Harman dbx 160SL Owner's Manual
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Harman dbx 160SL Owner's Manual

Stereo compressor/limiter
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160SL
Stereo
Compressor/Limiter
Owner's Manual

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Summary of Contents for Harman dbx 160SL

  • Page 1 160SL Stereo Compressor/Limiter Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION READ THE FOLLOWING: KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS HEED ALL WARNINGS FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS THE APPARATUS SHALL NOT BE EXPOSED TO DRIPPING OR SPLASHING LIQUID AND NO OBJECT FILLED WITH LIQUID, SUCH AS VASES, SHALL BE PLACED ON THE APPARATUS.
  • Page 3 This unit conforms to the Product Specifications noted on the Declaration declares that the product: of Conformity. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: Product name: dbx 160SL Note: Product name may be suffixed by the letters-EU. • this device may not cause harmful interference, and...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    160S Specifications 160SL to your system Connection contents 160S Manual 160SL considerations Installation concept 160S Design Introduction 160SL ..............................support and factory service Why you need compression ....................Technical diagram 160S The difference between compressors and limiters Block ............. 160SL The compression and limiting effects ................

  • Page 5: Specifications

    Operating Operations 160SL 160S to your system Introduction Connection 160SL 160S considerations Inspection Installation Why You Need A Compressor 160SL 160S A remarkable feature of the human ear is that it can detect an extremely wide range of amplitude changes - from the slightest whisper to a deafening clap of thunder.

  • Page 6: The Difference Between Compressors And Limiters

    160S Operations 160SL to your system Connection 160S Introduction 160SL considerations Installation 160S Inspection 160SL support and factory service Clipping Clipped signal heavily distorted Technical controls 160S Operating Headroom 160SL Operating Level Dynamic Range Useable dynamic range notes Specifications 160S Operating 160SL Noise Floor...

  • Page 7: The Compression And Limiting Effects

    Operating Operations 160SL 160S to your system Introduction Connection 160SL 160S Clipping Clipped signal heavily dist Clipped signal heavily distorted Clipping Clipped signal heavily distorted Headroom considerations Headroom Headroom Inspection Installation Operating Level The Compression and Limiting Effects Operating Level 160SL 160S Useable dynamic range...

  • Page 8: Limiters And Peakstopplus

    160S Connection 160SL The dbx 160SL Stereo Compressor is suitable for all applications because of its ability to be manually set at both attack and release parameters. concept Design...
  • Page 9 Operating Operations 160SL 160S to your system Introduction Connection 160SL 160S considerations Inspection Installation For best results the Limiter functions of your compressor should be used in conjunction with the Compressor 160SL 160S functions. When we at dbx decided to make a premium compressor that would perform to the industry’s highest standards, it became readily obvious that every component and design strategy had to be chosen with high-performance controls support and factory service...
  • Page 11 Operating Operating 160SL 160S Noise Floor Audio levels below here are not heard, because of noise to your system to your system input input Connection Connection 160SL 160S Connections considerations considerations Installation Installation The 160SL is connected for operation using the rear panel XLR connectors. Note that the two rear panel input 160SL 160S sections have a push-switch which lifts the contact on pin #1 (ground).
  • Page 12 160S Inspection 160SL to your system Connection controls 160S Operating 160SL considerations Installation notes 160S Operating 160SL PEAK PEAK support and factory service 10 7 5 3 10 7 5 3 Technical POWER DECIBELS DECIBELS to your system ® ® 160S 160S ®...
  • Page 13 Inspection Operating 160SL 160S controls to your system Operating Connection 160SL 160S notes considerations Operating Installation knee operation. Note that when a compressor is set to a compression ratio of 10:1 or more, it may be 160SL 160S considered to be LIMITING the input signal, especially when a fast attack time is selected. Aut o Switch : This switch sets the 160SL for automatic or manual operation.
  • Page 14 160S Operating Pea kStopPlus ™ Switch and LED : The dynamics of the dbx 160SL are set to handle fast transients 160SL through PeakStop ® limiting and the newer PeakStopPlus ™ . PeakStop is the process first introduced on the dbx 165A compressor/limiter, which is still very popular today.
  • Page 15 Inspection Operating 160SL 160S controls to your system Operating Connection 160SL 160S notes considerations Operating Installation By pass Switch and LED : This switch activates a hard-wire relay bypass system, which allows the audio 160SL 160S signal to pass through the compressor directly from input to output, even when the 160SL is turned off. That is to say that the XLR Pin 2 at the input connector is directly connected to the XLR Pin 2 at the output connector, and the XLR Pin 3 at the input connector is directly connected to the XLR Pin 3 at the to your system...
  • Page 16 160S Inspection 160SL to your system Connection controls 160S Operating 160SL considerations Installation notes 160S Operating Note that the gain reduction scale is linear in dB as opposed to the standard VU markings on the upper 160SL scale on which input and output levels are monitored. This allows for easy visual indication of gain reduction, as it can be read in a fraction of a second, with only a fleeting glance from the engineer.
  • Page 17 Inspection Operating 160SL 160S time time Figure 3 Figure 4 controls to your system Operating Connection 160SL 160S notes considerations Operating Installation UL60065 160SL FUSE: 160S T 500mA L 250V UL60065 FUSE: T 500mA L to your system 250V support and factory service Connection CHANNEL TWO CHANNEL ONE...
  • Page 18 160S Inspection 160SL Chassis Chassis Ground Ground to your system Jensen Jensen ® ® Connection Output Output controls 160S Transformer Transformer Operating 10k 1W Ground Switch open 160SL Ground Switch open Unbalance Switch open Unbalanced Switch closed Switch Switch (6dB drop in output level) considerations Chassis Chassis...
  • Page 19 Inspection Operating 160SL 160S controls to your system Operating Connection 160SL 160S notes considerations Operating Installation Sig nal Ground Binding Post : The black Signal Ground binding post is located next to the Chassis 160SL 160S Ground binding post, and works in much the same way, providing comprehensive grounding options for any installation.
  • Page 20 160S Operating 160SL to your system Connection notes 160S Operating 160SL considerations Installation to your system 160S Connection OverEasy ® And Hard Knee 160SL In a typical hard-knee compressor, the threshold control sets a reference level above which input signals will support and factory service be attenuated in the manner defined by the setting of the Compression ratio control.
  • Page 21 Operating Operating 160SL 160S notes to your system Operating Connection 160SL 160S to your system considerations Connection Installation Using The Stereo Couple Switch 160SL 160S Two channels of program material do not necessarily constitute a stereo program. A stereo program is one where the two channels are recorded and/or mixed to create the illusion of a single unified panorama of sound.
  • Page 22 160S Operating 160SL to your system Connection notes 160S Operating 160SL considerations Installation to your system 160S Connection 160SL Note: Attack and Release controls operate together and in conjunction with the Compression ratio control. support and factory service Changing one control may necessitate changing another setting. Technical considerations 160S...
  • Page 23 Operating Operating 160SL 160S notes to your system Operating Connection 160SL 160S to your system considerations Connection Installation Specific Applications 160SL 160S Smoothing out variations in microphone levels When the distance between a vocalist and a mic changes, variations in signal level occur. To smooth out these variations, start with the 160SL adjusted for a low compression ratio (e.g., 4:1) and adjust the Threshold control considerations support and factory service...
  • Page 24 160S Operating 160SL to your system Connection notes 160S Operating 160SL considerations Installation to your system 160S Connection The 160SL as a line amplifier 160SL To use the 160SL as a line amplifier, adjust the Compression control to fully counterclockwise (1:1 position), the Sidechain Threshold control to full clockwise position (+10) and the Output Gain control to whatever setting is required Send...
  • Page 25 Operating Operating 160SL 160S notes to your system Operating Connection 160SL 160S to your system considerations Connection Installation De-Essing 160SL 160S To apply de-essing to vocals (i.e., a reduction of sibilance), use a parametric equalizer in the sidechain circuit and set it for high frequency boost in the specific frequency range where the vocal hiss or lisp occurs (generally in the 4-6kHz region).
  • Page 26 160S Operating 160SL to your system Connection notes 160S Operating 160SL considerations Installation to your system 160S Connection 160SL support and factory service Technical considerations Sidechain 160S Send Installation 160SL 160SL Source Sidechain Device Return (mixer) DELAY Specifications Audio Audio Audio support and factory service 160S...
  • Page 27 Operating Installation 160SL 160S support and factory service to your system Technical Connection 160SL 160S considerations Specifications Installation The 160SL is an all-solid-state product with components chosen for high performance and excellent reliability. 160SL 160S Each 160SL is tested, burned in and calibrated at the factory and should require no internal adjustment of any type throughout the life of the unit.
  • Page 28 160S Design 160SL to your system Connection diagram 160S Block 160SL considerations Installation 160S Controls 160SL support and factory service Technical applications 160S Advanced 160SL Specifications 160S Warranty 160SL contents Manual 160S concept Design 160S diagram Block 160S Controls 160S applications Advanced 160S...
  • Page 29 Operating Technical 160SL 160S to your system Specifications Connection 160SL 160S contents considerations Manual Installation INPUTS 160SL 160S Connectors: Female XLR Pin 2 hot, pin 1 lift switch. Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered. Impedance: Balanced > 20 kΩ, unbalanced > 10 kΩ. concept support and factory service Maximum Input Level:...
  • Page 30 160S Technical 160SL to your system Connection 160S Specifications 160SL considerations Installation contents 160S Manual Auto Attack Time: Program dependent, typically 15 ms for 10dB, 5 ms for 20dB, 3 ms 160SL for 30dB. Auto Release Time: Program dependent, typically 120dB/sec. Output Gain: support and factory service -20 to +20dB.
  • Page 31 Operating Technical 160SL 160S to your system Specifications Connection 160SL 160S contents considerations Manual Installation OPTIONS 160SL 160S Digital output module: dbx 704X POWER SUPPLY concept support and factory service Design Technical Operating Voltage: Factory selected: 100V, 120V, or 220-240VAC 50/60Hz. 160SL 160S Power Consumption:...
  • Page 32 8760 South Sandy Pkwy. Sandy, Utah 84070 Phone: (801) 568-7660 Fax: (801) 568-7662 Int’l Fax: (603) 672-4246 Questions or comments? E•mail us at: customer@dbxpro.com or visit our website at: www.dbxpro.com 5018577-C 10/03/20...

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