Drawmer 1976 Three Band Saturator by Softube saturation plugin interface

Drawmer 1976 Three Band Saturator: Three-Band Saturation Plugin by Softube

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (13 ratings)

Drawmer 1976 Three Band Saturator is a 64-bit saturation and stereo width plugin from Softube, modeled on the classic Drawmer 1976 hardware processor. It applies independent saturation across three frequency bands.

VST3VST2AUAAXRTASWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Softube developed this plugin as a model of the Drawmer 1976 Stereo Three Band Saturation and Width Processor, a hardware unit that Drawmer has endorsed for this release. Softube says the software captures the sound and features of the original. The processor splits the signal into three bands, each with its own saturation, and adds stereo widening. Softube adds a few features the hardware did not have, including low and high cut filters and improved LED metering.

Best for

Stereo synth processing
Drum bus saturation
Bass warmth and punch
Vocal saturation
Full mix widening
Mono compatibility checks

Developer: Softube
Category: Saturation
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Precise model of the classic Drawmer 1976 stereo three-band saturation processor
Authentically captures the sound and features of the original hardware
Three bands of independent saturation
Stereo widening with a convenient Mono Check switch
Low and high cut filters added beyond the original hardware
Improved LED metering compared with the original unit
Console 1-ready
Available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats

03In depth

Three-Band Saturation and Stereo Width

The plugin divides the signal into three bands, and each band has independent saturation. This lets you add warmth or edge to a specific range instead of driving the whole signal. Softube says this approach avoids the broad distortion that single-band saturation can introduce.

Stereo widening is built in. A Mono Check switch lets you confirm how the mix holds up when summed to mono, which is useful when widening stereo sources such as synths, full mixes and stereo buses.

Softube also points to the additional low and high cut filters, which give you control over the range being processed.

Workflow and Use Cases

Softube lists percussion, bass, synths, vocals and full mixes as the sources the three bands are designed to shape. The plugin is intended for stereo sources, and Softube describes it as adding warmth, punch and 3D immersive qualities.

Softube notes that the plugin is Console 1-ready, so it can be used with Softube's Console 1 hardware controller. It is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats, and each format has its own installation path, so check your host before purchasing.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Softube
Type	Plugin
Category	Saturation
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is the Drawmer 1976 Three Band Saturator?

It is a saturation and stereo width plugin from Softube that models the Drawmer 1976 Stereo Three Band Saturation and Width Processor. It has three bands of independent saturation.

Which formats and operating systems does it support?

It is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats. It runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) and on macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12 and Ventura 13.

What do I need to use it?

You need a compatible 64-bit host application such as a VST, VST3, AU or AAX DAW, a Softube account and an iLok account. Internet access is needed to download installers and manage licenses. Softube recommends the latest iLok License Manager, which is downloaded from ilok.com.

Which DAWs does Softube officially test with?

Softube says it officially tests its plugins in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One and Reaper. Other hosts may work if system requirements are met, but they are not regularly tested.