Waves dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter Plug-in Reviews
For many recording engineers back in the day, the original dbx 160 - with its punchy, clean sound with vanishingly low distortion - was the ultimate drum compressor. Sporting an ultra-fast onset, the 160 could handle anything you threw at it, making it a fixture in most major recording studios from the late 1970s through the '80s. So much so that it and its descendants became industry standards. Developed in collaboration with dbx, the Waves dbx 160 compressor/limiter plug-in is a genuine-sounding software version of this classic hardware device. Take it from Sweetwater - the Waves dbx 160 plug-in is essential kit.
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Highest Rated Reviews
If you want punch, here is where you get punch!
Great compressor for everything, I use it especially when Mastering. It can crush, but it can also give you that light touch of compression that glues the track together. Plenty of controls to help you get the sound as well as compressing and monitoring in Mono, Stereo, and M/S (mid, Sides) configuration, even giving you the controls to adjust the sound in those different type of compression setups! This is the plugin compressor that can do it all, I won't need any other compressors on my list to pick up after getting this. It's seriously that good.
A Real Gem
Since purchasing this plugin a little over a year ago, I have increasingly found myself using this compressor for anything that requires punch and attitude. As I would assume most do, I use this primarily on drums and bass, but I have found this unit to do miraculous things to a lead vocal in the right scenario. I use it on every session and literally have it as one of my go-to compressors. It's impossible to go wrong with this plugin.
Gorgeous, unique sound
I can't compare to the hardware since I've never used it but just judging the plugin on its own merits, it's a new essential compressor for me. It's that color I was missing that my fet and opto compressors could never do, I just throw it on a drum bus and I'm instantly happier. Fantastic plugin, I feel like they did something special with this one. Thanks waves.
Wow - awesome plugin!
Waves has made a very awesome plugin - a very big classic on it's own and i'm sure this plugin will be a classic in it's own time! Use it on drums, guitars, bass, etc. and it gives a very very punchy sound if adjusted correctly. Very useful on many things! Worth every dollar spent and will be used for many songs to come! A++++
It's All About Punch
A FULL five stars is described as "Wow! Blown Away!" on Sweetwater's site, and I honestly am with this one - stonkingly powerful sound and punch from this thing.
I have no idea what the original hardware sounded like, apart from being aware that I must have heard it thousands of times on some of my favourite albums.
But I like, a lot, what this plug-in version sounds like.
I have tried it on drums and percussion, real and virtual, because I knew that was one of its strengths, and it is everything they said it would be.
However, the dbx160 also really blazes on bass, guitar, piano, vocals, acoustic guitar, and is fantastic on virtual synths and drum machines, and orchestral stuff. Really rocking-the-speakers power from this one, and now my go-to for the belters, and to give a bit of kick-*** to the quieter numbers, too.
It has that uncanny thing of boosting but retaining the musicality and cleanness, not distorting unless you want it to. I'll say it again - there are some real smart cookies working at Waves.
Absolute five-star plug!
Fantastic Modeling o
Absolutely Love this Plugin!
Sounds amazing and it's got so much flexibility over it's big brother " The Original Gear".
It would never sound 100% like it because, let's face it! you're never running an active electric current thru a digital processor! plus AD/DA converters/ a massive SSL console and all of that contributes to it sounding so warm and so ALIVE! but this thing will get you closer than ever within the digital domain!
I'd say this and the UAD emulation are the best out there!
Plus, both are approved and worked in collaboration with DBX
But don't take my word for it.
Go Demo it first!
