800-ZZOUNDS (800-996-8637)

When you call, mention priority code R91-JLQ7

Contact | Hours | FAQ | My Order

This product is no longer available at zZounds.

We recommend this product instead:

dbx 286S Microphone Preamplifier

(3)

New from $199.95 SAVE 28%

Play as You Pay
on orders $249.00+ details

In Stock

Free Ground Shipping

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 indepe... Learn more...

(In most cases, a product is unavailable because it has been discontinued by its manufacturer.)

dbx 286A Microphone Processor

Single-channel studio-quality mic preamp plus 5 dynamics processors.

(34) Read 1 review for this product | Rate and Review This Product

Click to Enlarge

Main

overview specs docs

Product Description

zZounds is an
authorized DBX dealer

The dbx 286A's Mic Preamp and 5 processors can be used independently or in any combination. Why mic up vocals and instruments through a noisy, blurry mixer? The dbx 286A's sonically pristine Mic Preamp has all the features you need, including wide-ranging input gain control, switchable 48V phantom power, and an 80Hz high-pass filter. Use the 286A's newly designed and patented OverEasy Compressor to transparently smooth out uneven acoustic tracks or deliver that classic "in your face" rock vocal. Take out vocal sibilance and high frequency distortion in cymbals with the 286A's frequency tunable De-Esser. Fine-tune the Enhancer's HF Detail control to add sparkle and crispness to tracks. LF Detail control adds fullness and depth to vocals and bass instruments while simultaneously cleaning up muddy low midrange frequencies. And, the Expander/Gate's separate threshold and ratio controls allow you to subtly reduce headphone leakage or radically gate noisy guitar amps.

The dbx 286A's full complement of metering and status LEDs visually guide you to achieving the right sound. The floating balanced XLR mic input accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs. An additional 1/4" TRS phone jack can accept balanced/unbalanced line signals to process live electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mixdown. An insert jack between the 286A's Mic Preamp and signal processing sections can be used to "loop out" to external processors (such as EQ) or to mix the Mic Preamp's signal out to an external destination.

The cost and hassle of patching together multiple processors for use on one track can be frustrating. The dbx 286A gives you all the tools you'll need in one box, with the shortest signal path to help keep your music sounding clean.

Features zZounds is an authorized dealer of DBX products.

Mic Input
Floating balanced, Pin 2 Hot
Impedance: 1.75k
Maximum Level: 0.2Vrms
Gain Adjustment Range: +10dB to +60dB
Phantom Power: +48VDC
CMRR: >40dB, typically 55dB

Line Input
Floating balanced, TIP Hot
Impedance: 30k unbalanced, 60k balanced
Maximum Level: >+21dBu, balanced or unbalanced
Gain Adjustment Range: -20dB to +30 dB
CMRR: >40dB, typically 55dB

Insert
(4" TRS phone) Normalled; tip is Send, ring is Return
Ring Impedance: >5k; Maximum Level: >+21dBu
Tip Impedance: 100; Maximum Level >+21dBu, >+20dBm (600 load); Noise: <-84dBu, unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); Distortion <0.01% THD, 20Hz-20kHz, +10dBu

Line Output
(4" TRS phone) Balanced/Unbalanced
Impedance: 100 unbalanced, 200 balanced
Maximum Level: >+21dBu, >+20dBm (600 load)
Gain Adjustment Range: -30dB to +10dB
Noise: <-80dBu (typically -85dBu, unweighted (20Hz-20kHz);
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5, -0.5dB
Distortion: <0.08%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, +10dBu, all Processing Controls OFF

Compressor
Threshold Range: -40dBu to +20dBu
Threshold Characteristics: OverEasy
Compression Ratio: >4:1 For input levels beyond 20dB above threshold
Maximum Compression: 30dB
Attack Time: Program-Dependent; adjustable
Release Time: Program-Dependent; adjustable
Distortion: Typically <0.05%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, 15dB G/R, +10dBu Output, DENSITY @ 0

De-Esser
Characteristic: WIdeband Gain Reduction
Frequency Range: 800Hz to 10kHz High Pass
Release Time: 12dB/octave Program-Dependent; approximately 1mS/dB

Enhancer
HF Detail Characteristic: Program-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately 15dB maximum HF boost
LF Detail Characteristic: Bell-shaped boost @ 80Hz, bell-shaped cut @250Hz, ratio is approximately 2:1

Expander/Gate
Threshold Range: OFF to +15dBu
Expansion Ratio: Adjustable 1.5:1 to 10:1
Maximum Depth: >50dB
Attack Time: Program-Dependent, approximately 2mS
Release Time: Program-Dependent, approxiamtely 10mS/dB
Dynamic Range: Typically 105dB

Power Requirements: 15 Watts
Operating Voltage DO: 120VAC 60Hz, 100VAC 50/60Hz; EU: 230VAC 50/60Hz
Operating Temperature: 0 to 45 degrees C (32 F to 113 F)
Dimensions: 1.75 x 5.75 x 19 in. (4.5 x 14.6 x 48.5cm)

DBX Warranty

dbx Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 801-568-7660

zZounds is an
authorized DBX dealer

Our extended 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies on this product. Buy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!

Our Return Policy

Payment Options

Purchase Orders

What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "The delivery was on time, the packaging protected my purchase, and my product was great -- what more could you ask for?" - customer on May 5, 2013

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 (34 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read 1 DBX 286A Microphone Processor Review

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. "Take control of your vocals"

Sound: As an engineer I use 4 of these regularly. There is such a difference between the microphones and vocals with and without it. In live audio the 286 puts you in control. Great features and full on wonderful sound. Feature: I run the mic direct and then patch into the line in on the mixer. The gate, compressor, & desser work great. Also, the enhancers really do add a certain sheen to your live vocals. A great piece. You don't really need an eq, leave that on your mixer channel (providing you have at least 4 bands and 2 are parametric) Quality: Not terribly pretty, but built well. The knobs have a solid feel. Top notch! Value: Before you consider buying a new mixer or expensive microphone, learn to use a 286, it may make you reconsider! Manufacturer Support: Never needed them The Wow Factor: After using it, my respect grows and grows. I would buy it in a minute for my live work, but would seek out something else for my digital studio work. I don't use compression, gating, EQ, or dessing before I go into my computer. Once its there, I can't change it, so I do it all within the software or repatch and record again through the effect so nothing is too permanent.

28 of 29 people (96.55%) found this review helpful. Did you?

Thanks for your opinion!

close [x]

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

Read 1 DBX 286A Microphone Processor Review

800-zZounds (800-996-8637)

[x] close

ALL ACCESS PASS

5 reasons YOU should sign up for the zZounds newsletter

Send cool stuff to my old-fashioned mailbox, too

To get your cool stuff, we'll need your address:

Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

You don't have to trade service for savings when you shop at zZounds!

We'll beat any price: Really. It's not a problem for us. In fact, we'll thank you for the chance to live up to our lowest price guarantee!
It's fast and easy: Just tell us where you saw the lower price - another website, an email offer, your local store - and we'll send you our lowest price offer in a matter of hours.
Simply click the Seen it for less? link: Next to the item you want, or give us a call at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637).

With zZounds you'll never have to worry that you paid too much.

We'll beat any price: Really. It's not a problem for us. In fact, we'll thank you for the chance to live up to our lowest price guarantee!
It's fast and easy: Just tell us where you saw the lower price - another website, an email offer, your local store - and we'll send you our lowest price offer in a matter of hours.
Simply click the Seen it for less? link: Next to the item you want, or give us a call at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637).

on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!: No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!: Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.

1. We offer the most flexible payment plans in the biz

zZounds offers a number of different installment payment plans that make it affordable and convenient for you to get the gear you really want today, without racking up risky credit card debt.

Other stores offer house credit cards that require you to fill out an application and pass a credit check--and, if you qualify, leave you vulnerable to exorbitant interest charges once the initial promotional period ends. zZounds payment plans are easy to get and simple to use; plus we'll never charge you interest!

zZounds payment plans details »

2. We guarantee the lowest price

If we don't already have the lowest price, just send us a link to any legitimate competitor's offer, and we'll beat their price as long as we're not losing money on the deal.

To submit a request for a lower price, click "Seen it for less?" on any product page. We answer most lowest price requests within two hours. For extra peace of mind, you also have 30 days after your purchase to find a lower price; if you do, we'll refund the difference.

zZounds.com price match details »

3. You'll get your gear fast

Because we have two well-situated warehouses--one on each coast--nearly three- quarters of the US population is located within our two-day shipping zones. Plus, we keep both warehouses well stocked with all the most popular products, so you'll usually get your gear fast without having to pay more for expedited shipping.

In fact, zZounds offers free two-day delivery on many of our best-selling products!

zZounds.com shipping details »

4. We make returns super easy

You have 30 days to try your gear at home, in your practice space or studio. If you're not absolutely in love with the sound you're getting, just let us know. We'll promptly arrange for an exchange or a refund without the hassles or hidden charges you face with some of our competitors. If there's something wrong with the gear you bought from us, we'll email you an electronic return label so you can return it easily and free of charge.

zZounds.com return details »

5. Our customer service is consistently rated the best

zZounds customer service is consistently rated at or near the top on every major comparison shopping website--probably because we only hire experienced musicians with outstanding customer service skills to work in our call center, and they don't work on commission. To us, this is our most meaningful measure of success. zZounds has served over a million customers since 1996, and they're the only critics whose reviews really matter to us.

zZounds.com customer service »

Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!: No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!: Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.

A guarantee so solid, you never have to worry about price when shopping at zZounds

We'll beat any price: Simply click the Seen it for less? link next to the gear you want or call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637)
Got a coupon from another site?: Use it with us - we'll beat those prices, too!
Find a better price after buying from us?: No problem. We'll refund you the difference for 30 days, so you'll never regret buying from zZounds.

You'll still get the trustworthy service you've come to expect from zZounds, without paying more for your gear!