Dbx (company)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional audio equipment |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | David E. Blackmer |
| Headquarters | Sandy, Utah , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Noise reduction systems, signal processors, compressors, equalizers, active crossover networks, loudspeaker management systems |
| Owner | Harman International |
| Parent | Harman International (subsidiary of Samsung Electronics) |
| Website | dbxpro |
dbx, Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in professional audio gear, with its headquarters located in Sandy, Utah. The company operates under the ownership of Harman International, itself a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electronics. Established in 1971 by its founder David E. Blackmer, dbx has consistently prioritized enhancing audio fidelity through groundbreaking product development.
The firm is widely recognized for its dbx noise reduction system, which employs decibel companding technology to minimize noise in professional analog tape recordings. While this system rivaled Dolby NR during the early 1970s, it captured a smaller portion of the market. Additionally, dbx introduced the Model 700 Digital Audio Processor, a unique mastering format for studios that experienced limited industry adoption.
Among its early breakthroughs was the eXpanded range DeciBel meter, a sophisticated solid-state instrument capable of measuring a broader spectrum of audio voltages compared to contemporaneous devices. This innovation, related to the CBS 600 extended range volume meter developed at CBS Laboratories, played a significant role in establishing dbx’s technical credibility and brand identity.
dbx’s extensive product lineup encompasses noise reduction technologies, signal processors, compressors, equalizers, active crossover networks, and loudspeaker management systems—catering to various sectors within the professional audio market globally. The company’s blend of strategic vision and technical ingenuity has secured its standing as a leading competitor in the audio equipment industry.
Voltage controlled amplifier
Among the pivotal inventions by David Blackmer and dbx are the Blackmer gain cell, a type of voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) tailored for professional audio applications, and the dbx RMS detector. The original dbx 202 VCA—nicknamed the dbx 202 "Black Can"—utilized discrete transistors that were meticulously matched at elevated temperatures. Despite exhibiting some noise and distortion characteristics, it surpassed other VCAs available at that time and became a fundamental component in early automated mixing consoles.
dbx compressors
Introduced in 1976, the dbx 160 compressor incorporated its signature decilinear VCA alongside RMS detection and feed-forward gain reduction to deliver smoother compression performance. This architecture allowed for limitless compression ratios without introducing significant distortion or instability while dynamically adjusting attack and release parameters according to the input signal’s envelope. The dbx 160 was also notable for pioneering OverEasy compression—a soft-knee approach to gain reduction near threshold levels—that improved overall sound quality and user control.
dbx noise reduction
The dbx k9 noise reduction module was engineered for use within professional Dolby-A A361 rack frames common in studios to suppress tape hiss on reel-to-reel recordings. Featuring an integrated noise gate that muted signals below a preset decibel threshold, it enhanced recording clarity in demanding professional audio settings.
Acquisition history of dbx
Initially centered on signal processing devices, dbx was acquired by BSR in 1979. During the decade from 1979 to 1989, the brand extended its reach into consumer audio markets by offering products such as speakers, CD players, and amplifiers. In 1989, Carillon Corporation briefly took ownership before Sanju Chiba of ELPJ assumed control from BSR. After facing near closure, the professional product division was sold to Orban AKG, which subsequently became part of Harman International. Meanwhile, the OEM business transitioned to THAT Corporation, established by former dbx engineers. Importantly, dbx retained critical patents related to MTS, the U.S. standard for stereo analog television sound transmission; these patents were transferred to THAT Corporation in 1994.
Today, dbx concentrates on manufacturing professional audio devices including digital signal processors, equalizers, compressors, crossovers, and subharmonic synthesizers.