Harman 266xs Front Panel Connections, Stereo Couple Switch, Bypass Switch, Output Gain dB Control

dbx 266xs

Getting Started Section 2

2.2 Front Panel Connections

STEREO COUPLE Switch

This switch sets the 266xs for Stereo or Dual Mono operation. Press the STEREO COUPLE switch in for stereo operation where Channel 1 becomes the master controller for both channels. All of Channel 2’s controls, switches, and LEDs will be disabled (except for the Channel 2 GAIN REDUCTION meter), since Channel 2 is the slave.

With the STEREO COUPLE switch out, the unit functions as two separate mono compressor/ gates, each with its own independent controls.

The STEREO COUPLE switch lights red when the 266xs is stereo-coupled.

BYPASS Switch

Press this switch in to bypass the front panel controls, effectively canceling the function and processing effect of the 266xs compression, gating and gain settings. The input signal is still present at the 266xs Output, but is now unaltered by the 266xs controls. BYPASS is especially useful for making comparisons between processed and unprocessed signals. Note that with stereo operation (STEREO COUPLE switch pressed in), the Channel 1 BYPASS switch controls both channels.

The BYPASS switch lights red when BYPASS mode is active.

GAIN REDUCTION (dB) Meter

This meter displays the amount of signal attenuated from the input signal by the 266xs Compressor or Expander/Gate. When the Compressor and Expander/Gate are both active, the meter displays the maximum amount of gain reduction for whichever function is greater - Compressor or Expander/Gate.

OUTPUT GAIN (dB) Control

This control sets the overall gain of the 266xs, from -20dB to +20dB. The OUTPUT GAIN control is especially useful to compensate for the RMS level decrease which results from the 266xs dynamic processing effects. After you adjust the 266xs controls for the desired amount of compression, set the OUTPUT GAIN to add the same amount of gain that is shown on the GAIN REDUCTION meters. For example, if the average amount of gain reduction shown on the meters is 10dB, then setting the OUTPUT GAIN control to +10dB will compensate for the 10dB average level reduction at the output.

NOTE: The 266xs Compressor and Expander/Gate control settings are interactive and can affect gain, so watch your playback levels.

NOTE: Setting the Compressor RATIO to 1:1 will turn the Compressor off, regardless of the setting of the Compressor THRESHOLD control and BELOW/OVEREASY/ABOVE LED status. Setting the Compressor THRESHOLD control to +20dB will prevent all but the highest level peaks from being compressed.

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