dbx 166XL Description
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 our customers at the lowest possible cost. The 166XL puts a completely new
level of compressor/gate performance within everyone’s reach.
dbx 166XL 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 1/4" TRS and XLR
- Side Chain
insert
- Classic
dbx® "Auto" mode
dbx 166XL Specifications
INPUT
Connector: 1/4"
TRS and XLR, Floating Balanced;
XLR: Pin 2 hot Phone: Tip Hot HI
Impedance: >50kΩ
balanced, >25kΩ unbalanced
Maximum
Level: +24dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced
CMRR: >40dB
at 1kHz, typically >55dB
SIDECHAIN
INSERT
Connector: 1/4"
TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); tip = Input (return)
Impedance: Tip
= >10kΩ (Input), Ring = 2kΩ (Output)
Maximum
Level: +24dBu
OUTPUT
Connector: 1/4"
TRS phone and XLR floating balanced, XLR: Pin 2 and Tip Hi
Impedance: 120Ω
balanced, 60Ω unbalanced
Maximum
Level: +21dBu,>+20 dBm into 600Ω, balanced or unbalanced
Frequency
Response: 20Hz - 20kHz; +0, -0.5dB,
Typical 3dB points are 0.35Hz and 110kHz, unity gain
Noise: <-90dBu,
22Hz to 22kHz, no weighting, unity gain
THD + N: Typically
<0.04%; Any Amount of Compression Up to 40dB@1kHz
SMPTE IMD Typically
<0.08% @ +10dBu (15dB Gain reduction)
COMPRESSION
Threshold
Range: -40dBu to +20dBu
Threshold
Characteristic: Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee
Compression
Ratio: Variable; 1:1 to Infinity:1; 60dB Maximum 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 +15dBu
Expansion
Ratio: 10:1
Maximum
Depth: >60dB
Attack
Time: <500µs (from Maximum Depth)
Release
Time: Adjustable, 30ms to 3sec (to 30dB attenuation)
SYSTEM
PeakStop™
Limiter
Threshold
Range: 0dBu to +20dBu
Gain
Adjustment
Range: Variable; -20dB to +20dB
Interchannel
Crosstalk <-80dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic
Range: >115 dB
Stereo
Coupling: True RMS Power Summing™
POWER
Power
Consumption: 15 Watts Maximum
Operating
Temperature: 0¾C to 45¾C (32¾F to 113¾F)
PHYSICAL
Dimensions:
1.75" x 19" x 6.75" (4.45 cm x 48.2 cm x 17.15 cm)
Weight: Net
weight: 5.05 lb (2.29 kg)
Shipping weight: 7.20 lb (3.27 kg)