dbx Pro 160A User Manual

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

• OverEasy® or classic hard knee compression with
dbx’s ultra-musical program dependent attack and
release times

• Compression Ratio variable from 1:1 through infinity
:1 to negative compression

• Precision dual RMS LED display monitors input or
output and gain reduction over a wide range and cal­ibrates for different operating levels

• Over 60dB of gain reduction available

• Exclusive Infinity+ compression allows negative com­pression

• lndependent balanced and unbalanced outputs can
drive 600Ω loads to +24dBm simultaneously. New
floating balanced output stage drives any load

• Optional output transformer capable

• Strappable with another 160A for true RMS stereo
summing operation

• Made in the USA

18-1659-C 01/99

Since its introduction in the mid 1970’s, the dbx 160 series has been the world’s most popular line of audio com­pressors. After the classic 160 (which is still used daily in many world class studios), came the 165, the 160X and
the 160XT. The 160X/XT were the models that truly became the industry standard. Solid construction, fool proof
operation, great sound, at-a-glance metering and a bulletproof output stage all contributed to its popularity with musi­cians, recording studios, consultants and installers, and broadcast media production people alike.
In updating the design, dbx has chosen to maintain all the key characteristics that have made the 160X/XT the icon
that it is. At the same time, we have improved the design.

The dbx 160A is the latest generation of the legendary dbx 160 family of compressor/limiters. The same classic
sound, easy set-up and no compromise metering is now married to an improved signal path and stronger chassis
design. The result is the new industry standard compressor/limiter which is digital-ready and road tough.

Featuring switch-selectable OverEasy® and Hard Knee compression curves along with extremely wide-ranging
threshold, ratio and output controls, the dbx 160A is up to any task. True RMS level detection provides the most nat­ural-sounding dynamics processing available, from subtle compression to “brick wall” peak limiting. Choose low
ratios and OverEasy® compression to transparently smooth out fluctuating vocal and instrumental levels. Or use the
160A’s Hard Knee compression and high ratios (up to and beyond ∞:1 and over 60dB gain reduction) for bombproof
protection against overload distortion in digital recording, P.A. systems and broadcast signals. The 160Ais fully com­patible with +4/-10dB and balanced/ unbalanced systems, and its electronically balanced output stage is an out­standing line driver for long cable runs (an output transformer is optional). The 19-segment, switchable input/ out­put LED metering can be easily calibrated to any operating level. 12-segment gain reduction LEDs provide precise
analysis at a glance.

The dbx 160A’s unique “INFINITY +” inverse-compression mode actually decreases the audio output level below
unity gain when the input exceeds threshold, a real lifesaver for correcting overbearing vocal choruses and control­ling runaway house mix levels. A detector input can be used with an equalizer for de-essing sibilant vocals and selec­tively smoothing out boomy notes on acoustic guitar and bass. And two 160As can be stereo-coupled to process an
entire mix or instruments mic’d in stereo, without shifting the left/right image. Its musical sound, easy operation and
unequaled versatility made the original dbx 160 a world standard. The 160A follows that tradition, while meeting the
challenges of a digital world.

LEVEL

GAIN REDUCTION

-40302015108654321012461020+

COMPRESSOR / LIMITER

INPUT

OUTPUT

+10

0

-10

:1

10:1

6:1

4:1

3:1

2:1

DISPLAY

GAIN

OUTPUT

-20dB

-5:1

-2:1

RATIO

1:1 +20dB

BELOW ABOVE

0

-10

-20

+10

+20dBu

THRESHOLD COMPRESSION

-30

-40dBu -1:1

®

BYPASS SLAVE OVEREASY

®

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

The compressor shall be a single channel unit, with
an audio frequency response of 20—20kHz +0, -

0.5dB, an electronically floating balanced input
impedance of not less than 38kΩ with a maximum
input level of not less than +24dBu and 1⁄4” TRS
and XLR input connectors. The output impedance
of the electronically floating balanced output shall
be no more than 32Ω (balanced or unbalanced) with
a maximum output level of not less than +24dBu,
into a balanced load with a minimum impedance of
not less than 600Ω, and +21dBu into and unbal­anced load with a minimum impedance of not less
than 600Ω. It shall use an XLR connector. The out­put impedance of the separate, 1⁄4" TRS unbalanced
output shall be no more than 21Ω with a maximum
output level of not less than +24dBm. Total har­monic distortion shall be no more than 0.2% in typ­ical operation with any amount of compression up
to 40dB. The unit shall have an output noise level
of not more than -90dBu and a dynamic range of
not less than 113dB. Output level shall be gain adjustable from -20dB to +20dB from nom­inal gain via front panel gain controls and all outputs shall be capable of driving a short cir­cuit indefinitely with maximum input applied. The compressor attack and release times shall
be program dependent. The compression threshold shall range from -40dB to +20dB, and
the compression ratio shall be variable from 1:1 through Infinity:1 through negative com­pression to -1:1. The unit shall have a detector input, with a 1⁄4" TRS jack capable of bal­anced or unbalanced operation. The front panel shall have the following controls and switch­es:, Bypass switch, Master/Slave switch, Compressor Threshold, OverEasy or Hard Knee
selector switch, Compression Ratio, Output Gain, and Display Selector switch. The follow­ing LEDs for metering and status indication shall exist: Bypass, Slave, Threshold (3 LEDs),
Input/ Output Display Selected (2 LEDs), Input/Output Level (19 LEDs) and Gain Reduction
(12 LEDs). The unit shall have a 1⁄4" TRS jack at the rear panel, allowing stereo strapping
with a second unit of the same design for stereo operation with true RMS summing of input
levels There shall also be a calibration control for the level meter, at the rear panel. The unit
shall incorporate a detachable IEC mains cable and the power requirement shall be 90—
130VAC 50/60Hz or 200—250VAC 50/60Hz. Dimensions shall be 1.75" x 19" x 6.5"
(4.45cm x 48.2cm x 16.51cm). The net weight shall be 4.41lbs (1.99 kg) and the shipping
weight shall be 6.62 lbs (2.99kg). The unit shall be a dbx 160A Compressor/Limiter.

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

160A

Input: Connector: 1⁄4”TRS and XLR, Floating Balanced; XLR: Pin 2 hot,
Phone:Tip Hot.
Impedance: 40kΩ.
Maximum Level:+24dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced (Absolute).
CMRR: >45dB (Any Frequency).
Detector Input: Connector: 1⁄4” TRS phone, Floating Balanced.
Impedance: >200kΩ.
Maximum Level:+28dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced.
Output: Connector: XLR, Floating Balanced; Pin 2 Hot.
Impedance: 30Ω.
Maximum Level:(Balanced): +24dBm; <0.3% THD.
Maximum Level:(Unbalanced): +20dBm; <0.3% THD
Noise: <-90dBu, Unweighted (20Hz — 20kHz).
Frequency Response: 20Hz —20kHz, +0,

-0.5dB; +0, -3dB 0.5Hz and 90kHz.
THD: <0.2%, Typical, any amount of
compression up to 40dB @ 1kHz.

Output: Connector: 1⁄4" TRS phone, Unbalanced.
Impedance: 20Ω.

Maximum Level:+24dBm.
Compression: Threshold Range: -40dBu to +20dBu.
Threshold Characteristic: OverEasy® or Hard Knee.
Compression Ratio: Variable 1:1 to :1 thru to -1:1;>60dB maximum compres­sion.
Attack Time: Program dependent;typically 15ms for 10dB, 5ms for 20dB,
3ms for 30dB.
Release Time: Program Dependent; Typically 8ms for 1dB, 80ms for 10dB,
400ms for 50dB; 125dB/sec rate.

System Performance:

Dynamic Range: >113dB.
Gain Adjustment Range:Variable from -20dB to +20dB.
Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing™
Summing: 1⁄4" TRS phone jack.

Hardware: Power Cord: IEC-Type connector.
Operating Voltage: DO: 90-130VAC, 50/60Hz;EU: 200-250VAC, 50/60Hz.
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F).
Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.75" x 19" x 6.5"(4.45cm x 48.2cm x 16.51cm).
Weight: Net Weight:4.45 lbs (1.99 kg) Shipping Weight: 6.62 lbs (2.99 kg)

COMPRESSOR / LIMITER

-10

BYPASS SLAVE OVEREASY

-20

-30

-40dBu -1:1
THRESHOLD COMPRESSION

4:1

3:1

0

BELOW ABOVE

+10

+20dBu

6:1

10:1

2:1

:1

-5:1

-2:1

1:1 +20dB

RATIO

0

+10

-10

-20dB
OUTPUT

DISPLAY

GAIN

INPUT

-40302015108654321012461020+

OUTPUT

COMPRESSOR / LIMITER

LEVEL

GAIN REDUCTION