level. The RELEASE rate is from FAST (where compression follows the envelope of the program
material very tightly) to SLOW (for very smooth compression).
There is no absolute
right
way to set the ATTACK and RELEASE controls. However, in general,
you will want them set slow enough to avoid pumping or breathing sounds caused when
background sounds are audibly modulated by the dominant signal energy, yet the release must
be fast enough to avoid suppression of the desired signal after a sudden transient or loud
note has decayed. For low frequency tones (e.g., bass guitar), set RELEASE and ATTACK to
2:00 or slower.
NOTE:
ATTACK and RELEASE controls operate together and in conjunction with the RATIO
control. Changing one control may necessitate changing another setting.
AUTO Switch and LED
This switch overrides both the ATTACK and RELEASE controls and enables preset
program-dependent attack and release times. These times are derived from the input signal
and continuously change to match its dynamics. The switch lights indicating the attack and
release times are being automatically adjusted in a program-dependent fashion. Enabling
this AUTO function duplicates the “classic dbx sound” of the 166A which is a standard in the
industry.
OUTPUT GAIN Control
Adjust this control to vary the amount of fixed gain (up to ±20dB) in the 166xs output
amplifier stage. The OUTPUT GAIN control does not interact with the threshold of
compression.
The OUTPUT GAIN control is especially useful to compensate for the RMS level decrease which
results from the 166xs dynamic processing effects. After you adjust the 166xs controls for the
desired amount of compression (and gating), 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 that the OUTPUT
GAIN control comes before the PeakStop circuit.
NOTE:
B20dB of gain can be added at the 166xs output, it is possible to cause
clipping even when the input level is within the specified range. For example, when the
COMPRESSION RATIO is set at a low number, extreme clockwise rotation of the OUTPUT
GAIN may cause the 166xs output stage to clip program peaks.
BYPASS Button and LED
Depress this button to “hard-wire bypass” the 166xs circuitry,(i.e., unaltered input signal will
pass through the unit even if it is unplugged). Note that BYPASS works independently for
each channel, even when the unit is stereo-coupled (via the STEREO COUPLE button).
In Bypass mode, the input is sent directly to the output, bypassing the 166xs processing and
controls and presenting unaltered input signal at the 166xs OUTPUT. Bypass mode is especially
useful for making comparisons between processed and unprocessed signals.
The BYPASS LED turns On in Bypass mode if the 166xs is being provided with AC power.
Section 2
Getting Started
8
dbx 166xs