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Thread: Anyone has experience with DBX's 120a subharmonics synthetizer?

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  1. #1
    Senior Member Lee in Montreal's Avatar
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    Anyone has experience with DBX's 120a subharmonics synthetizer?

    http://www.dbxpro.com/120A/
    The 120a is the modern version of the good old DBX boombox

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    Moderator hjames's Avatar
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    I think I've heard one (or something like it) behind Hilary Stagg's harp playing on Sweet Return,
    and probably on Boz Scagg's Dig album -
    but never actually touched one ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Lee in Montreal View Post
    http://www.dbxpro.com/120A/
    The 120a is the modern version of the good old DBX boombox
    2ch: WiiM Pro; Topping E30 II DAC; Oppo, Acurus RL-11, Acurus A200, JBL Dynamics Project - Offline: L212-TwinStack, VonSchweikert VR-4
    7: TIVO, Oppo BDP103D, B&K, 2pr UREI 809A, TF600, JBL B460

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    Senior Member Baron030's Avatar
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    Contact SMKSoundPro, he could tell you.

    Here is a link to his system that uses a DBX120:
    http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...read.php?20021
    Go to page 5 and view posting #64.

    Baron030

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    Senior Member louped garouv's Avatar
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    (Alaska) Scotty / SMKSoundPro hasn't been around posting here in awhile....
    i've been trying to reach him also...

    but no response contact attempts....




    I have a dbx 500, with is identical to the vintage 100/110,
    except for the case and I/O connectors
    but have never used a 120 series unit...

    they are (generally) good for playing old disco & soul cuts sometimes;
    but if you overdo the 500, they get kinda synthetic sounding...

    used in moderation, they are fun and mostly unnoticable

    (i run it on subwoofer outputs only, not through the full range portion of signal)

    the thing with using it on modern records, at least the stuff i am listening too regularly,
    is that there is already much low bass/sub bass on the track already...
    no real need to add anymore... IMHO of course...

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    I have got one, ...

    ... and I use it with 4430s, only the sub-harmonic band, not the sub-sub. I use it moderately, and it sounds unspectacular, just good.

    Ruediger

  6. #6
    Member Guy in WNY's Avatar
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    dbx 3bx

    Hello,
    I use the DBX 3BX in my system, put on the tape loop from the Marantz integreated amp. This makes it easy to take out for new CD's and other stuff that is already "hot" enough for your tastes. Any time you want a little sizzle and boom, hit the tape button and go for it!
    I really like it for records. Helps them a lot.
    I also own and have used the 120, but the 3bx suited my needs so much more. Rack mountable and with a corded remote! How cool is that?
    Guy in WNY

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    Senior Member louped garouv's Avatar
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    I think those 3BX units are expanders, right?

    like the units by RG Dynamics back when....

    I like the RG dynamic expanders sometimes also...
    not just for records, sometimes for overly compressed digital music too...

    I think i read that the RGs have less of a tendancy to "puff" than the dbx units
    but again, it's all about moderate use of the effect with this sort of unit -- IMHO

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    Quote Originally Posted by Guy in WNY View Post
    Hello,
    I use the DBX 3BX in my system, put on the tape loop from the Marantz integreated amp. This makes it easy to take out for new CD's and other stuff that is already "hot" enough for your tastes. Any time you want a little sizzle and boom, hit the tape button and go for it!
    I really like it for records. Helps them a lot.
    I also own and have used the 120, but the 3bx suited my needs so much more. Rack mountable and with a corded remote! How cool is that?
    I used a DBX 3BX for years, really liked it. Do have to use it in moderation. Some of the switches got noisy, for awhile I could switch them on/off/on/off a couple of times and clean up the connection but eventually that quit working. I tried spraying some contact cleaner on them to no avail. Mine was rack mounted but no remote. Didn't really need a remote though. Still have it, anyone know where to get replacement switches?

  9. #9
    Senior Member Lee in Montreal's Avatar
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    I returned the mixer to the seller. It had an unbearable hum. I will look for a quality DJ mixer. But I did enjoy the subharmonic synthetizer so much that I purchased a brand new DBX 120a. Basically, it will makes any flat LP sound like a 200gr Jamaican pressing 12" 45rpm dub plate... The 120a will be inserted between the active crossover and the power amps for the bass channels so that it doesn't interefere in the upper ranges. Now looking for a quality analog mixer with 4 channels. Maybe a UREI 1603, or an Allen Heath... No knobs there. I want sliders... Oh, and I made some 18U cabinets with casters this weekend. It has a serie of holes at the bottom to allow fresh air to enter, and has a free U at the top to evacuate hot air, while the back is fully open. Now waiting for the rails to arrive in order to mount everything properly.




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    The specs make it look like it could be used for the LFE on movie tracks too. Have you tried that?

    edit: the owner's manual says high levels of bass can make cd players skip. I must admit I never had that happen. Maybe I've got to just let it rip.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lee in Montreal View Post
    I returned the mixer to the seller. It had an unbearable hum. I will look for a quality DJ mixer. But I did enjoy the subharmonic synthetizer so much that I purchased a brand new DBX 120a. Basically, it will makes any flat LP sound like a 200gr Jamaican pressing 12" 45rpm dub plate... The 120a will be inserted between the active crossover and the power amps for the bass channels so that it doesn't interefere in the upper ranges. Now looking for a quality analog mixer with 4 channels. Maybe a UREI 1603, or an Allen Heath... No knobs there. I want sliders... Oh, and I made some 18U cabinets with casters this weekend. It has a serie of holes at the bottom to allow fresh air to enter, and has a free U at the top to evacuate hot air, while the back is fully open. Now waiting for the rails to arrive in order to mount everything properly.




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    Two Clones which are cheaper at Fleebay

    Behringer Ultrabass Pro EX-1200, a boom box clone, and possibly a patent violation, thus out of production.

    Pioneer EX-9000, an expander. I have them both in my office, not connected to my large gear, so I cannot really compare them.

    Ruediger

  12. #12
    Senior Member louped garouv's Avatar
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    i do think that pioneer had licensed the RG Dynamics technology 'back in the day'
    see lots of vintage pioneer expanders with "RG" somewhere on their faceplates or chassis....

  13. #13
    Senior Member Lee in Montreal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ruediger View Post
    Behringer Ultrabass Pro EX-1200, a boom box clone, and possibly a patent violation, thus out of production.
    I found a local 18 months old DBX120A (successor to the 120XP) for $100.00
    BTW I forgot to mention that the DBX 120A functions are included in the DBX Driverack PA active crosovers.

  14. #14
    Member Guy in WNY's Avatar
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    compresser expander?

    I set mine to just have the lights flicker right at the spot just where the yellow (compression) and red (expansion) lights start to fire on, then add a little more expansion as needed. Yes, you want to avoid the "pumping" sound an expander can give the music if you get too heavy on it.
    Unless, of course, that's what you want to hear.
    Guy in WNY

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    The Pioneer EX-9000 ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Guy in WNY View Post
    I set mine to just have the lights flicker right at the spot just where the yellow (compression) and red (expansion) lights start to fire on, then add a little more expansion as needed. Yes, you want to avoid the "pumping" sound an expander can give the music if you get too heavy on it.
    Unless, of course, that's what you want to hear.
    ... has three separately adjustable bands, which the dbx has not. The dbx only has one control for all three bands. Also the Pioneer has two selectable release times.

    Ruediger

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