How to use dbx 160: Use Sidechain Filter to reduce pumping on bass-heavy signals while preserving bass content?

Use Sidechain Filter to reduce pumping on bass-heavy signals while preserving bass content

How to use dbx 160: Set Mix to 50% for equal blend of dry and wet signals in parallel compression?

Set Mix to 50% for equal blend of dry and wet signals in parallel compression

How to use dbx 160: Increase Compression above 10:1 for peak limiter behavior?

Increase Compression above 10:1 for peak limiter behavior

Plugin interface — screenshot pending

Compressor

dbx 160

Name: dbx 160
Author: UAD / Universal Audio

UAD / Universal Audio

The dbx 160 is a faithful emulation of the legendary vintage VCA compressor/limiter hardware, capturing its quirky solid-state compression character and unique nonlinearities. It delivers grabby, low-end glue and colorful VCA compression textures on bass guitar, drum buses, synths, and more, enhanced with modern controls including Dry/Wet mix for parallel compression and a Sidechain Filter to reduce low-frequency pumping.

Key Features

01VCA compression with continuous ratio from 1.00:1 to Infinity:1

02Threshold control from -55 dB to 0 dB with Below/Above LEDs

03Fixed 10 dB per decade (3 dB per octave) Sidechain Filter

04Dry/Wet Mix control for parallel compression

05Output Gain control with ±20 dB range

06VU Meter with Input, Output, and Gain Reduction display modes

Things to Try

01Use Sidechain Filter to reduce pumping on bass-heavy signals while preserving bass content
02Set Mix to 50% for equal blend of dry and wet signals in parallel compression
03Increase Compression above 10:1 for peak limiter behavior

Official Website↗User Manual↗

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dbx 160 by UAD / Universal Audio | Plugin Library