anyone use a DBX 163x compressor on Vocals?

Ginazgifs · 12th March 2007

Hey guys!
I wanted to try using an older DBX 163x compressor to record a few vocal tracks, and I was wondering if anyone out there has used these little guys on vocals, and how much do you usually compress the vocals with these things, and what LEVEL SET & COMPRESSION SLIDER settings that typically like tom use for vocals?

Thanks guys!

firby · 12th March 2007

I use them on stuff all of the time. I set the makeup gain to 0 and set the compressor on the "o" in compressor. For a little compression set it on the first "o" In the word Compression or more set it on the second "o".

that should do it.

lowswing · 12th March 2007

don't like it on vocal but it kick ass for snare

lancebug · 13th March 2007

I am not trying to tease you on purpose, but I always giggle a little when people ask for setting advice on the 163x. I mean it only has one knob and one slider, so you should be able to discover pretty quickly what it will do to source x or y. Its kind of like "I'm thinking of putting a 60w bulb in the lamp next to my be for reading. What setting would you recommend?"
Setting the slider at any one point may or not make a whole lot of difference since the level of you signal going in is going to vary from source to source. On the other hand asking whether or not people like it on source x or y makes some sense. Hard not to like it on bass. Haven't tried it on vocals yet but might...

username · 14th March 2007

awhile back I picked up a 163 and a 163x, usualy they end up with the 163 on kick and the 163x on snare when I mix live. their both not too bad on vocals.. but not ideal for it

chandlersonic · 14th March 2007

I wouldn't use them on vocals. As far as budget comps go, I'd probably pick the RNC for vox.

I don't have 163s anymore so I can't do a direct shootout but I remember not liking them very much... love 160s, x or xt, might want to check those out, they are a bit more expensive but I doubt you'd ever get rid of them...

These are very cool and actually are useable for vocals. Depends what style you're recording but I've had very good results for hip-hop.

firby · 14th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancebug

I am not trying to tease you on purpose, but I always giggle a little when people ask for setting advice on the 163x. I mean it only has one knob and one slider, so you should be able to discover pretty quickly what it will do to source x or y. Its kind of like "I'm thinking of putting a 60w bulb in the lamp next to my be for reading. What setting would you recommend?"
Setting the slider at any one point may or not make a whole lot of difference since the level of you signal going in is going to vary from source to source. On the other hand asking whether or not people like it on source x or y makes some sense. Hard not to like it on bass. Haven't tried it on vocals yet but might...

Mine are set up on overheads. Now I know that that is a simple compressor and what not but there are four compression circuits in that box. Also there is TRS on the back for stereo linking. Mine are stereo linked to my drum overheads. I control how hard I hit it from the direct out (fader) on my mixer. The 163x is not a one trick pony its more of a 2 and 1/2 trick pony. Its a good compressor seeing how I spent 60 bucks for the pair racked. I do like them. I wouldn't sell mine for less than 200. But I would be willing to trade ....
HA

Nu-tra · 14th March 2007

They are killer for bass. They add a nice dirt!

lancebug · 15th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by firby

Mine are set up on overheads. Now I know that that is a simple compressor and what not but there are four compression circuits in that box. Also there is TRS on the back for stereo linking. Mine are stereo linked to my drum overheads. I control how hard I hit it from the direct out (fader) on my mixer. The 163x is not a one trick pony its more of a 2 and 1/2 trick pony. Its a good compressor seeing how I spent 60 bucks for the pair racked. I do like them. I wouldn't sell mine for less than 200. But I would be willing to trade ....
HA

Agreed they are exceptionally flexible for a one slider box, just not complicated to discover all the different posibilities. I have a pair that I like to link as well but I recently picked up an original 164 stereo version which I have been keeping permanently patched into my motu 828 as a send. That is a nice box for the $75 I paid for it.

firby · 17th March 2007

Damn that sounds nice. I would go an extra 15 bucks to have a two channel 164 as well!

mikebalboa · 17th March 2007

I have two of them and love them on vocals. They also sound cool on clean guitars.

12th March 2007	#1
Ginazgifs Gear interested Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 19 Thread Starter	anyone use a DBX 163x compressor on Vocals? Hey guys! I wanted to try using an older DBX 163x compressor to record a few vocal tracks, and I was wondering if anyone out there has used these little guys on vocals, and how much do you usually compress the vocals with these things, and what LEVEL SET & COMPRESSION SLIDER settings that typically like tom use for vocals? Thanks guys!

14th March 2007	#5
username Gear addict Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 305	awhile back I picked up a 163 and a 163x, usualy they end up with the 163 on kick and the 163x on snare when I mix live. their both not too bad on vocals.. but not ideal for it __________________ The Gear-less Slut

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12th March 2007	#2
firby Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,491	I use them on stuff all of the time. I set the makeup gain to 0 and set the compressor on the "o" in compressor. For a little compression set it on the first "o" In the word Compression or more set it on the second "o". that should do it.

12th March 2007	#3
lowswing Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 1,451	don't like it on vocal but it kick ass for snare

13th March 2007	#4
lancebug Gear nut Joined: May 2006 Posts: 146	I am not trying to tease you on purpose, but I always giggle a little when people ask for setting advice on the 163x. I mean it only has one knob and one slider, so you should be able to discover pretty quickly what it will do to source x or y. Its kind of like "I'm thinking of putting a 60w bulb in the lamp next to my be for reading. What setting would you recommend?" Setting the slider at any one point may or not make a whole lot of difference since the level of you signal going in is going to vary from source to source. On the other hand asking whether or not people like it on source x or y makes some sense. Hard not to like it on bass. Haven't tried it on vocals yet but might...

14th March 2007	#6
chandlersonic Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 847	I wouldn't use them on vocals. As far as budget comps go, I'd probably pick the RNC for vox. I don't have 163s anymore so I can't do a direct shootout but I remember not liking them very much... love 160s, x or xt, might want to check those out, they are a bit more expensive but I doubt you'd ever get rid of them... These are very cool and actually are useable for vocals. Depends what style you're recording but I've had very good results for hip-hop.

14th March 2007	#8
Nu-tra Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,305	They are killer for bass. They add a nice dirt!

17th March 2007	#10
firby Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,491	Damn that sounds nice. I would go an extra 15 bucks to have a two channel 164 as well!

17th March 2007	#11
mikebalboa Gear nut Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 80	I have two of them and love them on vocals. They also sound cool on clean guitars.