DS201

Industry-Standard Noise Gate
The Drawmer DS201 is the industry-standard high-end noise gate that has defined professional gating for decades. This sophisticated dual-channel processor incorporates several of Drawmer’s signature innovations, including variable high-pass and low-pass filters for frequency-conscious gating.

Trusted by studios and live engineers worldwide, the DS201 remains the benchmark for transparent, musical noise control in demanding audio environments.

Gate with Ease
Setting up a noise gate can often be challenging, particularly when separating a wanted signal from unwanted noise or crosstalk. In drum recording, for example, hi-hat spill may falsely trigger a snare gate. Simply raising the threshold can reduce this, but often at the expense of losing quieter details.

Drawmer’s solution is both simple and effective. Two variable filters — one high-pass and one low-pass — operate within the side-chain, allowing precise frequency targeting. Using the Key Listen function, engineers can audition and fine-tune the filter response to reject unwanted spill, ensuring the gate opens only for the intended signal.

“These are the best gates I’ve ever worked with, and I now understand why they’re found in so many studios.”
— Larry Crane, Tape Op

Comprehensive Envelope Control
With an extremely fast attack time, the DS201 opens in microseconds, preserving the natural transients of any source. Its comprehensive envelope controls allow the gate’s behaviour to be shaped precisely to the material.

On vocals, a fast attack maintains clarity and intelligibility, while a slower release produces smooth fade-outs and avoids abrupt cut-offs. This natural response is crucial, as the ear is far more sensitive to sudden level changes than to a consistent low-level noise floor.

Creative Sound Shaping
Beyond noise reduction, the DS201 is also a powerful sound-shaping tool. It can tighten drum attacks, reshape decay characteristics, smooth sample tails, or add punch and control to synthesised material.

An external key input allows the DS201 to be triggered by another source, enabling classic techniques such as using a snare signal to open an ambient microphone for gated reverb effects. Each channel can also be switched between Gate and Duck modes, making the DS201 equally effective for voice-over work, broadcast applications, and the removal of clicks and pops.