It is a close reproduction of the  902 module from dbx’s old 900 series and as such is a beautifully effective piece of audio design. Based upon the classic dbx 905, the dbx 530 is an uncompromising equalizer offering true, fully parametric operation of all three filter bands! The inner pot controls gain boost or cut up to 15dB and also offers a problem-frequency-killing ‘infinite notch’ mode when switched fully anti-clockwise. The 520 allows you to create brilliant, crisp vocals without sibilance!…, The dbx 530 Parametric EQ offers a unique degree of equalization flexibility in the popular 500 Series format. The three frequency bands overlap, with an overall range of 20Hz to 20kHz. Last issue we put the new dbx 580 mic pre through its paces and liked what we heard. To control third-party cookies, you can also adjust your browser settings. The outer pot sweeps between gentle bell curve and tight peak EQ curves while another continuously variable knob dials in the required frequency. The 510 really packs a whallop down low and is a great tool for reinforcing deep frequencies in things like drum, bass and synthesiser parts. dbx 560A Compressor/Limiter 500 Series Module at a Glance:. Compared with the plug-ins I sometimes use to extract extra bottom end from sounds, the 510 produces much more refined and ‘natural’ sounding results. Two compression modes cover drums, vocals, strings, piano, guitars, and more. And, the dbx 560A's unique "INFINITY +" inverse-compression mode actually decreases the audio output level below unity gain when the input exceeds threshold, a real lifesaver for correcting overbearing vocal choruses and controlling runaway mix levels. I don't think I have ever heard anyone say they hated them. I was most interested in the dbx 560A, ... although I am partial to some compressors in my rack for certain tasks such as bass and vocals, so I struggle to go anywhere else. The 560A Compressor Limiter is unashamedly based on the design of the evergreen 160A rack unit model, a mainstay of live and studio racks just about everywhere for the last 20 years or so. On guitars and bass there is a subtle thickening of tone in the low mids which is very welcome, while on kick and snare the 560A can do subtle or dramatic dynamic work on your signals while imparting a satisfying thud to drum sounds. The 530 by contrast is a heavily populated 500 series module with three bands of fully parametric EQ. The 560A's 19-segment, switchable Input/Output LEDs and 12-segment Gain Reduction LEDs provide precise analysis at a glance. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Beyond-infinity compression ratios protect against extreme peaks. DBX 560a review | Hear it on vocals, Kick and Snare! The dbx 560A Compressor/Limiter offers legendary VCA-based compression in the increasingly popular 500 Series format. Vocals sent through the dbx come out the other end both tonally unmolested and nicely controlled. It’s super musical, very hard to get wrong and it doesn’t suck all the joy out of your top end. Terms of Service apply. Props to dbx for recognising the fact and regurgitating it here for a new generation of audio engineers… love it! Meanwhile the 510 and 520 address more specialised needs and do so with quality sonic results. Put your overly bright, cheap and nasty modern condenser recorded vocal or spiky 4kHz-heavy acoustic guitar signal through this device, set your de-essing threshold and your amount controls to around midday and hit enable… job done. I’ve recorded guitars and drums with it and it does the job really well. Copy and paste the link below to share this page: For decades, dbx’s patented Subharmonic Synthesis has rattled foundations enhancing the bass in a variety of professional applications including nightclub and DJ mixing, theatre and film sound, music recording, live music performance and broadcasting. At the top of the unit another switch engages either hard-knee or ‘over easy’ compression curves and a dedicated trio of LEDs shows when the signal is below, at or above the knee of either curve. dbx 560A Compressor/Limiter 500 Series module now available, HARMAN’s dbx Introduces PowerRack8 Power Supply for 500 Series Processors, OverEasy® or classic hard knee compression with dbx’s ultra-musical program dependent attack and release times, Compression ratio variable from 1:1 through infinity:1 to -1:1, Precise RMS gain reduction and input/output meter displays with calibration control for different operating levels, Exclusive Infinity+ compression using negative ratios. Finally comes the 510 Subharmonic Synth, the joker in the pack and certainly the dbx module that bucks the small-coloured-knob trend of its siblings. I’ve said this before in this magazine and I’ll say it again — I really do think the 902 de-essing circuit (and now 520) still pulls down the pants of every software de-essing plug-in I’ve heard. DBX 560a is a cheap and good sounding VCA compressor based on the classic DBX 160a, simple controls, really easy to use. However, be warned that this module has the ability to really mess up your signal path with excessive frequencies below 50Hz. Covid-19: Latest status update from Sound Technology Ltd. Read more. The 560A is less than $200. Sometimes this only becomes clear when you hit the bypass button and hear what the original sound actually was. Program-dependent attack and release times that you can trust. This full-featured dynamics controller is a studio workhorse: use it to tame peaks and signal spikes, use it for gentle smoothing and sonic fortification, or even use it as a brickwall limiter at the end of a processing chain. Choose low ratios and OverEasy compression to expertly smooth out fluctuating vocal and instrumental levels, or use the 560A's Hard Knee compression and high ratios for bombproof protection against overload distortion in digital recording, P.A. I have "utility" 500-series compressors that are more than double the cost, and the 560A does the basics and has the ability to go to extremes. On guitars and bass there is a subtle thickening of tone in the low mids which is very welcome, while on kick and snare the 560A can do subtle or dramatic dynamic work on your signals while imparting a satisfying thud to drum sounds.