dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter

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

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

Watch It in Action

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What Top Pros Are Saying

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Original Sound, Modern Flexibility

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
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
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
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
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.

dbx is a trademark of Harman International.