Dbx 166xs Compressor / Limiter / Gate

Adding a dbx® 166xs Compressor/Limiter/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments. To protect your expensive amps and speakers the PeakStop® limiter provides an absolute ceiling for peak excursions or large transients that could damage your equipment. http://www.dbxpro.com

dbx knows compressors...after all we invented them! The 166xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy® compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic™ attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 166xs can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches.

 

Manuals/Documentation

• 166xs CAD drawing front [326 KB]
• 166xs CAD drawing rear [207 KB]
• 166xs Cut Sheet-English [1.58 MB]
• 166xs Owner's Manual-Spanish [1.36MB]
• 166xs Owner's Manual-English [2.07 MB]
• 166xs Owner's Manual-French [1.95 MB]

Support/FAQs

• Register Your 166xs
• Contact Technical Support

• Error 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-mono operation
• Balanced inputs and outputs on 1/4" TRS and XLR connectors
• Side Chain insert
• Classic dbx® "Auto" mode

Input Connectors	1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot)
Input Impedance	>50kΩ balanced, >25kΩ unbalanced
Max Input	>+24dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced
Input Type	Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Sidechain	1/4" TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); tip = Input (return)
Sidechain Impedance	Tip = >10kΩ (Input), Ring = 2kΩ (Output)
Sidechain Max Input Level	>+20dBu (tip/input); >+20dBu (ring/output)
Output Connectors	1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot)
Output Impedance	120Ω balanced, >60Ω unbalanced
Max Output	+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2kΩ or greater; >+18 dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600Ω)
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+Noise	Typically <0.04%; Any Amount of Compression Up to 40dB@1kHz
IMD	Typically <0.08% SMPTE @ +10dBu (15dB Gain reduction)
Compressor Threshold Range	-40dBu to +20dBu
Compressor Threshold Characteristic	Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee
Compressor Ratio	Variable; 1:1 to Infinity:1; 60dB Maximum Compression
Compressor Attack Time	Variable program-dependent; 3ms to 340ms for 15dB gain reduction
Compressor Release Time	Variable program-dependent; 200dB/Sec to 3dB/Sec
Expander/Gate Threshold Range	OFF to +15dBu
Expander/Gate Ratio	10:1
Expander/Gate Max Depth	>60dB
Expander/Gate Attack Time	<500µs (from Maximum Depth)
Expander/Gate Release Time	Adjustable, 30ms to 3sec (to 30dB attenuation)
Limiter Threshold Range	0dBu to +20dBu
CMRR	>40dB, typically >55dB at 1kHz
Interchannel Crosstalk	<-80dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic Range	>115 dB, unweighted
Stereo Coupling	True RMS Power Summing™
Power Consumption	15 Watts Maximum
Operating Temperature	0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Dimensions	1.75" x 19" x 6.75" (4.45 cm x 48.2 cm x 17.15 cm)
Unit Weight	5.05 lb (2.29 kg)
Shipping Weight	7.20 lb (3.27 kg)
Reference	0dBu = 0.775Vrms
Operating Voltage	100 VAC 50/60Hz; 120VAC 60Hz; 230 VAC 50/60 Hz