DBX 162SL User Guide

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

18-0283 -A 1/04

162SL

Stereo Compressor/Limiter with AutoVelocity™

®

The striking front panel, machined from 1/4" aircraft aluminum, handcrafted solid alu­minum knobs, LEDs mounted individually in machined stainless steel housings, custom VU
meters with peak indicators, mark the 162SL as a leader for decades to come. The 162SL
combines the best features of all the great dbx compressors, past and present, and gives
you more versatile performance than ever before. In addition to having the auto attack and
release, and the hard knee threshold characteristics of the classic dbx 160, the 162SL offers
AutoV elocity™ manual mode, along with our classic dbx OverEasy® mode, made standard
by the legendary dbx 165A. All of the 160SL’s features, including variable attack and
release controls, PeakStopPlus

®

, as well as dbx’s latest limiting algorithm PeakStopPlus™,

are included in the 162SL.

The heart of any dynamics processor is its VCA. The dbx 162SL is no different. It features
dual proprietary dbx VCA’s. This state-of-the-art implementation of dbx’s original
Blackmer decilinear VCA boasts an unheard of dynamic range and ultra-low distortion
seen only previously in the Blue 160SLs. With sonic clarity designed for the studio, the
162SL maintains its superior performance in harsh environments, pure enough for the stu­dio, rugged enough for the road was the engineering motto of the Purple Series of
Compressors / Limiters. Like its big brother, the 162SL takes full advantage of the best
parts available and dbx's advanced manufacturing, including Jensen® transformers on
each output standard. Following in the footsteps of the Blue Series 160SL with the Purple
Series 162SL, dbx continues to create to the most technologically advanced compressors
in the world. For more information please visit www.dbxpro.com.

• Super fast manual attack
and release modes with
AVD Circuitry

• High-Drive Output
Circuitry with Jensen

®

Transformers

• Hard-knee/OverEasy

®

switchable

• Ultra-low distortion com­pression

• White LED backlit VU
meters

• XLR and 1/4” TRS Input
and Output Connectors

• +4dBu/-10dBv Operating
Level

• Toroidal Power Supply

INPUTS

Connectors: Female XLR and 1/4” TRS (Pin 2 and Tip hot)
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered.
Impedance: Balanced >50 kΩ, unbalanced >25 kΩ.
Maximum Input Level: >+24dBu balanced and unbalanced.
CMRR: >40dB; typically >55dB at 1kHz

OUTPUTS

Connectors: Male XLR and 1/4” TRS (Pin 2 and Tip hot)
Type: Transformer balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered.
Impedance: Balanced 30Ω, unbalanced 15Ω.
Maximum Output Level: >+24dBu, >+22dBm(into 600Ω Load).

SIDECHAIN SEND (OUTPUT)

Connector: 1/4” TRS
Type: Impedance balanced, RF filtered.
Impedance: Balanced 100Ω, unbalanced 50Ω.
Maximum Output Level: >+22dBu.

SIDECHAIN RETURN (INPUT)

Connector: 1/4” TRS
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered.
Impedance: Balanced >40 kΩ, unbalanced >20kΩ.
Maximum Input Level: >+22dBu balanced or unbalanced.
CMRR: >40dB; typically >55dB at 1kHz.

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

0.1dB Bandwidth: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0/-0.1dB, no gain reduction, unity gain.
Frequency Response: <2 Hz to >200 kHz +0/-3.0dB, no gain reduction, unity gain.
Noise: <-93dBu, unweighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz measurement bandwidth.
Dynamic Range: >117dB
THD + Noise: 0.008% typical at +4dBu, 1kHz, unity gain.

0.02% typical at +20dBu, 1kHz, unity gain.

<0.1% any amount of compression up to 30dB, 1kHz
IMD: <0.02% SMPTE 4:1, no gain reduction, unity gain, 0dBu input.
Deviation From Linear Phase: <1.0 degree, <10 Hz to 200 kHz, 30dB of compression.
Interchannel Crosstalk: <-85dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing™.

COMPRESSOR

Threshold Range: -40 to +20dBu
Ratio: 1:1 to ∞:1
Threshold Characteristic: Selectable OverEasy‚ or hard knee.

Attack/Release Modes: Selectable Manual or Auto.
Manual Attack Time: Scalable program-dependent. Typically 400dB/msec to

1dB/msec.

Manual Release Time: Scalable program-dependent. Typically 4000dB/sec to

10dB/sec.

Auto Attack Time: Program dependent, typically 15 ms for 10dB, 5 ms for 20dB, 3

ms for 30dB.
Auto Release Time: Program dependent, typically 120dB/sec.
Output Gain: -20 to +20dB.

LIMITER

Threshold Range: +4dBu to >+24dBu (off).
Ratio: ∞:1
Limiter Type: PeakStopPlus® two-stage limiter.
Stage 1: Instantaneous Transient Clamp®.
Attack Time: Zero
Release Time: Zero
Stage 2: Intelligent Predictive Limiting®.
Attack Time: Program dependent, typically <5 msec.
Release Time: Program dependent, typically 22dB/sec.

POWER SUPPLY

Operating Voltage: Factory selected: 100-120V, 120V, or 220-240VAC 50/60Hz.
Power Consumption: 28 Watts maximum.
Fuse: 100V-120V: T 400ma 250V; 5mm X 20mm

220V-240V: T 200ma 250V; 5mm X 20mm
Mains Connection: IEC 320 Receptacle

PHYSICAL

Dimensions: 3.5”H X 19”W X 10”D
Weight: 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg)
Shipping Weight: 13.0 lbs (5.9 kg)

Note: 0dBu = 0.775V RMS

All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks are the property of

their respective owners.

162SL

Stereo Compressor/Limiter with Auto Velocity™

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

dbx Professional Products 8760 S. Sandy Pkwy. Sandy, Utah 84070

Phone [phone] / Fax [phone]

[e-mail] / http://www.dbxpro.com

A Harman International Company

The Professional’s Choice In Signal Processing

™