dbx 286S Microphone Preamplifier
Set it, forget it, and record better vocals! This do-it-all mic preamp/channel strip gives you dbx compression, expander/gate, de-esser and "enhancer" EQ.
$290.00
- No Credit Check6 x$48.33
- No Credit Check4 x$72.50
dbx 286A Microphone Processor
No longer available at zZounds
Single-channel studio-quality mic preamp plus 5 dynamics processors.
Overview
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… read more 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 read less
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… read more 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 read less
Specs
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)
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)
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 844-776-4899
Web: https://www.dbxpro.com/en/support
Phone: 844-776-4899
Web: https://www.dbxpro.com/en/support
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(30 ratings)
Submitted August 30, 2003 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Take control of your vocals"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
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.
Features
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.
32 of 33 people (97%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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