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Would a dbx 166 or a pair of stereo linked 160a's be a good choice to put between my Groove Tube pre's and the inputs of my RME card? I want something to tame anything particularly hot and be transparent of course.

If not, what would you recommend?

Comments

RemyRAD Mon, 09/26/2005 - 22:19

the DBX 166 is a fine unit. It works great and sounds great. Adjust your ratio to around 4: 1, for nice vocal compression, maybe a little bit more. Make sure your gain reduction hovers between 10 and 20 DB on your loud passages. Make sure your output level is not too high so as not to overdrive the input to your computer soundcard. Very easy to do. Turn your computer soundcard line level input up to 7 or about two thirds of the way up. Adjust the output of your limiter carefully.

TheArchitect Tue, 09/27/2005 - 18:44

The RNC looks like a nice unit but I would prefer to maintain the balanced connection from the Pre's to the Soundcard and the RNC uses unbalanced connections. I am primarily looking for limiting to prevent accidental clipping of the cards input. I may pick one of these up just to have a a decent compressor but my primary need is limiting.

AudioGaff Wed, 09/28/2005 - 12:35

The dbx 166, 160X, 160XT and current 160A were hot items is days past when there was far less to choose from and compression was a young child. After hearing, using and owning very good compressors, you quickly learn how the artifacts from those units lead to crappy sound. The newer 166XL and 1066 while useable and a bit better than the old models, I for one was very disappointed in their sound. Now the blue 160SL and even the purple 162SL are a whole different product that are both wonderful. Good enough where I even had to buy two 160SL's because they are such a work horse compressors for me.