Old compressor DBX 166 (NOT XL), thoughts?

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Frankm666

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I have a DBX 166 (NOT XL) two channel compressor. It’s an older unit from the 1980’s. Would this unit be good to use with a DAW or is it not of a high enough quality. Also, what type of instrument is the “over easy” compression good for. Much thanks,
Frank
 
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I personally like the older DBX compressors, and own four 903 modules (which are basically 160XT's). I'd hang on to that 166 if I were you.
 
That's a great box and can be used for a variety of things. Bass, Kick, and the occassional vocal come to mind. I have the 160x and don't plan parting with it any time soon.

There is a mod you can do to add transformers and fatten up the sound quite a bit.
 
Thanks for the help.

I'll use it on kick. It's not good for snare?
Frank
 
I have a 166 and love it for kick, bass and distorted guitars. I'm gonna to buy another one.
 
i once had a 166 and was super extremely noisy,
but it was old and abused, i managed to sell it and replace
by a 166A (which i really like)
now i got a 166XL too, like this one even more !

so yeah, nice compressors,
but tell me, is yours silent? i'm talking about exessive hiss,
and even distortion when u run "loud" signals trough it,

just'd like to know wether its typical that type or was it only mine?
 
just to add a little note,

i prefer to work with my 166xl instead of my TC electronic triple C
(most of the time)

to me its very simple to operate and to me it feels like it can handle
louder and more agressive sounds than the triple c,
that last one seems to be more for 'prudent' work, not my drumkit,
in a way i like it, but its a digital compressor, i find that a bit weird,
then the dbx compared with behringer, HAHA, ok, no comments,
compared with my Joemeek VC8 , the VC8 has a sound i like,
but there's allmost no controll on the compressor,
presets and ratio

and of course, all balanced, dual channel with stereolink,
a sidechain insert, and a simple limiter on the output///
isn't that nice !
 
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