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.

The dbx® 160A is a 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 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 160A is 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.ent in the mix, or overall characteristics of 4 independent signals or control the gain leveling on a couple of stereo pairs, the dbx 160A is for you.

Bring a more professional sound to your mix

Adding a dbx® 166xs Compressor/Limiter/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments. To protect your expensive amps and speakers the PeakStop® limiter provides an absolute ceiling for peak excursions or large transients that could damage your equipment.

dbx knows compressors...after all we invented them! The 166xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy® compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic™ attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 166xs can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches.

Bring a more professional sound to your mix

Adding a dbx® 266xs Compressor/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments.

dbx knows compressors...after all we invented them! The 266xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy® compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic™ attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 266xs can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches.

Hear No Evil and See no Evil.

The AFS² Advanced Feedback Suppression processor has been completely re-designed to take the foundation of the best selling AFS224 and bring it to thte next level. The AFS² now offers the highly-intuitive Wizard function that takes all of the guesswork out of setting up any room.  The AFS² also incorporates a completely re-designed Advanced Feeback Supression module.  Best of all, the AFS² now provides the user with a full LCD display setup and monitoring.

With its powerful DSP module, the AFS² provides all the processing and control necessary for both installation and live use. Ten and twelve filter feedback elimination processors are the de facto standard, but the AFS² offers a dedicated feedback suppression processor that offers up to 24 filters per channel with filter Qs up to 1/80 of an octave. To achieve these staggering numbers dbx utilized their improved AFS technology that had previously only been available in the upper echelon line of products and made it available in this stand-alone processor. In addition to the plethora of feedback suppression filters available, the AFS² also offers selectable modes, live filter lift, and types of filtration, which are all readily available via the intuitive user interface front panel.  With all of these state-of-the-art features in place, not only do you hear no evil, but you will now be able to see no evil. ®

For decades, dbx’s patented Subharmonic Synthesis has rattled foundations enhancing the bass in a variety of professional applications including nightclub and DJ mixing, theatre and film sound, music recording, live music performance and broadcasting. dbx’s Subharmonic Synthesis process actually produces a new, Waveform Modeled bass note, exactly an octave below the bass in the original audio.

The dbx 510 answers the call of audio professionals everywhere delivering Subharmonic Synthesis in the convenient design of a 500 Series module. The 510’s two separate bands of subharmonic synthesis provide the best combination of smoothness and control, while the independent Low Frequency Boost circuit is designed to get the most out of high-performance, low frequency speaker systems. Unlike other attempts at bass synthesis, the dbx process produces musical low frequencies that don’t interfere with mid and high-band information, even when the maximum synthesis and boost are applied. The result is a low-end punch that people really feel!

Put some boom in your room with the dbx 510!

The dbx 520 will help you expertly tame the excessive sibilance often found in vocals and other high frequency dense material. Based upon the legendary dbx 902, the dbx 520’s unique features make it possible to achieve an exact amount of de-essing regardless of variations in signal levels. The 520 allows you to create brilliant, crisp vocals without sibilance!

With its modular 500 Series based design, the dbx 520 examines the differences in dB between the high frequency and full-bandwidth portions of a signal, allowing de-essing of signals which change in level by as much as 60dB. It features a Frequency Control with range from 800Hz to 8kHz, Gain Reduction Metering and a De-essing Amount Range from 0dB to 20dB.

Control vocals, drums, percussive instruments and problematic material/reverb combinations with the dbx 520!

The dbx 530 Parametric EQ offers a unique degree of equalization flexibility in the popular 500 Series format. Based upon the classic dbx 905, the dbx 530 is an uncompromising equalizer offering true, fully parametric operation of all three filter bands! dbx has a much-heralded history with modular processors dating back to our 900 Series, and the dbx 530 continues that tradition.

The dbx 530's overlapping bands each offer control of frequency bandwidth (Q) and up to 15dB of reciprocal cut or boost to provide exact, complimentary filter action for the most demanding of equalization needs. For problem situations requiring the removal of spurious signals, each of the bands can be independently switched into “infinite notch” mode without affecting the operation of others. In situations where a shelving equalizer will produce better results than a peaking one, the 530’s high and low bands can be independently switched from peaking to shelving operation. You can also make instant affected/bypassed comparisons using the 530's “On” switch.

Load up your 500 Series rack with dbx 530 Parametric EQs­­ and cut your way through mixes like an audio surgeon!

The dbx 580 Microphone Preamp is the perfect partner to your microphones, providing sonically-transparent gain that will reveal the detail and audio signature of even the most esoteric microphones. It will transform their low level output signal to a high level, high current output for direct connection to the line level inputs of your mixer, sampler or any other recording medium that accepts line level, analog input.

With its modular 500 Series design, the dbx 580 delivers up to 60dB of gain, features a variable-frequency Low-Cut Filter and unique Low and High Detail Equalization Controls, a 20dB Pad, Polarity Invert, +48V Phantom Power, a Front Panel Instrument Input, VU Metering and Peak Indicator.

Add warmth and definition to your microphones with the dbx 580 Microphone Preamp!

The dbx 560A Compressor/Limiter offers legendary VCA-based compression in the increasingly popular 500 Series format. dbx has a much-heralded history with modular processors dating back to our 900 Series and the 560A continues that tradition.

Featuring the same switch-selectable OverEasy® and Hard Knee compression curves as our industry-standard dbx 160A rackmount processor, the dbx 560A will be your new workhorse compressor! With extremely wide-ranging threshold, ratio and output controls and true RMS level detection providing the most natural-sounding dynamics processing available, the 560A will provide punch to drums, bass, vocals, almost anything! It’s also versatile enough to go from subtle compression to "brick wall" peak limiting.

Choose low ratios and OverEasy compression to expertly smooth out fluctuating vocal and instrumental levels, or use the 560A's Hard Knee compression and high ratios for bombproof protection against overload distortion in digital recording, P.A. systems and broadcast signals.

The 560A's 19-segment, switchable Input/Output LEDs and 12-segment Gain Reduction LEDs provide precise analysis at a glance. And, the dbx 560A'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 mix levels.

Load up your 500 Series rack with some dbx 560A Compressor/Limiters and go to work!

The dbx® 286s is a full featured Channel Strip Processor that delivers a studio quality microphone/instrument preamplifier and four processors that can be used independently or in any combination. Why mic up vocals and instruments through a noisy, blurry mixer? The sonically pristine dbx 286s Mic Preamp has all the features you need, including wide-ranging input gain control, switchable +48V phantom power, and an 80Hz high-pass filter to remove low frequency hum, rumble or wind. Use the patented dbx OverEasy® compressor to transparently smooth out uneven acoustic tracks or deliver that classic "in your face" vocal performance that only a dbx compressor can. Eliminate vocal sibilance and high frequency distortion from instruments such as cymbals with the frequency tunable De-Esser. Fine-tune the Enhancer HF Detail control to add sparkle and crispness to your tracks and make adjustments to the LF Detail control to add fullness and depth to vocals and bass instruments while cleaning up the muddy low midrange frequencies. And, the separate threshold and ratio controls on the Expander/Gate allow you to subtly reduce headphone leakage or radically gate noisy guitar amps.

The dbx 286s offers a full compliment of metering and status LEDs to visually guide you to achieving the right sound. The floating balanced XLR Mic Input accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs to easily connect to professional and home studio microphones. The additional 1/4" TRS Line Input can accept balanced/unbalanced signals to process live electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mixdown. Use the Insert jack to interface between the Mic Preamp and the signal processing sections to "loop out" to external processors (such as EQ or delay unit) or to mix the Mic Preamp's signal out to an external destination.

The cost and hassle of patching together multiple processors for use on one track can be frustrating. The dbx 286s provides you with all the mic processing you need in one box, with the shortest, cleanest signal path to keep your music sounding its best!

The Pedigree of Professional Audio.

At dbx Professional Products we are proud to introduce the all new 676 Tube Mic Pre Channel Strip. The 676 represents all of the best of dbx’s more than 40 years of dynamics processing.

The 676 offers a pristine high-voltage, Class-A tube preamp section that runs on 250 volts, so your signal can be as crystal clean or dirty as you need it to be. The 676 also incorporates the compressor/limiter design from the highly-sought after dbx162SL, as well as a 3-band parametric EQ with sweepable mids.

The 676 provides audio professionals with the perfect channel strip for recording and live applications alike with its military-grade build, vintage-inspired controls and VU metering.