DBX 166XL Compressor

[NorthShoreNewb]

Since the dbx166xl compressor is two channels, can I hook it up to two different channel inserts on the mixer or even hook it up to one channel on the mixer and then one on an input on a sound card?

 

[Farview]

Yes, there is a link button. If you are working in stereo, you want the 2 sides linked. If you just want 2 mono compressors, you unlink them.

 

[MX3282]

I buying one today

Hey, I'm buying a dbx 166xl today, what do you guys think of it? Is it a piece of crap and should I go with something else? Or is it a decent beginners comp and should keep it.

I'm also buying the dbx 286a Pre. I hope dbx is not another behringer. I just wanted to start building up my rack with some affordable stuff and later finance some of the more expensive stuff like the Joe Meek and the Avalon's.

Any advice will be a great help.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

The 166XL is quite decent -- not transparent, but very usable.

 

[pdadda]

Is the compressor portion of the 266XL the same as those on the 166XL?

 

[pdadda]

OK, one more question. Which do you think would be better to use live for compression? The dbx 166XL or an RNC? I assume the dbx.

 

[pdadda]

I assume this because of the balanced XLR ins. I was thinking about placing this after my power amp to use as a limiter for live use. The other features would be usable for recording I would imagine.

 

[boingoman]

I assume this because of the balanced XLR ins. I was thinking about placing this after my power amp to use as a limiter for live use. The other features would be usable for recording I would imagine.

The 166 is a better sounding compressor than the 266.

I would use the 166 live mostly because it has a separate limiter section, no wall wart, and is easily rackmountable.

Oh, and put it before your power amp. If you put it after your amp, it will limit once, very hard, and then catch on fire.

I also find the metering on the RNC to be a little.......idiosyncratic. For compression, who cares, it's about sound. For limiting in a PA, I want accuracy.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Is the compressor portion of the 266XL the same as those on the 166XL?

No.... not at all... The 166XL has the compressor section from the 1066. The 266 is about on par with an Alesis 3630........

 

[krimson]

So what is the difference between the 1066 and the 166xl?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

So what is the difference between the 1066 and the 166xl?

A different (and more comprehensive) Limiter section.

 

[MX3282]

Hey Hey Hey,

I just got my New dbx 166XL today ($349.00 CDN). It's still in the box. I passed on the 286a Pre cause I figured the Pre's in my Aardvark Pro Q10 would do for now. Also I think I'm gonna read some more of the reviews in here about the different Pre's and what I might be interested in investing in. The dbx 286a was going for $350 CDN and I was told that was waay too much. I'll look for some other piece to invest my next $350 into. Maybe a good Reverb or another Compressor.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

The dbx was going for $350 CDN and I was told that was waay too much.

$350 is cheaper than what I paid for my 166XLs....... that's a good price - certainly not "waay too much"!