DBX 286A Microphone Processor

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

Technical Info

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)

Get pro-quality vocal tracks with this mic preamp/processor! Preamp section includes wide gain control, switchable phantom power, and 80 Hz high-pass filter. Five processor functions include compressor, frequency-tunable de-esser, high- and low-frequency detail control, and expander/gate. XLR and 1/4" inputs.