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dbx 160A

^# 20

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$334.36 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (22)

2 Critic Reviews

6 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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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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Reviews

Price

5.0 (19)

$334.36 6 available Used

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Average Price: $334

Standard/Professional

$100

$501+

Price Tier

In the Effects Processors category, dbx 160A 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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Standard

High-end

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Description

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The DBX 160A Compressor is a powerful tool for any recording studio, offering a world of dynamic control in a robust, rackmount chassis. Drawing upon the famous 160 platform, this mono compressor/limiter delivers clean, clear signal processing in a flexible format. Whether you're aiming to subtly control group dynamics, give a kick, snare, or bass guitar that extra punch with the hard knee mode, or experiment with unique effects via negative compression ratios, the 160A has got you covered. Plus, with the "OverEasy" mode, you can effortlessly fine-tune lead vocal levels, ensuring the spotlight is always where it needs to be.

Key Features:

Mono compressor/limiter based on the legendary 160 platform
Clean signal path for pristine audio quality
Robust rackmount chassis for reliable durability
Flexible control options including hard knee mode and "OverEasy"
Allows for creative experimentation with negative compression ratios
Ideal for controlling group dynamics, enhancing percussive elements, and precisely adjusting lead vocal levels

Product specs

Brand	dbx
Model	160A Compressor Limiter
Finish	Black
Year	2000s
Made In	United States
Categories	Compressors and Limiters

FAQs

What type of compression does the DBX 160A use?: The DBX 160A uses VCA-based compression, known for its fast attack and transparent sound, making it versatile for both subtle and aggressive dynamic control.
Is the DBX 160A suitable for vocal processing?: Yes, the DBX 160A is suitable for vocals, providing both subtle fatness and aggressive impact, enhancing the presence and clarity of vocal tracks.
What are the main applications of the DBX 160A Compressor?: The DBX 160A is widely used for drums, bass, and vocals, offering versatility in both studio and live sound environments due to its precise dynamic control.
Can the DBX 160A be used for parallel compression?: Yes, the DBX 160A is ideal for parallel compression, allowing you to add fullness and punch to tracks like drums and bass without losing the original dynamics.
Does the DBX 160A have a built-in limiter?: Yes, the DBX 160A features a built-in limiter, providing additional control over the dynamic range and preventing signal peaks from clipping.

Videos

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Sunghyun Kim

Rack compressor compare.(dbx 1066, 160a, 160x)

Sunghyun Kim

DBX 160 A SOUND DEMO

Doug Jenkins

DBX 160A Compressor On Kick And Snare

True Sound Studios

dbx® 160A - A Classic Analog Compressor | Gear Review

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That Eighties Rack Compressor | dBx 160A Guitar Tones

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Dbx 160A Demo + Review | Best Valued Compressor?

Simon Austin

DBX 160A Compressor Shot Out | Stock vs Hot Rodded Gear!

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dbx 160a compressor/limiter

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DBX 160a Compressor (Unboxing)

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Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional sound quality, adds a unique mojo
Ideal for bass amplification and live performances
Notably improves vocal, drum, and bass recordings
Easy to dial-in settings for quick use
Enhances focus of tracks versus post-recording plugins
Superior performance with Made in USA units
Versatile, effective on a range of sounds including synth
Useful for managing accidental sound peaks
Simplifies tracking electric guitars and bass with great results

CONS

Inferior metering compared to other models
Some find it limited for snare drum compression
May require modifications (e.g., Jensen transformer) for optimal performance

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about dbx 160A.

Features and functionality

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The "over easy" button on the DBX 160A provides a soft knee compression, useful for transparent vocal processing, especially in rap genres.
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The DBX 160A features a unique gain reduction curve, which some users find unsuitable for vocals but effective for drum sounds.
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The DBX 160A's auto attack and release can lead to a snappy transient on most sounds, which is beneficial for punchy drums.
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Use cases and applications

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For rap vocals, the DBX 160A excels with a hard knee setting for more pronounced compression, enhancing vocal presence and impact.
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The DBX 160A can be effective as the sole compressor for some vocals, but also pairs well with an 1176 for added compression.
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The fast attack and feed-forward design of the DBX 160A make it adept at catching peaks quickly, beneficial for dynamic sources.
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The DBX 160A is highly effective on kicks, transforming layered samples into a coherent sound while maintaining pleasant transients.
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The threshold setting on the DBX 160A acts more like an attack control, influencing how early or late compression affects the sound envelope.
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Setup and maintenance

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Users suggest starting with a 2:1 ratio, soft knee, and auto attack/release for natural vocals; adjust the threshold to taste.
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User experience

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Owners find the DBX 160A reliable for compressing vocals, kicks, snares, and bass, noting its transparency even with higher compression levels.
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Some users find the distortion from the DBX 160A unpleasant on vocals but appreciate it for snare and guitar compression.
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Some users find the DBX 160A "grabby" on vocals, describing it as fast and pumpy with noticeable ducking and a lo-fi quality.
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Comparisons

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Owners compare the DBX 160A's ease of use to stock DAW compressors for quick and transparent peak management.
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The original DBX 160, with its half-rack size and VU meter, differs significantly from the 160A in terms of signal path and components, offering a "nastier" bite when pushed.
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Mods and upgrades

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No need to modify the DBX 160A when used for drums, as it already delivers desirable results in professional studio settings.
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Critic Reviews

DBX 160A Review - Sine-Post Audio

sine-post.co.uk

The DBX 160A Compressor is an impressive piece of gear that stands out for its ability to add punch and clarity, especially to drums. Its straightforward design and ease of use make it a practical choice for both seasoned engineers and novices. While the program-dependent attack and release times might limit control for some, the compressor’s inherent character and versatility more than compensate. Its performance, particularly in 'Overeasy' mode, offers a smooth, transparent compression ideal for subtle enhancements. Overall, the 160A outshines many competitors in its price range, making it a recommended buy for those seeking a reliable hardware compressor.

positive

Full Review

DBX 160A Review | Tacoma Recording Studio - Decade Sound

tacomarecordingstudio.com

The DBX 160A Compressor shines with its simplicity and reliability, remaining a beloved staple since the 1980s. Its easy-to-use design, with just three knobs, and excellent metering make it a versatile tool for various live sound environments. While the modern updates offer a cleaner sound, purists might miss the character of older models. Overall, it's a dependable workhorse that's hard to fault.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 22 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

jimmarchi1

41029

over 5 years ago

does the business and its business is kick drum

single channel VCA comp that's like a 160 with crap metering, soft knee 'over easy'... 160A sounds better than X to me. Use for kick. On bass or guitar use a symetrix 5 series for cheap VCA peak limiting work. Hard knee better in that role. If you just need soemthing boring and functional on snare to even and tame everything down? it can be used there as well. If you think you need 2 just buy a 166x or similar alesis stereo unit, pretty close. For kick get an A. You just need the 1. You will never do kick drums without this again. You probably know that though... the cat is out of the bag on the 160s for kick, like everyone knows that now and if they didn't pensado mentioned it and showed the parallel trick to everyone

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock

skylinerr

5339

almost 7 years ago

The best

I have tried pretty much all the pedals trying to compact it but nothing is better than this beastly compressor

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

frottigheid

105

about 9 years ago

Another really nice compressor

I use this compressor mainly on bass heavy sounds, kicks as well as synth sounds, to compress but still keep the sound rounded. A very good tool!

boom762

12239

about 11 years ago

It's okay. It didn't do as much as I had hoped it would but it's an industry standard in small studios.

I try and use it to keep my sound more even. Occasionally I will have a finger nail pluck a string and it peaks super loud. I use compression to try and hide this accident.