I just won two DBX 163x...now what?

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thehymns

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I just won two DBX 163x on ebay for a $107 with shipping. There are my first outboard compressors and I hear that they are killer on snare, bass drum, and bass. Here is my concern...how do I hook them up!?! I use a digi002R and a Sytek MPX preamp, so if someone could please explain how to hook these bad boys up, I'd appreciate it.

Also, what are some good settings for snare and bass drum, which is what I'll primarly be using them on.
 
How/where do I hook it up in the signal chain? I hope that makes it a little more clear.
 
sorry, i had to post... i love how he's used the word 'won' instead of 'bought'... its not quite as good as "they were giving these microphones away at the shop, in exchange for money...!!" (yeah, i know, off Friends... :rolleyes: ), but its getting there. good way of fighting back the guilt of spending money, nice one! :)

and sorry, i don't have a clue what you should do next... as always...

Andy
 
Congratulations on your new aquisition. I love my 163's, electric guitar is not permited to hit tape without going throught the 163!

In your situation, just connect the unit between your pre and your soundcard. Or if you don;t want to go to tape with it, then I;m sure you can some how use an out put on the soundcard and go through the 163 then back into the the soundcard and record the processed sound onto a new track. Don;t ask me how this is done exactly, I don;t use a PC for mixing.
 
I forgot to mention the HiZ input on the "x" will allow you to use the 163 asa DI, It is a little "fluffy" as a DI, but it can offer some interesting sounds for bass.
 
I have a Digi 002R also, and setting it up should be easy to use your 163's with it.

The 002R has eight analog inputs and eight analog outputs. You would patch two of the outputs to the 163's, and two of the inputs from the 163's. Then in the software set up those I/O as busses. Or, you could just send the tracks to those outputs when you want to use the 163's on them. Then you'd have to set up two tracks to record the output of the 163's.

Hope that makes sense. The good news is, you still have six more analog I/O's to put other analog processing on!
 
...like Albert said, or you could use the INSERTs in PT on whichever two channels you want them on. (inserts are where your plugins usually go. It should say channel I/O 1&2, 3&4, etc...)
Don't forget to write down your settings for each mix, cause PT can't recall outboard gear settings :p
 
I'm a little confused. I don't want to plug anything into Line/Instrument Inputs 1-4 because I use those mic inputs whenever I record drums and I can't use the line inputs and the mic inputs at the same time. Analog inputs 5-8 are used up by the MPX-4A. I have all eight outputs avalible, but no inputs. What should I do?
 
You could use line inputs 1-4 and switch between mic and line using the front panel buttons that are there for that purpose.

I assumed from your first post that you would be using the 163's in a mix setting, which is how the configuration I gave you would work. If you want to track thtough the 163's you'd need to patch from the output of the Sytek to the 163's and then to the line inputs on the 002R.

You are indeed a candidate for a patchbay. Patchbays that I've used and can recommend are the DBX PB-48 and the RE'AN 48 point 1/4" patchbay. A lot of people like the Neutrik 1/4" patchbay as well.
 
SonicAlbert said:
You could use line inputs 1-4 and switch between mic and line using the front panel buttons that are there for that purpose.
Click to expand...

Wow, I'm an idiot. Once I get some more outboard gear I buy a patchbay, but for now I'll just hook them into the inputs 1-2.

I'm still confused how I would use them on drums. Are you saying I can use the 163's after I record the audio in Pro Tools, just like a plug in?
 
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