DBX 160SL User Guide

160SL

Stereo Compresssor /
Limiter with
AutoVelocity™

8760 S. Sandy Pkwy.

Sandy, Utah 84070

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

Int’l Fax [phone]

[e-mail]

http://www.dbxpro.com

A Harman International Company

Since its inception the 160SL has become the mark for which other compressors reach. As the leader
in VCAand compressor design and engineering, we at dbx are always seeking to improve our products
and give you the best possible compression solutions. With the newly improved 160SL, we introduce
the patent-pending AutoVelocity™ technology. With AutoVelocity™ it is now easier than ever to dial
up the exact attack and release effect you are looking for, via the program-dependent, or non program
dependent manual mode. Still on board is the venerable dbx Auto mode. Now you can set your maxi­mum preferred settings in manual mode, and let the 160SL do the rest for you, depending on your pro­gram material.

+

3

0

®

3

-15

5

DECIBELS

-20 -10

7

-25 -5

10

-30 0

20

-

The dbx160SL is a 2U stereo Compressor/Limiter in the tradition
of the industry standard dbx160. The signal path consists of a
high precision input stage followed by the worlds widest dynam­ic range voltage controlled amplifier - the dbx V8™ VCA - and
then an output stage with phenomenal performance. Each stage
is small signal square wave compensated to assure precise phase
alignment at all audio frequencies. The unit features hard knee
and classic dbx Overeasy® compression threshold functions.
The dbx160SL also has attack and release controls as well as pro­gram dependent time constants selectable with an auto switch.

The dbx160SL has a low distortion, its high CMRR, wide band­width and wide input common mode range amplifier configura­tion for it’s input stage.

The dbx V8 VCA is a state-of-the-art implementation of the
David Blackmer deci-linear VCA. This VCAtopology is used by
nearly all dynamics processor manufacturers and has been the
dominant VCAtopology in the audio industry for 25 years. It has
maintained this position for several reasons. It has extremely
wide dynamic range, low distortion, low noise, low control volt­age feed thru, maintains this performance over time and temper­ature and most importantly, it inherently sounds (or rather does­n’t have a sound) very transparent.

The dbx160SL has a high precision, high drive transformer cou­pled output stage capable of performing with incredible accuracy
and sonic transparency in virtually any audio environment. The
custom designed transformer coupled with a discrete distortion
canceling driver circuit is capable of driving 1000 feet of Belden
8451 cable terminated with a 150 ohm load at remarkably low
distortion levels.

The dbx160SL
Inputs

Type: Electronically bal-

anced/unbalanced, RF

filtered
Input CMRR: > 100 dB at 60 Hz
Max Input Level: 30 dBu balanced
Bandwidth: >200 kHz

V8 VCA

Dynamic Range: > 127 dB
THD + Noise: < 0.007%
Bandwidth: >200 kHz

Outputs

Type: Transformer balanced

/unbalanced, RF fil-

tered
Output Drive Capability

> 30 dBm
Output Stage THD: Unmeasurable
Earth Potential Isolation:

> 200 VoltsDC
Output CMRR: > 110 dB
Bandwidth: > 200 kHz

Overall Unit Specifications

Dynamic Range: >122 dB
Head Room: 26 dB reference = +4

dBu
Signal to Noise: 96 dB, reference = +4

dBu

THD + Noise: < 0.008% at +4 dBu,

1 kHz, unity gain

Frequency Response: +0/-3 dB 2 Hz - 200

kHz +0/-0.1 dB 20 Hz

- 20 kHz

Deviation from Linear Phase:

< 1° 20 Hz - 20 kHz

Power Supply Rails: +/- 24 Volts low noise

regulated supply

Power Transformer: 60 VA toroidal in > 20

dB mu-metal enclosure

Compressor

Threshold Range: -40 to +30 dBu
Ratio: 1:1 to ∞:1
Threshold Charateristic:

Selectable, Overeasy™
or hard knee

Attack/Release: Selectable manual or

auto

Limiter

Threshold range: +4 to +30 dBu (off)
Ratio: ∞:1
Limiter type: PeakStopPlus® 2 stage

limiter

Options

Type IV™ digital output module
Analog output module

160SL

586

Dual Vacuum Tube Preamp

TYPE IV™ Conversion System

704

dbx engineers are constantly working to improve the quality of our products.
Specifications are, therefore subject to change without notice.

160SL

Stereo Compresssor /
Limiter with
AutoVelocity™

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

dbx Professional Products

8760 S. Sandy Pkwy.

Sandy, Utah 84070

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

Int’l Fax [phone]

[e-mail]

http://www.dbxpro.com

A Harman International Company

STEREO COMPRESSOR / LIMITER WITH AUTOVELOCITY™

®