166XL (discontinued)

Compressor / Limiter / Gate

166XL
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Most compressor/gates provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating that swallows transients—or closes early, cutting off decay and reverb tails. The superb engineering in the 166XL ensures that both its compression and gating provide versatility and excellent sonic performance in situations where other compressor/gates typically produce undesirable processing artifacts.

When using the 166XL’s Attack and Release controls, artists and engineers will find that the center settings deliver classic dbx compression, while the full control range produces voicings that extend from slow “leveling” to aggressive “peak” limiting.The 166XL’s advanced gate circuitry uses a completely new, program-dependent timing algorithm to produce ultra-smooth release characteristics—even with complex signals, such as voice or reverb decays. dbx engineers went on to take advantage of the wide dynamic range and high precision of the dbx V1 VCA to design in an extra-wide threshold range and ensure top gating performance for each application.

Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup, while the 166XL’s intuitive operation lets users easily smooth uneven levels, add sustain to guitars, squash drums or tighten up mixes. In Stereo couple mode, the Channel 1 controls become Master controls, and Channel 2 follows precisely to ensure a rock solid stereo image—even with high amounts of compression, through True RMS Power Summing™. Professionals and newcomers alike will find that the 166XL sets up rapidly and musically the first time it is used, especially with the Auto attack and release function. Advanced applications are now easy, with the 166XL’s full sidechain functionality, and the ability to use either hard knee or OverEasy® compression algorithms. Add to this already impressive list of features the venerable PeakStop™ limiter, and you’ve got a strong finisher, every time.

Recommended for: Portable, Tour, Studio.

Features

  • Goof proof operation to smooth uneven levels, add sustain to guitars, fatten drums or tighten up mixes
  • New gate timing algorithms ensure the smoothest release characteristics
  • Program-adaptive expander/gates
  • Great sounding dynamics control for any type of program material
  • Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup
  • Stereo or dual-mode operation
  • Balanced inputs and outputs on 1/4" TRS and XLR
  • Side Chain insert
  • Classic dbx® "Auto" mode

Downloads

  Version Language Size Uploaded
file type icon 166XL CAD drawing rear
en updated: Mar 2024
  en  207 KB Mar 2024
file type icon 166XL Cut Sheet-English
en updated: Mar 2024
  en  371 KB Mar 2024

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Specifications

Input Connectors 1/4" TRS and XLR, Floating Balanced; XLR: Pin 2 hot Phone: Tip Hot HI
Input Impedance >50kΩ balanced, >25kΩ unbalanced
Max Input +24dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced
CMRR >40dB at 1kHz, typically >55dB
Sidechain 1/4" TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); tip = Input (return)
Sidechain Impedance Tip = >10kΩ (Input), Ring = 2kΩ (Output)
Sidechain Max Input Level +24dBu
Output Connectors 1/4" TRS phone and XLR floating balanced, XLR: Pin 2 and Tip Hi
Output Impedance 120Ω balanced, 60Ω unbalanced
Max Output +21dBu,>+20 dBm into 600Ω, balanced or unbalanced
Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz; +0, -0.5dB, Typical 3dB points are 0.35Hz and 110kHz, unity gain
Noise <-90dBu, 22Hz to 22kHz, no weighting, unity gain
THD+Noise Typically <0.04%; Any Amount of Compression Up to 40dB@1kHz
IMD Typically <0.08% SMPTE @ +10dBu (15dB Gain reduction)
Compressor Threshold Range -40dBu to +20dBu
Compressor Threshold Characteristic Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee
Compressor Ratio Variable; 1:1 to Infinity:1; 60dB Maximum Compression
Compressor Attack Time Variable program-dependent; 3ms to 340ms for 15dB gain reduction
Compressor Release Time Variable program-dependent; 200dB/Sec to 3dB/Sec
Expander/Gate Threshold Range OFF to +15dBu
Expander/Gate Ratio 10:1
Expander/Gate Max Depth >60dB
Expander/Gate Attack Time <500µs (from Maximum Depth)
Expander/Gate Release Time Adjustable, 30ms to 3sec (to 30dB attenuation)
Limiter Threshold Range 0dBu to +20dBu
Gain Adjustment Range Variable; -20dB to +20dB
Interchannel Crosstalk <-80dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic Range >115 dB
Stereo Coupling True RMS Power Summing™
Power Consumption 15 Watts Maximum
Operating Temperature 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Dimensions 1.75" x 19" x 6.75" (4.45 cm x 48.2 cm x 17.15 cm)
Unit Weight 5.05 lb (2.29 kg)
Shipping Weight 7.20 lb (3.27 kg)
Reference 0dBu = 0.775Vrms

Support/FAQs

166XL FAQs

Where can I go to learn more about the compressors controls and see some example settings?

Make sure to read the owners manual for your product. Most do have example settings and an explanation of the different controls. For further information and example settings please see the Compression 101 White Paper.

166XL (discontinued)

Compressor / Limiter / Gate