dbx 266a vs. 266xl

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rucarlso

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I'm looking for a cheap compressor. I have an RNC and love it, but need/want something different in the rack. These dbx models go for so little money at my local shops. Can anyone enlighten me on the differences between the dbx 226a and the dbx 266xl? Thanks....

-rucarlso
 
I have not used these two models. I have the fore-runner to these models the DBX 262. The controls are limited on the 262 but you do get the basic controls, plus a hard-knee and soft-knee control and true stereo coupling.

I would imagine that the 266 models are a further refinement of the 262 with a full range of controls. I have had excellent results with the 262 over the years and see no need to fix what ain't broke. The sound is transparent and quiet.

I am eventually going to get a RNC along with the RNP. I have heard nothing but good about these two items and I'm going to be needing more outboards in the near future.
 
DON'T buy an 266XL without coparing it to other units first...
I had two.. sold both after a couple of months.
 
The 266XL is cheap crap. It does not compare to the 262, or any of the fine compressors dbx has made. Apparently it was their bid to get some of the cheap-a$$ home reccer market share they were afraid they might lose to Alesis. I will say that unlike the 3630, it is possible to get a usable sound from the 266XL.

If you're going cheap, look at Symetrix or Ashly. They're very reasonable especially on the used market.
-kent
 
The 266a and the 266xl are similar in function and construction. the 266xl is the 266a's successor and it has a couple more stereo features. Other than that they are almost identical.

As far as the "cheap crap" comment is concerned, I would say that the 266xl is "entry level" instead.:) It has a different VCA than our more pro units, as well as a different circuit. I don't use one, but I know a lot of people who use them and love them.

Why not try one out and tell us what you think?

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-
 
dbx project 1 comp gate 266

I have a dbx project 1 comp gate 266. It sucks for recording!!!!
If you just want to use it live it is useable but thats about it. I would not even use it live on the main outs, I have used it for bass and kick though. IMHO take a pass.


F.S.
 
I should have said (since there seems to be a myriad of 266's)some may be better than what I have. It took a while for me to figure out that when people gave the 266 a good review that they were not talking about my model.

F.S.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. A friend uses a 266 and his stuff sounds great, but I'm not convinced it's the one for me. The RNC is good for what I'm doing, but like I said, I need something else.

What is this RNP you all are talking about?
 
It's a new preamp by FMR that is supposed to be the stuff.
It is styled close to the rnc.

You know about as much as the rest of us. Harvey is the only one to get his hands on one as far as I know. I have not heard where the pricing will fall.


F.S.
 
Dbx 266XL not great....

I have used the 266XL for some time & though it is fine as an 'entry level' compressor I quickly moved on to better things. It is OK on acoustic guitar & vocals but not so hot on bass guitar - lots of pops & clicks which I couldn't hear at first, but eventually became apparent over time. It just can't handle those low frequencies. I know others who have experienced the same problems, so it wasn't just my imagination. Such is the price we pay when buying cheap.

For me, a compressor is the most important piece of outboard gear I have, so I would not reccomend going down the cheap route. I later bought a Joemeek twin Qcs which considerably improved my recordings - a lovely fat sound, though this is not to everyone's taste. Mind you, I've used the 'meek on classical recordings & it still sounds great!
 
Again, thanks for the advice. Sounds like I should check out some more gear and also save some more scratch. A friend of mine uses a Bellari tube compressor of some sort, it's big and it sounds good on what he uses it for. He is a bit of a genius, though. The kind of guy who could make unbelievable recordings with a 57, a portastudio and little experience. But the Bellari looks impressive! He played bass direct through it the other night for me and I was pleased with the sound. Argh. I might as well break the bank...

-ru
 
Okay, though I stated my high regard for the rest of dbx product line, I slammed the 266XL and I stand by that. But on reflection I will allow that it would be unfair to single them out as "cheap crap", as if they were the only example of such. Alesis, I'm looking in your direction. I should have stated my position, which is that most compressors aimed at the home recording market (and retail priced under $300) are cheap crap likely to do more harm than good.

The exceptions I have found are the RNC (extraordinary value, but not a do-it-all box, nothing is), the Ashly SC50 (little noisy, but great on electric guitars, bass, and drums, rock and roll, man!) and the Symetrix (I forget the #. May be out of production. Geez, do they make anything that's not an outstanding value?) The Presonus Blue Max doesn't suck rocks, but I'd try to find the others first.

There are surely more exceptions than this, but I can only tell you what I've heard.
-kent
 
Heh...

Kent, don't sweat it. I was actually laughing when I read your post, maybe I should have put more than one smiley face down. ;)

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-
 
Comprende, Tom. Just so you know I wasn't calling you out.

I'll disclose my bias now: I once tripped over a cable during a gig and fell striking my head on a 266xl on the way down. One concussion and several stitches earns me the right to diss 'em on the forums! Naw, they're pretty sorry furreal though. Just not as bad as some. Whaddaya want for $150?
-kent
 
I know this is dredging up a thread from the dead bit bucket, but what makes the 266a/266xl not a good compressor?

I have a 160 (classic) and a 160x and love the 160 classic. The 160x seems ok, a tad more mechanical than the 160, but still good.

We are setting up a new church with audio, pretty limited budget (like what I put into much of it personally), so if we are going to get compressors, I want to put in what would be a good one to start.

Thanks!
 
I've tried the 266XL and I own a 160A and they are VERY different. I'd stay away from the 266XL... very entry level.
 
What is different on them? Is it more of a harsh digital effect or sound?

Sorry the classic one I have is a 161, not a 160. It is simple, but warm and seamless sounding. I really like it a lot, even over the 160x. But the price on them is steep....

I am helping a church with sound now, where the 161 is, would a 266xl do ok there? Mainly they need to tame the fire and brimstone preachers who speak from time to time, being we are not recording that, I am not so worried.

One of these days I need to see if I can take a crack at designing a tube compressor, it would be fun to do....

carlosguardia said:
I've tried the 266XL and I own a 160A and they are VERY different. I'd stay away from the 266XL... very entry level.
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