dbx 166a versus Behringer MDX4400
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Category: General
Forum Name: Electro Frying Forum
Forum Description: Talk about drivers, processors and mixers
URL: https://forum.speakerplans.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=55432
Printed Date: 18 April 2024 at 11:34pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: dbx 166a versus Behringer MDX4400
Posted By: lost eden
Subject: dbx 166a versus Behringer MDX4400
Date Posted: 04 August 2011 at 6:57pm
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(I posted this in Newbie Discussion first but it go no attention, figured somebody here might know instead). Title says it all really. I'm tweaking the amp/eq rack at my students union (removed an entire EQ that has a dead channel but had been running with everything set at 0dB anyway for years) & we have both of these compressors available but I don't know which is more respected. |
Replies:
Posted By: mk2_ginger_biscuit69
Date Posted: 04 August 2011 at 7:45pm
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we have used 166A comps at plymouth student union for years without bother... however, any compressor used as a limiter tends to suck, it saps the life out the music far too easy, try and get them to invest in a proper limiter unit like an AVC2 or similar. Dont use the behringer..... it sucks. the dbx, gate ect set to infinite/off, then set compressor (with overeasy engaged), run up reasonably hard, then adjust peak limiter to suit. ------------- ''Remember that the object of a subwoofer is to enhance the output of your main speakers, not overpower it'' ''Dubstep - an elongated electronic fart'' |
Posted By: service dept Steve
Date Posted: 04 August 2011 at 8:02pm
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Of all the compressors in all the world... DBX 166 is the weapon of choice, Bar none. Getting a bit old now, definitely a goodly thing. Weren't they a stack of cash new, 600 notes or something like that? I agree with Mk2 GB:- gate off, link on, threshold to 0, ratio to infinity, attack and delay central, hard knee on, peak limiter to 3-6 , Have the rest of the day off. ------------- We are not "They", We are "The others" http://www.servicedept.co.uk" rel="nofollow - http://www.servicedept.co.uk - |
Posted By: mk2_ginger_biscuit69
Date Posted: 04 August 2011 at 8:15pm
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personally i found the ratio somewhere between infinite and 1:4 better, maintaining some form of kick whilst still limiting!! Obviously infinite is safer, but they shouldnt really be running it into the compressor, thats a sign of too much kit!!
------------- ''Remember that the object of a subwoofer is to enhance the output of your main speakers, not overpower it'' ''Dubstep - an elongated electronic fart'' |
Posted By: service dept Steve
Date Posted: 04 August 2011 at 8:23pm
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Sorry about that, I spent too many years in contract rental! The idea is that the limiter is transparent right up to the 0 line at which point it digs in and won't let them turn it up any higher, But having said that, as it is a 2 stage limiter it can sound relatively sweet, if you want a more progressive action from it whilst still achieving much the same result then do select 1:4 ratio or maybe even softer, what ever sounds best. ------------- We are not "They", We are "The others" http://www.servicedept.co.uk" rel="nofollow - http://www.servicedept.co.uk - |
Posted By: lost eden
Date Posted: 05 August 2011 at 12:29am
If I set threshold to 0dB & ratio to ∞ surely it won't matter where I set the peak limiter because the compression will never let it go above 0dB?
Is the idea there that if they are playing up to 0dB, the kicks will be a few dB above, so by setting the ratio a bit lower than infinity it won't clobber the kicks entirely but if I get the ratio right it also shouldn't allow too many to get through & smash into the limiter? |
service dept Steve wrote:Posted By: service dept Steve
Date Posted: 05 August 2011 at 8:56am
If I set threshold to 0dB & ratio to ∞ surely it won't matter where I set the peak limiter because the compression will never let it go above 0dB? Part of the reason the 166 sounds as good as it does is that it is a two stage limiter which lets fast transients through, that is what the peak limiter is for, to set the "fast" stage. As the dial is calibrated 0 to +12 the clues are there.------------- We are not "They", We are "The others" http://www.servicedept.co.uk" rel="nofollow - http://www.servicedept.co.uk - |
Posted By: lost eden
Date Posted: 05 August 2011 at 4:58pm
| Righto, thanks for all the advice. I'm going to have to do some experimenting, but that'll have to wait a few days until the place is no longer flooded... I'm not wading through a foot of floodwater to turn on 600A of 3-phase! |
Posted By: mk2_ginger_biscuit69
Date Posted: 05 August 2011 at 5:52pm
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hahahaha same happened to us a few years back, just so happened the main room was being redone and everything was on the floor, hello massive insurance payout and piles of new kit!!
------------- ''Remember that the object of a subwoofer is to enhance the output of your main speakers, not overpower it'' ''Dubstep - an elongated electronic fart'' |
Posted By: lost eden
Date Posted: 05 August 2011 at 8:42pm
| I guess we're 'lucky' we only really used the understage area to store broken kit & useless tat, but I wouldn't be surprised if all that broken kit is reported to the insurance company as fully functional... |
Posted By: crucial
Date Posted: 05 August 2011 at 8:54pm
| dbx are on the good side of budget compressors, I use them in my studio so would definitely recommend them over behringer. In fact, I would recommend most other brands over behringer equipment.... |
Posted By: Smiter
Date Posted: 06 August 2011 at 8:40am
You're thinking of the 160, THE analogue compressor to use live. 166 is quite a lot cheaper, just above the 266 which is like £99 new. I used to have quite a lot of them, never gave me any trouble. Couldn't tell you if they sounded good or not - given what I was using back then!!
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Posted By: lost eden
Date Posted: 06 August 2011 at 6:41pm
| Can anybody tell me what the 'mode' button between the output gain & peakstop knobs does? It's linked to a light above that's labeled 'slow'. |
Posted By: service dept Steve
Date Posted: 06 August 2011 at 7:40pm
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Yes, it sets the attack and release times. 'er ya: http://www.dbxpro.com/product_downloads/Owner_Manuals/166A%20Owners%20Manual.pdf" rel="nofollow - http://www.dbxpro.com/product_downloads/Owner_Manuals/166A%20Owners%20Manual.pdf ------------- We are not "They", We are "The others" http://www.servicedept.co.uk" rel="nofollow - http://www.servicedept.co.uk - |