Information on an audio Compressor DBX 266XL

[F15SPEED4EVER]

Hey how r u? Hope all is well!

I just got a DBX Driverack 260 and I would like to have some help with setting up the compressor/limiter.....Can u please help with the settings, what do u thing is best?

[MMFDST]

Thanks.... How should I connect: a BBE, DBX 266xl, EQ and Aphex 104 Excitor. If a DJ. using powered speakers?

[digi3e]

Thanks!

[romanowskistudios]

Jonathan, very good explanation.

[pprriimmoopro]

why would we need a Compressor? sorry im new in this.. can tell me? thanks :)

[P1001AT2]

do you recomend for young djs get one

[guitarsbunch347]

hey i just bought one of these and i can't seem to get it to do the things that my old compressor did... i know its cuz im not setting it right! maybe u can help, on my old one i had the sensitivity to 100 and output level to 100, thse r th only 2 controls on the old one, i used it to bring the input level of my guitar to the amp up so i don't have to pick so hard in live applications, to keep arm endurance at a max, any ideas on how to use this like my old line 6 one?

[InProperStyle]

thank you very much!

[seank69]

i would like to know if the Alesis 3630 compressor is better than the DBX 166XL compressor?

[druminirish83]

@seank69 dont even compare mate dbx wins hands down...

[2007jhi]

does anyone have tips for good voical setting i no it depends on the style and alot of factors so im not looking for a right and wrong way just looking for tips if anyone has any on getting a crisp controled voical,,,,,

[malabarspyder]

whats the diff between a 166XL and 266? Oddluy- the 166 seem MORE expensive on EBAY than the 266? Usually HIGHER n umbers are better- like THIS ONE GOES TO 11 !

[ColinGWood]

hello!?

[alexberdea]

5 stars!

[ONEyeMarco]

does anyone own one of these, anyone used one on vocals?

how does it sound?

[wado1942]

It's a decent cheapie not unlike Alesis or Behringer but slightly cleaner. Actually, all those manufacturers use the same chips & basic design. Almost any compressor with a noise gate built into it will sound a bit dirty because the level detector of the gate interferes with the compressor's.

For most applications including vocals, I'd suggest an FMR Audio RNC 1773.

[mylovelikewinter]

@wado1942

thanks a bunch

fmr audio rnc eh

im gonna look that up

i dont have a huge budget

[CyPh3rSemperFi]

I use it both in studio and live and it sounds very good.

I use it together with a LexiconMX200 Effects Processor and a Shure SM58 microphone ... in my opinion, an excellent set...

[trahouston]

@CyPh3rSemperFi

Would you recommend that someone buy a LexiconMX200 Effects Processor or a DBX 266XL first? I already have an interface that connects my AKG 120 perception condenser mic to my computer that runs on cubase but the sound is dull. Wouldn't a compressor make my music sound better or should I go with the effects processor? any advice would be appreciated.

[CyPh3rSemperFi]

If you only need a fully adjustable compressor/gate go with DBX first.

It's excellent and you will notice the difference with your "old sound",no doubt.

But if you need also effects go with the Lexicon ( Lexi has a compressor too..)

Anyway, IMO, first the DBX....

[rlafontant88]

how are you ?

you really know your stuff, could you please help me set up my dbx166xl.

[adamskio123]

I think you would do better with a two channel limiter for this job... I'm not sure what the maximum ratio is but most dedicated compressors tend to have lower ratios - protecting your speakers and achieving a good sound would not be as easy here...

[Dead8Artist]

I have a question: How do I record something with it? I have my mic connected with the DBX 286 A but the signal I get is in mono. A friend of mine told me I could change that with software, but I'm not getting any further. I basically just need to hear the recorded stuff coming out of both right and left speakers. Can't be impossible , can it?

[nickeax]

It's probably better to think of the 266 as two separate units. If you're using it to record a vocal with one mic, you will have a mono file on your music program. You will only have a stereo version if you duplicate that file.

[locoj13]

how do i compress a snare and a kick with the dbx 266xl compressor

can some one help me or show me a video how too do it

[unknowndj13]

i dont hav an eq or crossover i do hav a compressor but dont know hot to connect it..........

does mixer goes to compressor then compressor goes to amp????

i need help.....

[gotbass33727]

@unknowndj13

Compressor to Mixer to Amp

[DJTmaq]

Yes exactly, your dj mixer puts OUT the signal and then it enters your amp, then your amp sends this signal to the speakers.

SO, add your compressor into the chain just after your dj mixer.

In Order:

1] DJ MIXER

2] Compressor

3] Amp

4] Speakers

[benedictcalland]

Awesome. Cheers.

[MHMLM]

thank you......great tutorial for us beginers!

[DJBonc]

now that i have one, i can't go on the bus to the beach anymore? :((

[raed666n]

is that useful to a lead guitar??

[joelakin1]

Yes. I use it with the lead channel and it really tightens up the signal, making it more punchy and clean.

As well as the compressor, the DBX 266Xl also has an inbuilt noise gate which can reduce the background squeels and hum that often accompanies high gain.

Hope this is useful.

[cabdolla]

Great video. I had no idea what this even was, but the explanation was aces!

[cvsgtr643]

excellent video j, you sir have the easiest way with explaining things ,keep it up!!

ps.thank goodness u r uploading new mr mechanic vids, !! we also miss channel 43.5 etc :D

[djmarkcotter]

great video! i guess a compressor is really for DJS or bands who always play the music very loud or at full volume all night long,,, your average wedding DJ really does not need one of these. but hey its extra fun buttons to play with!

[thadgan]

You can use this compressors in creatives ways, for example after a mic of a kick drum or a vocal mic then only into the mixer.

Some vocalist have ear splitting flasetto. So when the vocalist gets in to the high part of the song you might wanna compress and keep the amplitude down a lil. some vocalist like to whisper through the song, so to keep that "whisper" audible use a compressor and vary the attack and release.

[thadgan]

Oh and make sure, you dont set the treshold too low and have a hard knee ratio with a fast attack and long decay.

You'll get what is known as a compressor feedback, where the compressor overly corrects and give a negative sort of compression.

[shaolindreams]

whats numpty mean

[brentsss]

A compressor actually makes sound louder. what your talking about is a brickwall limiter

[to6ko19]

that was helpful : )

thanks

[djktman]

I see, I use my compresser in my computer program to increase my volume when nessasary.

[jasperibe]

in addition a good place to have your audio compressor is before your crossover.

From Mixer > Compressor > Crossover > Amps or Powered Speakers

[nemesis8722]

great video!

[crashbrad]

compressors bring out the quieter sounds as well as lowering the clips.. pretty much lose dynamics.

.also having a smooth knee will not make it sound as nasty when compressor in action,

good explanation

[ellaskins]

thanks!

 j

[djperiodix]

thank you for the explanation jonathan;)

[IPSdj]

If you got an eq. what is ther order?

[thadgan]

Mixer > Compressor > Crossover > graphic equaliser> Amps> speaker

I put the g.eq just before amps so that i can allocate for the q of the crossover. I also can have a few seperate g.eq for the bass cabs, the mids and the highs. Some times if people fly their speakers so, diff speaker pairs will have diff g.eq to tune the room.

[manuelpenal]

I think you have it a little mixed up there..

It should be Mixer>Compressor>graphic eq > crossover>amps>speakers.

That is so after you have eq'd ur signal, it is then separated by the cross over and then into the respective amps as Hi's Mid's Lows.

[USpecies]

this thing is good for any person who doesnt want another dj to kill his PA ^^

[amog45780]

I'm sure with a little bit of time I will understand this... as for now I'm like... uhhhh drool at screen lol... when i hear compressor I'm thinking Kompressor! dang cars -_-

[StaffRecordPlayer]

Didnt really get it, but it look very usefull to scratch your back, coz it got many knobs.

You bugger still didnt go for the High-Quality Ustream encoder, did you ????

Cheers

Fabian

[sainifabulous]

so i guess a audio compressor is good for big sound systems

[jcoolman01]

first XD