The info I received about the Logic Classic VCA built in compressor is that it is based on the old DBX 16x series compressors. I wonder how faithful interpretation is it compared to the originals, and compared to the new versions DBX has manufactured recently from the old compressor? I would like to have this kind of compressor in physical format, I wonder which version (old or new) takes me closest to how the Logic plugin sounds?

 

IMHO, having used many hardware DBX 160's and hundreds of SSL 4000 channel comps (DBX 160 based design), I would say NEVER think any plugin will give you the hyper aggressive nature of the hardware. Plugins do give a good standard sound and compression but lack the ability to properly drive like hardware. The DBX magic is in the pushing into the hardware, this is where software flls down IMHO.

So, if you want the safe DBX sound go software, if you want the DBX grit and aggressive sound go hardware.

Mix and match until you achieve the sound in your head.

 

Way better then the old ones. 560a creates punch in the most simplistic way. Fantastic results in no time with good enough specs - no nonsense.
If one want's more control the 266xs is the way to go.

 

The answer to the question which you actually asked is that the Logic compressor's Classic VCA "circuit" was modelled after the original dbx160. None of the hardware versions are going to "sound like it" because it is quite transparent unless you push it deliberately.

 

The priority for me would be to stay as close to the sound coming from the one in Logic as possible. But I declare that because I know only how the Logic plugin behaves.

I just stumbled upon this compressor by accident, I was originally tweaking the Platinum compressor for my needs, with ultrafast attack and fast release times, when just by being curious I switched to the Classic VCA which was a revelation then. No other compressor could provide that even compression like this so far, with so little artifacts. I guess this is because of the AUTO attack/release. And it adds a nice punch to the beginning of notes, but not to the extent that it would be disturbing, just the right amount. If any new rendition can provide that I don't mind. I just don't want to carry the laptop and Logic everywhere when I need that sound.

 

So if you want something similar you need to analyse the operation and copy digitally?

 

I don't need the grit just the way it compresses and levels the frequencies.