DBX 266XL Dual Compressor Gate

by DBX

Product Features

• Goof proof operation to smooth uneven levels, add sustain to guitars, fatten drums or tighten up mixes
• New gate timing algorithms ensure the smoothest release characteristics
• Program-adaptive expander/gates
• Great sounding dynamics control for any type of program material
• Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup
• Provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating
• Swallows transients-or closes early
• Adjusts the actual attack and release times to optimally match the program material
• Advanced gate circuitry uses a completely new, program-dependent timing algorithm
• Produces ultra-smooth release characteristics-even with complex signals

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 21.7 x 11.4 x 2.5 inches ; 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002IHESG
• Item model number: 266XL
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,790 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #2 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Signal Processors > Effects Processors > Compressors, Limiters & Gates

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The dbx 266XL Compressor/Gate provides two channels of noise gating, OverEasy or classic hard knee compression and PeakStop limiting to give complete control of signal dynamics to studios, sound reinforcement companies, musicians, or anyone who needs quality processing quickly and easily.

Artifact-Free Dynamics
Most compressor/gates provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating that swallows transients--or closes early, cutting off decay and reverb tails. The superb engineering in the 266XL ensures that both its compression and gating provide versatility and excellent sonic performance in situations where other compressor/gates typically produce undesirable processing artifacts.

Balanced inputs and outputs on 1/4" TRS and XLR; 1/4-inch sidechain insert.

10-Segment LED Display for gain reduction (up to 30dB).

Click for enlarged view of rear panel.

Auto Dynamic Circuitry
The Auto Dynamic circuitry continuously adjusts the actual attack and release times to optimally match the program material. Since users aren't restricted to using the Attack and Release controls only in "peak" operation, they can tailor the response of the 266XL for individual tracks, mixed program material, special effects or system protection. As a result, production studios can use the versatile 266XL to replace multiple "single-purpose" limiters while sound reinforcement users can standardize on the 266XL for all of their applications.

Expander/Gate Circuit
With variable release time and +15dBu maximum threshold, the 266XL's advanced gate circuitry uses a completely new, program-dependent timing algorithm to produce ultra-smooth release characteristics--even with complex signals, such as voice or reverb decays. dbx engineers went on to take advantage of the wide dynamic range and high precision of the dbx VCA to design in an extra-wide threshold range and ensure top gating performance for each application.

OverEasy/Hard Knee Selection
Allows selection between dbx's famous OverEasy compression curve and the classic "Hard Knee" curve popularized by the original dbx 160, 161 and 162. OverEasy compression permits extremely smooth, natural sounding compression, without artifacts, due to the gradual change of compression around the threshold. In hard-knee mode, the 266XL can provide abrupt compression effects as well as hard-limiting applications.

Stereo or Dual Mono Operation
In Stereo couple mode, the Channel 1 controls become Master controls, and Channel 2 follows precisely to ensure a rock solid stereo image--even with high amounts of compression.

True RMS Level Detection
Senses the power in the program in a musical manner, much as human hearing does, giving 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.

Separate LED Displays
Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup.

Electronically Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS Input and Output Jacks
Tip/Ring/Sleeve phone jacks and XLR-type jacks are wired in parallel; either input will accept an audio signal for processing by the 266XL.

Separate Sidechain Inserts
Enables an outboard processor or signal to control compression or gating.

What's in the Box
266XL Unit, AC Power Cord, Operation Manual, Registration Card

Product Description

Most compressor/gates provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating that swallows transients—or closes early, cutting off decay and reverb tails. The superb engineering in the 266XL ensures that both its compression and gating provide versatility and excellent sonic performance in situations where other compressor/gates typically produce undesirable processing artifacts. When using the 266XL’s AutoDynamic™ Attack and Release controls, artists and engineers will find that the center settings deliver classic dbx compression, while the full control range produces voicings that extend from slow “leveling” to aggressive “peak” limiting. The Auto Dynamic™ circuitry continuously adjusts the actual attack and release times to optimally match the program material. Since users aren’t restricted to using the Attack and Release controls only in “peak” operation, they can tailor the response of the 266XL for individual tracks, mixed program material, special effects or system protection. As a result, production studios can use the versatile 266XL to replace multiple “single-purpose” limiters while sound reinforcement users can standardize on the 266XL for all of their applications. The 266XL’s advanced gate circuitry uses a completely new, program-dependent timing algorithm to produce ultra-smooth release characteristics—even with complex signals, such as voice or reverb decays. dbx engineers went on to take advantage of the wide dynamic range and high precision of the dbx® VCA to design in an extra-wide threshold range and ensure top gating performance for each application.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, December 5, 2008

By 

Miles Tougeaux (San Diego CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DBX 266XL Dual Compressor Gate (Electronics)

Use it for live spoken word mic/PA and MP3 recording. Easy to set up and use. Eliminates pops and source volume variation (mumblers), redux on audience and background noise. Great value.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Unit, February 19, 2008

By 

JT (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DBX 266XL Dual Compressor Gate (Electronics)

You simply can't beat the quality and price of the DBX compressors. I've used DBX for both professional on-air recording and private studio recordings for over 7 years. The expander/gate is phenomenal. The compressor is natural sounding, and provides much more flexibility than a standard limiter ever could. Match this unit with a Shure SM58 microphone and you have a powerhouse of a recording setup.

5.0 out of 5 stars Transparent with Tight AGC, July 1, 2011

By 

Boogaloo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DBX 266XL Dual Compressor Gate (Electronics)

I have begun to use dbx series gear in place of dramatically more expensive and so-called 'broadcast' versions and have become a believer in the XL / XS series of stereo/dual mono AGC. The usual application is to protect FM broadcast aural microwave links and Internet streams from wild and transient analog audio peaks. In less complicated applications, this AGC is all one needs. While its market is musicians, the features on this unit create nicely flexible options for broadcast, as well.

Manual setups are quite easy, to include a downward expansion/noise gate that works better than anything I have seen. As a basic AGC, it fits the ad phrase, "Everything you need; nothing you don't". The dbx 'automatic' features make it even better. 'Over Easy' threshold and 'Auto' attack/release functions are exceptionally well done. These circuits 'look ahead' at the input audio and dynamically adapt the compressor settings to achieve a smooth and consistent output that is well controlled without going into 'grunge' range.

This unit can be set to run -10dbv consumer or +4dbu professional levels and includes both 1/4-TRS and XLR low impedance outputs that can be wired balanced or unbalanced making it possible to bridge the outputs to different destinations. If you need multi-band equalization, just use the 'insert' jack in un-balanced mode.

Do I like it? I have just bought six of these to replace $1300 versions in another make. It is every bit as good.