dbx 166XL Dual Compressor/Limiter/Gate

More details:

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.

Specifications

INPUT

• Connector: 1/4" TRS and XLR, Floating Balanced;
• XLR: Pin 2 hot Phone: Tip Hot HI
• Impedance: >50k ohm balanced, >25k ohm 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 = >10k ohm (Input), Ring = 2k ohm (Output)
• Maximum Level: +24dBu

OUTPUT

• Connector: 1/4" TRS phone and XLR floating balanced, XLR: Pin 2 and Tip Hi
• Impedance: 120 ohm balanced, 60 ohm unbalanced
• Maximum Level: +21dBu,>+20 dBm into 600 ohm, 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: <500 pico s (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
• Inter channel Crosstalk <-80dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
• Dynamic Range: >115 dB
• Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing