The dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter is a Universal Audio plugin that emulates the first solid-state VCA compressor, with a dry/wet control and a sidechain filter.
dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter at a glance
| Developer | Universal Audio |
|---|---|
| Type | Effects / Compressor |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 or later, macOS |
| Apple Silicon | Native |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Copy protection | iLok |
| Price on Plugin Boutique (October 2026) | €38.68 (regular €98.18) |
What dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter does
The plugin is modeled on dbx hardware and aims to reproduce its quirky character in a software compressor and limiter. Its controls are kept to a simple set with at-a-glance metering, so the original layout stays recognizable. A dry/wet mix control allows quick parallel compression, and a sidechain filter reduces low-frequency pumping. The plugin ships as VST3, AU and AAX for Windows and macOS (64-bit), and activation uses iLok. A crack, keygen and serial key circulate as the most typed queries for the plugin, and the macOS build is also shared as a .dmg crack, while the Windows build appears as an x64 crack and win/mac crack in torrent listings packed as .rar or .iso.
Key features
- Dry/Wet mix control. A dry/wet control blends the processed and unprocessed signal, which makes quick parallel compression possible without a separate send.
- Sidechain filter. A sidechain filter reduces low-frequency pumping when the compressor is driven by the signal.
- Simple control set. The controls follow the original hardware layout, with at-a-glance metering on the front panel.
- Improved VU metering. Graphic enhancements and an improved VU meter update the original display while keeping its look.
- Full-band and track use. The plugin is aimed at bass guitar, drum buses, synths and acoustic guitars, where the notes say it adds aggressiveness and snare thwack.
Compatibility
Available formats are VST3, AU and AAX for Windows 10 and later and for macOS, with native support for Apple Silicon listed.
dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter compared with similar plugins
Bus Processor from Softube is a compressor in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats for Windows and macOS. SSL Native Bus Compressor 2 from Solid State Logic is a compressor in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS. Both are listed as bus compressors in the same type as the dbx 160.
| Plugin | Developer | Type | Formats | Systems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter | Universal Audio | Compressor | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €38.68 (regular €98.18) |
| Bus Processor | Softube | Compressor | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €58.51 (regular €147.76) |
| SSL Native Bus Compressor 2 | Solid State Logic | Compressor | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €18.84 (regular €152.32) |
| I Heart NY | Baby Audio | Compressor | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €38.68 |
| PolyComp | Audiority | Compressor | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €44.63 |
Price and availability
dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter was listed on Plugin Boutique in October 2026 at €38.68, reduced from €98.18. Prices change often, so the store page shows the current one.
dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter FAQ
Where can I download dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter crack for free?
The plugin is distributed as a repack and torrent, with the macOS build sold as a .dmg crack and the Windows build shared as x64 crack and win/mac crack.
Is there a working serial key or keygen for dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter?
Searches pair the name with keygen and serial key, and a working serial is the string most often typed for the plugin.