DBX 166XL
 DBX 166XL - Call for pricing - Compressor/Limiter/Gate
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Most compressor/gates provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating that swallows transients—or closes early, cutting off decay and reverb tails. The superb engineering in the 166XL ensures that both its compression and gating provide versatility and excellent sonic performance in situations where other compressor/gates typically produce undesirable processing artifacts.
When using the 166XL’s Attack and Release controls, artists and engineers will find that the center settings deliver classic dbx compression, while the full control range produces voicings that extend from slow “leveling” to aggressive “peak” limiting.
The 166XL’s advanced gate circuitry uses a completely new, program-dependent timing algorithm to produce ultra-smooth release characteristics—even with complex signals, such as voice or reverb decays. Dbx engineers went on to take advantage of the wide dynamic range and high precision of the dbx V1 VCA to design in an extra-wide threshold range and ensure top gating performance for each application.
Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup, while the 166XL’s intuitive operation lets users easily smooth uneven levels, add sustain to guitars, squash drums or tighten up mixes. In Stereo couple mode, the Channel 1 controls become Master controls, and Channel 2 follows precisely to ensure a rock solid stereo image—even with high amounts of compression, through True RMS Power Summing™. Professionals and newcomers alike will find that the 166XL sets up rapidly and musically the first time it is used, especially with the Auto attack and release function. Advanced applications are now easy, with the 166XL’s full sidechain functionality, and the ability to use either hard knee or OverEasy® compression algorithms. Add to this already impressive list of features the venerable PeakStop™ limiter, and you’ve got a strong finisher, every time.
The dbx® 166XL processor is the result of an intensive engineering and product development effort aimed at taking advantage of the latest and best advances in manufacturing technology to deliver true dbx audio performance and reliability to their customers at the lowest possible cost. The 166XL puts a completely new level of compressor/gate performance within everyone’s reach.
Features
- Goof proof operation to smooth uneven levels, add sustain to guitars, fatten drums or tighten up mixes
- New gate timing algorithms ensure the smoothest release characteristics
- Program-adaptive expander/gates
- Great sounding dynamics control for any type of program material
- Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup
- Stereo or dual-mode operation
- Balanced inputs and outputs on ¼" TRS and XLR
- Side Chain insert
- Classic dbx® “Auto” mode
| Specifications |
| Input (¼" TRS Phone and XLR) |
| Type | Floating Balanced; XLR: Pin 2 and Tip HI |
| Impedance (bal./unbal.) | 50 kΩ / 25 kΩ |
| Max. Input Level | +24dBu balanced or unbalanced |
| CMRR | >40 dB at 1 kHz, typically >55 dB |
| Sidechain Insert (¼" TRS Phone) |
| Type | Normalled: Ring=Output (SEND); Tip=Input (RETURN) |
| Impedance (SEND/RETURN) | 2 kΩ / >10 kΩ |
| Max. Level | +24 dBu |
| Output (¼" TRS Phone and XLR) |
| Type | Floating Balanced; XLR: Pin 2 and TIP HI |
| Impedance (bal./unbal.) | 120 Ω / 60 Ω |
| Max. Output Level | >+21 dBu, >+20 dBm (into 600 Ω) |
| Frequency Response (+0/-0.5dB) | 20 Hz 20 kHz |
| Frequency Response (+0/-3dB) | 0.35 Hz 110 kHz |
| Noise (unweighted) | <-90 dBu |
| THD+Noise @ 1 kHz | <0.04% typical, any amount of compression up to 40 dB |
| IMD | <0.08% SMPTE @ +10 dBu (15 dB Gain reduction) |
| Compressor |
| Threshold Range | -40 dBu to +20 dBu |
| Threshold Characteristic | Selectable, OverEasy™ or hard knee |
| Compression Ratio | Variable 1:1 to ∞:1; 60dB max. compression |
| Attack Time | Variable program-dependent; 3ms to 340ms for 15dB gain reduction |
| Release Time | Variable program-dependent; 200dB/Sec to 3dB/Sec |
| Expander/Gate |
| Threshold Range | OFF to +15 dBu |
| Expansion Ratio | 10:1 |
| Max. Depth | >60 dB |
| Attack Time | <500 µsec |
| Release Time | Adjustable, 30ms to 3sec (to 30dB attenuation) |
| PeakStop® Limiter |
| Threshold Range | 0 dBu to +20 dBu |
| System Performance |
| Gain Adjustment Range | Variable; -20 dB to +20 dB |
| Interchannel Crosstalk (20–20k Hz) | <-80 dB |
| Dynamic Range | >115 dB |
| Stereo Coupling | True RMS Power Summing™ |
| Miscellaneous |
| Power Requirements | 100-230V 50/60 Hz; 15 Watts |
| Operating Temp. | 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) |
| Weight | 2.29 kg (5.05 lbs) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 4.45 x 48.3 x 17.2 cm (1.75" x 19.0" x 6.75") |
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DBX 166XL Cut Sheet (pdf)