dbx 566 User manual

8760 S. Sandy Pkwy.
Sandy, Utah 84070
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Int’l Fax [phone]
[email protected]
http://www.dbxpro.com
A Harman International Company
• Hand selected Premium 12AU7
vacuum tubes in path
• +4/-10 operation
• Drive control for a wide variety of
great tube effects
• PeakPlus™ limiter on each channel
• Complete sidechain, OverEasy®,
and Auto functions
• Optional TYPE IV™ Conversion
System outputs
• Separate 1/4" sidechain insert send
and return
• Custom designed analog VU meters
monitor tube drive, gain reduction,
or output levels
SHAPEDITHER
566
Vacuum Tube
Compressor
Off: None Off: None
Green: TPDF Green: Shape 1
Red: SNR2Red: Shape 2
TYPE IV
CONVERSION SYSTEM
INSERT
LEVEL
METER SOURCE
DRIVE LEVEL OUTPUT
LEVEL
DRIVE
dB
-15
0
+15
THRESHOLD
dB
-40
-30
-20 0
0
-
-10
+
+10
+20
CONTOUR BYPASSSC ENABLE
RATIO
1:1
1.2:1
1.5:1 2:1 3:1
6:1
∞:1
ATTACK
dB/mSec
3
1
.35
.04
.15
OverEasy
RELEASE
dB/Sec
250
125 12.5
50
5
UNLINK
AUTO
LEVEL
dB
-15
0
+15
PeakPlus
THRESHOLD
dB
0
+5
+10
Off
+20
+15
SC MON
LIMIT
PEAK
CHANNEL TWO
2010 75303+
-
¤
DECIBELS
-15
-20 -10
-25 -5
-30 0
GAIN
REDUCTION
METER SOURCE
DRIVE LEVEL OUTPUT
LEVEL
INSERT
LEVEL
METER SOURCE
DRIVE LEVEL OUTPUT
LEVEL
DRIVE
dB
-15
0
+15
THRESHOLD
dB
-40
-30
-20 0
0
-
-10
+
+10
+20
CONTOUR BYPASSSC ENABLE
RATIO
1:1
1.2:1
1.5:1 2:1 3:1
6:1
∞:1
ATTACK
dB/mSec
3
1
.35
.04
.15
OverEasy
RELEASE
dB/Sec
250
125 12.5
50
5
UNLINK
AUTO
LEVEL
dB
-15
0
+15
PeakPlus
THRESHOLD
dB
0
+5
+10
Off
+20
+15
SC MON
LIMIT
PEAK
CHANNEL ONE
2010 75303+
-
¤
DECIBELS
-15
-20 -10
-25 -5
-30 0
GAIN
REDUCTION
METER SOURCE
DRIVE LEVEL OUTPUT
LEVEL
®
dbx’s traditional spot atop the pro audio industry continues with the introduction of its new “Silver
Series.” The inclusion of 2 vacuum tubes makes the 566 Vacuum Tube Compressor no ordinary
compressor. Of course, it’s loaded with all the features you’d expect from a compressor, including
custom designed analog VU meters that monitor tube level, gain reduction, or output levels. The 566
Vacuum Tube Compressor also has full sidechain functionality, including sidechain monitor, and our
unique Contour function, which allows low frequency material to pass through the threshold without
triggering unmusical compression effects. It also includes the dbx OverEasy® threshold characteristic,
and Auto attack and release. Line/Instrument and mic inputs make the 566 versatile enough to use with
virtually any source device.Add to this impressive list of standard features extras like a sidechain insert
loop, True RMS Power Summing™, and the new patent-pending PeakPlus™ limiting topology and you
have a compressor that strengthens dbx’s outstanding reputation.
The premium 12AU7 vacuum tubes are hand selected for ideal triode gain matching, distortion, micro-
phonics and drive characteristics. You get the best tube sound with the most versatility available today.
And with the optional dbx TYPE IV™ Conversion System output, you can translate the essence of tube
processing directly to the digital world, without leaving the box. The digital output offers the ability to
communicate in either AES/EBU or S/PDIF at 16, 20, or 24 bit word lengths. In addition, TYPE IV™
offers the ability to select noise shape algorithms and dither types that best suit your music and your
medium. The 566 also has all the rear panel versatility and connectivity that make it easy to setup and
patch into any system. Gold plated Neutrik® connectors for the audio ins and outs ensure solid connec-
tions and pristine sound every time. Separate 1/4" connectors for the sidechain sends and returns, as
well as +4/-10 operating level switching make it a snap to use.

PUTS
onnectors: Female XLR Pin 2 hot and TRS 1/4”
pe: Electronically balanced/unbalanced
mpedance: 20.1 kΩnominal, or 470 kΩwith rear-
panel INST switch engaged
aximum Input Level: > +30 dBu, or +22 dBu with rear-panel
INST switch engaged
UTPUTS
onnectors: Male XLR Pin 2 hot and TRS 1/4”
pe: Servo-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
mpedance: Balanced 120Ω, unbalanced 60Ω
aximum Output Level: +21.5 dBu, balanced or unbalanced
DECHAIN
onnectors: TRS 1/4”
pe: Impedance balanced/unbalanced
(SEND), electronically balanced/unbal-
anced (RETURN)
mpedance: 100Ωbal./50Ωunbal. (SEND), 20kΩ
(RETURN)
ominal Send Level: +4 dBu
ominal Return Level: +4 dBu
OMPRESSOR
eshold range: -40dBu to +20dBu
atio: 1:1 to ∞:1
hreshold Characteristic: Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee
curves
Attack/Release Characteristic: AutoDynamic™
Attack/Release Modes: Selectable Manual or Auto
Manual Attack Time: Scalable program-dependent. Typically
3dB/ms to .04dB/sec
Manual Release Time: Scalable program-dependent. Typically
250dB/sec to 5dB/sec
Auto Attack Time: Program-dependent. Typically 15ms for
10dB, 5ms for 20dB, and 3ms for 30dB
Auto Release Time: Program-dependent. Typically
125dB/sec
Output Gain: -15 to +15dB
PeakPlus LIMITER
Type: Two-stage proprietary
Threshold Range: +4 dBu to >+ 22 dBu (off)
Ratio: ∞:1
Stage 1 Attack and Release Time: Zero
Stage 2 Attack Time: Program-dependent, typically < 5ms
Stage 2 Release Time: Program-dependent, typically 22dB/sec
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
DRIVE Control Range: +10 dB to +60 dB
LEVEL Control Range: -15 dB to +15 dB
0.5 dB Bandwidth: 15 Hz to > 90 kHz +0/-0.5 dB
Frequency Response: <10 Hz to >200 kHz +0/-3.0 dB
EIN: Typically -126 dBu, 150Ωsource
impedance, unweighted, 20 Hz to 20
kHz measurement bandwidth
THD + Noise: 0.04% typical at +0 dBu out, 1kHz, 33
dB gain, 3.5% typical at +21 dBu out,
1kHz, 35 dB gain
Deviation From Linear Phase: < 20 degrees, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Interchannel Crosstalk: Typically -98 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
POWER SUPPLY
Operating Voltage: 100V, 120V, or 220-240VAC 50/60 Hz.
Power Consumption: 30 Watts maximum.
Fuse: 100V: 315mA 250V Slow Blow 5mm X
20mm
120V: 315mA 250V Slow Blow 5mm X
20mm
220-240V: T160 mA 250V 5mm X
20mm
Mains Connection: IEC 320 Receptacle
PHYSICAL
Dimensions: 3.5" H X 19" W X 8" D
Weight: 12 lbs (5.5 kg)
Shipping Weight: 13 lbs (5.9 kg)
Note: 0 dBu = 0.775V RMS. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
VACUUM TUBE COMPRESSOR
566
SHAPEDITHER
566
Vacuum Tube
Compressor
Off: None Off: None
Green: TPDF Green: Shape 1
Red: SNR
2
Red: Shape 2
TYPE IV
CONVERSION SYSTEM
INSERT
LEVEL
METER SOURCE
DRIVE
LEVEL OUTPUT LEVEL
2010 75303+
-
®
DECIBELS
-15
-20 -10
-25 -5
-30 0
DRIVE
dB
-15
0
+15
THRESHOLD
dB
-40
-30
-20 0
0
-
-10
+
+10
+20
CONTOUR BYPASSSC ENABLE
RATIO
1:1
1.2:1
1.5:1 2:1 3:1
6:1
∞:1
ATTACK
dB/mSec
3
1
.35
.04
.15
OverEasy
RELEASE
dB/Sec
250
125 12.5
50
5
UNLINK
AUTO
LEVEL
dB
-15
0
+15
PeakPlus
THRESHOLD
dB
0
+5
+10
Off
+20
+15
SC MON
LIMIT
PEAK
CHANNEL TWO
2010 75303+
-
®
DECIBELS
-15
-20 -10
-25 -5
-30 0
GAIN
REDUCTION
METER SOURCE
DRIVE
LEVEL OUTPUT LEVEL
METER SOURCE
DRIVE
LEVEL OUTPUT LEVEL
DRIVE
dB
-15
0
+15
THRESHOLD
dB
-40
-30
-20 0
0
-
-10
+
+10
+20
CONTOUR BYPASSSC ENABLE
RATIO
1:1
1.2:1
1.5:1 2:1 3:1
6:1
∞:1
ATTACK
dB/mSec
3
1
.35
.04
.15
OverEasy
RELEASE
dB/Sec
250
125 12.5
50
5
AUTO
LEVEL
dB
-15
0
+15
PeakPlus
THRESHOLD
dB
0
+5
+10
Off
+20
+15
SC MON
LIMIT
PEAK
CHANNEL ONE
GAIN
REDUCTION
METER SOURCE
DRIVE
LEVEL OUTPUT LEVEL
bx engineers are constantly working to improve the quality of our products.
pecifications are, therefore subject to change without notice.
®
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
dbx Professional Products
8760 S. Sandy Pkwy.
Sandy, Utah 84070
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Int’l Fax [phone]
[email protected]
http://www.dbxpro.com
A Harman International Company