dbx 163, 164, Instruction Manual

Page 1: ...dbx Models 163 and 164 Instruction Manual...

Page 2: ...R SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT EXPOSE THIS COMPONENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE CAUTION SK0F GCnK SHOCK V oDMororei CAUTION To Further Reduce the Risk of Shock Do Not Remove the Cover or Back There Are No User Servic...

Page 3: ...ce of damage don t destroy the carton or any of the packing material and notify your dbx dealer immediately In any case it is a good idea to save the carton and packing materials should you ever need...

Page 4: ...or as tool 6 Performance curves facing page Brief operating instructions 7 Installation 8 Signal connections 9 Input output impedances and terminations 9 10 Operation 10 Compressor limiters a review 1...

Page 5: ...The 164 accomplishes its stereo tracking by feeding the signal in each channel to a detector which computes the true rms sum of the two channel fnThlr forward to activate the gain change circuitry for...

Page 6: ...feedback loop s gain reduction increases distortion increases and eventually instability or oscillation occurs To avoid this problem many conventional units restrict the maximum amount of feedback thu...

Page 7: ...163 s Over Easy characteris tics the ratio of gain reduction increases gradually as the input rises farther above threshold Thus there is no sudden change and no feeling of holding back just a natura...

Page 8: ...essor limiter is used distortion and unwanted audible side effects may degrade the sound so badly that the advantages of high average level are overcome and audience share is lost The model 163 does a...

Page 9: ...64 as noted It is a true stereo tracking version of the 163 featuring matched rms detectors in each channel This dual detector system provides the 164 with total freedom from the errors experienced by...

Page 10: ...a 4 dB increase at the input results in a 1 dB increase at the output With a 10 1 ratio a 10 dB increase at the input results in a 1 dB increase at the output and so forth Therefore the amount of musi...

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Page 13: ...tic is the same at any threshold setting gradually increasing from 1 1 to effectively infinite 126 1 compression as the input level increases above the threshold The dynamics of signals below threshol...

Page 14: ...ngle 1 3 4 panel space Under these options dbx models RM 18 1 for a single unit and RM 18 2 for two units the wood panels are removed and brackets are provided for installation in a standard 19 equipm...

Page 15: ...compression in the two programs INPUT IMPEDANCE TERMINATIONS There is sometimes a misunderstanding about the nature of matching and bridging inputs the use of terminating resistors and the relationshi...

Page 16: ...Connecting the 163 in a Balanced Circuit...

Page 17: ...pecifications or the manufacturer of the unit you are feeding OPERATION COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENT Set COMPRESSION at minimum slider all the way left Apply average level program material to the input The...

Page 18: ...gnals often have peaks that are 20 dB above VU meter readings VU meters indicate average levels Even when compressed at a 2 1 ratio such peaks can still reach 10 dB above VU indicated levels To avoid...

Page 19: ...gain and preventing the output level from rising regardless of further increases in input level Because the Over Easy compression comes on gradually limiting is far less audible than with conventiona...

Page 20: ...163 can be used to even out an instrumental level For example an electric bass will frequently have dead spots which produce softer notes than those in other places on the finger board The 163 will sm...

Page 21: ...is obtained at the channel patch point somewhat less at a submix or group match point and there is no control of the relative levels within the mix when the compressor is at the output of the console...

Page 22: ...fier As a general rule it should be set up as follows 1 With the power amps turned to a low setting follow the Nominal Operating Level setup 2 With signal running through the console at nominal levels...

Page 23: ...oftspolcen lay readers to be heard while increasing the sense of intimacy achieved by a trained orator without giving a feeling of holding back the power of a sermon It is also ideal for processing au...

Page 24: ...se 25 k ohms unbalanced 17 dBm nominal maximum 24 dBm clipping point less than 47 ohms active low Z output 18 dBm into 2 k ohms 36 to 4 dBm 12 mV to 1 2 V rms variabl j Automatically varies from 1 1 b...

Page 25: ...armonic decreases with slower time constants higher frequen cies and lower compression ratios Metering Dimensions Weight Power requirements Accessories 2nd harmonic 0 17o 3rd harmonic 0 1 2nd harmonic...

Page 26: ...Model 163 schematic see following page for appropriate connections O 1 Ttl C...

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Page 28: ...answers to questions and information beyond what s in this manual write to dbx Inc 71 Chapel St Newton Mass 02195 USA Attn Customer Service You also may call 617 964 3210 during business hours USA Ea...

Page 29: ...ollows y The wire that is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal that is marked with the letter N or coloured black The wire that is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal that is m...