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DBX 266XL Dual Compressor Gate

The 266XL features an OverEasy/hard-knee switch, program-adaptive expander gates, balanced inputs and outputs, precision LED metering and sidechain insert, and a +4/-10 operating switch on the rear panel. It also offers front panel selection of stereo or dual mono operation. A standard 1U rack design, the 266XL includes AC-1 power supply. Learn More...

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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Value:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Overeasy is great for vocals. Could also be configured to do some cool AGC but place a true limiter after it. As most owners will agree the expander is a joke. It really is more like a gate and not a great one either. Not output meter just gain reduction. No power switch on this unit or the 166 either. I don't know if this is just poor design or a statment that the product was built to be left on with out worry.

Quality:
It's DBX so the compents inside can't be that crappy, and it doesn't make compressed audio sound crappy. I bought mine used but the expander makes a low pop when closing. Don't know if thats just how its made or if its just mine.

Value:
No way! I am glad I didn't pay for it new. Budget gear or not my Samson S-com plus trumps this thing and cost less new.

Desirability:
The darkest unit in my rack besides some vent plates. As I stated before my freakin S-com plus out does this thing. It is still better than a Alesis 3630.

Sound:
It doesn't hurt my audio fidelity wise. Not really good as a limiter. This unit likes to pump a lot.

Ease of Use:
This compressor doesn't label the ms. on its attack and release controls. Instead it has slow and fast so there is a lot of guess work to be done.

Support:
Never used it

Overall:
Seen better, own better. If someone stole or it broke I would replace it with an S-com plus.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
Does everything you might reasonably ask of a basic compressor. The gain reduction meters are great for seeing how much compression is being applied. A dedicated limiter might be a useful addition.

Quality:
Solid and reliable.

Value:
Difficult to beat at this price [around 100 quid].

Desirability:
Feels nice and has never let me down. It's a dbx.

Sound:
Once connected, it gets on with the job quietly and efficiently.

Ease of Use:
The controls are intuitive and setting up is straight forward.

Overall:
Having compared a few budget compressors, this one seems to have a sensible balance of features and price.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I owned a competitor's Compressor/Gate, and returned it for this. I play through a Peavey XXL which sounds INCREDIBLE but squeals like a pig at a BBQ festival. This baby put a cork in porky's mouth - for good. Also fattened up my sound.

Quality:
Bulletproof. The best compressor on the market - period.

Value:
Worth more than it is priced. Saved my rig.

Desirability:
dbx compressors are the industry-standard

Sound:
Doesn't provide any colour to the tone - just sweetens it up: makes my crunch even crispier. My rhythm guitar is rock solid now, with NO FEEDBACK.

Support:
Never needed.

Overall:
Flawless.

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