Solid state vocal limiter / compressor

[ernstinen]

Jun 15, 2008, 12:39pm, billg wrote:Don't see a 160x, but here's a 160a. What's the diff?From another "gear" forum:"I have three DBX 160X's, 1 DBX 160XT, and 1 DBX 160A. The A feels more 'plasticy' and uses cheaper parts on the front. I think it's all machine assembled too on the inside...I've never compared them to each other though as far as sounds go...I just use the X's first, the XT next, and the A last in order of importance.""The DBX 160A sounds 'smaller' for some reason.""One reason to buy a 160x is that most SSL rooms still use them. Can't argue with that."There ya have it. There are a few on eBay, and with the 160X you can bridge them together if you want to use them in stereo.Also, the 160XT I believe has XLR ins and outs, whereas the 160X is 1/4" --- but most people think the 160X "sounds better," why I dunno. dbx probably used cheaper parts the more they "improved" the line. Ern

[mojobone]

Yep, FMR audio's RNC is the all-time home studio champ for transparent compression hardware, though it does have some limitations. Hmm, price dropped, too.I've heard the Presonus stuff described as noisy, though I'm not sure I'd be able to tell in my recording environment. I think the Jensen transformers are supposed to be the 'magic bullet' in the DBX160x, IIRC.I can think of lots of reasons to own a great preamp or six, but I don't like limiters, I track without them whenever possible; ideally they should be set so that they only engage a decibel or three below full scale, but I've never liked the sound they make when they do engage. If I pay attention to gain-staging and use good mic technique, I don't get 'overs'.