dbx Pro 1046 User Manual

1046

• 4 independent channels of operation, stereo linkable
in two pairs.

• PeakStopPlus™ limiting control for setting maximum
allowable level regardless of compressor settings.

• Switchable OverEasy® or hard-knee compression.

• Selectable Auto (classic dbx) or manual (variable
Attack and Release) compression

• Differentially balanced gold-plated XLR and 1/4”
inputs and outputs.

• True RMS level detection

• Precision metering of input level, output level, and
gain reduction

• Dual True stereo or quad mono operation

• Switchable +4dBu or -10dBV operation per channel

In today’s recording and sound reinforcement environments, the need for multiple channels of high quality, easy to
use compression is growing rapidly. The new dbx 1046 is designed to provide the audio professional with just that:
4 channels of great sounding dbx compression for a variety of applications. Incorporating the industry standard dbx
designs and the latest available manufacturing techniques, the dbx 1046 provides pristine sonic quality with that clas­sic dbx sound.

The 1046 provides 4 channels of smooth classic dbx OverEasy® or hard knee compression that are perfectly suited
for use on individual tracks of your multitrack recorder, and in virtually all applications the separate channels can be
individually interfaced and used for entirely independent purposes. Additionally the newly developed
PeakStopPlus™ is ideal for protecting your system from the oppressive peaks that can take out valuable drivers in
your sound reinforcement rig or studio monitors.

All four channels have the following controls:
Threshold - allows you to set the level at which the compressor starts affecting the gain

OverEasy® - allows you to select between soft compression for overall gain control or hard-knee compression based
on the characteristics of the original dbx160.

Ratio - allows you to set the slope of gain reduction affecting the signal over the threshold level.

Input/Output Meter - allows you to set the meter to check the input and output levels for maximum signal-to-noise
ratio and best level matching.

Output Gain - allows you to add make-up gain or to adjust the output level for that channel to match the next device’s
input gain.

Bypass - hard wire bypass allows you to hear how the compressor is affecting your signal.

PeakStopPlus™ - allows you to set the maximum signal level you want to pass through this channel. While it’s vir­tually impossible to eliminate distortion, the PeakStopPlus™ circuit does it gracefully and effectively with minimal
distortion.

Stereo Link - allows you to link channels 1&2 and 3&4 for two channels of true stereo compression.

All four channels feature balanced gold plated XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs, and switchable +4dBu or -10dBV
operating level to interface each individual channel with any other device.

So whether you need to control the level, placement in the mix, or overall characteristics of 4 independent signals or
control the gain leveling on a couple of stereo pairs, the dbx1046 is for you.

18-1689-C 01/99

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

+14

+12

+10

0

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]

4:1

3:1

2:1

0

-10

-20

+14

+12

+10

0

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

4:1

3:1

2:1

0

-10

-20

+14

+12

+10

0

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

4:1

3:1

2:1

0

-10

-20

+14

+ + + +

+12

+10

0

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

4:1

3:1

2:1

0

CHANNEL ONE CHANNEL TWO CHANNEL THREE CHANNEL FOUR

-10

-20

Quad

Limiter

Compressor/

+20

+6

+10

-10

8:1

1.5:1
OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

+10

-30

Stereo

Couple

+20

+6

+10

-10

8:1

1.5:1
OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

+10

-30

+20

+6

+10

-10

8:1

1.5:1
OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

+10

-30

Stereo

Couple

+20

+6

+10

-10

8:1

1.5:1
OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

+10

-30

OFF

dBu

+4

+20

dB

OUTPUT GAIN

-20

:1

RATIO

1:1

+20

dBu

THRESHOLD

-40

OFF

dBu

+4

+20

dB

OUTPUT GAIN

-20

:1

RATIO

1:1

+20

dBu

THRESHOLD

-40

OFF

dBu

LIMITERCOMPRESSOR LIMITERCOMPRESSOR LIMITERCOMPRESSOR

+4

+20

dB

OUTPUT GAIN

-20

:1

RATIO

1:1

+20

dBu

THRESHOLD

-40

OFF

dBu

LIMITERCOMPRESSOR

PeakStopPlus PeakStopPlus PeakStopPlus PeakStopPlus

+4

+20

dB

OUTPUT GAIN

-20

:1

RATIO

1:1

+20

dBu

THRESHOLD

-40

®

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

The compressor/limiter shall have four identical chan­nels, each with an audio frequency response of 20Hz to
25kHz, +0/-0.5dB , an electronically floating balanced
input impedance of not less than 50kΩ, balanced and
20kΩ unbalanced, and a maximum input level of not less
than +22dBu and 1/4" TRS and XLR connectors. The
output shall have an impedance of no more than 30Ω
with a maximum output level of not less than +22dBm
balanced and +20dBm unbalanced, into a minimum load
impedance of 600Ω and 1/4” TRS and XLR type con­nectors.

Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise shall be less than

0.1% with any amount of compression (up to 40dB) at
1kHz and Intermodulation Distortion shall be less than

0.1% SMPTE. The unit shall have an Equivalent Input
Noise level of not more than -96dBu unweighted, and a
dynamic range of not less than 118dB. Output gain
adjustment shall be variable from -20 to +20dB. The
compression threshold range shall be variable from -40 to
+20dBu and compression ratio shall be variable from 1:1
to ∞:1. The peak limiter threshold range shall be variable
from 0 to +24dBu. The compressor attack and release
times shall be program dependent. The compression ratio
characteristic shall be selectable for either the hard or soft
knee curve type with a maximum compression of no less
than 60dB. All input and output signal connections shall
be via the rear panel. The channel-to-channel stereo links
shall be of the true RMS summing type. Channel 1 shall
link to Channel 2 and Channel 3 shall link to Channel 4
with channels 1 and 3 becoming the masters. The unit
shall have the following front panel switches for each
channel, with each switch incorporating an integral LED
to signal selection of that switch: OverEasy, I/O Meter,
and Bypass. There shall also be one Stereo Link switch
for each pair of channels. Each channel shall have the fol­lowing identical controls: compression Threshold, com­pression Ratio, compression Output Gain, limiter Threshold; and the following identical metering and indicator LEDs for each channel: Gain Reduction (8 LEDs), Input
or Output Level (8 LEDs), peak limiter active. There shall be a rear panel switch for each channel to select nominal input and output operating levels at -10dBV or +4
dBu. The unit shall be capable of accepting one compatible audio transformer installed for each channel. The power requirements shall be 100-120VAC 50/60Hz or 200­240VAC, 50/60Hz, 20W, via a detachable IEC type AC cable. The size of the unit shall be 1.75" x 19" x 7.9" (4.4cm x 48.3cm x 20.1cm) with a net weight of 5.2 lbs
(2.4 kg) and a shipping weight of 7.6 lbs (3.5 kg). The 1U high, full rack width 4 channel compressor/limiter shall be a dbx 1046.

QUAD COMPRESSOR

1046

Input

Connectors: XLR and 1/4" TRS (Pin 2 and
tip hot)
Type: Electronically balanced/unbal­anced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced > 40 kOhm, unbal­anced >20 kOhm
Max Input Level: > +22 dBu balanced or unbal­anced
CMRR: Typically >50 dB at 1 kHz

Output

Connectors: XLR and 1/4" TRS (Pin 2 and
tip hot)
Type: Servo-balanced/unbalanced,
RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced 30 Ohm, unbal­anced 15 Ohm
Max Output Level: > +22 dBm balanced, > +20
dBm unbalanced

System Performance

Bandwidth: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB
Frequency Response: 0.35 Hz to 90 kHz, +0/-3 dB
Noise: < -96 dBu, unweighted, 22

kHz measurement bandwidth
Dynamic Range: > 118 dB, unweighted
THD+Noise: 0.008% typical at +4 dBu, 1
kHz unity gain

0.08% typical at +20 dBu, 1

kHz, unity gain

< 0.1% any amount of com­pression up to 40 dB, 1 kHz
IMD: < 0.1% SMPTE
Interchannel Crosstalk: < -80 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing

Compressor

Threshold Range: -40 dBu to +20 dBu
Ratio: 1:1 to ∞:1
Threshold Characteristic: Selectable OverEasy® or
hard knee
Attack/Release Characteristic: AutoDynamic™
Attack Time: Program-dependent
Release Time: Program-dependent
Output Gain: -20 to +20 dB

Limiter

Threshold Range: 0 dBu to +24 dBu (off)
Ratio: ∞:1
Limiter Type: PeakStopPlus™ two-stage
limiter
Stage 1: PeakStop® brickwall limiter

Attack Time: Zero

Release Time: Zero
Stage 2: Predictive intelligent program
limiter

Attack Time: Program-dependent
Release Time: Program-dependent

Function Switches

OverEasy®: Activates the OverEasy®
compression function.
I/O Meter: Switches between monitoring
input and output levels
on the Input/Output Level meter.
Bypass: Activates the direct input-to­output hard-wire bypass.
Operating Level

(rear panel): Switches the nominal operat-

ing level between -10 dBV
and +4 dBu simultaneously
for both input and output lev­els.

ST Link: Links channels in stereo
pairs. Channels One

and Three become the mas-

ter channels.

Indicators

Gain Reduction Meter: 8 segment LED bar graph at

1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 20,
25, and 30 dB

Input/Ouptut Meter: 8-segment LED bar graph at

-24, -18, -12, -6, 0,

+6, +12, and +18 dBu
PeakStop®: 1 LED to indicate PeakStop®
limiting
Function Switches: LED indicator for each front­panel switch

Options

Output Transformer

Per Channel: Jensen® JT-123-dbx or JT-

11-dbx, BCI™ RE-

123-dbx or RE-11-dbx

Power Supply

Operating Voltage: Switchable: 100-120 VAC 50-

60 Hz or 200-240 VAC 50/60

Hz
Power Consumption: 20 Watts
Fuse: 100-120 VAC:250 mA Slow
Blow

200-240 VAC: 125 mA Type T
Mains Connection: IEC receptacle

Physical

Dimensions: 1.75"Hx19"Wx9"D
(4.4cmx48.3cmx20.1cm)
Weight: 5.2 lbs. (2.4 kg)
Shipping Weight: 7.6 lbs. (3.5 kg)

Note: Specifications subject to change.

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

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

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

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

CHANNEL ONE CHANNEL TWO CHANNEL THREE CHANNEL FOUR

-10

-20

0

2:1

-30

1.5:1

+10

OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

-40

+20

1:1

dBu

THRESHOLD

3:1

RATIO

0

4:1

-10

8:1

-20

:1

dB

OUTPUT GAIN

+ + + +

+12

+10

+10

+6

+4

+20

dBu

PeakStopPlus PeakStopPlus PeakStopPlus PeakStopPlus

LIMITERCOMPRESSOR

-10

-20

+14

OFF

0

+20

-30
Stereo
Couple

1.5:1

+10

OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

-40

+20

dBu

THRESHOLD

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

3:1

2:1

1:1

RATIO

0

4:1

-10

8:1

-20

:1

OUTPUT GAIN

+12

+10

+10

+6

+4

+20

dB

dBu

LIMITERCOMPRESSOR LIMITERCOMPRESSOR LIMITERCOMPRESSOR

-10

-20

+14

OFF

0

+20

-30

1.5:1

+10

OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

-40

+20

dBu

THRESHOLD

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

3:1

2:1

1:1

RATIO

0

4:1

-10

8:1

-20

:1

OUTPUT GAIN

+12

+14

+10

+10

+6

+20

Stereo
Couple

+4

+20

dB

OFF

dBu

-10

-20

0

2:1

-30

1.5:1

+10

OverEasy I/O Meter Bypass

-40

+20

1:1

dBu

THRESHOLD

RATIO

INPUT / OUTPUT LEVEL dBu THRESHOLDGAIN REDUCTION dB

-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]

3:1

0

4:1

-10

8:1

-20

:1

OUTPUT GAIN

+12

+14

+10

+10

+6

+20

dB

1046

Quad

+20

Compressor/

+4

dBu

Limiter

OFF

CHANNEL FOUR

OPERATING

+4 dBu

LEVEL

-10 dBV

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

INPUTSOUTPUTS

MANUFACTURED UNDER ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING U.S. PATENTS 4,234,804 4,316,107 4,329,598 4,331,931 4,377,792 4,403,199 4,409,500 4,425,551 4,434,380 4,454,433 4,471,324 4,473,793 OTHER PATENTS PENDING

CHANNEL THREE

OPERATING

LEVEL

INPUTSOUTPUTS

+4 dBu

-10 dBV

CHANNEL TWO

OPERATING

LEVEL

INPUTSOUTPUTS

+4 dBu

-10 dBV

CHANNEL ONE

OPERATING

LEVEL

+4 dBu

-10 dBV

INPUTSOUTPUTS

®

A Harman International Company