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Customer Reviews 58 Reviews

4.79 out of 5 stars

by L. Damian (6/1/2013):

After living with it, alongside my only surviving hardware version of it, I pulled my old frien ... Read more

48 Reviews
8 Reviews
2 Reviews
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Overview

dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter Plug-In

Faithful Plug-In Emulation of First Commercially Available VCA Compressor

The dbx 160 Compressor/Limiter is a fully licensed and faithful emulation of the legendary dbx 160 hardware compressor/limiter — still widely considered the best VCA compressor ever made. “VU” is the common nickname for this highly regarded studio staple, famous for its simple control set and firm, distinct compression characteristics. The dbx 160 also has unique nonlinearities not found in other VCA compressors, giving it a sonic distinction from later models. The dbx-endorsed UAD Powered Plug-In version of the VCA VU captures all of the sonic nuances from our “golden” modeling unit, plus the simple control set of the original hardware.

$99.00
$199.00

Reviews

Reviews

  • Neil Mclellan

    (TapeOp)

    "My favortite [UAD Powered Plug-In] is the VCA VU Compressor/Limiter. I love it so much. It's absolutely unbelievable."

    Hans Zimmer

    (The Dark Knight, Gladiator)

    "For years I used an old dbx 160 compressor for drums. So when UA came out with the VCA VU, I was very happy."

    Ed MacFarlane

    (Friendly Fires)

    "I really like it [VCA-VU] & it's really simple... it beefs up the sound & makes the signal from an 808 more interesting."

    Review

    (Computer Music)

    "It's easy to get the VCA VU pumping away. Correctly adjusting the Threshold knob to get the unit working is simple ..."

User Ratings

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Average Rating (58 Reviews)
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    Great Unit
    by L. Damian Guell (Saturday 1 June, 2013)

    After living with it, alongside my only surviving hardware version of it, I pulled my old friend from the rack it lived in and retired it, The plug in version sounds and behaves just like it. I tested it by duplicating a track, inserted the 160 hardware into one, the software 160 into the other, g … Read More

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    by C. Delaney (Tuesday 7 May, 2013)

    I've only used it on vocals and its GREAT on transients.. It just works man...Put a Fairchild on top of it and see what happens.. Well, I love what happens. … Read More

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    dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter Plug-In
    by T. KARIM (Thursday 7 February, 2013)

    I'm Happy with this great comp you can use it for drums or Vocal just a little problem some times with attack (Click) but you can fix it with Spl Transient design . … Read More

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    Loop Master
    by K. Markle (Thursday 3 January, 2013)

    After demoing this on a bunch of loops, it felt like the best solution to really pump up drum loops for use in EDM production. … Read More

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    The best bass and drums compressor by far
    by L. Diaz (Tuesday 25 December, 2012)

    I used this compressor on a side chain buss on my drums  and  the same on my bass on a side chain to make everything more punchy. This is the best compressor by far, it's giving me the sound that no other compressor can do  … Read More

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$99.00
$199.00

Artists

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    R&B Engineer Tremaine Williams

    Tremaine reflects on how UAD Powered Plug-Ins have helped to further his quest for audio perfection. Read More

  • Audio Legend Joe Chiccarelli

    The Grammy-winning producer, mixer, and engineer is responsible for capturing some of modern times’ most beloved sounds. Read More

    Andrew Scheps on Engineering the Chili Peppers

    Andrew Scheps’ engineering and mixing credits read like a who’s who of popular music. Read More

    Thievery Corporation's Chris “Stone” Garrett on UA

    Chris Garrett mixes and engineers Thievery Corporation's spacious organic elements and electronic grooves. Read More

  • Dave Isaac

    There were many recording techniques used in my years as an engineer back in Detroit in the various recording studios. Read More

    Matt Knobel

    Matt Knobel has a great job. A job that many of us covet. He is the head engineer at South Beach's Setai Recording Studio. Read More

$99.00
$199.00
Features & Specs

dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter Plug-In

Features:

  • Plug-in model of dbx 160; first solid-state VCA compressor
  • Modeled discrete version with unique nonlinearities
  • Same simple control set of its analog counterpart
  • Threshold, Compression and Output controls
  • LED threshold indicators just like the original
  • Input/Output/Gain Change VU meter
  • Modeled from desirable ‘non-monolithic’ original design, adding unique nonlinearities
  • Requires a UAD DSP Accelerator Card or Apollo Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide

See the UAD Instance Chart here

$99.00
$199.00

Docs

UAD System Manual

UAD Plug-Ins Manual

UA Product Catalog.pdf

$99.00
$199.00

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