Dual Vacuum Tube Compressor Owner’s Manual Version 1.
WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING: WATER AND MOISTURE: Appliance should not be used near water (e.g. near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc). Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings. POWER SOURCES: The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.
Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................2 Features.......................................................................................................................2 Inspection ....................................................................................................................2 Warranty.....................................................................................................
Introduction Thank you for purchasing the dbx 566 vacuum tube compressor. The 566 combines world-renowned dbx compression with the latest in vacuum tube technology. The dbx 566Õs compression section incorporates the features that have made dbx the standard for high quality audio compression: Over Easyª compression curve, PeakPlusª limiting and the advanced dbx V1ª VCA module that ensures high system performance.
Warranty This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and only in the United States. We warrant dbx products against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of two years from the date of original purchase for use, and agree to repair or, at our option, replace any defective item, except external power transformers, without charge for either parts or labor.
Connections To connect the 566 to your system, refer to the following steps: ¥ Turn off all equipment before making any connections. ¥ Mount the 566 in a rack with the rack screws provided. The 566 can be mounted above or below anything that does not generate excessive heat. Ambient temperatures should not exceed 95¡F (35¡C) when equipment is in use. Although the unit is shielded against radio frequency and electromagnetic interference, extremely high fields of RF and EMI should be avoided where possible.
Compressor Controls Figure 2: Front Panel Controls + 0 - THRESHOLD leds: The Ò+Ó led illuminates when the signal is above the OverEasy¨ portion of the compression curve and that the full compression ratio is in effect . If OverEasy¨ is disabled, this led indicates that the signal is above the level set by the Compressor Threshold control and that compression is occuring. The Ò0Ó led illuminates when the signal is in the OverEasy¨ portion of the compression curve.
1:1 Unity 1:1 RED Above Threshold 4:1 +5 20:1 0 :1 Rotation Point Threshold -5 4:1 +5 GREEN Below Threshold -15 -15 -10 −5 -5 0 −15 +5 +10 +15 +20 INPUT LEVEL (dB) :1 0 −10 -10 2:1 +10 AM B ER RED Above Threshold OverEasy Range EN +10 +15 RE 2:1 G +15 +20 OUTPUT LEVEL (dB) OUTPUT LEVEL (dB) +20 Below Threshold −15 −10 −5 0 +5 +10 +15 +20 INPUT LEVEL (dB) Figure 3: Hard Knee and OverEasy® Compression Curves RATIO control: This control selects the ratio between
INST Switch This switch selects the 1/4Ó Instrument input as the source for the compressor. DRIVE control This control sets the amount of gain that will be applied at the input of the vacuum tube stage present in the Compressor section. This control offers tube drive control (with its sonic stamp) to any signal routed through the Compressor. SC (SIDECHAIN) ENABLE switch This switch enables the Sidechain processing loop.
Note that since the PeakPlusª Limiter is a fail-safe Limiter it must come after the Output Gain control. If the Output Gain is set too high as compared to the PeakPlusª Level control, continuous limiting can occur. While PeakPlusª is typically used as a protective function, creative effects can be achieved by intentionally driving the signal into heavy PeakPlusª limiting. Great care has gone into the design of the PeakPlusª Limiter to keep it acoustically transparent.
DITHER switch This switch becomes active only when the optional dbx TYPE IVª Conversion System digital output module is installed. Refer to the manual for the TYPE IVª Conversion System for a description of the function of this switch. SHAPE switch This switch becomes active only when the optional dbx TYPE IVª Conversion System output module is installed. Refer to the manual for the TYPE IVª Conversion System module for a description of the function of this switch.
Rear Panel LINE INPUTS Both XLR and TRS 1/4Ó connectors allow balanced or unbalanced line-level devices to be connected to the input of the 566Õs Compressor section. The nominal input level can be set to either +4 dBu or -10 dBV with the +4 dBu/-10 dBV switch. INSTRUMENT INPUT The instrument input is configured as a high impedance, unbalanced input, with tip hot, sleeve and ring grounded. This input is for use with devices using passive or piezoelectric pickups (guitars etc.
Specifications COMPRESSOR Threshold Range: Ratio: Threshold Characteristic: Attack/Release Characteristic: Attack/Release Modes: Manual Attack Time: Manual Release Time: Auto Attack Time: Auto Release Time: Output Gain: -40 dBu to +20 dBu Infinity: 1 Selectable OverEasy¨ or hard knee curves AutoDynamicª Selectable Manual or Auto Scalable program-dependent. Typically 3 dB/msec to .04 dB/msec Scalable program-dependent. Typically 250 dB/sec to 5 dB/sec Program-dependent.
Specifications Specifications (cont.) Power Consumption: Fuse: Mains Connection: 30 Watts max. 100/120V: 500mA 250V Slow Blow 5mm X 20mm 230/240V: T250 mA 250V 5mm X 20mm IEC 320 Receptacle PHYSICAL: Dimensions: Weight: Shipping Weight: 3.5ÓH X 19ÓW X 8ÓD 12 lbs (5.5 kg) 13 lbs (5.9 kg) Note: 0 dBu = 0.775V RMS. Specifications subject to change without notice.
dbx 566 Settings Page Photocopy this page and mark the settings you use for your sessions.
8760 South Sandy Pkwy. Sandy, Utah 84070 Phone: (801) 568-7660 Fax: (801) 568-7662 IntÕl Fax: (603) 672-4246 Questions or comments? E¥mail us at: customer@dbxpro.com or visit our World Wide Web home page at: www.dbxpro.
