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.

I regularly record 20th century music for a major university music department. The dynamic range of 20th century music is extreme.Whether it's vocal or instrumental, often the music can go from a whisper to a shrill scream in milliseconds. Prior to owning and using the 266XL it was impossible to anticipate and make adjustments in the dynamic output. The judicious use of compression is absolutely necessary to

Well, this was the first compressor I ever bought. Works pretty well, although the controls are a little simplistic, especially on the "expander/gate", which seems to be more like just a gate. Unlike the blurb, if I don't watch out, I can easily get unwanted "artifacts".

Works OK for a first phase, running live vocals, bass or guitar through to keep the dynamic variance under a fair bit of control. But fortunately, I do all my recording and mixing on my computer, and fortunately, I own Cool Edit 2000, which has quite probably the "coolest" and best software compressor EVER. I take all my tracks into Cool Edit 2000 and I can tweak them around just awesome, way more control than this thing gives. I can really get that full-blown professional compressed sound with Cool Edit, but I can't seem to get it with the 266XL.

But like I say, you probably need one of these somewhere. But if I had to do it over again, I think I'd've bought the Behringer MDX2200 and saved $60...

I have a 24ch recording studio in Mpls Mn. I use a couple of 266s on every thing from the drums to vocals, I run four of the line jacks into my control room right into a couple of
Dbx 586 tube pre's then into the 266s, for the price you wont find more bang for the Buck. Marko. (Back alley Studio)

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.

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.