dbx 286s Mic Preamp/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. Why mic up vocals and instruments through a noisy, blurry mixer? 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. Eliminate vocal sibilance and high frequency distortion from instruments such as cymbals with the frequency tunable De-Esser. 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 midrange frequencies. And, the separate threshold and ratio controls on the Expander/Gate allow you to subtly reduce headphone leakage or radically gate noisy guitar amps.

The dbx 286s offers a full compliment of metering and status LEDs to visually guide you to achieving the right sound. The floating balanced XLR Mic Input accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs to easily connect to professional and home studio microphones. The additional 1/4" TRS Line Input can accept balanced/unbalanced signals to process live electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mixdown. Use the Insert jack to interface between the Mic Preamp and the signal processing sections to "loop out" to external processors (such as EQ or delay unit) 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 286s provides you with all the mic processing you need in one box, with the shortest, cleanest signal path to keep your music sounding its best!

dbx 286s Features

• Studio quality Mic Preamp/Channel Strip Processor
• Classic dbx Compression puts great sound within easy reach
• Frequency tunable De-Esser reduces sibilance and high frequency distortion
• Enhancer increases the detail and definition of the high and low frequencies
• Program adaptive Expander/Gate
• Insert jack allows you to add an external processor
• Full compliment of meters and status LEDs
• +48V Phantom Power
• Precision detented controls

• 286s mic preamp / channel strip processor1

• Mic Preamp ConnectorXLR Floating balanced, Pin 2 Hot
• Mic Preamp Input Impedance~4.2kΩ
• Mic Preamp Gain0dB to +60dB
• Mic Preamp Phantom Power+48VDC, applied to XLR pins 2 and 3 through 6.81kΩ resistors
• CMRR>40dB, typically 55dB
• Mic Preamp Max Input Level0.2Vrms, Gain = 30dB
• Mic Preamp EIN-125dBu, 22Hz-22kHz, 150Ω source impedance
• Input Connectors(line) Floating balanced, TIP Hot
• Input Impedance(line) 10kΩ unbalanced, 20kΩ balanced
• Max Input(line) >+21dBu, balanced or unbalanced
• Input Gain Range(line) -15dB to +45 dB
• Insert Connector1/4" TRS: Normalled; tip is Send, ring is Return
• Insert Impedance>5kΩ (ring-return); 100Ω (tip-send)
• Insert Max Level>+21dBu; >+20dBm (600Ω load-tip)
• Insert Noise<-84dBu, unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); LINE GAIN Control set to 0dB
• Insert Distortion<0.01% THD, 20Hz-20kHz, +10dBu
• Output Connectors1/4" Balanced/Unbalanced TRS Connectors
• Output Impedance100Ω unbalanced, 200Ω balanced
• Max Output>+21dBu, >+20dBm (600Ω load)
• Gain Adjustment Range-30dB to +10dB
• Noise<-80dBu unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); Both Gain Controls set for 0dB, all processing controls OFF
• Frequency Response20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5, -0.5dB
• THD<0.08%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, +10dBu, all Processing Controls OFF
• Compressor Threshold Range-40dBu to +20dBu
• Compressor Threshold CharacteristicOverEasy®
• Compressor Ratio>4:1 For input levels beyond 20dB above threshold
• Max Compression30 dB
• Compressor Attack TimeProgram-Dependent; >1s for small level increases, down to 10ms for larage increases
• Compressor Release TimeProgram-Dependent; adjustable between approximately 1dB/sec and 75dB/sec
• Compressor DistortionTypically <0.05%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, 15dB G/R, +10dBu Output, DENSITY @ 0
• IMDSMPTE: <0.05%; 60Hz/7kHz 4:1, 15dB G/R, +10dBu Output Level, DENSITY @ 0
• De-esser CharacteristicWideband Gain Reduction
• De-esser Frequency Range800Hz to 10kHz High Pass, 12dB/octave
• De-esser Release Time12dB/octave Program-Dependent; approximately 1mS/dB
• Enhancer HF Detail CharacteristicProgram-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately 15dB maximum HF boost
• Enhancer LF Detail CharacteristicBell-shaped boost @ 80Hz, bell-shaped cut @250Hz, ratio is approximately 2:1
• Expander/Gate Threshold RangeOFF to +15dBu
• Expander/Gate RatioAdjustable 1.5:1 to 10:1
• Expander/Gate Max Depth>50dB
• Expander/Gate Attack TimeProgram-Dependent, approximately 2mS (at maximum attenuation)
• Expander/Gate Release TimeProgram-Dependent, approxiamtely 10mS/dB
• Expander/Gate Dynamic RangeTypically 105dB
• Power Consumption15 W
• Operating VoltageDO: 120VAC 60Hz, 100VAC 50/60Hz; EU: 230VAC 50/60Hz
• Operating Temperature32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C)
• Dimensions1.75" x 5.75" x 19"
• Weight4.5 pounds