Apr, 2014 here the infamous dbx in action, we refer to it as the bass monster great at making that infamous hip hop 808, or putting the control needed over a bass line great piece of gear, and the bang. The fastacting dbx 160 compressor was used in almost every major recording in the late 70s and throughout the 80s, and later models in the 160 series also became industry standards. Its a softknee rms compressor with a vintage flavour. A separate implementation, known as dbxtv, is part of the mts system used to provide stereo sound to north american and certain other tv systems. Eric demonstrates four fundamental uses of the dbx160 compressorlimiter. The ease of use makes it quick and easy to get a good sound and the bypass button is handy when abing your signal. Free vst dbx 165a compressor the sound youve been looking for. The dbx noise reduction system used compression while recording an audio track. Waves dbx 160 compressor limiter plugin sweetwater. The most common implementations are dbx type i and dbx type ii for analog tape recording and, less commonly, vinyl lps.
Designed by engineer david blackmer in the early 1970s, the dbx 160 series of compressors have enjoyed continued popularity, especially when working with drums, because their tight and assertive character helps make things sound big and punchy. Both sound pretty much the same, some say the unbalanced output of the 160xt sounds a bit different. If any of the links above result in strange characters in your browser, please rightclick the. For its flexibility, sound, price, and longevity, the dbx 560a is a real winner. Top 20 best compressors of all time page 9 of 20 attack magazine. Dbx 160x compressor limiter original japan vintage rack. Im looking into buying one or two of the dbx 160 series. Extra 40% off use code creative40 considered one of the best drum compressors ever, the original dbx 160 stands tall among its peers, boasting a very clean sound with minimum thd. Stereo and midside functionality allow for easy group and mix.
In live sound reinforcement, the 160a can allow the engineer to get that fat studio sound out of the drum kit or provide protection limiting for the speakers. The dbx 160x is a legendary dbx 160 family of compressorlimiters. Ive got two 160xs neither of which have i managed to get to work properly. Pitch audio research studio di registrazione 7,930 views. We used them inserted into the main buss for the lr outputs for all types of shows, big and small. The dbx 160a is a legendary dbx 160 family of compressorlimiters. They are also cool on bass and some vocals i like to set the compression ratio to infinity to really smash things. The xs have the characteristic dbx cloudy sound when smashed better for bass. Get the best price and selection of dbx pro audio at musicians friend. The dbx model 160x is a professional single channel. Apr 16, 2004 the 160 series are great compressors that really dont get in the way much. Compressor settings dbx 166xl craig vecchiones live. The 160xt is similar to the 160x but adds xlr connectors and some updates to the circuitry. The systems rated sensitivity is a high 91 db sound pressure level spl at 1 meter with an input signal of 2.
I liked hardknee because it wouldnt kill my dynamics. The same classic sound, easy setup and no compromise metering is now married to an improved signal path and stronger chassis design. Heres a pdf of the manual direct from the dbx vintage site. Find great deals on ebay for dbx 160x and dbx 160xt. Dbx 160x vs dbx 160xt gearslutz pro audio community. The rated frequency response of the dbx soundfield 100 is 40 to 20,000 hz 3 db, and the nominal system impedance is 4 ohms with a 2. The original 160 was a halfwidth 2u box and the 160x was the first of the fam. In terms of the sound and makeup of the cbx 160 itself, there were multiple releases of the piece, and multiple modifications. First, see this article for an explanation of dbxs productnumbering system.
The result is industry standard compressorlimiter which is digitalready and road tough. Plugins dbx 160 compressor limiter audio plugins store. If i try to use either unit vai inserts on the board the input level on the dbx is too low for any gain reduction. Since its introduction in the mid 1970s, the dbx 160 series has been the worlds most popular line of audio. The dbx 160 compressorlimiter for uad2 hardware and apollo interfaces is a fully licensed and faithful emulation of the legendary dbx 160 hardware compressorlimiter still widely considered one of the best character compressor ever made. Warm audio wa2a vs dbx 160x limiter vocal shootout youtube. Waves officially releases the dbx 160, a new compressor limiter vst plugin. A separate implementation, known as dbx tv, is part of the mts system used to provide stereo sound to north american and certain other tv. I am so glad that these things never really became that popular, it means more of them for me. Compressor comparison on bass portico 5043, amek 9098, amek cib, dbx 160a duration. If any of the links above result in strange characters in your browser, please rightclick the file to save it to your computer. The model 160x compressorlimiter provides the studio operator, broadcaster, or sound reinforcement specialist with outstanding performance and operational flexibility in a slimline rack mount package. The sound company that i worked for had a boarload of dbx gear, and racks of 160x comps. Ive never heard the original dbx 160, and was wondering if it is considered the best model of the 160 series, or if the only difference between the 160 and 160x is the vu meter being.
Solid construction, fool proof operation, great sound, ataglance metering and a bulletproof output. The dbx 160 was first released as a single rack space unit in the mid 1980s as far as i can remember and it has remained pretty much unchanged since. This compressor is in good condition with normal wear, has been fully tested, and works great. There are different versions of the 160xxt and a, the 160x is the best of the bunch though. Solid construction, fool proof operation, great sound, ataglance metering and a bulletproof output stage all contributed to its popularity with musicians, recording studios, consultants and installers, and broadcast media production people alike. God i love those, just a real great rock compressor. Warm audio wa2a vs dbx 160x limiter vocal shootout. The 160x is probably the bestknown of the classic dbx 160 compressors.
Ive tried the 160x, and the 160a, and found the 160x superior. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from dbx at the discogs marketplace. It is good for drums and guitars, but lacks the full quality i would look for in a vocal compressor. Alge, jack joseph puig, and butch vig, while glen ballard singles out the 160x variant for. With this new line of affordable 500series modules from dbx, for the cost of a plugin, you can have a piece of hardware that will long outlive your neverending upgrades of software, operating systems, and computers just something to think about. Considered one of the best drum compressors ever, the original dbx 160 stands tall among its peers, boasting a very clean sound with minimum thd. Ive never heard the original dbx 160, and was wondering if it is considered the best model of the 160 series, or if the only difference between the 160 and 160x is the vu meter being swapped out for the led meter. Dbx 160a compressor settings discussion in effects bg started by jar546, feb 1, 2008. Note that there is a definite mannner in which to direct these speakers, with the loudest sound emanating from the enclosures directed towards the opposite speaker, and not the listener. The 160xt is definitely a compressor with its own sound. Here the infamous dbx in action, we refer to it as the bass monster great at making that infamous hip hop 808, or putting the control needed over a bass line great piece of gear, and the bang. Theres something about the dbx compression curve that makes the attack work so well with drums and electric bass.
The xts tend to sound a little more open when hit harder better on kicks,snares and once in a while a vocal. View and download dbx 160x instruction manual online. Classic dbx modular processors return in the new, industrystandard 500 series form factor. Original 160s appear on the secondhand market fairly regularly, but be sure to track down the original model if youre looking for the classic sound. In the studio, the 160a can be used on everything from vocals to percussion. Usa made, dbx 160x compressorlimiter, with revive audios 160 mods up for sale is a vintage. If you didnt also get the dbx electronic crossover that came with these speakers, youre never going to be able to realize their full potential. Dbx 160a sound compressor pa recording equipment japan. Solid construction, fool proof operation, great sound, ataglance metering and a bulletproof output stage all contributed to its popularity with musicians, recording studios, consultants and installers. Sound quality the sound quality of the dbx 160x is pretty good overall. It was superceded by the 160xt which added xlr connectors to my ears there is little or no difference between the 160x and the. With the dbx 160x i know i can get the sound i want.
Dbx gear is known around the world for great sound, rugged reliability and ease of use. The 160x has all the features of our famous model 160, and more. The systems rated sensitivity is a high 91 db soundpressure level spl at 1 meter with an input signal of 2. In addition to its meticulous modeling of the vintage compressor, the waves dbx 160 plugin incorporates unique and exclusive features not found in the original hardware, such as waves ms matrix, mix and noise controls, and a stereo component. Dbx 160x manual single channel compressorlimiter hifi. Having said all that, the dbx 676 tube mic channel strip was a pleasure to use and its valvewarmed, overeasy compressed sound made everything that i ran through it even my voice. If i crank the gain on the channel the compression will kick in some, but at this point im clipping. If it isnt broke, dont fix it seems to be the approach that dbx has taken on this little workhorse. I think if you want that 70s drum sound, the 160vu is perfect. Everyone has a preference depending on the sound youre going after.
Take it from sweetwater the waves dbx 160 plugin is essential kit. The original 160 was a halfwidth 2u box and the 160x was the first of the 1u dbx rack compressors. First, see this article for an explanation of dbx s productnumbering system. Love the sound of this compressor and the way it reacts. The dbx 160 from waves is a plugin modeling the classic dbx 160 hardware vca compressorlimiter, a staple for processing drums, guitar, bass, and vocals in recording studios in the 1970s and 80s coordinating with dbx in the creation of the waves dbx 160 plugin, waves added features not available on the original hardware unit. This used dbx 160x compressor has an attached power cable. The original 160 was a halfwidth 2u box and the 160x was the first of the familiar 1u dbx rack compressors. Top nashville producerengineer robert dbx professional audio. Created in collaboration with dbx, the waves dbx 160 compressor limiter plugin is an authenticsounding software version of this storied piece of hardware. In live sound reinforcement, the 160a can allow the engineer to get that fat studio. Page 12 auto function duplicates the classic dbx sound of the 166a which is a standard in the industry. Top 20 best compressors of all time attack magazine. Dbx 160x compressor limiter original japan vintage rack 14 days warranty you are bidding on a used. The sound suffers from the smaller speakers, and viewers are left totally dissatisfied with the audio experience.
I just picked up a used dbx 160a for a great price and have hooked it up into my setup. The x uses the barrier strip for sidechain connection, while the xt has a trs sidechain input. I challenge you to find a comparable compressor in the price range that sounds this good, without having to fight to get there. In addition to its meticulous modeling of the vintage compressor, the waves dbx 160 plugin incorporates unique and exclusive features not found in the original hardware, such as. Its going to be very difficult to send this particular channel strip back from whence it came. Ive heard the dbx 160x and the 160a, and found the 160x to be superior. I first encountered the dbx 160 single rack units in about 1989 or so when i was working for a sound company. Developed in collaboration with dbx, the waves dbx 160 compressorlimiter plugin is a genuinesounding software version of this classic hardware device. Dbx have made numerous similarly named products the 160x, 160xt, 160 sl, 160 a over the years and all of them sound slightly different. Developed in association with dbx, dbx 160 compressor plugin features meticulous modeling of the original and is suitable for both live and studio use.
Jan 18, 2002 there are different versions of the 160x xt and a, the 160x is the best of the bunch though. Is the 160 considered to be the best model of the series, or are the 160 and 160x are the same. Whether youre a live act looking for better sound quality, a studio looking for precision control, or an installed location looking for rock solid reliability, they have the solutions for you. Solid construction, fool proof operation, great sound, ataglance metering and a. Output gain control adjust this control to vary the amount of fixed gain up to 20db in the 166xs output amplifier stage. The 160xxt were the models that truly became the industry standard. Total surrounds proprietary psychoacoustic processing amplifies aural cues that make sounds appear beside, behind, and above the viewer.
Graphic equalizer utilization very simple to use sound quality im a little disappointed with the sound quality overall opinion hello, i have a dbx 231 since 2009 and after a little adjustment pushed this week, i just realize a significant hum when i push the treble potentiometers. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. I directly ab compared the 160xt with the newer 160a, and the xt really does sound a bit nicer, with warmer tone and slightly fuller lows and highs. May 15, 2014 sixtyfive is a vintagestyle, rms compressor, inspired by the dbx 165a, a classic 1970. Units from dbx receive mentions in this role from the likes of tom lord. The dbx 160a compressor is a very simple to use compressor that has been around for a very long time. They wont impart their sound like an 1176 or distressor or other hi end box, but you can use them on just about any source and sound decent. So much so that it and its descendants became industry standards. The dbx 160 series of compressorlimiters is at the forefront of compressor technology the logical choice for recording studios, broadcasters and sound contractors who want the most natural sound available today. Open one up, it may have a circuit board from any pacific rim country. While auditioning different classic compressor emulations in isolation is a valuable exercise in itself, what a lot of small.
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