Waves DBX 160 Compressor / Limiter
Estimated Shipping Widget will be displayed here!
Couldn't load pickup availability
Information
Information
Manufacturer Information
Waves
https://www.waves.com
------------------------
Safety manager:
Woodbrass.com
Email: support@woodbrass.com
Address:
What is Waves dbx 160 Used For?
Waves dbx 160 is a compressor / limiter plugin inspired by a classic VCA compressor, designed to shape the attack, stabilize dynamics, and provide immediate foundation to sources. It excels on percussive elements (kick, snare, toms, room mics), on bass (electric or synth), and more broadly on any track or bus where you seek a tight, punchy, and clear sound without excessive coloration. In modern production, it also becomes a quick ally to thicken rap vocals, beef up an instrument bus, or control overly aggressive transients.
Main Features
The dbx Punch, From Subtlety to Crushing
The dbx 160's signature lies in its extremely fast response and compression that can remain surprisingly transparent when used sparingly. Pushed harder, it becomes a true machine for "gluing" drums together and bringing out the body of sounds, with that firm and energetic character that made it famous on drums and bass.
Instant Parallel Compression (Mix)
The Mix control allows you to dial in parallel compression without complex routing: you can squash the signal to add body and sustain, then blend back the dry sound to retain natural attack. Very effective on a drum bus, snare, picked bass, or dynamic synths.
High-Pass Sidechain Filter to Keep a Solid Low End
The high-pass sidechain filter is an essential addition in today's context: it helps prevent the kick or low notes from over-triggering the compression. The result is a fuller and better-controlled low-end, particularly useful on kick, bass, and 808s.
Modern Matrixing: Linked Stereo, Dual Mono, and Mid-Side
To adapt to current mixes, the plugin offers several modes: Linked Stereo for coherent compression on a stereo bus, Dual Mono to process left and right independently, and Mid-Side to work separately on the center and sides. Handy for solidifying a center (kick, snare, bass) while controlling the stereo ambiance of a drum bus or wide instrument.
Modeled Analog Signal Path and Noise Parameter
By reducing compression and adjusting the threshold, you can enjoy a more "analog" feel through the modeled signal path. To enhance authenticity, a noise parameter allows adding a subtle hiss, depending on the desired aesthetic.
Technical specifications
| Type | Full software | Downloadable | Yes |
| Mac | macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14 | Disk Space | 16 GB |
| Windows | Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11 | Operating modes | Linked Stereo, Dual Mono, Mid-Side |
| Memory | 8 GB | ||
Questions frequently asked
Is the Waves DBX 160 suitable for compressing drums and bass?
Its fast response helps to enhance the attack of a kick, snare, or toms, while stabilizing an electric or synth bass.
Does the plugin offer parallel compression?
The Mix control directly blends the compressed and dry signals. It allows increasing body and sustain without losing the natural attack. This feature is particularly useful on a drum bus or a pick-played bass.
How to prevent the kick from triggering the compressor too much?
A sidechain high-pass filter reduces the influence of low frequencies on the compression detector. This way, the low end can retain more presence on a kick, bass, or 808.
Which stereo modes are available on the Waves DBX 160 Compressor / Limiter?
Three modes are available: Linked Stereo, Dual Mono, and Mid-Side. Linked Stereo processes a stereo bus collectively, Dual Mono separates the left and right channels, and Mid-Side allows distinct processing of the center and side signals.
What are the system requirements to install this plugin?
Installation requires 8 GB of RAM and 16 GB of disk space. Compatibility covers macOS Catalina 10.15 through Sonoma 14, as well as Windows 10 64 bit and Windows 11.
