BBring a more professional sound to your live or studio mix with the dbx 266xs Dual Compressor/Gate. Engineered by the inventors of compressor technology, the 266xs delivers smooth, musical dynamics control that is essential for shaping a polished, cohesive mix.

Whether you want to smooth out uneven vocal levels, add sustain to guitars, tighten up drums, or fatten your overall mix, the 266xs makes it simple. Its patented Overeasy® compression ensures transparent performance, while the AutoDynamic™ attack and release controls give you professional sound without complicated adjustments.

The 266xs operates in stereo or dual-mono modes, features true RMS power summing, and provides balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. Visual feedback is intuitive with separate LED displays for gain reduction, compression threshold, and gate threshold, allowing for fast, precise setup. Side-chain insert capability expands creative control over your dynamics processing.

DBX 266xs Key Features

  • Overeasy® Compression for smooth, musical dynamics

  • AutoDynamic™ Attack and Release Controls for easy operation

  • Dual Mono or Stereo Operation

  • Program-Adaptive Expander/Gates with smooth release characteristics

  • Separate Precision LED Displays for Gain Reduction, Compression Threshold, and Gate Threshold

  • Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS Inputs and Outputs

  • Side Chain Insert for advanced dynamic processing

  • Classic dbx® "Auto" Mode for simplified setup

DBX 266xs Specifications

Input Connectors 1/4" TRS and female XLR (pin 2 hot)
Input Type Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Input Impedance 40kΩ balanced/unbalanced
Max Input >+22dBu Balanced or Unbalanced
Output Connectors 1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot)
Output Type Impedance-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Output Impedance +4dBu: 100Ω balanced, 50Ω unbalanced; -10dBu: 1kΩ balanced, 500Ω unbalanced
Max Output >+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2kΩ or greater; >+18dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600Ω)
Sidechain 1/4" TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); tip = Input (return)
Sidechain Impedance Tip = >10kΩ (Input), Ring = 2kΩ (Output)
Sidechain Max Input Level Tip = >+22dBu (Input)
Sidechain Max Output Level Ring = >+20dBu (Output)
Compressor Threshold Range -40dBu to +20dBu
Compressor Threshold Characteristic Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee
Compressor Ratio 1:1 to Infinity:1
Compressor Attack Time Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic™
Compressor Release Time Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic™
Expander/Gate Threshold Range -60dBu to +15dBu
Expander/Gate Ratio 1:1 to 4:1
Expander/Gate Attack Time <100µs
Expander/Gate Release Time Program-dependent
Bandwidth 0.35Hz - 90kHz, +0/-3dB
Frequency Response Flat: 20Hz-20kHz, +0, -0.5dB
Noise <-93dBu unweighted (22kHz measurement bandwidth)
THD+Noise Typically <0.2%; Any Amount of Compression @1kHz
IMD Typically <0.2% SMPTE
Dynamic Range >114 dB, unweighted
Interchannel Crosstalk <-95dB, 20Hz to 20kHz
CMRR >40dB, typically >55dB at 1kHz
Stereo Coupling True RMS Power Summing™
Power Consumption 15 Watts Maximum
Operating Voltage 100VAC 50/60Hz; 120VAC 60Hz; 230VAC 50/60Hz
Operating Temperature 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Dimensions 1.75" x 5.75" x 19" (4.45 cm x 14.6 cm x 48.26 cm )
Unit Weight 4.84 lbs (2.19 kg)
Shipping Weight 6.6 lbs (2.99 kg)
Reference 0dBu = 0.775Vrms
List price: $337.50
Price: $270.00