signal can pass. Fast transients are clipped instantly whilst more sustained peaks are dealt with by applying Gain Reduction, indicated by a single LED.

Controls

Gate Threshold: This control sets the level below which gating takes place and may be set anywhere in the range of -70dB to +20dB. A green LED illuminates to show when the signal is above threshold (i.e. gate open) and a red LED illuminates when the signal is below Threshold (i.e. gate closed).

Release: Either a Fast or Slow auto release contour may be selected depending on the material being processed. An LED indicates when Slow release status is engaged. Percussive material with little or no reverb is generally treated using the Fast release setting, whereas with slow decays or a significant amount of added reverb will usually respond better to the Slow release setting.

Compressor Threshold: This determines the input level above which gain reduction will be applied and may be set anywhere in the range of -40dB to +20dB. Soft Knee compression takes place for signals exceeding the threshold level by up to 10dB above which level, conventional æratioÆ compression is applied.

Gain Reduction Bargraph Meter: A nine segment LED bargraph meter continuously monitors the gain reduction applied by the compressor over a range of 0dB to 30dB.

Ratio: Sets the final compression ratio that will be applied once the 10dB soft knee region is exceeded. The ratio may be continuously adjusted from 1.2:1 to infinity:1 allowing the possibility of true hard limiting. The higher the ratio setting the more compression takes place (eg. A ratio of 8:1 means that an 8dB increase in volume at the input will appear as a 1dB increase in volume at the output).

Stereo Link: The unit can function as two independent gated/compressor/limiters or when ælinkÆ mode is engaged for stereo use Channel 1 becomes the master, automatically duplicating its parameters across to Channel 2. In this mode the same degree of gain reduction is applied to both audio channels to prevent image shifting.

Output Gain: The output level may be attenuated or amplified by up to 20dB to compensate for level changes caused by compression. This control comes directly before the Peak Limiter detector and this fact should be taken into account when setting the Peak Limiter threshold.

Peak Limit: This control sets an absolute limit that the output signal will not be permitted to exceed. The limiter is æzero response timeÆ and controls peaks without any audible distortion. For transparent æpeak protectionÆ the output gain control should be set to ensure that the Peak Limiter operates only occasionally. Alternatively, the unit can be driven into heavy limiting for creative effects.

Input/Output Bargraph Meter: An eight segment LED bargraph level meter monitors the level of the output signal over a range of -20dB to +15dB. When Bypass is selected this meter reads input level.

Technical specifications

INPUT IMPEDANCE 20K Ohms (bal), 4K Ohms (unbal)
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL +21dBu
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE 50 Ohms (bal), 100 Ohms (unbal)
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL +20dBu
BANDWIDTH <10Hz to 36KHz -1dB
CROSSTALK @ 10KHz -94dB
@ 1KHz <100dB

NOISE AT UNITY GAIN with Gate OFF
Wideband 22Hz - 22KHz CCIR ARM IEC A Q-Pk CCIR
AV -95dB -101dB -100dB -102dB -89dB
RMS -95dB -101dB -98dB -100dB -87dB

DISTORTION
Typical Input 100Hz 1KHz 10KHz
Unity Gain, +4dBu input < 0.03% < 0.02% < 0.03%
+14dBu input, 10dB Gain Red. < 0.2% < 0.2% < 0.2%

POWER REQUIREMENTS 115Volt or 230Volt at 50-60Hz, 9 Watts
FUSE RATING T32mA for 230Volt, T63mA for 115Volt
CONFORMING TO BS EN 60127-2:1991 SHEET III
FUSE TYPE 20mm x 5mm, Class 3 Slo-Blo, 250Volt working
CASE SIZE 482mm (w) x 44mm (h) x 200mm (d)
WEIGHT (incl packaging) 3.2 Kgs