dbx 166XL user reviews ( 8/10) - 11 user reviews

• 02/23/11

  coolwaiss's review

  Characteristics

  Compressor Limiter.
  
  Rackable.
  
  Analog audio

  Utilization

  Simple and Clear

  Sound Quality

  Used to protect my speakers thanks to the sound limiter

  Overall Opinion

  Known for transparently compress voices.
  
  Very comprehensive and good value.
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• 02/21/09

  moosers's review

  Characteristics

  The dbx 166XL is a compressor - limiter - gate in the form of a rackmountable piece of outboard gear. It is an analog piece of equipment and it has both XLR microphone inputs and outputs and has 1/4 inch inputs and outputs. This is handy because I can either plug my instrument direct or plug a microphone into it before I send it to my audio interface.

  Utilization

  The configuration of the 166XL is straightforward and is your basic compressor. It is easy to get a good sound out of it and is capable of getting a couple of different types of sounds out of it - ranging from a light compression sound to really squishing the signal, and it is also a sufficient gate. It all depends on what you'd like to do with it. The manual is pretty complete and was helpful when setting it up with my configuration.

  Sound Quality

  The sound quality of the dbx 166XL is a little bit above average in my opinion. While its pretty clean, the sound won't blow you away. It is a basic compressor and is definitley helpful to have a few of them around for recording drums if you like to track with compression. I have used this on snare drum, kick drum, guitars, and bass guitar. I like it a lot on drums, as it will fatten up your signal a bit and is clean. Its faults I think come in the that it sometimes gets too tinny, but if you use it in the right situations, it usually is reliable and sounds good.

  Overall Opinion

  I've been using the 166XL for a few years. They are a real cheap option for the home studio owner who wants a few compressors to use for tracking. They sound good and are easy to use, while being quite well built and reliable in terms of it not breaking down. I like this model better than the dbx 266XL, but they are pretty similar in nature, I just think that the 166xl sounds better and cleaner, and is probably worth the difference in price. I definitley recommend those home studio owners on a budget to check out the 166XL as a reliable option for using compression.
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• 03/30/11

  arnsky's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Full"

  Characteristics

  compressor digital real-time control rack. Xlr and jacks.

  Utilization

  very easy to use, the manual is clear and examples provide a good understanding of the system.

  Sound Quality

  Very good sound quality, low blows, I use an insert out of the mix my general table.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for over 5 years, the interesting feature is the side chain and very effective over easy mode for easy editing of compression. Very good value for money. I would do this choice without hesitation.
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• 02/08/11

  patcho's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " overall review quality / efficiency / reliability / price"

  Characteristics

  Well, a model compressor "dual mono" or (your choice and it's super via a little switch) Stereo!
  
  But + gate limit, all by hand! (Or linckable so if you want to work on a stereo pair)
  
  
  
  Very simple, 1U rack mount, with the expected adjustment (sic) for an analog audio compressor
  
  threshold / release to the gate expader
  
  threshold / ratio / attack / relase / output gain compression
  
  PeakStop limit for the ... uh ... limit!
  
  
  
  In short, a tool 3 in one, and any time 2 or double mono, with rear jack and XLR connectors
  
  
  
  Archi reliable, rot, can cumbersome ... ideal analog insert on tables ;-) What especially at this price.
  
  
  
  Well, no editing via a computer, it's really cut "for the road", not to prepare patches at home! Super

  Utilization

  use, fairly intuitive tools (if you know what it's like a compression!) And with everything close at hand, no menu, nothing, everything at your fingertips ...
  
  
  
  But with a manual for beginners with nickel even "proposed" standard setting super efficient and very educational (well explained and well translated monpotes!). It is rare in the records!
  
  
  
  And it's stupid, ais looove the little lights that tell you if your 166XL works well (or not) in a glance, you know that it turns, it optimizes your signal, if the "dual mono" or the gate is "in" etc.. Well done and enjoyable performance: you gain time, because if you ask yourself a question of compression, he answer you in visual! Super

  Sound Quality

  effective as fact, but be careful, look no "color" with this ... "Too expensive my son"
  
  
  
  For me, it's just vital for those who are working with such a makie onyx or soundcraft spirit or type in short, the first "real" small consoles with 16 votes analog inserts (uh, if they did not cuts added since ;-)
  
  
  
  to put an insert on a kick and then possibly (depending on caisseux) on the snare and / or the toms (if a group toms caisseux metalheads with 30 barrels, hop, is a slap in 166XL stereo insert on the group of toms! and it is almost the same taf an insert for voice) and there you blessed the gate if you have the microphone proximity everywhere! Anyway, I use rarely gate, matter of taste, I find it not very musical in general, except metal, and yet ;-)
  
  
  
  I've got two (uh, huh 166XL, remain polite) are 4 cuts, often with
  
  one on the lead,
  
  one on the bass or guitar
  
  one on the kick
  
  and one on the snare ... and it Roulle
  
  Super

  Overall Opinion

  review overall quality / efficiency / reliability / price
  
  
  
  I'm using it since uh, forever (!) Type 10 years ... and am still not tired ... are nickel, like new in their everyday racks. Only the transition to a digital table that I use less, but I use it in a home studio in addition to my TL Audio (well, not like it either) but that if I made the taf too many tracks at once.
  
  
  
  To my taste this is a must to start cheap in the world of analog devices LIVE without breaking the bank ... made with real!
  
  
  
  Avoid especially the so-called "equivalent" or Beringer = Sanson is the mud, their pseudo-treatment side of it! Super
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• 01/12/11

  MrHOTTRAK's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " very good"

  Characteristics

  I use it on my vocals. c not for AC based
  
  but it works well in home studio

  Utilization

  Very easy

  Sound Quality

  gonna .. are best. but I'm happy to buy it back if I

  Overall Opinion

  cétait do again. I got mine for 4 years. do not foresee changing any time soon
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• 12/28/10

  mistermz's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Gate / Compressor / Limiter 1U 2 channel (linkable to the stereo).
  
  Challengeable in Jack or XLR + Sidechain on each channel.
  
  Jack or XLR outputs.
  
  Internal power supply.
  
  
  
  Analog and digital (at least for mode OverEasy I think?).

  Utilization

  The manual is useless if it is known to use a compressor, but who still flew, he could not be clearer.
  
  A novice will find the account.
  
  
  
  Ergonomics standard, nothing wrong, the knobs are spaced a minimum of one another to handle it without the boy's fingers, they are more serrated, very convenient to find a position.
  
  
  
  Operation?
  
  We can no longer simple, we rule the gate, then the compressor, and if the crests remain, you set the limiter (or not) accordingly.

  Sound Quality

  Efficient, compress it properly, but still serious on the set (I never went beyond a ratio of 4:1 in general ... I'm especially to 2:1, see 3:1 in case of dire need as much again ... if the microphone placement and / or the game of Zikos, compress the sound is not great).
  
  
  
  The limiter is transparent, but again it must be reasonable, if not hello Satu ...
  
  
  
  I use it mostly on the bass, guitar (low dose in the studio and live moderately, it gives a hell of potato), and singing.
  
  
  
  Sometimes on some batteries, and still not 100% (only the gates on the toms, for example, or just gate / limiter on a snare drum too versatile).
  
  
  
  The row of LEDs used for both the gate and the compressor (when the gate is open of course) is very useful, it has visibility on the work done on the signal.
  
  OverEasy and Auto modes can be useful, but personally I'm using it soon.

  Overall Opinion

  I have a 4U rack filled, which I use in both studio and live.
  
  There are of course better, but perfect to spoil / compress at a lower cost without falling into the ultra cheap.
  
  
  
  I have bump on the Drawmer and BSS, it has nothing to do but the price is not the same.
  
  
  
  Yes I would do without this choice problem, even if in the future I think my setup with a mix Drawmer DL441 or a DBX 160.
  
  
  
  In short, the 166XL is worthwhile, especially OCCAZ 'for the home studio, a small studio and concert sound on a diff not necessarily luxurious.
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• 12/28/10

  stamkorg's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Analog compressor

  Utilization

  Yes Yes

  Sound Quality

  Overall Opinion

  Used on a console soundcraft M8 for 2 channels.
  
  Easy to use, it is an effective compressor through the automatic functions of management and attack and release mode overeasy "apparently typical of DBX.
  
  It's my first compressor, so I do not really have a point of comparison.
  
  My settings: ratio 3 / 1, Threshold set to be a reduction of 5-6 dB in loud and gain to 5-6 dB and OverEasy engaged and attack / release in the car. No audible noise live. It is a subtle voice and it's put forward without being aggressive.
  
  Here, I use it only in this application and lightly, but the difference is clearly audible.
  
  I would do without hesitation that choice if I were to resume this type of material.
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• 01/23/08

  tyler core's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  150 times worth remembering that these details are found in the manual or tlchargeable resellers ...
  
  
  
  Only dtail I do not really like, but with which one learns easily live: No button on / off (can be another hallmark of DBX found on other mod the most expensive).
  
  
  
  VU had a little nitre t nice to compare the output level with that of ...
  
  
  
  But given the difficulty of putting more on the faade, I Tolra ... as the main sound quality, flexibility and robustness of the machine.

  Utilization

  Used mainly to gain momentum only to change the sound. And it does plutt well.
  
  
  
  Without going into dtails, there are more suitable compressors situations than others. Ms. compressor trs premium, if t could dcevoir some poorly chosen. Because quite often it is more expensive, the more typ ... a bit like cars.

  Sound Quality

  The sound is clean trs, may be even be a little too much.
  
  
  
  Some are not transparent enough, which I find ridiculous since before the compression is done really feel, even when it is necessary to go a little in the excs level rglages ... it is also the concern of the compressors in these price ranges: the lack of grain.
  
  
  
  APRS when I read that the compression is felt even too much, I think these people do not know what a LA2A or 1176 o the sound is really most striking about the pump ... they may be they need a behringer finally (you turn the knobs and you always feel be bypassed until the time for the source).
  
  Transparency is good, but too much not to make money and SAVE ...
  
  
  
  In short, trs matrisable compression, a small lack of personality when looking cratifs effects on a battery or bass.
  
  Contour button quite effective and the function OverEasy.
  
  
  
  The peak limiter is quite efficient and relatively transparent.
  
  The expander / gate when he is much better than I could use on aircraft of this price, but not as flexible as it should be ... and in this case it is better to be vigilant about the sources of isolation by optimal placement of microphones.

  Overall Opinion

  For those who do not want to ruin it's really a good product, reliable and well thought out.
  
  
  
  This is a good camera to learn to use a compressor, as it requires to really get the rglages to get out a good rsultat. Trs instructive when searching, you can really get out of pretty things (personal, bass drum and snare and supercharged gain roundness).
  
  
  
  A ct of I has an optical compressor circuit with a Class A lamp that is more musical but ultimately less flexible.
  
  For a more pro, I think it belongs in a toolbox, as if they have another compressor to sound more color to broaden the possibilities.
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• 09/19/07

  SoundBuilder's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Gate / Compressor / Limiter 1 or 2 mono channels Stereo Gate rglage threshold and relchement Comp: rglage threshold, compression ratio, speed and dclenchement relchement, gain Output Limiter: rglage level of the peak max Connectors: XLR and Jack except sidechain (Jack only)

  Utilization

  Use of live voice and bass drum mainly in insert.
  
  Manuel clear, even if I find lightweight, I would have AIM, for example schmas assembly, with the sidechain, not just an explanation ...
  
  Good point, to outline the key which does not compress much lower than the rest of the spectrum.

  Sound Quality

  For the small live, great! No noise gate, compression efficient, effective rglages.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for a year and a half, I hsit with the 266xl.
  
  Previously I had the S-Com More Samson. Finally I took the 166XL for the limiter. I do not regret at all the extra cost compared to the S-Com Plus. Much better sound level, compression is not the sound of the gate, the quality of manufacturing is felt more at the touch of the notches of pots ...
  
  I do not regret buying the S-Com Plus, because it made me realize the difference between the two machines. For me the diffrence in price is justified and weaker and weaker.
  
  In this price range, there is also the MaxCom BBE (no essay.
  
  I intend to buy one in order to compress multiple vocal tracks.
  
  
  
  July 2009 Edit: I have a ratchet deuxime, and they really suit me. Now I look for one with a little grain of characters for variety.
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• 12/22/06

  Olivierlgp's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Gate + + compression limiter

  Utilization

  Simple enough
  
  
  
  automatic features easy editing +

  Sound Quality

  Compression top
  
  limiter PeakStop: blah but it does not matter in auto mode

  Overall Opinion

  Used for 2 years
  
  the esoteric (Urei, Tube Tech, Avalon & co) is very beautiful and very expensive, but it dbx
  
  works well ... and that's why he remains a true benchmark in terms of compression.
  
  
  
  Course to 10 times the price there is better, but it pays me the price of everything else.
  
  
  
  Those who found this product "limit" do not know how to use a compressor in my opinion!
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