Dbx 160 ?

[BuildingStudios]

Recently I have seen a whole lot of different DBX 160 compressors. Dbx 160a. Dbx 160x(seems to be more like the 163x or the 166x??). Dbx 160xt. Dbx 160vu... what are the differences between all of these models? and which one is the classic 160 compress that the big cats talk about?
and on the topic of dbx compression... the 163x($60-$70 ebay) , and the 166x($200 ebay) ... either of these worth anything, Ive been thinking about picking one up on ebay.
Thanks in advance

[Tom Cram]

The 160VU is the original. The others are just updates in technology, parts, time, whatever. I did a lineage of the 160 a while ago on this bbs. Try a search, it should still be around somewhere.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."
-Thomas Jefferson-

[Buffalo Bob]

HEY TOM CRAM!!!!!!

You helped me before with a Dbx problem, so I though you could help with this.

I'm getting VTB-1, and I want to insert my Dbx 286 (not "A") to use the comp and the gate. Any opinions on gain staging, or is this a stupid idea? Can it even be done?

Thanks,

Bob

[Tom Cram]

The problem you have is that you would be running a pre-amp into a pre-amp, this means increased noise and messed-up gain structure.

The solution is: The dynamics processing of the 286a is after the 286a's pre-amp. So you could take the output of the VTB-1 and make a custom cable that attaches the hot (tip [+]) from the VTB-1 to the return (ring [-]) of the insert on the 286a. Then come out of the 286a's output to your recording device. This would bypass the pre-amp on the 286a, but still give you access to its dynamic functions.

Have fun.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."
-Thomas Jefferson-

[Buffalo Bob]

Excellent! Thanks, Tom! It's great to have access to your vast knowledge.

By the way, I have the older model, the 286 - not the "A". Would this change your advise?


Bob

[Tom Cram]

I'm pretty sure the insert is in the same position on both units.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."
-Thomas Jefferson-

[Buffalo Bob]

Thanks again, Tom. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Bob