dbx 266XS

dbx 266XS — 2-Channel VCA Compressor/Limiter/Gate for Live and Studio

The dbx 266XS is a 2-channel VCA compressor, limiter, and gate that pairs patented OverEasy® compression with AutoDynamic™ attack/release control in a single 1U rack chassis. It is engineered for live sound rigs, project studios, and broadcast where engineers need precise dynamics shaping without resorting to plug-in menus. Stereo or dual-mono operation, balanced XLR plus 1/4" TRS I/O on every channel, and True RMS Power Summing™ make the unit equally comfortable on a FOH rack and a studio bus.

Patented OverEasy Compression and AutoDynamic Timings

OverEasy® softens the compression knee so transient peaks pass through before level reduction kicks in, while a switchable hard-knee mode turns the same circuit into an aggressive limiter for vocals and snare that must sit on top of a mix. AutoDynamic™ continuously rescales attack and release to whatever signal is present, keeping the processor musical on acoustic guitar, full drum kits, and bass without manual re-knobbing. Separate precision LED meters for gain reduction, compression threshold, and gate threshold let engineers verify what the unit is doing from any FOH position.

Wide-Range Compressor with Sidechain Insert

A 60 dB-wide threshold window and a ratio that climbs to Infinity:1 give the 266XS true brick-wall limiting behaviour for protecting downstream converters and broadcast chains.

• Threshold Range: -40 dBu to +20 dBu — handles both mic-level feeds and hot line-level sources.
• Ratio: 1:1 to Infinity:1 — extends from gentle 2:1 levelling through to limiter operation.
• Each channel lets you switch between OverEasy® soft-knee and hard-knee threshold behaviour depending on the source material.

Program-Adaptive Expander/Gate per Channel

A dedicated expander/gate runs on each channel using new gate timing algorithms so closure remains smooth and the leading transient of every note is preserved.

• The gate threshold window runs from -60 dBu to +15 dBu, wide enough for low-output ribbons and active DI signals.
• Gate Ratio: 1:1 to 4:1 — usable as a soft downward expander or as a hard gate.
• At <100 µs, the gate attack catches the leading transient of every drum hit and plucked note.

Balanced I/O, True RMS Summing, and 1U Footprint

RF-filtered balanced inputs and outputs on 1/4" TRS and XLR connectors keep the signal chain clean across both balanced and unbalanced sources. Internally the unit delivers under -93 dBu noise, more than 114 dB of dynamic range, and stereo True RMS Power Summing™ for a stable stereo image on the summed bus.

• Inputs / Outputs: 2 × XLR + 2 × 1/4" TRS per side, balanced — electronically balanced/unbalanced with 40 kΩ input impedance.
• Maximum Levels: >+22 dBu in / >+21 dBu out — fits any +4 dBu studio bus without an external pad.
• Sidechain Insert: 1/4" TRS, normalled — Ring = output/send, Tip = input/return for external EQ patching.
• Dynamic Range: >114 dB unweighted — clean headroom across long tracking sessions.
• Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing™ — stable image width when stereo-linked.
• Rack Size: 4.45 × 14.6 × 48.26 cm (1U) — standard 19" full-width, half-depth chassis.
• At just 2.19 kg, the chassis stays light enough for portable racks and touring flight cases when engineers move gear between rooms.