dbx 160S, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ... Stereo Compressor Limiter 160S Owner s Manual Mode d emploi Bedienungsanleitung Modo de empleo ...

Page 2: ...nit or in the system to which it is connected can result in full line voltage between chassis and earth ground Severe injury or death can then result if the chassis and earth ground are touched simultaneously LIVE E NEUTRAL EARTH GND CONDUCTOR L N BROWN BLUE GREEN YEL BLACK Normal Alt WIRE COLOR WHITE GREEN U K MAINS PLUG WARNING A moulded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe D...

Page 3: ...tion 10 Rear Panel Description 15 Operating Notes 19 OverEasy and hard knee 19 Using the Compression Control 19 Using the Stereo Couple Switch 20 Using the Auto Switch 20 Setting the Attack and Release Controls 20 Using PeakStop PeakStopPlus 21 Specific Applications 22 Sidechain Applications 23 Technical Support Factory Service 27 Warranty 27 Block Diagram 108 Specifications 109 Warranty Registrat...

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Page 5: ...pe manufacturers produce tape optimized for specific bias frequencies and studio technicians align tape recorders heads according to these specifications in order to take full advantage of the tape recorders electronics and the magnetic tape s ability to record sound on its magnetic particles The upper limit of useable dynamic range is determined by the levels of the internal operating voltages if...

Page 6: ... perform similar tasks one essential point makes them different Limiters abruptly limit the signal above a certain level while compressors control the signal gently over a wide range A limiter continuously monitors the signal and intervenes as soon as an adjustable level is exceeded This level is called the threshold Any signal exceeding this threshold level will be imme diately held below the set...

Page 7: ...limiting is shown visually below In the first diagram below compression squashes the signal Its peaks are lowered but the overall level of the signal is raised due to applied make up gain Output Gain In the second diagram the peaks are lowered to the threshold level but the rest of the signal has not been altered Obviously there is a large difference between these two signals in relation to their ...

Page 8: ...t includes a wide range of frequencies a compromise is made when setting the attack time The attack setting would generally suit the lowest frequency components of the material For general dynamic range control with a compressor this is of no serious consequence However in a limiting situation where we are restricting the peaks of our signal to a maximum operating level to avoid distortion in subs...

Page 9: ...w dbx V8 VCA module exhibits a dynamic range of 127dB with extremely low distortion V8 VCA is encased in a specially designed zinc aluminum hous ing for shielding and thermal characteristics This allows for peak performance of the VCA in any environment Precision 0 1 and 1 metal film resistors Gold palladium nickel board to board connectors Jensen transformers Gold plated Neutrik XLR connectors Ra...

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Page 11: ...f the 160S is fed by the channel insert output send and returns to the console via the insert input return Connections OUTPUT OPTION SIDECHAIN INPUT INPUT SEND RETURN OUTPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT CHANNEL ONE CHANNEL ONE CHANNEL TWO CHANNEL TWO INPUT OUTPUT PIN 1 LIFT GROUND UNBAL SIDECHAIN SEND RETURN PIN 1 LIFT GROUND UNBAL PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS A HARMAN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY SALT LAKE CITY UTAH MA...

Page 12: ...y switch and the input signal level is in the OverEasy threshold range The red LED lights when the input signal level is above the set threshold See the section entitled Operating Notes for a discussion on the differences between OverEasy and hard knee compression Compression Control This control adjusts the amount of compression that is applied to the input sig nal level when it exceeds the set t...

Page 13: ...release times range from 4000dB second very fast release time to 10dB second slow release time A very fast attack setting control maximum counterclockwise will cause the compressor to act like a peak limiter even though RMS detection circuitry is used Slower attack settings cause the compressor to act like an RMS or averaging detecting compressor limiter To achieve inaudible com pression it is adv...

Page 14: ...iting Great care has gone into the design of the PeakStopPlus limiter to keep it acoustically transparent Appropriate use of it can protect your gear while keeping the signal free of artifacts A bi color LED associated with both the Stop Level control and the PeakStopPlus switch indicates when PeakStopPlus is activated By pushing the PeakStopPlus switch to the IN position the LED lights in a green...

Page 15: ... before hard clipping will occur due to the maximum output level of the 160S 30dBu VU Meter The custom designed analog meter is made to serve 3 different functions first it measures the amount of input signal presented at the input connector corresponding to its channel Second it measures the output signal at the output connector after all processing has taken place including output gain Third it ...

Page 16: ...eter displays the amount of gain reduction resulting from the settings of both the compressor and PeakStopPlus lim iter Stereo Couple Switch and LED This switch activates the stereo linkage between channels one and two When the switch is in the IN position the two channels of the 160S are linked together and the oversized yellow LED directly above the switch lights to indicate the selection In STE...

Page 17: ...ng systems earlier in the audio chain can deliver a chassis grounded output signal free of hum and interference to the output connector The combination of the three switches associated with the audio input output connectors ensures that the 160S is versatile enough to interface with any equipment and can deliver clean audio to the output free of hum and interference See the follow ing diagram for ...

Page 18: ...ic compression or limiting Two separate cables are used in favor of the conventional single Y cable because they supply bal anced signal to the sidechain gear and are much more convenient to locate and use in a fast paced studio or live sound environment The signal path of the sidechain function is relay selected in order to keep the signal path short and clean Chassis Ground Binding Post The gree...

Page 19: ...type power cord included with the 160S Connect this cable to any 50Hz or 60Hz AC power source of the correct line voltage for your area Make sure this voltage is also correct for the voltage marked on the back of the 160S Always make AC power connections with the AC power switch in the OFF position see above The 160S consumes a maximum power of 50 watts Warning Be sure to verify both your actual l...

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Page 21: ...e in level to produce a 1dB increase in the sig nal level at the output of the 160S A setting of 2 1 indicates an input output ratio wherein a 2dB increase in input signal above threshold will produce a 1dB increase in output signal A setting of 1 indicates that an infinite increase in input level would be required to raise the output level by 1dB In other words the output level is constant when t...

Page 22: ...stereo linked The Bypass switch and LED Sidechain switch and LED and the Meter Mode switches and LEDs remain channel independent and function normally in LINKED mode The Auto switch sets the 160S for automatic or manual operation When the Auto switch is IN AUTO mode the LED indicator lights and the 160S automatically adjusts its attack rate and release time to suit the program envelope This AUTO m...

Page 23: ...ble to allow the rounding to occur Therefore for applications where you must not exceed a given ceiling set the PeakStop control 1 to 2dB below the ceiling To disable the PeakStop function set the control to OFF 30dBu i e above the maximum output level of the 160S PeakStopPlus is made up of two seperate parts The first stage is the Instantaneous Transient Clamp which clamps the signal with a soft ...

Page 24: ...mpression It is also possible to sep arate certain vocals or instruments from a mono program already mixed by frequency weighted com pression Using your EQ to reduce feedback in live settings You can use your 160S and an EQ a dbx 20 or 30 Series graphic EQ to reduce feedback in clubs or halls by placing the 160S at 1 hard knee and a low threshold Increase the output gain until the first feedback r...

Page 25: ...ate certain vocals and instruments from a mix by frequency weighted compression With an equalizer inserted in the sidechain circuit but not in the audio path the equalization settings do not shift the timbre or frequency response of the audio signal They merely alter the threshold response of the compressor on a frequency weighted basis see diagram below With this arrangement raising certain frequ...

Page 26: ...inserting a filter in the level detector circuit are basically the same as obtained with an equalizer as previously described Those frequencies passed by the filter are subject to compression or at least they are subject to considerably more compression than those frequencies outside the passband Because a passive filter can have insertion loss it may be necessary to lower the 160S s threshold set...

Page 27: ...ypically have low level outputs and must be pre amplified before feeding the line level inputs of the 160S Instruments like keyboards typically produce a line level signal and can be connected directly from the instrument s output to the 160S s input Patch bay In the studio the 160S may be connected to a patch bay to allow it to be used anywhere in the studio system In some cases where a balanced ...

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Page 29: ...these words in red DELICATE INSTRUMENT FRAGILE Insure the package properly Ship prepaid not collect Do not ship parcel post This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and only in the United States 1 The warranty registration card that accompanies this product must be mailed within 30 days after pur chase date to validate this warranty Proof of purchase is considered to be the burden of...

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