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Post by EmRR on Jan 11, 2021 21:14:08 GMT -6
There's not really a thread here, so why not?
Love?
Hate?
Every remote truck gig I did way back when always had a rack or two, always mainly the comp, the gate, sometimes the EQ.
The release of the dbx 500 series reissues temporarily cratered the used 900 market, but it's bounced back now that they're gone. Still a deal if you like the modules.
One advantage over 500 series, stereo modules, or more connections for side chains, linking, etc.
Disadvantage, old-school wire terminals (except the 2 unit 1RU FS900).
I liked the 902 de-esser so much I bought 4 back before there were decent software de-essers. I like them for high frequency limiting too, drums, slap bass, acoustic guitars. I still like them for vocals, even with software options.
903 comp - I never dislike them, just whether they are the right thing for the source. The negative ratios are crazy! 'Overeasy' soft knee RMS compression, kind of foolproof if it's what you need, good safety valves, have a sound on drums if you go there.
Then I have some 411 type I NR cards, sometimes cool to do something like the Dolby trick with them, encode but don't decode, or vice versa.
Those are the only ones I've tried. There's also the Aphex comp and limiter modules that fit here if I recall correctly, the dbx won't work in the Aphex 9000 racks I believe due to power rail differences. I may have that backwards....
Note the model 208 racks the 400 series NR cards came in are essentially 900 racks BUT a 900 module won't go in without notching the rails, oh well. All the 400 series cards will go in the 900 racks.
Another strange thing: The 900 rack holds 9 modules but only has connections and power for 8! I guess they were thinking spare module storage? The 900A holds/powers/connects 9 modules.
There's at least one Vector card that fits these, with a bit of hacking it's suitable for 900 series DIY work, things like simple 2 channel preamps or mid-side encode/decode would make a lot of sense here.
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Post by sean on Jan 11, 2021 21:22:55 GMT -6
I have a rack with 4 902 de-esser. I’ll have to try the 411 trick.
The Aphex unit will work with the 900 rack. But, they are bit more power hungry so you can’t load up the DBX rack with Aphex units. From what I understand the signal path is identical in the 9651 as the 651 expressor. The rest of the units are probably the same.
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Post by Bat Lanyard on Jan 11, 2021 22:03:19 GMT -6
I've had the older studio tour videos from Warren Huart while reassembling my studio (new furniture) and those things come up a lot. Guitars and vocals. I've got the plugin version that gets used a lot, but it usually takes two of them in series. Would be great to have the room for some hardware units.
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Post by Michael O. on Jan 11, 2021 23:48:34 GMT -6
I think my take on the 900 series is in line your own, EmRR:
902 is pretty excellent (though I usually reach for the Orban 526a on the rare occasion that I need to de-ess vox or cymbals or something)
903 is pretty okay (though the 160’s are still wired to the patchbay, the 903’s are not)
904 is whatever (Kepex and Kepex II are the only expander/gate type modules I use)
911 is cool as an effect, but I keep cumbersome racks of Dolby A gear for a reason.
and I’ve never had a chance to use the 905 eq or the 906 phaser (or flanger?), though I have a feeling they’d be at least okay. The Aphex 9000 stuff is solid, though I don’t own any and have only encountered their modules a couple times.
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Post by EmRR on Jan 12, 2021 8:46:06 GMT -6
The Aphex unit will work with the 900 rack. But, they are bit more power hungry so you can’t load up the DBX rack with Aphex units. From what I understand the signal path is identical in the 9651 as the 651 expressor. The rest of the units are probably the same. That makes sense on power, the dbx use a separate higher power rail for a discrete transistor output driver. |
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Post by delcampo on Apr 19, 2022 10:16:17 GMT -6
Although I find TDR nova can be pretty useful for sibilance suppression, been getting annoyed lately with ITB options alone. They're usually tricky to dial in and either too much to not enough. Thus, just ordered a couple 902's in a the mini frame rack (no 500 series stuff here). Does make sense they could be very useful for other things as well.
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,937 
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Post by ericn on Apr 19, 2022 10:26:46 GMT -6
There's not really a thread here, so why not? Love? Hate? Every remote truck gig I did way back when always had a rack or two, always mainly the comp, the gate, sometimes the EQ. The release of the dbx 500 series reissues temporarily cratered the used 900 market, but it's bounced back now that they're gone. Still a deal if you like the modules. One advantage over 500 series, stereo modules, or more connections for side chains, linking, etc. Disadvantage, old-school wire terminals (except the 2 unit 1RU FS900). I liked the 902 de-esser so much I bought 4 back before there were decent software de-essers. I like them for high frequency limiting too, drums, slap bass, acoustic guitars. I still like them for vocals, even with software options. 903 comp - I never dislike them, just whether they are the right thing for the source. The negative ratios are crazy! 'Overeasy' soft knee RMS compression, kind of foolproof if it's what you need, good safety valves, have a sound on drums if you go there. Then I have some 411 type I NR cards, sometimes cool to do something like the Dolby trick with them, encode but don't decode, or vice versa. Those are the only ones I've tried. There's also the Aphex comp and limiter modules that fit here if I recall correctly, the dbx won't work in the Aphex 9000 racks I believe due to power rail differences. I may have that backwards.... Note the model 208 racks the 400 series NR cards came in are essentially 900 racks BUT a 900 module won't go in without notching the rails, oh well. All the 400 series cards will go in the 900 racks. Another strange thing: The 900 rack holds 9 modules but only has connections and power for 8! I guess they were thinking spare module storage? The 900A holds/powers/connects 9 modules. There's at least one Vector card that fits these, with a bit of hacking it's suitable for 900 series DIY work, things like simple 2 channel preamps or mid-side encode/decode would make a lot of sense here. The 900 stuff is all pretty reasonably priced basic workhorses with a tiny little bit of mojo. Everybody had them because they do the job, especially in the remote world where space is a premium, and all the broadcast guys knew DBX. I always found it interesting how many home brew racks you would find back in the 70-90s with a combination of Aphex, DBX and Valley modules. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2022 16:33:21 GMT -6
Although I find TDR nova can be pretty useful for sibilance suppression, been getting annoyed lately with ITB options alone. They're usually tricky to dial in and either too much to not enough. Thus, just ordered a couple 902's in a the mini frame rack (no 500 series stuff here). Does make sense they could be very useful for other things as well. . De-ess button in vocal comp view. Works well. Annihilates sibilants. u-he.com/products/presswerk/assets/images/uhe-presswerk-screenshot-vocalcomp-1000x688.jpg |
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Post by kyamcalvert on Apr 19, 2022 17:33:07 GMT -6
I love my 902s. I have 3. The comps and EQs are what they are - tools. Tools can come in useful.
It's not some vibey mojo machine, but it can effectively reduce dynamic range without destroying the material.
Might not be some magic fairy sauce warm thick shimmering wide orgasmic whack-a-thon....but it can boost and cut frequencies without maiming the living hell out of the signal.
These pieces of gear are probably why I don't have "things I do" to every mix/instrument/session. I can only make decisions on what a sound needs or doesn't need and use my tools as a means to that end. DBX 900 is pretty great in that regard.
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Post by robschnapf on Apr 19, 2022 21:00:57 GMT -6
I used to love the 902s For D essing but for me Nothing beats the XQP 2531.
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Post by delcampo on Apr 20, 2022 8:54:25 GMT -6
Wondering if there's any recap, or mod path that makes sense for the 902, EmRR Doug? Not yet sure how transparent-ish it might otherwise be. Not sweating it much and maybe not worth exploring too much but curious, as I got a decent deal on them because one the 2 in the mini rack is said to have an issue? (unspecific) and might have to have a tech take a look anyway. |
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Post by jerrypbury on Apr 20, 2022 9:13:51 GMT -6
There's not really a thread here, so why not? Love? Hate? Every remote truck gig I did way back when always had a rack or two, always mainly the comp, the gate, sometimes the EQ. The release of the dbx 500 series reissues temporarily cratered the used 900 market, but it's bounced back now that they're gone. Still a deal if you like the modules. One advantage over 500 series, stereo modules, or more connections for side chains, linking, etc. Disadvantage, old-school wire terminals (except the 2 unit 1RU FS900). I liked the 902 de-esser so much I bought 4 back before there were decent software de-essers. I like them for high frequency limiting too, drums, slap bass, acoustic guitars. I still like them for vocals, even with software options. 903 comp - I never dislike them, just whether they are the right thing for the source. The negative ratios are crazy! 'Overeasy' soft knee RMS compression, kind of foolproof if it's what you need, good safety valves, have a sound on drums if you go there. Then I have some 411 type I NR cards, sometimes cool to do something like the Dolby trick with them, encode but don't decode, or vice versa. Those are the only ones I've tried. There's also the Aphex comp and limiter modules that fit here if I recall correctly, the dbx won't work in the Aphex 9000 racks I believe due to power rail differences. I may have that backwards.... Note the model 208 racks the 400 series NR cards came in are essentially 900 racks BUT a 900 module won't go in without notching the rails, oh well. All the 400 series cards will go in the 900 racks. Another strange thing: The 900 rack holds 9 modules but only has connections and power for 8! I guess they were thinking spare module storage? The 900A holds/powers/connects 9 modules. There's at least one Vector card that fits these, with a bit of hacking it's suitable for 900 series DIY work, things like simple 2 channel preamps or mid-side encode/decode would make a lot of sense here. Just putting my home studio back together after 5 years in storage. I remember really liking these units years ago. Can’t wait to use them again. Attachments:
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Post by EmRR on Apr 20, 2022 10:32:12 GMT -6
Wondering if there's any recap, or mod path that makes sense for the 902, EmRR Doug? Not yet sure how transparent-ish it might otherwise be. Not sweating it much and maybe not worth exploring too much but curious, as I got a decent deal on them because one the 2 in the mini rack is said to have an issue? (unspecific) and might have to have a tech take a look anyway. I haven't felt the need to go there. I'm sure they could be cleaner maybe, but I don't have a compelling need. I would suspect the power supply caps in the frame would be the most important part to address in any of these, given age. |
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Post by sean on Apr 20, 2022 11:22:56 GMT -6
Jim Williams offers upgrades for the 902’s. Later models uses THAT 2180s (I think) instead of the gold can DBX VCAs which might be a bit clearer
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Post by EmRR on Apr 20, 2022 11:27:11 GMT -6
I have yet to encounter one of the gold can types
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,937
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Post by ericn on Apr 20, 2022 11:39:23 GMT -6
I have yet to encounter one of the gold can types A DBX rep told me that maybe 1/10th of all the modules had gold cans. A tech I very much respect once told me “yes there are gold and that will blow your socks off, there are also gold cans that sound like ass, modern that might not quite equal the best of the gold cans but I can almost guarantee that if you put 2 That VCA’s side bye side they will perform the exact same, gold cans well you might find your soundstage all over the place. |
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Post by delcampo on Apr 20, 2022 12:00:16 GMT -6
Wondering if there's any recap, or mod path that makes sense for the 902, EmRR Doug? Not yet sure how transparent-ish it might otherwise be. Not sweating it much and maybe not worth exploring too much but curious, as I got a decent deal on them because one the 2 in the mini rack is said to have an issue? (unspecific) and might have to have a tech take a look anyway. I haven't felt the need to go there. I'm sure they could be cleaner maybe, but I don't have a compelling need. I would suspect the power supply caps in the frame would be the most important part to address in any of these, given age. Thanks for mentioning. I'll have to see if the 2nd 902 actually needs any service or not. If it does, might actually be an issue in the frame connections, in which case might do the psu caps. |
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Post by seditionary on Apr 21, 2022 3:04:11 GMT -6
I love the 902's for de-essing, but also as effect modules -- they sound great.
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Post by delcampo on Jul 13, 2022 11:51:47 GMT -6
I haven't felt the need to go there. I'm sure they could be cleaner maybe, but I don't have a compelling need. I would suspect the power supply caps in the frame would be the most important part to address in any of these, given age. fwiw, I couldn't get the 902's to work going into the patchbay that feed the consoles Bal ins. (they only worked going straight into the Dangerous AD+) So I got a reverse the hot pin kinda XLR adapter and they sure enough work now using the console ins. But, they seem to be about 3db or so hotter of a signal. Wondering if you ever noticed this in yours Doug, or if there might be an explanation for that? Otherwise might ask the tech to do at least a recap on the frames PSU ...if not more? I'm finding them very useful in more cases than just d essing going in. So wanna make sure there's not any noticeable degradation if used on busses etc during mix or whatever. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 13, 2022 12:29:02 GMT -6
Since this thread is back, I keep seeing 500 DBX stuff used, BUT under the radar I see listings with noisy switches and pots and if you really press the more common listings yeah the pots and switches make noise, 900 was built like 70’s pro gear l. 500 prosumer.
Think a 560 has as much in common with a 266 as a 160a.
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Post by EmRR on Jul 13, 2022 13:32:29 GMT -6
I haven't felt the need to go there. I'm sure they could be cleaner maybe, but I don't have a compelling need. I would suspect the power supply caps in the frame would be the most important part to address in any of these, given age. fwiw, I couldn't get the 902's to work going into the patchbay that feed the consoles Bal ins. (they only worked going straight into the Dangerous AD+) So I got a reverse the hot pin kinda XLR adapter and they sure enough work now using the console ins. But, they seem to be about 3db or so hotter of a signal. Wondering if you ever noticed this in yours Doug, or if there might be an explanation for that? Otherwise might ask the tech to do at least a recap on the frames PSU ...if not more? I'm finding them very useful in more cases than just d essing going in. So wanna make sure there's not any noticeable degradation if used on busses etc during mix or whatever. I've noticed that in a couple cases, can't recall what I thought through about it. I haven't noticed an obvious gain difference. |
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Post by forgotteng on Aug 7, 2022 14:52:47 GMT -6
Love my 900's I have 902's 903's and 905's. The 902's are a bit magical on vocals. I have 3 903's and 2 905's all modded by revive audio.
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