DBX comps

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hard2Hear
  • Start date Start date
Hard2Hear

Hard2Hear

New member
I need to buy 4 compressors. This is mostly for live use, but I'm sure I'll find them on my tracks too. I am looking at the DBX 166XL and the 266XL. I can't get expensive compressors at this point right now. The thing is, I can't figure out what the difference is between these two. It seems like the 266xl (the lesser expensive of the two) has more features than the 166xl. Maybe I am missing something. Which of these should I be looking at?

Oh, and no one yell "RNC" right now, because I am looking at compression on 8 channels of live sound for the main use.
 
The 266xl started lfe as part of the Project One series. We at dbx consider it a "prosumer" piece (many features, low price). It is a great compressor for the $, but not really a pro comp.

The 166xl on the other hand is a pro compressor. It's V2 VCA circuit is based on the 160vu. It has less features than the 266xl, but what it does, it does well. I'm not a sales weasel so I won't go into a features/benefits/cost comparision. For that info call 801 568 7660 for the dbx sales dudes.

Also you may want to check out the 1046, four channels of compression in a one rackspace unit.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
Thanks Tom the man!
I was hoping you'd see this.
Just what I needed!
H2H
 
And don't rule out the Behringer Composer Pro! At $189, you get full features, AND a very good Peak Limiter.

One of the clubs I work at has 5 of them in the rack, as well as a Behringer Multigate. All work flawlessly.

I have a Multigate and a older Composer (I prefer the older units, but are getting harder to find) and my main club. Both work great.

Carson sound out of Seattle uses Behringers in their FOH racks! One of their lead FOH techs who I have worked with on a couple of occasions endorsed the Composer fully!

Look around, and definately compare! Let your ears do the comparison.

Ed
 
I agree with both. Bang for buck the dbx and behringer whoop ass!
 
ed-
The Behringer stuff is kind of hard to find around here. The GC here is a tiny little place with almost zero recodring or sound gear, and Mars doesn't carry it. But, I might buy one of those and 1 dbx166 and use them together a couple times to see how they sound.

thanks,
H2H
 
also motor sutdios uses the composers (the old ones) and i think stheir stuff sounds awesome.

and hell, i use 2 of the old composers now :), is there a better endorsement? the whole compressor + peak limiter feature of the composer is indispensible when tracking with digital. and i could imagie it would b great for live sound as well if recording tracking, or working with spikes on PAs.
 
I agree with Tom... I have 2 166XLs, and while they are not RNCs, they work very, very well. In many cases, I actually prefer running bass tracks thru the DBX instead of the RNC!

Bruce
 
Why not?

Ok. as you are hard to hear I am hard to imagine...how much can you spend... :D


Yo pros out there! Don´t wish you could throw me tomatoes and stuff for this, because I don´t know so much.
Presonus has an 8 track compressor-limiter-noise gate ACP88. It seems to be a monster but it´s $899 at Samash.com
I own the tiny humble Bluemax and it´s not pro but I love it.
Since you need eight channels to compress... Why not give it at least a glance? If good, it may be a very practical tool. Only one piece of gear to carry, plug, and care for...

Tell me if you saw it, and if you don´t like it, the reasons why because I will get one as soon as I can.

PC
 
No.

Because I was looking at two compressors, and I was wondering about the difference between the two and I got my answer. I am not interested in other options.

Saying that...I did go over to GC the other night, and they were out of the Behringer things. But I think that's good. I'm getting 4 166's.

H2H
 
the dbx "overeasy" mode sounds nice on vocals, not as subtle as other soft knee compression modes, but it's color is what I like. I have a 266XL, I use it while tracking vocals and sometimes on acoustic guitars, when I want that sound.

-jhe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top