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Plugin

Plugin Effects

Waves

dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter

The classic fast-attack VCA compressor, perfect for drums and bass.
 

Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter Plugins & FX Software GUI Artwork
Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter Screenshot 2
Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter Screenshot 3
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Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter Screenshot 6

$34.99

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Product Overview

Iconic Punch for Drums. Fat Textures for Everything.

The dbx 160’s VCA-based compression was a clean break with previous designs. Its savagely fast attack and fresh transparency made it an instant hit, whether used conservatively to add fullness, or slammed for pumping. The dbx 160 became the sound of drums and bass compression.

Designed in close collaboration with dbx®, the dbx 160 models the original hardware’s sound with absolute accuracy, enhancing it with new features designed for the needs of modern studios.

  • Delivers the power and punch of classic 70s drum compression
  • Fat, thick textures perfect for drums, bass, synth, acoustic guitar
  • Adds aggression to everything from a drum bus to a rap vocal
  • Straightforward controls dial in the right sounds quickly and easily
  • Mix control added for quick parallel compression
  • Sidechain hi-pass filter added for a full low end on kick and bass
  • Linked stereo, dual mono, or mid-side operation
  • Transparent sound with ultra-low distortion

Original Sound, Modern Flexibility

The Gold Standard for Drums

Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter - The Gold Standard for Drums

With no attack or release controls, the 160’s signature sound was apparent as soon as you patched it in. The minimal coloration, fast attack, and ability to massage a signal gently—or crush it—set the standard for drums.

But Not Just Drums

Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter - But Not Just Drums

The dbx 160 also gave power to vocals, but the smooth punch made it a hands-down favorite for bass. Now, Waves has added a sidechain highpass filter that keeps the low end full, even when slammed with maximum compression.

Tame the Transients… or Not

Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter - Tame the Transients… or Not

The dbx 160 plugin adds a mix control for easy parallel compression. Dial back to reduce transients and bring up the sound’s body, or choose only compressed sound for the 160’s distinctive, clean, transformerless character.

Flexible, Modern Matrixing

Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter - Flexible, Modern Matrixing

Modern additions include a mid-side matrix for processing mid and sides individually, a linked stereo mode not available in the original, and a dual mono option for processing the right and left channels independently.

It’s a Line Amplifier, Too

Waves - dbx® 160 Compressor Limiter - It’s a Line Amplifier, Too

Bring down the compression, turn up the threshold, and you’ll hear the subtle sound of the modeled analog signal path. For an extra air of authenticity with any control settings, turn up the compressor’s noise parameter.

Additional Information

dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter (V15) - System Requirements
  • Mac
  • CPU
    Intel or Silicon Architecture
    See notes regarding Apple Silicon based processors

    Memory
    Minimum: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
    16 GB free disk space on the system drive

    Operating System
    macOS Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14

    Screen Resolution
    Minimum: 1024x768
    Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024
    USB displays are not supported as the primary display.

  • Windows
  • CPU
    X64 compatible Intel or AMD CPU

    Memory
    Minimum: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
    16 GB free disk space on the system drive

    Operating System
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Windows 11

    Screen Resolution
    Minimum: 1024x768
    Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024

Categories:

Compressor Limiter

Formats:

Plugin

Tags:

Effects Plugin Sound Design

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