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

  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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  2. #2
    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

  4. #4
    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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    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

  9. #9
    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....

  10. #10
    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.

  11. #11
    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

  13. #13
    Member Guy in WNY's Avatar
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    sensitivity?

    The first slider is sort of the sensitivity control and the other one is how much expansion you want to add on. And yes, all three bands are controlled by the one slider. The remote adds a slider so you can vary the speed at which the expansion occurs, and also a volume slider. And you can hit one button and it cuts the volume to a preset level. Say the phone rings. You just flick that switch, the volume slowly fades, and you answer the phone. There is a tiny pot you can adjust the low level to under a plate on the back of the remote.
    TRANSITION LEVEL, that's what they call it but it's really a sensitivity sort of control.
    Last edited by Guy in WNY; 03-27-2012 at 12:48 PM. Reason: I remembered what it's called...
    Guy in WNY

  14. #14
    Senior Member Lee in Montreal's Avatar
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    I just bought a Furman DJM-8 DJ mixer. My main motivation to purchase it ($90.00 vs ongoing eBay rate of $250.00) was that it has Furman's own harmonic synthetizer function. I used it at perhaps 5% of its "enhamcement" capacity, and that's all I need. The results are quite impressive. It adds a good amount of bottom end in my 4520. I'll live with it for some time, and if I still love it in a few months, then I will purchase a more sophisticated DBX 120a.

    BTW That "boombox" feature is a great complement to the 4520s where the peak (resonance) is at 80Hz. By filling in the 20-50hz area, the sound is now full. There must have been a reason why a "DBX" boombox was used at Studio 54...

    Forgot to mention that DBX's Driverack has the 120a function included.

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  15. #15
    Member Guy in WNY's Avatar
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    configuration?

    Lee, do you have it on your preamp out or is it on the crossover out?
    I like the Furman TX-3B, I use 3 of them. First one for the subs, set for about 80 cycles, then one each for left and right in a three way configuration. Works well, but 2 custom built Marchands would be super!
    Guy in WNY

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