dbx Pro 166XL EXPANDER/GATE Section, Introduction, Inspection, Operating Controls, Front Panel

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dbx 166XL COMPRESSOR / GATE

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

 

®

 

 

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on choosing the dbx 166XL Compressor / Gate. The 166XL provides two channels of noise gating, OverEasy¨ or classic hard knee compression and PeakStop¨ limiting to give complete control of signal dynamics to stu- dios, sound reinforcement companies, musicians, or anyone who needs quality processing quickly and easily. We recom- mend that you take a moment and read through the manual as it provides information that will assist you in using your unit to its fullest potential. Features Include:

¥Stereo or Dual Mono operation of gating, compression and peak limiting.

¥OverEasy¨/Hard Knee Selection - allows selection between our famous OverEasy compression curve and the classic ÒHard KneeÓ curve popularized by the original dbx 160, 161 and 162.

¥Expander/Gate Circuit - with variable release time and +15dBu maximum threshold.

¥Selectable Low Frequency Shelf (via Contour button) in the Sidechain Path - recommended when compressing mixed program material to prevent low frequency energy from Òpunching holesÓ in the sound.

¥PeakStop¨ Limiting - provides control of maximum peak levels at the output of the 166XL regardless of any other control. PeakStop comes after the compression, gating and other circuitry including the output gain, so it sets an absolute limit for peak excursions before they reach the output.

¥True RMS Level Detection - senses the power in the program in a musical manner, much as human hearing does, giv- ing results superior to peak or average detection.

¥Hardwire System Bypass Buttons on both channels - allow the audio to pass even if the unit is unplugged, and are also useful for comparing the processed and unprocessed signals.

¥10-Segment LED Display for GAIN REDUCTION (up to 30dB).

¥Electronically Balanced XLR and 1/4Ó TRS Input and Output Jacks

¥Separate Sidechain Inserts - enables an outboard processor or signal to control compression or gating.

¥DC-Controlled Parameters - the signal does not pass thru any of the parameter controls. Instead a DC voltage controls all functions; this eliminates any possibility of potentiometer noise developing over time.

INSPECTION

Verify that the 166XL package contains the following:

¥166XL Unit

¥AC Power Cord

¥Operation Manual

¥Registration Card

OPERATING CONTROLS

Front Panel

GAIN REDUCTION (dB)

BELOW ABOVE

BELOW ABOVE

30 25 20 15 12 10 8 6 4 2

ABOVE

CHANNEL ONE

 

-25

 

 

-20

-10

0

2:1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

+10

 

-45

 

-10

 

 

1.3:1

4:1

 

 

 

 

-10

 

 

+10

+5

+15

-45

 

 

-30

 

 

+10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stereo

 

 

SC Enable

 

Contour

 

 

OverEasy

 

 

 

Auto

 

 

 

 

Bypass

 

Couple

OFF

dBu +15

Fast

Slow

-40

dBu

+20

1:1

:1

Fast

Slow

Fast

Slow

-20

dB

+20

 

0

dBu +20

 

THRESHOLD

RELEASE

THRESHOLD

RATIO

 

ATTACK

RELEASE

OUTPUT GAIN

 

PEAKSTOP

MASTER

 

EXPANDER/GATE

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPRESSOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIMITER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPANDER/GATE Section

Expander/Gate THRESHOLD Control and LEDs (BELOW/ABOVE):

Adjusting this control sets the level at which the gate will open and allow the signal at the input to pass through to the output. Turning the knob fully counterclockwise (to OFF) allows the gate to pass signals unattenuated, effectively bypass- ing the gate. Turning the knob fully clockwise causes the gate to attenuate input signals below +15dBu.

The two Expander/Gate LEDs indicate the relationship of the input signal level to the threshold setting. The red LED lights when the signal is BELOW threshold, the green LED lights when the signal is ABOVE threshold.

Note: The 166XL’s expander/gate attack rate (which controls how fast the signal is restored after being attenuated) is internally set to be very fast - fast enough to allow all of the transient at the beginning of a note, vocal or spoken word to come through.

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Contents Model 166XL Declaration of Conformity Manual Contents EnglishEXPANDER/GATE Section IntroductionInspection Operating ControlsCompressor Section Auto Switch and LED Compressor Ratio ControlCompressor Attack and Release Control Output Gain ControlMaster Section Limiter SectionRear Panel Expander/Gate Applications Operating NotesFrequency-Sensitive Gating Basic Compressor ApplicationsSmoothing Out Variations in Microphone Levels Fattening Kick Drums and Compressing Other DrumsRaising a Signal Out of a Mix Preventing Analog Tape SaturationPreventing Digital Overload Raising Average Level in PA Systems166XL as a Line Amplifier Frequency-Weighted Compression Sidechain ApplicationDe-Essing Connecting the 166XL to Your System Basic ConnectionUsing the Sidechain Insert Specific System ConnectionsMixing Board Patch BayInstallation Considerations Input/Output Cable ConfigurationsTechnical SUPPORT, Factory Service Registration Card and User Feedback Shipping InstructionsCommandes Section NOISE/GATESection Compresseur Face AvantTouche Overeasy Commande RatioRŽglage des Temps Dattaque et de Relachement Section Limiteur DE Cretes Touche AutomatiqueOutput Gain gain de sortie Touche et tŽmoin BypassSection Master Panneau ArrireCommande ˆ dŽclenchement externe Commande de porte en fonction de la frŽquenceSection Expander/Gate Modification de la qualitŽ du sonUtilisations ŽlŽmentaires du circuit de compression Lissage des variations de niveau dÕun microEmpcher la saturation de la bande dÕenregistrement Faire ressortir un signal dans un son mixŽEmpcher la surcharge numŽrique Utilisation du 166XL comme amplificateur de ligne Augmentation du niveau moyen des systmes de sonorisationCompression pondŽrŽe en frŽquence insertion Sidechain Raccordement gŽnŽral Raccordement DU 166XL AU Systeme DE SonorisationRaccordement ˆ des dispositifs particuliers Utilisation du circuit Sidechain InsertTable de mixage Configurations de c‰blage entrŽe/sortie Configurations de c‰blage de lÕentrŽeDispatching AmplificationAssistance Technique ET Service Usine ConsidŽrations de c‰blage de sortieMise ˆ la terre ExpŽditionKontrolle EinleitungGarantiebedingungen Bedienelemente EXPANDER/GATE-SektionKOMPRESSOR-Sektion FrontplatteCompressor RATIO-Regler OVEREASY-TasteCompressor ATTACK- und RELEASE-Regler LIMITER-Sektion AUTO-TasteOutput GAIN-Regler BYPASS-Taste und -LEDsMASTER-Sektion RŸckseiteExpander/Gate-Anwendungen BedienungshinweiseGrundlegende Kompressor-Anwendungen Ausgleichen von Pegelschwankungen bei MikrofonenHervorheben eines Signals aus der Mischung Vermeidung von BandsŠttigungVermeidung von †bersteuerungen bei digitalen Aufnahmen LautsprecherschutzDer dbx 166XL als LeitungsverstŠrker Frequenzselektive KompressionAllgemeine Hinweise ANSCHLIE§EN DES DBX 166XL AN Ihre AnlageVerkabelung fŸr spezielle Anwendungen Sidechain INSERT-BuchseMischpult Beschaltung der Ein- und AusgŠnge ANSCHLU§HINWEISEService UND Kundendienst Registrierungs- und AntwortkarteIntroduccion InspeccionGarantia Controles OperativosSecci-n de EXPANDER/GATE expansor/compuerta Panel DelanteroSecci-n de Compressor circuito de compresi-n Control Attack Control ReleaseConmutador Auto Control de Output Gain ganancia de salidaSecci-n Master Secci-n Limiter limitadorPanel Trasero Aplicaciones del circuito expansor/de compuerta Notas Para EL OperadorModificaci-n de la calidad del sonido Jack de Sidechain Insert circuito de inserci-nMando externo Mando de compuerta en funci-n de la frecuenciaAplicaciones b‡sicas de la compresi-n Suavizaci-n de las variaciones de nivel de un micr-fonoMo hacer resaltar una se-al de una mezcla Prevenci-n de saturaci-n de la cinta magnŽticaPrevenci-n de la sobrecarga digital Uso dl 166XL como amplificador de l’neaSostenimiento de la se-al Reducci-n de los sonidos sibilantesSistemas de altoparlantes de m‡ltiples v’as Conexiones b‡sicas Conexion DEL 166XL AL Sistema DE SonidoUso de un filtro en el circuito Sidechain Preacentuaci-n para las aplicaciones de difusi-nConsola de mezcla Conexiones a dispositivos espec’ficosTablero de conexiones Çpatch bayÈ Configuraci-n de cables de entrada/salida Consideraciones Para LA InstalacionReforzamiento de sonido Instalaci-n elŽctricaAsistencia TƒCNICA Y Servicio DE Fabrica Tarjeta de registro y comentarios de los usuariosFemale XLR-TYPE to Stereo Phone Plug Specifications Cmrr0dBu =0.775Vrms Dbx 166XL Compressor / Gate Page Harman International Company