A Vintage-Accurate Recreation of the dbx 160VU, Now In Stereo
With the 260VU, AudioScape set out to recreate the world’s first VCA compressor, the dbx 160 - commonly known as the dbx 160VU - in a format better suited to the modern studio, while retaining all the vintage elements that set originals apart from modern day VCA-based compressors and “clones.”
After years of R&D, some wizardry from their lead mechanical engineer Ryan Schmied, and a crucial helping hand from Matt Walton at Iron Age Audioworks, AudioScape was finally able to bring this old-school design back to life - dissecting and rebuilding the critical black can dbx VCA’s from the ground up, populating the PCB with NOS and vintage-accurate components, and recreating the quirky 1970s front panel design that lent the original much of its charm.
Being no fans of the half-rack format found in many studio pieces of the era, AudioScape went ahead and simply combined two units into a single enclosure, just as many original 160VU owners eventually did with a separate rackmounting kit.
Punch, Smack, and Vintage VCA Vibe For Days
Even though the basic VCA compressor topology invented by dbx would go on to inspire dozens of new designs, no unit since has quite captured the original’s remarkable ability to add instant punch to nearly any source, controlling unruly dynamics while also imparting a smooth, 1970s-vintage vibe to the source. Modern VCA compression is often described as clean and transparent, which it generally is - and while this is certainly no tube or FET-based circuit, the sound of the original 160 has far more character than its modern imitators.
Vintage Components = Vintage Character
Much of the sound of the 160VU has to do with the construction and component choice unique to that era. Modern components with the same values simply won’t perform or behave the same. So AudioScape did as they always do with AudioScape designs, and hunted down all the vintage NOS parts that made the original first generation VCA’s behave the way they do.
Another critical part of the dbx 160VU’s compression behavior lies in the original RMS detector circuit that was later updated and “improved” in subsequent designs. AudioScape wanted to nail what dbx did the first time, so they sourced vintage CA3083 and silver can LM301 op amps, just like the original. Parts really matter in this section of the circuit.
Instant “Punch” In A Box
The resulting compressor is amazing on any percussive source, including many bass instruments, and it can surprise you on plenty of others, including vocals! It especially shines on electronic drums, making it an excellent choice for hip-hop and electronic music production. Plus, the stereo configuration allows you to effortlessly apply this same killer punch and snap to keyboards, drum sub-groups, and even the mix buss.
Simply put, if you’re looking for an instant “punch” or “smack” button for your mixes, the 260VU is it - times two!
