Adding a dbx 266xs Compressor/Limiter/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments.
dbx knows compressors...after all we invented them! The 266xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 166xs can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches.
Specs:
INPUTS 
Connector: 1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot) 
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered 
Impedance: 40k? balanced, 20k? unbalanced 
Maximum Level: +22dBu Balanced or Unbalanced
OUTPUTS 
Connector: 1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot) 
Type: Impedance-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered 
Impedance (+4dBu): 100? balanced, 50? unbalanced 
Impedance (-10dBu): 1k? balanced, 500? unbalanced 
Maximum Level: +21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2k? or greater. +18dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600?)
SIDECHAIN INSERT 
Connector: 1/4" TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); Tip = Input (return) 
Impedance: Tip = 10k? (Input), Ring = 2k? (Output) 
Maximum Level: Tip = +22dBu (Input), Ring = +20dBu (Output)
COMPRESSION 
Threshold Range: -40dBu to +20dBu 
Threshold Characteristic: Selectable OverEasy or hard knee 
Compression Ratio: 1:1 to Infinity:1 
Attack Time: Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic 
Release Time: Scalable Program-Dependent AutoDynamic
EXPANDER/GATE 
Threshold Range: -60dBu to +15dBu 
Expansion Ratio: 1:1 to 4:1 
Attack Time: <100micro;Sec 
Release Time: Program-Dependent
SYSTEM 
Bandwidth: 0.35Hz - 90kHz, +0/-3dB 
Frequency Response (Flat): 20Hz - 20kHz; +0/-0.5dB, 
Noise: <-93dBu, unweighted (22kHz measurement bandwidth) 
THD + N: <0.2%; Any Amount of Compression @1kHz 
Intermodulation Distortion: <0.2% SMPTE 
Dynamic Range: 114dB, unweighted 
Interchannel Crosstalk: <-95dB, 20Hz to 20kHz 
CMRR: 40dB, typically 55dB at 1kHz 
Stereo Coupling: True RMS Power Summing
POWER 
Power Consumption: 15 Watts Maximum 
Operating Voltage: 100 VAC 50/60Hz; 120VAC 60Hz; 230 VAC 50/60 Hz 
Operating Temperature: 0C to 45C (32F to 113F)
PHYSICAL 
Dimensions: 1.75" x 5.75" x 19" (4.45 cm x 14.6 cm x 48.26 cm ) 
Weight: Net weight: 4.84 lbs (2.19 kg) 
Shipping weight: 6.6 lbs (2.99 kg)