Those of you experiencing distortion, are you sure it's the 160SL distorting? It has an impressive dynamic range (close to 130dB if memory serves me well). Mine is clean with tons of headroom. Could it be the devices before or after in your chains distorting?

Sure, if you push the limiter you get distortion as an arthefact from heavy compression but it should not be the audio path distorting.

I think it can handle a +30dB VU signal which is more than most.

I find that most every time the 160SL is distorting is due because of user error. The 160SL is capable of having such fast attack and release times that when not set correctly, distortion can occur. This is unlike many to most other compressors that don't allow the same capability to ensure that it won't distort at any user setting.

In addition, since the mastered skill of understanding and using any compressor in general clearly alludes the majority of people who are using compressors these days, this is should come as no big surprise.

Oh, brother. Welcome to Gearslutz. With Overeasy and Auto activated there are three frign' knobs. And almost everyone is using the same ratio settings. I know compression is overused but it isn't all that hard to figure out. Brother.

The distortion for me is most present when using the compressor for program material, 2 buss. As written, I only hear it when the Output is pushed.

Your comments fit my assertion. Using only three knobs and you still get distortion. Seems pretty clear that you still haven't quite figured it all out. If you really did understand what I was referring to you would know that a compressor even with only one-knob can be used incorrectly. It's not about the amount of knobs, it's how they are used. You may be better off not using a 2-buss compressor.

I have a Dbx 162sl on the bus going into a Drawmer 1968. Sounds great.

Thank you for your advice. I'll pass on it. It sounds like you are self congratulatory on compressor usage. Yes, there are compressors with one button and they pretty darn easy to use.

I think it is rather pompous to actively participate in a conversation and then suddenly state to those in it, oh, by the way, you don't know what you are doing. Several people reported that they experience distortion with the DBX 160 SL. You seem to know the unit, why not offer some help rather than your flippant comment. Really, arrogance is simply that, arrogance.

I know this post is old but i wanted to contribute . I have owned a 160s and a 160sl . Had problems with both of them . Mainly the VCA'S blowing and they are not cheap to replace . I sold them in the end but really miss them and thinking about getting another 160sl . Anybody else had bad experience with these units ?

Yup, of the three 160sl I have owned through the years only one was problem free, the other ones all had these type of problems, my current unit needs repair again after the last repair about 5 years ago. Expensive and a pain in the ass, but worth it. I do not want to master without it.

Looks like I'm going to take the plunge again . I really miss it . Maybe i will be lucky this time

Great for drums bus, not recomended for master bus

Always found it good on kick n snare also . I never got the reason why they brought out the 162sl . would really love to know the difference

Apart from the specs, is the difference audible?
I admit I like the 162 color, funky..

i'm thinking a good old DBX 223xl crossover would do the trick. Adjustable high-pass filter to dial in the exact cutoff point, though a 24db linkwitz-riley filter is far from being subtle.. Opinions?

Zombie thread but just a note for those encountering distortion when turning up the output on a 160SL: the limiter (Stop Level, with or without PeakStopPlus selected) comes *after* the output control. So it's easy to over-crank the output into the limiter and end up with distortion. PeakStopPlus is slightly mellower and can take a bit more level, but it's still meant as a fail-safe limiter to avoid slamming the next stage too hard.
Sometimes Stop Level can put a nice very quick zip of distortion on the leading transient of a snare or kick or whatever (in non-PeakStop Plus mode, it's supposedly the same as the old 165A PeakStop, which was often used for exactly this purpose), but you're generally better off not using it all (or set very high) in a 2-buss situation.
Edit: Also forgot to mention something you wouldn't know without reading the manual - the Attack and Release controls still have some effect in Auto Mode - they set the *maximum* attack and release available. Auto Mode just means the unit may automatically select a slower attack or release.

And now those damn beaming LEDs are on automobile headlights across the land!