Add Versatile VCA Compression to your Tracks

Whether you’re using it on synths, bass guitar, or a drum bus, the dbx 160 plug-in emulates the original hardware’s grabby, low-end glue and old-school character, full of the same unique nonlinearities that make it a must-have for any engineer’s compressor toolkit.

Simple to Use, Timeless Character

With the same simple control set and at-a-glance metering of the original, the dbx 160 plug-in makes it easy to crush a parallel drum bus, or inject subtle fatness. It can also add aggressiveness and impact to everything from guitar power chords to a hip-hop vocal.

Leveled Up for Modern Workflows

Along with graphic enhancements and improved VU metering, the dbx 160 plug‑in’s Dry/Wet Mix control lets you easily punch up a drum bus with parallel compression, while the added Sidechain Filter lets you keep the low end tight, enhancing the compressor's impact.

• Add a unique voice and flavor to your compressor toolkit with the first solid-state VCA compressor ever made
• Harness fat compression textures on bass guitar, drum buses, synths, and more
• Give acoustic guitars and snare drums in-your-face “thwack”
• Create with Dry/Wet mix control for quick parallel compression and Sidechain Filter for reduced low-frequency pumping
• Use with any audio interface, no UA hardware required

• macOS 10.15 Catalina, 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura
• Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only Editions)
• Intel, AMD, or Apple silicon processor
• Internet connection to download software and authorize UADx plug-ins
• Free iLok account with iLok Cloud or iLok USB (2nd generation or higher)
• A physical iLok dongle is NOT required to activate this product

DAW Compatibility

• Pro Tools 2022 (AAX)
• Logic Pro (Audio Units)
• Ableton Live 11 (VST 3, Audio Units)
• Cubase 12 (VST 3)
• Studio One 5 (VST 3)
• LUNA Recording System

You can activate this software on an online system (using iLok Cloud) or an offline system (using an iLok USB):

Online: an active internet connection and a FREE iLok account are required to authorise UAD Plug-ins using iLok Cloud

Offline: you will need a physical iLok USB (2nd generation or higher) to authorise this software

Important note: UAD plugins do not work in Apple's Garageband DAW