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DBX 160X Compressor vs Axe-FX 3 Compressor

T

tveiro

New Member
I saw one session player utilizing Axe-FX 3 with DBX 160X compressor.
What's the compressor model in Fractal that sounds closest to the DBX 160X?
Does the Fractal compressor sound as good as the real rack compressor?
 
B

Brewce

Inspired
tveiro said:
He's got 160A to be exact.
Click to expand...
- Why did Mike [Landau] switch to the 160A version of the DBX? > Robert Bradshaw, ±2022: Probably because that was the one available at the time… I believe he was moving from the CAD comp.

- What’s the dfference between DBX 160X and 160A? > Michael Nielsen, 2021: There's an opamp difference. Not really a significant enough difference to care for use on guitar signal in a rack. If I was going to strap it on a lead vocal, or perhaps across a 2bus in a mix, I’d be more concerned (but I also wouldn’t be using the 160 for that).

- David Phillips, 2022: The client chose the later DBX [160X?]. I like the original better [160A?]. www.facebook.com/groups/HugeGuitarRacks/posts/2412338475639548
 
B

Brewce

Inspired
What are you wanting it for?

I've always associated the DBX160 with the LA funky compressed cleans... (might have YouTube compression on top...)



Only much later did I learn it was mostly used as a peak limiter, so I guess I'm still confused how someone like Steve Lukather used his one unit(?) live. He certainly had something close to that sound back then, which I LOVE.

Also check out guitarnerdswe threads for info about this compressor (and a thread with an elaborate Luke preset somewhere, including his take on the compressor — possibly the one shared by Leon?).
http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/steve-lukather-delay-use-the-final-mystery.22699
etc.

This guy once was here too, and might still be...
www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/the-tristereo-chorus-recipe.2213438/post-33016755
 
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touch33

touch33

Experienced
Personally I was never all that impressed with the 160 Series (any of them) as a peak limiter. I believe the 160x in particular works well as an over-all compressor when set to 2:1 or 4:1 with a relatively low-ish threshold (so it’s gently working most of the time) BUT only with a peak limiter (1176) in front of it to keep random spikes from making the dbx gag all over itself.
 
Bioloop

Bioloop

Member
I prefer the 160VU only, either as single mono or two linked together as a pair. The others to me don’t have the same character.
 
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