Get That Punch: dbx 160 Alternatives
A classic VCA compressor.
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We’re looking at dbx 160 alternatives for getting a similar sound in your home studio in plug-in, 500-series, and even Eurorack format.
If you haven’t heard of the dbx 160, the legendary VCA compressor was designed by David Blackmer and introduced in 1976. At the time, it caught on quickly as it provided a far more affordable alternative to the 1176 or LA-3A for recording and mixing applications.
dbx 160 Alternatives
A unique aspect of the 160 design was its use of the Blackmer gain cell. This array of transistors and the non-linear RMS detectors gave the 160 its extremely fast and punchy character that producers and engineers still love today.
dbx 160 Alternatives:
Waves dbx 160
Although there are many plug-in recreations of the dbx 160 and 165, the Waves version remains one of the best options for the price. Other options include the Logic Pro compressor’s Classic VCA mode, PreSonus Comp 160, Stillwell Audio Major Tom, Native Instruments VC 160, UAD dbx160, Softube VCA, and Arturia VCA-65.
Why the Waves version is still preferred by so many is it emulates the way a dbx compressor pushes sounds to the front of the mix. What’s more, it has a few unique features that make it slightly more versatile than the rest.
These include parallel processing, with mono, stereo, dual, and mid-side modes. In addition, you have a sidechain high-pass filter to ensure the compressor doesn’t overreact to the low-end parts of the signal.
Aside from being a vintage-modelled plug-in, the Waves dbx 160 is a very effective and easy-to-use compressor for just about any sound in your mixes such as drums, bass, guitars, and even speech and vocals.
- More from Waves
Maxon CP9Pro+
The Maxon CP9Pro+ is an extremely transparent dbx 160-style compressor in a pedal format. With 30 dB of clean gain, the CP9Pro+ can be used to boost or tighten the level of any instrument, and it provides amazing clarity without reducing low-end punch.
What’s more, when you run the CP9Pro+ at 18V, you get loads of extra headroom. This makes it possible to use it on your clean guitar or bass parts before your amp or at the right at the end of an elaborate effects chain to add some glue to the sounds.
However, the CP9Pro+ can also be used on drum machines, synth basslines, or rhythmic arpeggiator parts. This makes it more than just another guitar effect on your pedal board.
If you can’t get hold of a CP9Pro+, be sure to try the Diamond and Empress compressor pedals. While they might not use the exact same circuitry, they are still capable of producing similar results.
dbx 560A
The 560A is a recreation of the popular 160A rackmount compressor with the OverEasy and Hard Knee curves and INFINITY + inverse ratios to keep the input level below unity.
From subtle shaping and transient shaving compression to aggressive brick wall limiting, the 560A is extremely versatile and easy to use with its program-dependant attack and release times.
If you’re looking to try hardware compressors for the first time, the 560A is an affordable 500-series module that will get plenty of use. It’s perfect for compressing drum loops, synth basslines, or even the speech on your YouTube channel.
In addition, the 560A is perfect for a live sound engineer’s portable lunchbox. Now you can tame live vocals, guitars, or a drum group. Overall, it’s a great option for the price.
- More from dbx
Great River PWM 501
If you’re looking for a non-vintage alternative to the dbx 160 that offers plenty of flexibility and still has character, the Great River PWM 501 is a top-quality 500-series hardware compressor.
What’s interesting about the design of the PWM 501 is the incorporation of the feed-forward/feed-back mix control. This allows you to use the feedforward character of dbx-style compressors, the feedback topology used by the famous 1176, or even a blend of the two.
In addition, the PWM 501 has a variable sidechain high-pass filter (20-600 Hz) and precise attack/release controls to hone in on the exact part of the signal you want to shape.
To top it off, the PWM 501 has a stereo link function. This means you can use it on everything from tracking instruments to your stereo mix bus.
- Browse Great River on Thomann
Cosmotronic Messor
Fast, VCA compression is also useful in electronic music production. This means modules like the Cosmotronic Messor can become essential tools to get a more cohesive and professional-sounding mix out of your Eurorack rig.
The Messor goes beyond simply being a compressor and limiter, as its negative ratios allow transient shaping. Moreover, the versatile sidechain filter has low-pass and high-pass modes.
Being a Eurorack module, the Messor offers additional flexibility that can be used for precise sound shaping. From the sidechain cutoff filter and the makeup gain to the attack and release controls, each parameter has CV inputs for external control.
Overall, the Messor is an exciting tool that goes further than simply being a stereo bus compressor for your modular synth system. With the unique set of features, it becomes an instrument of its own.
- More from Cosmotronic
More about dbx Alternatives:
- Learn about Classic Compressors and Limiters
- All about Compressors
- Thomann’s Guide to 500-series
- Browse Thomann’s Guide to Compressors
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2 responses to “Get That Punch: dbx 160 Alternatives”
The 560A is clearly just a 166XL comp section inside. It seems like they made it in this form to sell it, but I think lunchbox users are being completely taken for fools.
Acustica Grey-165.