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166xs Dual Compressor Limiter

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Overview

With dbx's Overeasy compression and AutoDynamic attack and release.

Adding a dbx 166xs Compressor/Limiter/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments. To protect your expensive amps and speakers the PeakStop limiter provides an absolute ceiling for peak excursions or large transients that could damage your equipment.

dbx knows compressors...after all they invented them! The 166xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 166xs can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches.

Features

  • Error proof operation to smooth uneven levels, add sustain to guitars, fatten drums or tighten up mixes
  • New gate timing algorithms ensure the smoothest release characteristics
  • Program-adaptive expander/gates
  • Great sounding dynamics control for any type of program material
  • Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup
  • Stereo or dual-mono operation
  • Balanced inputs and outputs on 1/4" TRS and XLR connectors
  • Side Chain insert
  • Classic dbx "Auto" mode
Specs

166xs Dual Compressor Limiter Specifications:

  • INPUTS
  • Connector: 1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot)
  • Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
  • Impedance: >50kÎbalanced, >25kÎunbalanced
  • Maximum Level: >+24dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced
  • OUTPUTS
  • Connector: 1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot)
  • Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
  • Impedance: 120Îbalanced, >60Îunbalanced
  • Maximum Level:
    >+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2kÎor greater
    >+18dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600Î)
  • SIDECHAIN INSERT
  • Connector: 1/4" TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); Tip = Input (return)
  • Impedance: Tip = >10kÎ(Input), Ring = 2kÎ(Output)
  • Maximum Level:
    >+20dBu (tip/input)
    >+20dBu (ring/output)
  • COMPRESSION
  • Threshold Range: -40dBu to +20dBu
  • Threshold
  • Characteristic: Selectable OverEasy or hard knee
  • Compression Ratio: Variable; 1:1 to Infinity:1; 60dB Maximum Compression
  • Attack Time: Variable program-dependent; 3ms to 340ms for 15dB gain reduction
  • Release Time: Variable program-dependent; 200dB/Sec to 3dB/Sec
  • EXPANDER/GATE
  • Threshold Range: OFF to +15dBu
  • Expansion Ratio: 10:1
  • Maximum Depth: >60dB
  • Attack Time: <500Sec (from Maximum Depth)
    Release Time: Adjustable, 30ms to 3sec (to 30dB attenuation)
  • PEAKSTOP LIMITER:
  • Threshold Range 0dBu to +20dBu
  • SYSTEM
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz; +0/-0.5dB, Typical 3dB points are 0.35Hz and 110kHz, unity gain
  • Noise: <-90dBu, 22Hz to 22kHz, no weighting, unity gain
    THD + N: Typically <0.04%; Any Amount of Compression Up to 40dB@1kHz
    SMPTE IMD Typically <0.08% @ +10dBu (15dB Gain reduction)
    Dynamic Range: >115 dB, unweighted
  • Interchannel Crosstalk <-80dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
    CMRR: >40dB, typically >55dB at 1kHz
  • Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing
  • POWER
  • Power Consumption: 15 Watts Maximum
  • Operating Voltage: 100 VAC 50/60Hz; 120VAC 60Hz; 230 VAC 50/60 Hz
  • Operating Temperature: 0C to 45C (32F to 113F)
  • PHYSICAL
  • Dimensions: 1.75" x 6.75" x 19" (4.45 cm x 17.15 cm x 48.26 cm )
  • Weight: Net weight: 5.05 lb (2.29 kg)
  • Note: 0dBu = 0.775Vrms
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