dbx 1046 4-Channel Compressor

The 1046 is a simple unit to use with some great features including the PeakStopPlus transient killer.

Sound is amazingly transparent even when used on the main mix. No compressive pumping here.

Even when you get the PeakStopPlus kicking in, the effect is nice and linear sounding, not an abrupt limiter that squishes the whole thing. Most people wont even know it doing it thing.

This sits in the chain after my mixers and eq and in before the amps providing some protection to my speakers and grabbing any nasty transients that our friends the musos create when they pull their cables on an open channel or any other miriad of unexpected/unplanned events.
I sleep better at nights knowing that the 1046 is sitting there keeping an eye on the young guy who runs the board from time to time.

I've had no problems with this unit. It seems solid and well built and does what I ask.

No contact.

This is an indesensible bit of my kit.

4 channels of protection in 1 box with such a clear transperant sound is nice stuff.

If it goes missing I'll grab another (maybe even 2)

This unit is very easy to use with lttle knowledge of compression. The manaul is simple and to the point.

The 1046 is my favorite piece of gear. If you record drums to a digital format this unit is the way to go. The peek stop limiter is great for getting really hot levels without clipping. To me the compression is very transparent. I also have a composer pro and a joe meek compressor and they both sound like ass compared to this one. I use it while tracking and for mixing. I use it on close miked drums, vocals, and bass. It rules for vocals. Gives them a real upfront sound. I push the output gain on it alot too. To me it ads a nice warm sound.

I've used it for years in a very busy inviroment with no problems.

Never had to deal with them...

4 channels of compression in one unit rules.
I am going to buy a second one because you can never have enough good compression. Buy this piece used. You can get it for a lot cheaper. My studio could not funtion without this unit.