Vintage Digital

dbx

DBX was an American company founded by David Blackmer in 1972. DBX will be forever remembered as a company that made audio compressors and noise reduction systems. They both things very well. In 1976 DBX introduced their first compressor, the DBX 160. The most important inventions of David Blackmer and dbx are the Blackmer gain cell (a voltage controlled amplifier for professional audio) and the dbx RMS detector. The DBX 160 used both of these technologies to produce a compressor/limiter that outperformed other units of the time. Other technologies DBX introduced over the years with follow up models, was overeasy compression which introduced a soft-knee when compression first starts. Models like the DBX 165 and DBX 165A used the overeasy technique. The company has been bought and sold over the years and is currently in the hands of Harman.

Released in 2011

dbx 160SL Compressor/Limiter

The dbx160SL is a 2U stereo Compressor/Limiter in the tradition of the industry standard dbx160. The signal path consists of a high precision input stage followed by the worlds widest dynamic range voltage controlled amplifier – the dbx V8™ VCA – and then an output stage with phenomenal performance.

Released in 2004

dbx 162SL Compressor/Limiter

The striking front panel, machined from 1/4″ aircraft aluminum, handcrafted solid aluminum knobs, LEDs mounted individually in machined stainless steel housings, custom VU meters with peak indicators, mark the dbx 162SL as a leader for decades to come. Or so it seemed…

Released in 1995

DBX Model 290 Digital Reverb

In the year of 1995, after years in the analogue world, dbx decided to jump into the world of digital effects, kicking it off with the dbx Model 290 Digital Reverb, a single rack size digital reverb designed to be easy to use.

Released in 1982

dbx 160X Compressor

The dbx 160X replaced the now legendary dbx 160(VU) and added the over easy compression of the dbx 165, and changed the form factor from the half rack size with wood side panels, to a single rack chassis.

Released in 1982

dbx 165A Compressor/Limiter

The dbx 165A is a professional single channel compressor/limiter that features the new dbx Over Easy compression curve. The dbx Over Easy compression curve permits extremely smooth, almost inaudible compression due to the gradual change of compression ratio around the threshold, instead of the customary sharp threshold.

Released in 1980

dbx 165 Compressor/Limiter

The dbx 165 is a professional single channel compressor/limiter that features the new dbx Over Easy compression curve. The dbx Over Easy compression curve permits extremely smooth, almost inaudible compression due to the gradual change of compression ratio around the threshold, instead of the customary sharp threshold.

Released in 1979

DBX 163 Compressor/Limiter

The dbx 163 and dbx 164 compressor/ limiters feature dbx’s Over Easy compression. Over Easy refers to a “soft-knee” compression characteristic that provides virtually inaudible gain control at ratios up to infinite compression.

Released in 1978

dbx 162 Compressor/Limiter

The dbx 162 compressor/limiter is one of the most iconic studio compressor/limiters to have ever graced a studio. The dbx 162 compressor/limiter is a stereo device using true rms level detection circuitry tor signal sensing and sophisticated voltage controlled amplifiers as the gain control elements.

Released in 1976

dbx 160 Compressor/Limiter

The dbx 160 and 161 are single-channel compressor/limiters combining sophisticated technology and user-oriented features in a compact package. Unique circuit designs, such as true rms level-detection and feed-forward gain reduction, place the 160 and 161 in a completely different class from conventional compressor/limiters.