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Post by cademan7 on Nov 25, 2015 17:12:19 GMT -6
Hi, I was thinking about purchasing a couple of dvx 560a 500 series compressors, but I'm wondering how they compare to the 160's. Anybody have experience with both?
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Post by mulmany on Nov 25, 2015 17:32:44 GMT -6
Hi, I was thinking about purchasing a couple of 560a 500 series compressors, but I'm wondering how they compare to the 160's. Anybody have experience with both? If you are handy with an iron I would look at silent:arts' kits over on groupdiy.com. Volker is a part of the 51x alliance with Jeff of CAPI. Been toying with the idea of replacing my 2 903's with two of his w/transformers |
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Post by tasteliketape on Nov 25, 2015 17:49:27 GMT -6
Also a couple pages over there is a discussion
Where sweetwater had them on sale
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Post by Guitar on Nov 25, 2015 18:06:46 GMT -6
I do have some 560A for sale, PM me if interested. I don't have them listed in the forum for sale yet but I probably should.
I'm just working from memory here, no direct comparison, but I hear the 560A as being slightly more transparent sounding than the X or XT.
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Post by cademan7 on Nov 25, 2015 18:34:16 GMT -6
I do have some 560A for sale, PM me if interested. I don't have them listed in the forum for sale yet but I probably should. I'm just working from memory here, no direct comparison, but I hear the 560A as being slightly more transparent sounding than the X or XT. Everything I've heard about them is great. Just having trouble finding any sound demos. But seems like a good buy, especially for the money. I'd interested in purchasing a couple from you, except I don't have the cash right now. I'll probably opt for Sweetwater's three payments option. They have a set of two for $300. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Nov 25, 2015 19:00:36 GMT -6
the older 160's have better electronics
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Post by odyssey76 on Nov 25, 2015 19:56:13 GMT -6
I know that jeromemason has a bunch of experience with the 560A and has said good things. Dont know how the 560 stacks up against the 160 series but I've had very good luck with the 160A for tracking bass and punching up kick and snare. There's a thread devoted to the 560a on RGO. I'll see if I can dig it up. |
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Post by odyssey76 on Nov 25, 2015 19:57:48 GMT -6
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Post by Ward on Nov 27, 2015 11:10:20 GMT -6
Part 1:
Someone please describe the sound of a 160 (VU, or similar) and put it in comparison with other standards in the industry.
(next part after that)
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Post by mulmany on Nov 27, 2015 14:23:16 GMT -6
Part 1: Someone please describe the sound of a 160 (VU, or similar) and put it in comparison with other standards in the industry. (next part after that) Soft and gritty! It rounds sources but still leaves a presence to the signal. They can get gritty but in a good way. IMO edit… I don't think they sound like anything else, since they started the VCA comp tech. I have never heard anything do what the VU does. I am getting a pair of silent:arts 500 series 903's with the transformer output option. Hoping it is a cheaper alternative to a real vintage 160VU. The original 903 gets close I think, about the same as a 160. So hoping the 903-51x is between a VU and a XT. |
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Post by rocinante on Nov 27, 2015 18:02:08 GMT -6
Yep what Ward said and I'll add the 160 is great for drums especially kick and snare. Gives them both more girth. Great for rock, metal, hip hop, where yiu need the drums to sound heavier. Ill occcasionally have them on the drum bus during mixing as well. Ive also used the 160 with bass and gotten excellent results.
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Post by jeromemason on Nov 28, 2015 3:05:25 GMT -6
I know that jeromemason has a bunch of experience with the 560A and has said good things. Dont know how the 560 stacks up against the 160 series but I've had very good luck with the 160A for tracking bass and punching up kick and snare. There's a thread devoted to the 560a on RGO. I'll see if I can dig it up. They're just like a rack unit.... same thing. I modded mine because I wanted the same style of compression character but was looking for a smoother/creamier sound so I could use them on more sources. |
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Post by Randge on Nov 28, 2015 10:35:48 GMT -6
I dig them from time to time but their sound/color can show up a little too much if not handled with finesse.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,966 
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Post by ericn on Nov 28, 2015 19:03:43 GMT -6
The single space 160 family have always had a love hate relationship,
In my early years I was handed racks of these in the world of wedges and FOH, the simplicity of the controls and what has to be the best impilenention of metering in a dynamics device always meant you could get where you needed to be damn quick and when you found your self mid bill in the world of live this was what it was all about.
JW's mods make these things more transparent, but if you start drinking the JW Fiji water ( koolaid is far to colored for JW) you will enter the world of Aphex and see how far the world of VCA' s will go.
Still the 160 LED family is the affordable high end comp and Its one of the things that will always have a home in my rack.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,966
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Post by ericn on Nov 28, 2015 19:07:37 GMT -6
I know that jeromemason has a bunch of experience with the 560A and has said good things. Dont know how the 560 stacks up against the 160 series but I've had very good luck with the 160A for tracking bass and punching up kick and snare. There's a thread devoted to the 560a on RGO. I'll see if I can dig it up. They're just like a rack unit.... same thing. I modded mine because I wanted the same style of compression character but was looking for a smoother/creamier sound so I could use them on more sources. Spending a couple of hours with Jerome in his small room is a humbling experience, the man is as talented as anybody and when you look at how simple his collection of gear is you realize if he likey You should buy in! |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Nov 28, 2015 19:44:34 GMT -6
I dig them from time to time but their sound/color can show up a little too much if not handled with finesse. You hit on the hate part of my 160 LED relationship Randy, but as somebody who's been at this for a while can you honestly think of anything in the price range that can offer as much if you finesse it? And that's the love part! |
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Post by Randge on Nov 28, 2015 23:13:45 GMT -6
Yeah, it really works when it works!
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Post by forgotteng on Nov 29, 2015 15:39:43 GMT -6
I have 2 903's that were modded by revive audio and they fit the bill more times than not. I was also curious about the 560's. I just bought a pair of the new deessers and the build quality is great. I still need to A/B with my 902s but it seems like a very un-sexy work horse.
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Post by Ward on Nov 29, 2015 19:57:47 GMT -6
So that little 750cycle 'pock' sound when a drum hits the threshold... that still a feature?
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Post by sean on Dec 1, 2015 20:33:03 GMT -6
Here's some comparisons of the 560A and a refreshly calibrated 160VU I made. www.dropbox.com/sh/zbgkfomz4uoit6c/AADZ1awpgOxWvr9D94fkNNdXa?dl=0I like the sound of DBXs, the fast attack can be nice on peaky mandolin or banjo, bringing out the fingers on a bass, adding attack to a vocal, making a snare sound like a fish being slapped on the ground... The VU's are more colored, the 560A sounds better to me on kick drum because it retains the low end better. For a $150 each can't really think of a better affordable compressor...except maybe a used 160XT  |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 1, 2015 20:39:50 GMT -6
I haven't compared the old to the new, but I have 3 560's and dig them. Want another pair. Can't beat the price.
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Post by drbill on Dec 1, 2015 20:41:39 GMT -6
For a $150 each can't really think of a better affordable compressor... I can. Aphex 661/651. Tons more versatility and better sounding IMO, but I'll admit to having 4 661's and 4 560's so I guess maybe it's a draw. Still, if I could have only one it would def be the 661. |
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Post by sean on Dec 1, 2015 20:44:08 GMT -6
Well, I should have said "new" compressor.
I also like 661's, I like the added over-easy circuit. I like that there's a jumper on the inside that bypasses the tube stage
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Post by drbill on Dec 1, 2015 20:54:13 GMT -6
Well, I should have said "new" compressor. I'd agree with you there! <thumbsup> Is there even any other compressors available for $150 street? |
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Post by sean on Dec 1, 2015 21:01:26 GMT -6
PMI Audio has been selling their 500 series Joe Meek compressor for $150. The FMR RNC1773 is $175 which is pretty close...
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