dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter
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Experience the quirky VCA compression of the vintage hardware.
The dbx 160 Compressor/Limiter plug-in is a fully licensed, faithful emulation of the legendary studio hardware, capturing the quirky sonics of its colorful VCA compression along with added controls for modern workflows.
Included Versions
UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.
- Add a unique voice and flavor to your compressor toolkit with the first solid-state VCA compressor ever made
- Harness fat compression textures on bass guitar, drum buses, synths, and more
- Give acoustic guitars and snare drums in-your-face “thwack”
- Create with Dry/Wet mix control for quick parallel compression and Sidechain Filter for reduced low-frequency pumping
TAKE A LISTEN
Add Versatile VCA Compression to your Tracks
Whether you’re using it on synths, bass guitar, or a drum bus, the dbx 160 plug-in emulates the original hardware’s grabby, low-end glue and old-school character, full of the same unique nonlinearities that make it a must-have for any engineer’s compressor toolkit.
Simple to Use, Timeless Character
With the same simple control set and at-a-glance metering of the original, the dbx 160 plug-in makes it easy to crush a parallel drum bus, or inject subtle fatness. It can also add aggressiveness and impact to everything from guitar power chords to a hip-hop vocal.
Leveled Up for Modern Workflows
Along with graphic enhancements and improved VU metering, the dbx 160 plug‑in’s Dry/Wet Mix control lets you easily punch up a drum bus with parallel compression, while the added Sidechain Filter lets you keep the low end tight, enhancing the compressor's impact.
5-Minute UAD Tip
In this video, learn how to add parallel compression to drums, even out a bass performance, and bring presence to acoustic guitars with the dbx 160 Compressor/Limiter.
Customer Reviews
R. Mannucci
September 28, 2023
Love the dr Dre dbx!
Much better than the other versions!! Really smooth
Read MoreJ. Fernandez
September 28, 2023
One Punch Man!
I heard a lot about this plugin so I decided to get it. It took me awhile to learn how to use it from videos and reviews. I believe I’m getting better at it. It’s on my list of...
Read MoreJ. Frýbert
September 27, 2023
Amazing
I love UAD compressors and the dbx 160 is definitely one of them. Great on all drum tracks including overheads.
Read More -
Key Features
Add a unique voice and flavor to your compressor toolkit with the first solid-state VCA compressor ever made
Harness fat compression textures on bass guitar, drum buses, synths, and more
Give acoustic guitars and snare drums in-your-face “thwack”
Create with Dry/Wet mix control for quick parallel compression and Sidechain Filter for reduced low-frequency pumping
Use with any audio interface, no UA hardware required
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Customer Reviews
dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter
R. Mannucci
Love the dr Dre dbx!
Much better than the other versions!! Really smooth
J. Avera
Punch King
I love this. Kick Snare punch for days!
I. Hajdu
Perfect
My new favorite vocal and ac.guitar comp. Thanx UAD.
J. Fernandez
One Punch Man!
I heard a lot about this plugin so I decided to get it. It took me awhile to learn how to use it from videos and reviews. I believe I’m getting better at it. It’s on my list of plugins to try to achieve punch on a track now.
m. tery
Classic vintage
The best way to make your kick punchy.
J. Frýbert
Amazing
I love UAD compressors and the dbx 160 is definitely one of them. Great on all drum tracks including overheads.
R. Marzuolo
Compresor/Limiter
This unite works well.
S. Lee
It is real compressor
I'm happy to have it!
F. Flore
Very good compressor
Extraordinary plug-in. I love uad!
A. Giroux
Great compressor
I used this compressor on a Martin hd35 that was tracked with a SM57 . Made the guitar stand out in the mix exactly like I wanted . Glad I got this DBX 160
A. Thierry
Best punch for kick
Just got this master piece for smithing my kick.. and it’s my go to since my deal.. thanks uad
T. Laja
Very Good
Great in vocal. Very good in other instruments.
E. Sokolowski
killer for $39
kudos to UAD for getting the pricing right recently. Its an old plugin but still sounds great and is well worth the sale price
N. Sepulveda
this got pop
it makes your snares pop out of the mix. excellent fast compressor. good for bass too
F. Mico
Merci
Merci
S. Lontano
The snappiest compressor
If you want your kick and snare to litterally punch in you face this is what you need.
It also works really good on bass.E. Romero Rodriguez
Tremendo compresor
Nice comp, i like me
g. yang
great!
Just like my 160!
o. ortiz
Nice punch, fast attack compressor
M. Cordray
Drum Legend
Great on all drums especially sweet on overheads. Love it.
