DBX 160a VS DBX 560a | Hear both of them side by side.

www.smithmusic.ca In this video we hear the dbx 560a and dbx 160a compressor/limiter on vocals, kick and snare drum.
Smith Music "Backstage and Inside The Studio" is a collection of behind the scenes videos showing the day to day work of pro musicians.
This is a channel dedicated to showing aspiring musicians what music careers are like and how to earn money without being famous in the music industry.
Gear used in this Episode
DBX 160a amzn.to/2HNdRrH
DBX 560a amzn.to/2HLUZts
EV RE-20 amzn.to/2HYQtGZ
Shure Sm 57 amzn.to/2HTY1ei
Mac Pro 2013 apple.co/2UlkNyV
Logic ProX www.apple.com/ca/logic-pro/
D&R Recording Console (no longer manufactured)
Gear Used to make this episode
Lumix GH4 amzn.to/2FHUVZ6
Canon hf40 amzn.to/2U9xQa7
Zoom HN4 amzn.to/2V0QZIt
Final Cut prox www.apple.com/ca/final-cut-pro/
Zoom conferencing software
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
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[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

SUPER helpful!!! Thank you SO very much! VERY helpful!

[@caffeinastudio832]

I love my 560s, I always use them on kick and bass all the time during tracking, and sometimes on parallel snare

[@syap8888]

I thought there was a bit more presence for the snare on 560A. 160A definately had more low end for the kick... Thanks for making this video.

[@LegionofLoom]

Thanks for this it was very helpful. I've been thinking about buying a 160A because I keep reading about how inferior the 560A is but honestly I don't think there's enough of a difference to justify the space in my rack. Then throw in the A vs XT argument and my head wants to explode. The 160A sounds a little thicker but it seems like a little saturation ITB or using a preamp with some iron like a CAPI VP 28 would make up for that if one really thought the 560A was lacking. I really enjoyed the example of using two 560's in your chain. I already own one 560A and now I'm going to get a second. I have one question, if you happen to see this comment, I was wondering if you have ever had any experience with the Revive Audio modded 560A? Take care and stay healthy my friend!

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

I am very happy you found this useful. I have not worked with the Revive mods. I would love to hear them if you find someone that has a video of them. I think the 560a in the deal of the century for hardware compressors.

[@SamSine]

Your guitar on the wall stole the spotlight LOL Joking aside, great video! While the difference is not that big on the vocals, I could clearly hear it on drums. 160a definitely had more oomph in the low end.

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

Bahaha!. That is a very good description. If I only had the 560a I wouldn't feel like I was missing low end. I definitely get what you mean though. Thanks for commenting:)

[@SamSine]

@Smith Music 🙏🙂

[@Eekolooginen]

On the vocals they sounded pretty mutch the same. On the snare though the 560 sounded more squashed. May be the settings...

[@bk8708]

Dam are they ever close I couldn't hear the difference at first but I was listening with my phone speaker...but once I listen back on my computer monitors and yes the low end was a little more prominent on the 160

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

For sure. I am glad you could hear the difference. To some engineers that difference will mean everything. I personally really like both.

[@bk8708]

Lol to me it would mean nothing in a whole mix I think as for what is better though it's totally subjective person to person

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

Yup if a person can't get a great result with a 560a it's not the compressor:)@@bk8708

[@dennislaplant4572]

560a sounds great, it's all in the hands & ears of the user, what a nice compressor. The 160 is of course a beautiful unit, but not that of a difference. I love my 560a !.....P.S. $ vs. $

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

Very well put. If I only had 560a's instead of a mix of both I would be totally happy.

[@nym053]

160a seems more snappy and thick to me :)

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

I agree with that assessment:) If I only had either one to mix with I don't think I would feel like the 560a is lacking in snap or fatness though.

[@nym053]

@@SmithMediaSolutions - You might be right. And usually it's not so much snap that I feel lacking in my drums anyways (I do electronic music). If I use compression I'm usually looking for fullness and roundness, which can also be achived with saturation. I must say that I'm pretty satisfied with the results I get in software actually.

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

You make a great point about snap. I am also on the same page as you with software. I grew up with analog so using hardware comes more naturally for me. As I increase my confidence with software more and more of my mixes are totally ITB. I am not ready to let go of my hardware yet. I'd love to hear a mix of yours.

[@nym053]

@@SmithMediaSolutions - Hehe I understand, habits are dificult to change. I don't think that I've ever done a full mix. Though I do a bit as I go along with the production. Have only done music seriously since 2017. I'm not so confident in my productions yet, so I'm focusing more on that than actual mixing.

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

You are wise to get the song snd the arrangement right before moving on to mixing:)

[@TheStudeo74]

Thanks for this interresting video... i've been hesitating between catching an old 160 or adding a 560 to my rack. One can clearly hear the "clarity" of the 560. ... but... what REALLY caught my attention are these Fuzzy Finger units ! I own one but besides the fact I never saw it in an other studio, i'm surprised to see that your two modules are not made the same way. Are they different models ? or just from a different period of time ?

[@SmithMediaSolutions]

Thanks for the question. I don't know a ton about the fuzzy finger units. They were made slightly after one another. One has more options than the other. I bought them used off of a person on Gearslutz years ago. I typically use them on drum buss or bass to add a small amount of parallel distortion. Once in a while I will add them to a guitar that needs insane distortion. They are fun and certainly different than anything ITB. I bought them off of a gentleman that knew the owner of the company. How do you use yours?

[@garyshirinian]

Nice comparison thx for sharing. Do you have a video 160a vs warm audio 1176 . Thx.

[@MarioCantin]

No difference on vocals to me, 160 sweeter on the drums but 560 good enough as a workhorse.

[@Velociraptarus]

160a made in USA or CHINA? They say there are differences in sound ...