DBX 165

Sonicvalley · 1st July 2006, 08:25 PM

anyone have any info this? how does it sound? how does it compare to a DBX 160 VU? i have a pair of those and have a guy that wants to sell me a DBX 165 (not sure if it is the 165A or not). any one have any info or experience that you could share?

thanks
dan

_______________
Head Engineer
Alpha Studios
www.ALPHASTUDIOS.us

mtstudi@pacbell · 1st July 2006, 08:29 PM

I love that box esp. for parallel compression on kik and snare. Very snappy fast attack.
Some like when tracking vocals, I am not a fan of it in that way.

www.bluethumbproductions.com

Sonicvalley · 3rd July 2006, 08:35 PM

any idea the difference between the 165 and 165A?

kellyd · 3rd July 2006, 11:10 PM

165A has peakstop which I never use. I have 2 165s and 1 165A and 2 160VUs.
165s are a different animal than the 160VUs but have that vintage DBX vca sound. 160VUs are getting premium prices price so the 165 is a better deal plus it is more versatile. $400-700. 165s on the low end and extra cash for the A version.
I use the 165 on kik, sn, bass, acoustic git, vocs and drum subs groups(manual). Very useful. The 160Vu either ends up on snare or bass depending on the track.

The 165 in auto mode is more transparent and less aggresive than the 160VU though in manual they get pretty hairy.

lozion · 12th July 2006, 02:24 AM

whats the diff between the 162 and 165?
thanks,

astronmr20 · 12th July 2006, 02:26 AM

I love my 165; very simple operation, sound takes the "edge" off of "edgy" things. Makes things more "friendly" and round. Can be pretty cool on bass.

lozion · 12th July 2006, 02:42 AM

Yeah, I just worked with a 162 and man does it rock!
I used it on the 2 buss and everything just glued together...

I'd like to get one but I know the 165 is stereo as well, so which one to get?
Are they very different sonically wise?
thanks,

Mike Tholen · 12th July 2006, 02:43 AM

The 165 has a key input too if you pull the bridge that combines the input/key...I have mine this way it works damn nice for ducking a bass to a kik drum and such.

kellyd · 12th July 2006, 03:54 AM

165 is mono. You can strap 2 together but I believe you need another piece to make it happen.
162 is a stereo version of the 160VU. It is not 2 mono units. One set of controls for both sides. K.

dbbubba · 12th July 2006, 09:15 AM

I have two 165s and a pair of 160 VUs just to the right of the computer monitor I am viewing right now.
I'd say that either is the least expensive, but great sounding compressor available.
They aren't like an 1176 and they aren't as cool as a Neve 33609, but they have their place.

I also have a pair of 160x on a VERY high end p.a. rig, but they are just "there" and have no character really.
They are really for protection.
I have used a 160x in the studio many times, but they are either transparent (ie. they give you no special sound) or they squash and ruin stuff.
There is no in between.
I think that the release is what bugs me.

I used to have a 162, but I never liked it on a 2 mix.
I would use it on vocal comps and subs.
It was just kinda' "there" and like the 160x.. it was pretty "un-inspiring."

Danny Brown

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1st July 2006, 08:25 PM	#1
Sonicvalley Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 117	DBX 165 anyone have any info this? how does it sound? how does it compare to a DBX 160 VU? i have a pair of those and have a guy that wants to sell me a DBX 165 (not sure if it is the 165A or not). any one have any info or experience that you could share? thanks dan _______________ Head Engineer Alpha Studios www.ALPHASTUDIOS.us

3rd July 2006, 08:35 PM	#3
Sonicvalley Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 117	any idea the difference between the 165 and 165A? __________________ Alpha Studios www.THEYWILLLISTEN.com

12th July 2006, 02:24 AM	#5
lozion Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,293	whats the diff between the 162 and 165? thanks, __________________ "The secret in life is to have no fear" Fela Anikulapo Kuti My Page The Furnace

12th July 2006, 02:26 AM	#6
astronmr20 Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4,145	I love my 165; very simple operation, sound takes the "edge" off of "edgy" things. Makes things more "friendly" and round. Can be pretty cool on bass. __________________ Steve "He's only a fast food knight..."

1st July 2006, 08:29 PM	#2
mtstudi@pacbell Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 887	I love that box esp. for parallel compression on kik and snare. Very snappy fast attack. Some like when tracking vocals, I am not a fan of it in that way. www.bluethumbproductions.com

3rd July 2006, 11:10 PM	#4
kellyd Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin Posts: 981	165A has peakstop which I never use. I have 2 165s and 1 165A and 2 160VUs. 165s are a different animal than the 160VUs but have that vintage DBX vca sound. 160VUs are getting premium prices price so the 165 is a better deal plus it is more versatile. $400-700. 165s on the low end and extra cash for the A version. I use the 165 on kik, sn, bass, acoustic git, vocs and drum subs groups(manual). Very useful. The 160Vu either ends up on snare or bass depending on the track. The 165 in auto mode is more transparent and less aggresive than the 160VU though in manual they get pretty hairy.

12th July 2006, 02:42 AM	#7
lozion Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,293	Yeah, I just worked with a 162 and man does it rock! I used it on the 2 buss and everything just glued together... I'd like to get one but I know the 165 is stereo as well, so which one to get? Are they very different sonically wise? thanks, __________________ "The secret in life is to have no fear" Fela Anikulapo Kuti My Page The Furnace

12th July 2006, 02:43 AM	#8
Mike Tholen Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 823	The 165 has a key input too if you pull the bridge that combines the input/key...I have mine this way it works damn nice for ducking a bass to a kik drum and such.

12th July 2006, 03:54 AM	#9
kellyd Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin Posts: 981	165 is mono. You can strap 2 together but I believe you need another piece to make it happen. 162 is a stereo version of the 160VU. It is not 2 mono units. One set of controls for both sides. K.

12th July 2006, 09:15 AM	#10
dbbubba Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,839	I have two 165s and a pair of 160 VUs just to the right of the computer monitor I am viewing right now. I'd say that either is the least expensive, but great sounding compressor available. They aren't like an 1176 and they aren't as cool as a Neve 33609, but they have their place. I also have a pair of 160x on a VERY high end p.a. rig, but they are just "there" and have no character really. They are really for protection. I have used a 160x in the studio many times, but they are either transparent (ie. they give you no special sound) or they squash and ruin stuff. There is no in between. I think that the release is what bugs me. I used to have a 162, but I never liked it on a 2 mix. I would use it on vocal comps and subs. It was just kinda' "there" and like the 160x.. it was pretty "un-inspiring." Danny Brown

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