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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 22, 2018 11:02:14 GMT -6
I've been considering getting another Aphex Expressor for tracking (so that I have a stereo pair) and ran across the Aphex 240. Seems like a good deal but I don't know how it sounds. In general I've been impressed with Aphex stuff and was wondering if this could be a real sleeper? Or a good platform for mods? I'm looking for something to use during tracking, mostly acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, sometimes room mics. I'm looking for clean, transparent compression, nothing crazy, just 4-6 db. Really want a set it and forget it comp.
I've also been considering the DBX 166 with revive audio mod, and I've been looking at stuff from Ashley and Symetrix. I'm familiar with DBX 160's but am not sure I want the DBX sound on acoustic instruments. Any input or experience is appreciated.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,971 
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Post by ericn on Jun 22, 2018 11:16:09 GMT -6
240 was a later design aimed at the DBX 166, not bad not an Expressor or a Compellor or a Dominator, these are all very special under appreciated pieces that have more specific uses. I would pass on the 240 and buy the older units, send them to JW for something really special.
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 22, 2018 11:25:54 GMT -6
Thanks, that's what I was wondering. I'll probably get another Expressor in that case. Still interested in a Revive moded DBX 166 though.
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Post by sean on Jun 22, 2018 11:27:54 GMT -6
The Expressor is definitely the stand out Compressor from Aphex. I like DBX 160’s on banjo or mandolin if you are looking to tame peaks, and they can work great on upright bass if you need a little more whack. I’ve never personally used a 166, just 160VU, 162, 165, and 160A/X/XT
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Post by ragan on Jun 22, 2018 11:49:21 GMT -6
I had a Compellor and I’m sorry I sold it. That thing was unreal-transparent. I always think about grabbing another one.
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Post by drbill on Jun 22, 2018 11:51:51 GMT -6
Pass on the 166's....
Buy more Aphex 661 / 651's.
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Post by svart on Jun 22, 2018 12:00:59 GMT -6
They're all shades of the DBX reference designs with some tweaks as far as I've ever been able to tell. Even the derided Alesis 3630 was a direct reference design copy that worked well as long as you didn't get the earlier version that was missing a part and made it work all wonky and gave the 3630 a bad name.
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Post by drbill on Jun 22, 2018 12:07:40 GMT -6
Can't comment on that due to the fact that I'm ignorant of the actual guts. But I CAN comment on the fact that a stock or modded 661/651 sounds NOTHING like a DBX 166. Or even a 160x.
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Post by svart on Jun 22, 2018 12:20:38 GMT -6
Can't comment on that due to the fact that I'm ignorant of the actual guts. But I CAN comment on the fact that a stock or modded 661/651 sounds NOTHING like a DBX 166. Or even a 160x. Sometimes 160's in the same family don't even sound like each other, LOL. I have two XT's that don't even sound the same. They were made on separate ends of the build years with pretty different BOMs apparently. Small tweaks can go a long way to make things sound different, so can parts choices, etc. So while they might be similar, they can sound different, but they can be modded if someone were so inclined. the 160VU is unlike any of the other 160's that's for sure. I prefer the older Aphex stuff myself. It's not very exciting but at least it does what it does pretty well. |
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Post by drbill on Jun 22, 2018 12:30:53 GMT -6
DBX's always have a "sound" to my ears. One that I'm generally not interested in unless I want to put a "point" on the source. On the other hand, the Apex 661/651's are capable of HUGE amounts of GR with virtually no sonic impact.
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 22, 2018 13:15:39 GMT -6
Yeah, I feel like DBX comps always had a grainy sound. My interest in the 166 was if it could modded to be somewhat transparent like the 651. It's probably just best if I get another 651 though.
I do have an Alesis 3630, maybe I'll mod that for fun and see what it can be useful for. I loaned it out to a friend like 15 years ago and never bothered to get it back lol.
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Post by svart on Jun 22, 2018 13:17:54 GMT -6
Yeah, I feel like DBX comps always had a grainy sound. My interest in the 166 was if it could modded to be somewhat transparent like the 651. It's probably just best if I get another 651 though. I do have an Alesis 3630, maybe I'll mod that for fun and see what it can be useful for. I loaned it out to a friend like 15 years ago and never bothered to get it back lol. If you do, check it against the known "bad" version schematic. There was a specific resistor that was left out on the "bad" version that if you install makes those things work like they were supposed to. There's also tons of modding info on them. |
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 22, 2018 13:30:45 GMT -6
Yeah, I feel like DBX comps always had a grainy sound. My interest in the 166 was if it could modded to be somewhat transparent like the 651. It's probably just best if I get another 651 though. I do have an Alesis 3630, maybe I'll mod that for fun and see what it can be useful for. I loaned it out to a friend like 15 years ago and never bothered to get it back lol. If you do, check it against the known "bad" version schematic. There was a specific resistor that was left out on the "bad" version that if you install makes those things work like they were supposed to. There's also tons of modding info on them. Will do! Thx! I know removing the gate from the signal path has been said to be an easy and effective mod, didn't know there was a "faulty" early version build though. |
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Post by svart on Jun 22, 2018 13:44:15 GMT -6
If you do, check it against the known "bad" version schematic. There was a specific resistor that was left out on the "bad" version that if you install makes those things work like they were supposed to. There's also tons of modding info on them. Will do! Thx! I know removing the gate from the signal path has been said to be an easy and effective mod, didn't know there was a "faulty" early version build though. Yeah they made those for quite some time, which is what gave them the bad name. The later ones work fairly well, and on par with all the other VCA designs based on the same architecture. |
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Post by brenta on Jun 22, 2018 13:56:27 GMT -6
I love the Aphex 651. Super transparent. I've thought about getting them modded but not sure how much cleaner they can get, really.
I've got two Symetrix 501. One with the valley people chip and one without. They both sound really cool on bass. The one with the valley people chip has a more characterful tone.
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Post by ragan on Jun 22, 2018 14:05:34 GMT -6
I love the Aphex 651. Super transparent. I've thought about getting them modded but not sure how much cleaner they can get, really. I've got two Symetrix 501. One with the valley people chip and one without. They both sound really cool on bass. The one with the valley people chip has a more characterful tone. Yeah those 501s are super cool. Another comp I regret selling... |
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Post by drbill on Jun 22, 2018 14:13:20 GMT -6
I love the Aphex 651. Super transparent. I've thought about getting them modded but not sure how much cleaner they can get, really. I've got two Symetrix 501. One with the valley people chip and one without. They both sound really cool on bass. The one with the valley people chip has a more characterful tone. Yeah those 501s are super cool. Another comp I regret selling... Quit selling stuff Ragan!!!!!!!  |
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Post by jimwilliams on Jun 26, 2018 17:32:49 GMT -6
I still like my original dbx 166. The low end is extended so it does well on kick and electric bass. I modified the gate with extra side chain controls. It has variable attack, release and gate range controls.
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