When it first arrived, I admit that I was prepared to find fault with this relatively low cost device. However, I have since found it to be a very competent performer. The dbx 286S Audio Processor packs a lot of features and performance for the approximately $200 that I paid for it.
This one rack space (1.75") high device contains a microphone preamplifier with switchable phantom power for condenser microphones, a limiter, expander/gate, and a two-band effects equalizer. All of the processing sections are interconnected such that a signal inserted at the front end passes through all of the sections before emerging at line level out of this device. The amount of audio limiting, expansion/gating and equalization can be set to taste and even individually turned off if you need a particular function. All of the sections "play" well together, making audio tweaks fairly easy to accomplish. Keep in mind that this is a monaural device that can accept balanced microphone or line level input signals.
I found the background noise level to be very low (virtually inaudible), even at high mic preamplifier gain settings, and I found the frequency response surprisingly wide and pleasant. This processor brought out the better qualities of the several dynamic and condenser microphones that I auditioned through it. Everything comes through clear and clean at low to moderate control settings, although it is possible to significantly modify your audio, for better or for worse, at higher control settings. Download the manufacturer's manual for this device to learn about its individual features and functions, and how they are used.
I find that I really have no complaints about the dbx 286S Audio Processor. It is now in daily use in my modest studio. The 286S does what the manufacturer's literature says it's supposed to do, and it does it crisply and cleanly without added noise or fuss.
You can buy high end separate mic preamplifiers, limiters, expander/gates, and equalizers, then connect them all together to do what this little dbx box does. But, you will spend very much more money to achieve or exceed the same level of performance offered by the dbx 286S. Strong bang for the buck. Highly recommended!
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From the manufacturer
dbx 286s
Microphone Preamplifier/Channel Strip Processor
The dbx 286s is a full-featured Channel Strip Processor that delivers a studio-quality microphone/instrument preamplifier and four processors that can be used independently or in any combination. The sonically pristine dbx 286s Mic Preamp has all the features you need, including wide-ranging input gain control, switchable +48V phantom power, and an 80Hz high-pass filter to remove low frequency hum, rumble or wind. Use the patented dbx OverEasy compressor to transparently smooth out uneven acoustic tracks or deliver that classic “in your face” vocal performance that only a dbx compressor can. Fine-tune the Enhancer HF Detail control to add sparkle and crispness to your tracks and make adjustments to the LF Detail control to add fullness and depth to vocals and bass instruments while cleaning up the muddy low mid-range frequencies. Plus, the separate threshold and ratio controls on the Expander/Gate allow you to subtly reduce headphone leakage or radically gate noisy guitar amps.
- Studio quality Mic Preamp/Channel Strip Processor
- Program-adaptive Expander/Gate
- Frequency tunable De-Esser reduces sibilance and high frequency distortion
- Enhancer increases the detail and definition of the high and low frequencies
- Full compliment of meters and status LEDs
- Insert jack allows you to add an external processor
- Precision detented controls
Who uses this product?
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| dbx 286s Stereo 2-Way, Mono 4-Way Crossover with Mic XLR connectors | dbx 676 Tube Microphone Preamp Channel Strip | dbx 580 Compact, Professional Mic Preamp | |
| Customer Reviews |
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| Price | $276.03 | $1,299.00 | $339.00 |
| Mic Input | Floating balanced, Pin 2 Hot | Female XLR (Pin 2 Hot) | Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered |
| Impedance | ~ 4.2kΩ Balanced | 1.9 kΩ | 1.7 kΩ |
| CMRR | >40dB, typically 55dB | >85 dB from 20 Hz to 3 kHz, >70 dB from 3 kHz to 20 kHz | >60 dB; typically >70 dB from 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Power Requirements | 15 Watts | 20 Watts | 2.56 Watts |
| Instrument Input | Floating balanced, Tip Hot | Tip-Sleeve ¼” Jack (Front Panel) | Tip-Sleeve ¼” Jack (Front Panel) |
| Output Type | 4” TRS phone (Balanced/Unbalanced) | Male XLR and Tip-Ring-Sleeve ¼” (Pin 2 and Tip hot) | Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered |
| Low Detail | Bell-shaped boost @ 80Hz, bell-shaped cut @250Hz, ratio is approximately 2:1 | 100 Hz, Low-pass shelving filter | 0 to +15 dB boost, simultaneous bell filter boost (125 Hz center frequency) and bell filter cut (400 Hz center frequency) |
| High Detail | Program-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately 15dB maximum HF boost | 10 kHz, High-pass shelving filter | 0 to +15 dB boost, high-shelving filter (10 kHz corner frequency) |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.75” x 5.75” x 19” | 3.5" x 19" x 8" | 5.25” x 1.5” x 6” |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs | 8.1 lbs | 1.3 lbs |
Reviews with images
This is the secret ingredient to professional sounding vocals
I live in Wisconsin and I remember the first time I bought a car with heated seats. After that car it ruined me for all other cars I bought because I needed to buy heated seats as it was a feature I could not live without during the winters. This is my heated seat for vocals. I don't know why I went so long without this device when it took my locals to a whole other professional level. If you're on the fence like I was for so many years I'm buying this device it's time to stop the hesitation and just get it. You will thank me for it.
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