Product Overview
When you need to patch together multiple processors for just one track, the endeavor can be costly, confusing, and frustrating. Instead, you should consider the dbx 286s, a full-featured channel strip processor that delivers a studio-quality mic/instrument preamplifier and four processors that can be used independently or in any combination.
Your signal begins with the pristine mic preamp with wide-ranging input gain control, switchable +48V phantom power, and an 80 Hz high-pass. The OverEasy compressor comes next, smoothing out uneven acoustic tracks and delivering the "in your face" vocal presence that dbx is known for. A de-esser eliminates vocal sibilance and high frequency distortion from cymbals. The "enhancer" fine-tunes your high- and low-frequency details, making your sound crisp, clean, and intelligible. Lastly, the expander/gate subtly reduces headphone leakage or radically gate noise guitar amps.
A smorgasbord of metering and status LEDs visually guide you to craft the perfect sound. It offers XLR or 1/4" TRS inputs, plus insert jacks to interface between the mic preamp and the processors to "loop out" to external processors such as EQ or delay.
Why buy a preamp and four processors for just one channel when you can get it all in one in the dbx 286s?
DBX 286s Features:
- Studio quality Mic Preamp/Channel Strip Processor
- Classic dbx compression
- De-esser and enhancer for tonal clarity and reducing distortion
- Program-adaptive expander/gates
- Insert jack for external processors
- Full compliment of meters and status LEDs
DBX 286s Specifications:
- Mic Preamp Connector: XLR Floating balanced, Pin 2 Hot
- Input Impedance: ~4.2 kΩ
- Gain: 0dB to +60dB
- Phantom Power: +48VDC, applied to XLR pins 2 and 3 through 6.81 kΩ resistors
- CMRR: >40 dB, typically 55 dB
- Max input level: 0.2Vrms, Gain = 30 dB
- Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): -125dBu, 22 Hz - 22 kHz, 150 Ohm source impedance
- Input Connectors (line): Floating balanced, TIP Hot
- Input Impedance: 10 kΩ unbalanced, 20 kΩ balanced
- Max Input (line): > +21 dBu, balanced or unbalanced
- Input Gain Range (line): -15 to +45 dB
- Insert Connector: 1/4" TRS: Normalled; tip is Send, ring is Return
- Insert Impedance: > 5 kΩ (ring-return); 100 Ω (tip-send)
- Insert Max Level: > +21 dBu; > +20 dBm (600 Ω load-tip)
- Insert Noise: < -84dBu, unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); LINE GAIN Control set to 0 dB
- Insert Distortion: < 0.01% THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz,+10 dBu
- Output Connectors: 1/4" Balanced/Unbalanced TRS Connectors
- Output Impedance: 100 Ω unbalanced, 200 Ω balanced
- Max Output: > +21 dBu, > +20 dBm (600 Ω load)
- Gain Adjustment Range: -30 to +10 dB
- Noise: < -80 dBu unweighted (20 Hz - 20 kHz);Both Gain Controls set for 0dB, all processing controls OFF
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5, -0.5 dB
- THD: < 0.08% THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +10 dBu, all Processing Controls OFF
- Compressor Info:
- Threshold Range: -40 dBu to +20 dBu
- Threshold Characteristic: Over Easy
- Ratio: > 4:1 For input levels beyond 20 dB above threshold
- Max Compression: 30 dB
- Attack Time: Program-Dependent; >1s for small level increases, down to 10ms for large increases
- Release Time: Program-Dependent; adjustable between approximately 1 dB/sec and 75 dB/sec
- Distortion: Typically < 0.05% THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 15 dB G/R, +10dBu Output, DENSITY @ 0
- IMD: SMPTE: < 0.05%; 60 Hz / 7 kHz 4:1, 15 dB G/R,+10 dBu Output Level, DENSITY @ 0
- De-esser Info:
- Characteristic: Wideband Gain Reduction
- Frequency Range: 800 Hz to 10 kHz High Pass, 12 dB/octave
- Release Time: 12dB/octave Program-Dependent; approximately 1 mS/dB
- Enhancer Info:
- HF Detail Characteristic: Program-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately 15 dB maximum HF boost
- LF Detail Characteristic: Bell-shaped boost @ 80 Hz, bell-shaped cut @ 250 Hz, ratio is approximately 2:1
- Expander/Gate Info:
- Threshold Range: OFF to +15dBu
- Ratio: Adjustable 1.5:1 to 10:1
- Max Depth: > 50dB
- Attack Time: Program-Dependent, approximately 2mS (at maximum attenuation)
- Release Time: Program-Dependent, approximately 10mS/dB
- Dynamic Range: Typically 105dB
- Power Consumption: 15 W
- Operating Voltage: DO: 120 VAC 60 Hz, 100 VAC 50/60 Hz; EU: 230 VAC 50/60 Hz
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
- Dimensions: 1.75" x 5.75" x 19" (4.5 x 14.6 x 48.5 cm)
- Unit Weight: 4.5 lbs (2.04 kg)