DL441
Quad Auto Compressor & Limiter
The Drawmer DL441 is a quad-channel auto compressor and peak limiter that brings the proven dynamics performance of the DL241 into a compact 1U unit. Designed for professional studio, broadcast, and live sound applications, it delivers fast, accurate control over dynamic range and absolute protection against signal peaks.
Each of the four channels combines Auto Attack/Release compression with selectable Hard or Soft Knee operation and a zero-overshoot peak limiter. This intelligent design ensures smooth, musical compression while maintaining transparency and consistency across complex programme material. With comprehensive metering and flexible control, the DL441 is an efficient and dependable solution for managing multiple audio sources with confidence.
Quad Compression and Limiting
The Drawmer DL441 Quad Auto Compressor/Limiter delivers four channels of Drawmer’s acclaimed DL241 dynamics circuitry in a compact 1U chassis. Designed for speed, accuracy, and reliability, it combines intelligent automation with precise manual control to provide confident management of dynamic range and peak levels in studio, broadcast, and live sound environments.
Each channel features an Auto Attack/Release compressor paired with a variable-threshold peak limiter, delivering smooth, musical compression alongside transparent peak control. High-resolution bar-graph metering displays gain reduction and output level simultaneously, allowing quick visual feedback during operation.
Compressor
Each compressor channel can operate in either Hard Knee or Soft Knee mode. Soft Knee gradually increases the compression ratio over a 10 dB range, producing smooth and musical results that are ideal for vocals, instruments, and full mixes.
Hard Knee applies the selected ratio immediately once the threshold is exceeded, delivering tighter and more assertive control. This mode is particularly effective for broadcast applications or for shaping drums, guitars, and vocals where stronger dynamic control is required.
Auto Attack and Release
Selectable Auto Attack and Release continuously adapt to programme material, preserving transients while preventing excessive peaks. This intelligent response minimises pumping and breathing, even when handling complex or unpredictable dynamics such as full mixes, vocals, or bass instruments.
The result is responsive, natural-sounding compression that maintains clarity and impact without drawing attention to the processing.
Peak Level Limiter
Drawmer’s Zero Response Time, Zero Overshoot peak limiter provides absolute control over output levels. Adjustable from 0 dB to +16 dB above system level, it delivers distortion-free limiting and complete protection against overloads.
This ultra-fast limiter makes the DL441 equally well suited to mastering, live sound reinforcement, and loudspeaker protection, where reliability and precision are essential.
Features
- Four-channel, 1U auto compressor and peak limiter
- Variable ratio with selectable Soft or Hard Knee compression per channel
- Proprietary Auto Compressor with slope-based attack and envelope-following release
- Zero-overshoot transparent limiter providing up to +20 dB of peak control
- Fully balanced hard-wire bypass connects input directly to output
- Stereo linking for channels 1–2 and 3–4 prevents stereo image shifting
- Comprehensive metering offers clear, at-a-glance indication of gain reduction and output level
- Selectable –10 dB / +4 dB operating levels individually switchable per channel
- Rugged steel chassis with aluminium front panel, built to classic Drawmer standards
- Designed and handmade by Drawmer in the United Kingdom
Specifications
| Input impedance | 20k Ohms or greater |
| Maximum input level | +21 dBu |
| Output impedance | 50 Ohms (balanced), 100 Ohms (unbalanced) |
|
Maximum output level Into 10k Ohms load |
+20 dBu |
|
Bandwidth -1 dB |
<12 Hz to 35 kHz |
|
Crosstalk @ 10 kHz |
> -80 dB |
|
Crosstalk @ 20 kHz |
> -75 dB |
|
Noise at unity gain 22 Hz – 22 kHz |
-98 dB (AV), -96 dB (RMS) |
|
Distortion @ 1 kHz, unity gain, +4 dBu input |
<0.015% |
|
Distortion @ 1 kHz, +14 dBu input, 10 dB gain reduction |
<0.1% |
| Power requirements |
230 V or 115 V ~ 50–60 Hz Power consumption: 13 VA |
|
Fuse rating @ 230 V |
T63 mA |
|
Fuse rating @ 115 V |
T125 mA (IEC 127-2) |
| Fuse type | 20 mm × 5 mm, Class 3 Timed-Blo, 250 V |
|
Case Depth |
200 mm |
|
Case Width |
482 mm |
|
Case Height |
44 mm |
| Weight | 3.4 kg |
In the interests of product development, Drawmer reserve the right to modify or improve specifications of this product at any time, without prior notice.
