Just picked up a DBX 160 xt...

[melovine]

Any general pointers? What does this comp excel at? What is it not so good at? I've heard clashing opinions as to whether this is a fast or slow comp, can anyone who has experience with this unit clarify some of my questions for me? Thanks!

 

[Capitancambarro]

I got a 160X (should be really similiar). Great tracking comp for Bass and Vox. Also good on Kick with an EQ following adding some Low End back in.

 

[melovine]

I've noticed it pulls some low end out of the kick is that a common trait of out board compressors (this is my first one) or unique to the 160? Also If I'm tracking bass through a di would a place the dbx before the di?

 

[Trevoire520]

I've got a 160X, it's great for lots of stuff, adding snap to drums (I love it on snare!) or bringing out the attack on bass is what I find it excels at. It's also a decently transparent compressor for tracking vocals.

As mentioned it does have a tendency to reduce the low end a bit, it's just a side affect of the DBX style of compression, nothing you can't add back with some eq.

To be honest it's such a simple compressor that it will take you zero time to figure it out, there's only 3 knobs!

Your signal chain would be Mic/Instrument>DI>Preamp>DBX>Interface

 

[Sonic75]

I have the x version and I like it on snare and bass mostly

 

[melovine]

Thank you very much that gives me a good idea of what to expect out of the 160. Do you usually leave the over easy option engaged or does it depend on the source?

 

[mva801]

snaaaaaaaaaare......

It's got a pretty slow attack time so it's good for keeping things pucnhy. It can be good to use with other compressors on vocals and bass. Maybe throw a faster one on to shave off a bit of the quicker peaks, then smooth it out with the dbx

 

[Trevoire520]

I use overeasy for vocals, sometimes bass. For snare/kick i keep it in hard knee.

 

[xtINOx]

Anyone compared the N.I. 160 to the hardware? How is it?

 

[Sonic75]

Thank you very much that gives me a good idea of what to expect out of the 160. Do you usually leave the over easy option engaged or does it depend on the source?

Usually not but I always try it! For bass it can help.

 

[melovine]

It feels like without the over easy engaged the volume has quite a volume boost. Is this typical in hard knee vs soft knee scenarios?