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dbx 266XS Dual Compressor and Gate

Improve your sound with this affordable Dual Compressor and Gate from dbx featuring great sounding dynamics control for any type of program material.

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Product Description

zZounds is an
authorized DBX dealer

Adding a dbx 266XS Compressor/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments.

Features

- Error proof operation to smooth uneven levels, add sustain to guitars, fatten drums or tighten up mixes
- Gate timing algorithms ensure the smoothest release characteristics
- Program-adaptive expander/gates
- Great sounding dynamics control for any type of program material
- Separate precision LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold and gate threshold allow quick, accurate setup
- Stereo or dual-mono operation
- Balanced inputs and outputs on 1/4 inch TRS and XLR connectors
- Side Chain insert
- Classic dbx Auto mode

dbx knows compressors...after all they invented them! The 266XS is in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 266XS can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4 inch TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches. zZounds is an authorized dealer of DBX products.

Inputs:
- Connector: 1/4 inch TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot)
- Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
- Impedance: 40k ohm balanced, 20k ohm unbalanced
- Maximum Level: >+22dBu Balanced or Unbalanced

Outputs:
- Connector: 1/4 inch TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot)
- Type: Impedance-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
- Impedance (+4dBu): 100 ohm balanced, 50 ohm unbalanced
- Impedance (-10dBu): 1k ohm balanced, 500 ohm unbalanced
- Maximum Level:
-- >+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2k ohm or greater
-- >+18dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600 ohm)

Sidechain Insert:
- Connector: 1/4 inch TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); Tip = Input (return)
- Impedance: Tip = >10k ohm (Input), Ring = 2k ohm (Output)
- Maximum Level: Tip = >+22dBu (Input), Ring = >+20dBu (Output)

Compression:
- Threshold Range: -40dBu to +20dBu
- Threshold Characteristic: Selectable OverEasy or hard knee
- Compression Ratio: 1:1 to Infinity:1
- Attack Time: Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic
- Release Time: Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic

Expander/Gate:
- Threshold Range: -60dBu to +15dBu
- Expansion Ratio: 1:1 to 4:1
- Attack Time: <100uSec
- Release Time: Program-Dependent

System:
- Bandwidth: 0.35Hz - 90kHz, +0/-3dB
- Frequency Response (Flat): 20Hz - 20kHz; +0/-0.5dB
- Noise: <-93dBu, unweighted (22kHz measurement bandwidth)
- THD + N: <0.2%; Any Amount of Compression at 1kHz
- Intermodulation Distortion: <0.2% SMPTE
- Dynamic Range: >114dB, unweighted
- Interchannel Crosstalk: <-95dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
- CMRR: >40dB, typically >55dB at 1kHz
- Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing

Power:
- Power Consumption: 15 Watts Maximum
- Operating Voltage: 100 VAC 50/60Hz; 120VAC 60Hz; 230 VAC 50/60 Hz

Physical:
- Dimensions: 1.75 x 5.75 x 19 inches (4.45x14.6x48.26cm)
- Weight: 4.84 lbs (2.19 kg)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging: Shipping Weight: 7 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 3 in

Manual

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DBX Warranty

dbx Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 801-568-7660

zZounds is an
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Customer Reviews

5 out of 5 (2 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read 1 dbx 266XS Dual Compressor and Gate Review

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. "The Best of All AGC/Compression Worlds"

Sound: My application is broadcast recording studio level control and audio air chain over-drive protection ahead of a station's final processor when an aural studio-to-remote transmitter link is in use. In a word, this unit is perfect for both applications and beats the performance of so-called broadcast specific units costing 10x more. It is the most transparent AGC/compressor/limiter I have used. It controls peak levels VERY smoothly without adding any grit, clip or coloring. Feature: There are two features with which I am really impressed. 1. Unlike the fixed compressor attack/release settings on most units, this dbx can apply dynamic control. When audio is peaky and aggressive, it automatically 'sees' it coming and ramps up the circuit speeds. When audio is already more level and only needs gentle coaxing, the attack/release automatically slows down to match it. The result is exceptionally smooth audio control regardless of its characteristics. This matters because I do NOT want constant hi speed AGC ahead of the final processor whether it is monaural AM or an FM's stereo generator/digital/analog processor. 2. The expander/gate is REALLY smooth and prompt. I set the gate to about -20dbu at 2:1. Particularly on talk programming, any level under this is mostly noise, which the dbx then fully gates out. At the same time, the gate works so fast that when true audio resumes it does not 'chop' the first syllable. Conversely, you CAN set it to do this if your application calls for higher level on/off thresholds and it still works very smoothly. Ease of Use: One has a choice of automatic settings, stereo coupling where only the channel 1 adjusts take effect, or run it in dual mono with independent left/right processing. If the input level is in the correct range, the automatic 'over easy' feature just runs with it. If you want more control, then start twisting the knobs to your taste. Quality: I like the feel of the adjustments and the LED metering does a spot on job of reporting what your input and processing settings are doing. Everything you need ... nothing you don't. The Wow Factor: In the name of 'level control', the penalty of high compression and fast attack/release is distortion and loss of stereo separation. The latest intallations the 266XS have resulted in some of the best sounding stereo air chains I have heard in a long, long time. So, unless something else shows up, this is the unit that's going to replace the gritty legacy stereo processors. Overall: When it comes to AGC, I believe that 'less is more'. But, if you want highly aggressive 'infinity' compression, this dbx can do that, too. It can be sonically pure or it can absolutely crush the life out of any audio peak. Where ever you sit in the compression war, this is your weapon.

Style of Music: Anything

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Read 1 dbx 266XS Dual Compressor and Gate Review

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When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

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zZounds customer service is consistently rated at or near the top on every major comparison shopping website--probably because we only hire experienced musicians with outstanding customer service skills to work in our call center, and they don't work on commission. To us, this is our most meaningful measure of success. zZounds has served over a million customers since 1996, and they're the only critics whose reviews really matter to us.

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Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!: No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!: Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.

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