® Since its introduction in the mid 1970’s, the dbx 160 series has been the world’s most popular line of audio com- pressors. 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 musi- cians, 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 nat- ural-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 com- patible with +4/-10dB and balanced/ unbalanced systems, and its electronically balanced output stage is an out- standing line driver for long cable runs (an output transformer is optional). The 19-segment, switchable input/ out- put 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 control- ling runaway house mix levels. A detector input can be used with an equalizer for de-essing sibilant vocals and selec- tively 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. • OverEasy® or classic hard knee compression with • lndependent balanced and unbalanced outputs can dbx’s ultra-musical program dependent attack and drive 600Ω loads to +24dBm simultaneously. New release times floating balanced output stage drives any load • Compression Ratio variable from 1:1 through infinity • Optional output transformer capable :1 to negative compression • Strappable with another 160A for true RMS stereo • Precision dual RMS LED display monitors input or summing operation output and gain reduction over a wide range and cal- • Made in the USA ibrates for different operating levels 8760 S. Sandy Pkwy. • Over 60dB of gain reduction available Sandy, Utah 84070 • Exclusive Infinity+ compression allows negative com- Phone (801) 568-7660 Fax (801) 568-7662 pression Int’l Fax (801) 568-7583 customer@dbxpro.com http://www.dbxpro.com A Harman International Company 18-1659-C 01/99 -10 4:1 0 INPUT 3:1 6:1 -20 0 BELOW ABOVE LEVEL 10:1 -10 +10 OUTPUT -40 30 20 15 10 865432101246 10 20+ BYPASS SLAVE OVEREASY :1 2:1 GAIN REDUCTION -30 +10 -5:1 -2:1 -40dBu +20dBu 1:1 -1:1 -20dB +20dB COMPRESSOR / LIMITER THRESHOLD COMPRESSION OUTPUT RATIO GAIN DISPLAY 160A COMPRESSOR / LIMITER -10 4:1 0 INPUT 3:1 6:1 -20 0 BELOW ABOVE LEVEL 10:1 -10 +10 -40 30 20 15 10 865432101246 10 20+ BYPASS SLAVE OVEREASY :1 OUTPUT 2:1 -30 +10 -5:1 GAIN REDUCTION -2:1 -40dBu +20dBu 1:1 -1:1 -20dB +20dB COMPRESSOR / LIMITER THRESHOLD COMPRESSION OUTPUT RATIO GAIN DISPLAY The compressor shall be a single channel unit, with Input: Connector: 1⁄4” TRS and XLR, Floating Balanced; XLR: Pin 2 hot, Maximum Level: +24dBm. an audio frequency response of 20—20kHz +0, - Phone: Tip Hot. Compression: Threshold Range: -40dBu to +20dBu. Impedance: 40kΩ. Threshold Characteristic: OverEasy® or Hard Knee. 0.5dB, an electronically floating balanced input Maximum Level: +24dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced (Absolute). Compression Ratio: Variable 1:1 to :1 thru to -1:1; >60dB maximum compres- impedance of not less than 38kΩ with a maximum CMRR: >45dB (Any Frequency). sion. input level of not less than +24dBu and 1⁄4” TRS Detector Input: Connector: 1⁄4” TRS phone, Floating Balanced. Attack Time: Program dependent; typically 15ms for 10dB, 5ms for 20dB, and XLR input connectors. The output impedance Impedance: >200kΩ. 3ms for 30dB. of the electronically floating balanced output shall Maximum Level: +28dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced. Release Time: Program Dependent; Typically 8ms for 1dB, 80ms for 10dB, be no more than 32Ω (balanced or unbalanced) with Output: Connector: XLR, Floating Balanced; Pin 2 Hot. 400ms for 50dB; 125dB/sec rate. a maximum output level of not less than +24dBu, Impedance: 30Ω. System Performance: into a balanced load with a minimum impedance of Maximum Level: (Balanced): +24dBm; <0.3% THD. Dynamic Range: >113dB. not less than 600Ω, and +21dBu into and unbal- Maximum Level: (Unbalanced): +20dBm; <0.3% THD Gain Adjustment Range: Variable from -20dB to +20dB. anced load with a minimum impedance of not less Noise: <-90dBu, Unweighted (20Hz — 20kHz). Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing™ than 600Ω. It shall use an XLR connector. The out- Frequency Response: 20Hz —20kHz, +0, Summing: 1⁄4" TRS phone jack. put impedance of the separate, 1⁄4" TRS unbalanced -0.5dB; +0, -3dB 0.5Hz and 90kHz. THD: <0.2%, Typical, any amount of Hardware: Power Cord: IEC-Type connector. output shall be no more than 21Ω with a maximum compression up to 40dB @ 1kHz. Operating Voltage: DO: 90-130VAC, 50/60Hz; EU: 200-250VAC, 50/60Hz. output level of not less than +24dBm. Total har- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). monic distortion shall be no more than 0.2% in typ- Output: Connector: 1⁄4" TRS phone, Unbalanced. Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.75" x 19" x 6.5"(4.45cm x 48.2cm x 16.51cm). ical operation with any amount of compression up Impedance: 20Ω. Weight: Net Weight: 4.45 lbs (1.99 kg) Shipping Weight: 6.62 lbs (2.99 kg) 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 nom- inal gain via front panel gain controls and all outputs shall be capable of driving a short cir- cuit 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 com- pression to -1:1. The unit shall have a detector input, with a 1⁄4" TRS jack capable of bal- anced or unbalanced operation. The front panel shall have the following controls and switch- es:, Bypass switch, Master/Slave switch, Compressor Threshold, OverEasy or Hard Knee selector switch, Compression Ratio, Output Gain, and Display Selector switch. The follow- ing 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. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: dbx Professional Products dbx engineers are constantly working to improve the quality of our products. Specifications 8760 S. Sandy Pkwy. are, therefore subject to change without notice. Sandy, Utah 84070 Phone (801) 568-7660 Fax (801) 568-7662 ® Int’l Fax (801) 568-7583 customer@dbxpro.com http://www.dbxpro.com A Harman International Company