What's the best equivalent of dbx160a in pedal form

Cheers,

Take a few minutes to take a look at the Darkglass Hyper Luminal Compressor.

I think that one of the three types onboard will get you there in a pedal format. It's a power hungry 250mA draw pedal and requires a power supply.

I have the Limited Edition in Black, same thing!

 

There’s nothing dbx160a about the Hyper Luminal. I’d say the Broughton Apex or Empress compressor.

 

Well, that's why I said "take a look at ONE of the three types on a 250mA draw pedal."

I wouldn't use a battery operated Compressor! (60mA/100mA)

 

The Keely Bassist, Maxon CP-9 and DOD Milkbox apparently come close with the DOD actually being designed by dbx. Look here for more details.
www.ovnilab.com

 

Most of the Zoom multi-effects have 160 emulators that work fairly well.

 

Schalltechnik_04 Pumpernickel: Schalltechnik_04 Pumpernickel

It is a DIY kit though - however the review says it's closest competition is the Keeley Bassist, Maxon CP9Pro+, and MXR M87.

 

I just grabbed a Pettyjohn Crush which, like the 160a, is a VCA compressor. I’m familiar with the 160a’s sound and the Crush is in the ballpark. Not an identical sound, but they’re closer than they are different.

 

I encourage you to check the sticky thread on the top of the Effects forum: Testing Compressors: Cali, Smoothie, Empress, Diamond, Keeley, FEA, Darkglass, Doc Lloyd, JHS & more

Also look at ovnilab.com and compressorpedalreviews.com.

 

What does current draw have to do with sounding most like a 160a? I'm not trying to be snarky, just curious if you're familiar with something about the 160a's circuit that is drawing you towards that criteria.

 

I had had the Maxon and have had a dbx 160 for probably 25 years.
Did not care for the Maxon at all and is one of the few reviews that I did not agree with from Cyrus.
Closest for me is the old MXR 143.

 

Gosh Silky,

I was suggesting a product that may work for someone wanting a good pedal compressor that has a great deal of flexibility and is using a bunch of juice to cleanly do what needs to be done. (When a battery may last for 5 hours on 60mA draw and slide out of functional specification.) The OP may want to consider a pedal that is high performance like a studio rack compressor.

He was clearly looking for options as dbx hasn't found the price point market yet for the 160A pedal.

 

Always think half of my dbx166 would be about the same width as my EA Doubler and in the ball-park of quite a few other Class D heads. Don't think I'd get way with an angle grinder with a cutting disk and a soldering iron though (sadly). I've had my old Jazz bass through one side of the 166 and it seemed to be pretty good - better than my Diamond to my ear.

 

From the Keeley Bassist and GC 2 owners manual.

"The THAT Corp 4320 IC, a chip developed by former dbx engineers, has allowed us to produce a foot pedal compressor that in many ways can equal the performance of the legendary dbx 160A..."

 

Keeley GC-2 all the way. Love mine for slap.

 

not particularly helpful, but chiming in that i LOVE the old dbx166a in its use as a bass preamp. i was impressed how well it took being pummeled by a fuzz!

 

I think this is the right answer.

My first ever pedal was DOD Milk box, and I loved the sound and feel. Later I wanted to move on to a smaller and more reliable pedal. I tried a few, until I settled on Keeley Bassist. I keep it at the end of my pedal chain. It just makes everything sound better.

MXR M87 work differently, I think. It feels more like a limiter. It especially clamps hard on low notes. I used it for long, but never really loved it.

 

I dont know if anyone mentioned this, but DBX came in mini, sort of pedal version.
It's called MC6 and it is discontinued, however look on a second hand market