dbx 1066

$120.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (10)

1 Critic Review

2 Reviews

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Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (6)

$120.00 11 available Used

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Average Price: $169

Standard/Professional

$100

$501+

Price Tier

In the Effects Processors category, dbx 1066 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Experience the pinnacle of audio processing with the dbx 1066, a formidable dual-channel compressor/limiter/gate that stands out in the studio recording gear category. Engineered with the dbx V2 VCA, this unit is celebrated for its versatile functionality and impeccable performance, making it a staple in professional studios. Whether you’re looking to enhance your drum sound, smooth vocal and instrument levels, or avoid analog tape saturation, the 1066 has got you covered.

This rack-mount powerhouse offers selectable auto (classic dbx) or manual compression with program-dependent attack and release settings, ensuring you have the flexibility to tailor your sound precisely. The unit's PeakStopPlus limiting provides an additional safeguard by setting a maximum allowable level, preventing distortion without compromising audio quality. With the option for stereo or independent two-channel operation, it fits seamlessly into any studio setup.

The dbx 1066 is equipped with precision metering and true differentially balanced gold-plated XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs, ensuring high-quality signal integrity. The inclusion of a contour switch, SC Ext, and SC Mon functions enhance its adaptability, allowing for advanced gating and external device monitoring. Compact yet powerful, the dbx 1066 occupies just one rack space, making it an efficient addition to your audio gear arsenal.

Key Features:

Dual-channel compressor/limiter/gate
dbx V2 VCA circuitry
Selectable auto or manual compression
Contour switch for frequency control
OverEasy or Hard Knee compression modes
PeakStopPlus limiting for distortion-free audio
True differentially balanced gold-plated XLR and 1/4" inputs/outputs
True RMS level detection
Precision input, output, and gain reduction metering
Stereo or dual mono operation
Switchable +4dBu or -10dBV operation per channel

Product specs

Brand	dbx
Model	1066 Dual-Channel Compressor / Limiter / Gate
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Categories	Compressors and Limiters, Gates and Expanders

FAQs

What type of compression does the dbx 1066 offer?: The dbx 1066 offers both OverEasy and hard-knee compression algorithms, allowing users to choose between smooth, gradual compression and more aggressive, immediate compression.
Can the dbx 1066 be used for both live and studio applications?: Yes, the dbx 1066 is suitable for both live and studio applications, offering dual-channel compression, limiting, and gating with robust performance and connectivity options.
How does the dbx 1066 handle attack and release settings?: The dbx 1066 provides both auto and manual attack and release settings, giving users flexibility to tailor the response times to their specific needs.
What connectivity options are available on the dbx 1066?: The dbx 1066 features Neutrik XLR audio connectors, ensuring reliable and high-quality connections for professional audio setups.
Does the dbx 1066 include a sidechain feature?: Yes, the dbx 1066 includes a sidechain feature with SC Monitor, allowing for more advanced dynamic processing techniques.
What is the PeakStopPlus feature on the dbx 1066?: PeakStopPlus is a limiting feature on the dbx 1066 that prevents audio peaks from exceeding a set threshold, protecting equipment and maintaining consistent audio levels.

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Reviews

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PROS

Excellent for voice over compression and live sound mixing
Effective at preventing clipping in master recordings non-destructively
Intuitive setup and can pass signal passively when off
Superior sound quality with minimal undesirable artifacts compared to similar units
Versatile for various inputs like stereo mic pairs or line signals from synths

CONS

Sound quality described as "midrangey dark," may not suit all preferences
Not the first choice for drum buss or front mix applications according to some users
Initial impressions may suggest it darkens the audio, though this may not always be consistent

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about dbx 1066.

Features and functionality

0 0

The dbx 1066's output knob can function like a wet/dry control, useful for experimenting with parallel compression effects.
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For live vocals, a starting setup includes the fastest attack, halfway release, 3:1 ratio, with a 5-10 dB gain boost recommended.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners recommend avoiding the dbx 1066 on a mix bus and instead favor its use on individual drums, bass, and vocals for added punch and control.
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0 0

For heavy music, some users found the dbx 1066 effective on the mix bus when set correctly, despite it not being the ideal application.
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0 0

The 1066 is a staple in MLB baseball game mixing, where analog compressors are favored for their specific sound character despite digital alternatives.
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Bass guitars with Rickenbackers require aggressive settings, sometimes up to a 7:1 compression ratio to manage low action and stage noise effectively.
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User experience

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Users found significant improvements post-gain staging, resolving initial issues of signal squashing during use.
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Comparisons

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The dbx 1066 is often compared to the dbx 166XL, with some users preferring the latter for its slightly better reputation in live sound setups.
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Value and pricing

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While priced around $500 new, used dbx 1066 units are often available on secondary markets like eBay or Kijiji at lower prices.
Source

Critic Reviews

DBX 1066

soundonsound.com

The dbx 1066 is a versatile compressor/limiter/gate that excels in adding character to vocals, drums, and instruments, making it a fantastic creative tool. Its classic dbx sound and separate gate and limiter sections are strong positives. However, the unit's layout is confusing, with hard-to-read controls, making setup challenging, especially for achieving transparent compression. While it's not perfect for subtle compression tasks, it shines when used for creative audio shaping, offering a range of control options that studio engineers will appreciate. If you love the dbx sound, this product is definitely worth considering.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 10 Ratings

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jimmarchi1

41029

over 4 years ago

This is the one to have...

Out of the cheap dbx stereo 1u dynamics boxes invest inthe 1066. Stay away from the 166 and 266, you're better off with an alesis 3630 or better yet a 3632. All of these units are comparable in features but the 1066 has the best sound quality and the least undesireable artifacts when you get heavy handed. In stereo at this price point you may prefer a symetrix 522. It's kinda personal taste. The 1066 is midrangey dark, the 522 is thin and bright. This is a good device on channel inserts like stereo microphone pairs or stereo line signals from synths with unruly peaks where you just want to tame stuff down and maybe tuck it back in the mix.... if you run out of RNCs because you're using them mono the 1066 will get the job done, although maybe not as transparently.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock

pkennethk

26904

4 years ago over 4 years ago

My hands-on time with DBX compressors is just a grain of sand on your beach of experience, but there's a certain honesty and clarity to the way DBX stuff is presented that I appreciate... they don't clone other ppl's stuff, they don't try to pretend that a compressor is anything more than a tool... don't use corny metaphors and adjectives in their marketing copy ("warmth", "breathing", "bring life to your mixes", "grain of sand on your beach of experience", etc)... it's no-nonsense. I dig it.

jimmarchi1

41029

4 years ago over 4 years ago

Dbx has always made quality gear at reasonable prices. Some of the stuff specifically targeted at FOH and/or home studio market is lackluster lile the stere compressors, channel strips and 900 series modules... but all of it generally does what it's supposed to. There's only a handful of dbx units I would say are worthless,though I've not tried them all, particularly the new 500 series gear.... they've done some hella interesting stuff like the sub bass enhancers too... they've made those half rack units with the hiZ option for guitarists who want a compressor that's also a DI. They didn't completely lose their way when Blackmer sold the company.

mikefiction

1264

almost 6 years ago

Pretty decent for a cheap compressor

It's not going to blow your socks off. I would not use it on the drum buss or anywhere else up front in the mix. It darkens whatever is sent through it. But it's great for the right content.

It's not even close to the first compressor I'll grab, but I still end up using it in nearly every mix.

Update: I need to revise some of what I said - it is actually great on the drum bus for some material. I don't remember why I said it darkens the sound, I'm using it on a current mix and am not noticing that at all.

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Electro-industrial