dbx 560A Compressor/Limiter - 500 Series

Submitted by Denise Azucena on Dec. 4, 2020..

92

GEARANK

92 out of 100. Incorporating 80+ ratings and reviews.

dbx 560A Compressor/Limiter - 500 Series

Gearank Recommendation

The dbx 560A was on our recommended list for 500 Series Compressors from May 2017 until December 2020 when it had been out-ranked by other compressors.

Rating Source Highlights
Website	Source	*Rating Value
TapeOp	Geoff Stanfield	98/100
Bonedo	Hannes Bieger	90/100

*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

Overview

The 560A offers a classic hard knee compression and OverEasy mode - that's dbs's soft knee mode. It incorporates dBx's program-dependent attack and release times.

It is a natural sounding dynamic processor with a wide-ranging threshold, ratio and output controls and true RMS level detection.

Its "Infinity +" inverse-compression feature decreases the audio output level when the input exceeds the threshold beyond unity gain, which is useful in live settings when you need to control mix levels of extremely loud signals.

At an affordable price, the 560A gives you broad range compression options to use for recording different instruments.

Specifications

Controls: Threshold, Ratio, Output
Input/Output Impedance:40k Ohm balanced, 20k Ohm unbalanced / Balanced 30 Ohm, unbalanced 15 Ohm
Maximum Input Levels/Output Levels: +22dBu
Attack: 15ms for 10dB, 5ms for 20dB, 3ms for 30dB
Release: 8ms for 1dB, 80ms for 10dB, 400ms for 50dB; 125dB/Sec Rate
Ratio: 1:1 to infinity: 1, to -1:1
Threshold: -40 dBu to +20 dBu
Power Requirements: +/- 16VDC
Dimensions (H x W x D): 5.25” x 1.5” x 6”
Weight: 1.3 lbs

Although this was previously on our recommended list, there are now more highly rated options available which you can see in our guide to The Best 500 Series Compressors.