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

DBX 286s Specifications

Mic Preamp Connector XLR Floating balanced, Pin 2 Hot
Mic Preamp Input Impedance ~4.2kΩ
Mic Preamp gain 0dB 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 level 0.2Vrms, Gain = 30dB
Mic Preamp Equivalent Input Noise (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 Connector 1/4" 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 Connectors 1/4" Balanced/Unbalanced TRS Connectors
Output Impedance 100Ω 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 Response 20Hz 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 Characteristic OverEasy®
Compressor Ratio >4:1 For input levels beyond 20dB above threshold
Max Compression 30dB
Compressor Attack Time Program-Dependent; >1s for small level increases, down to 10ms for larage increases
Compressor Release Time Program-Dependent; adjustable between approximately 1dB/sec and 75dB/sec
Compressor Distortion Typically <0.05%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, 15dB G/R, +10dBu Output, DENSITY @ 0
IMD SMPTE: <0.05%; 60Hz/7kHz 4:1, 15dB G/R, +10dBu Output Level, DENSITY @ 0
De-esser Characteristic Wideband Gain Reduction
De-esser Frequency Range 800Hz to 10kHz High Pass, 12dB/octave
De-esser Release Time 12dB/octave Program-Dependent; approximately 1mS/dB
Enhancer HF Detail Characteristic Program-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately 15dB maximum HF boost
Enhancer LF Detail Characteristic Bell-shaped boost @ 80Hz, bell-shaped cut @250Hz, ratio is approximately 2:1
Expander/Gate Threshold Range OFF to +15dBu
Expander/Gate Ratio Adjustable 1.5:1 to 10:1
Expander/Gate Max Depth >50dB
Expander/Gate Attack Time Program-Dependent, approximately 2mS (at maximum attenuation)
Expander/Gate Release Time Program-Dependent, approxiamtely 10mS/dB
Expander/Gate Dynamic Range Typically 105dB
Power Consumption 15W
Operating Voltage DO: 120VAC 60Hz, 100VAC 50/60Hz; EU: 230VAC 50/60Hz
Operating Temperature 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Dimensions 1.75" x 5.75" x 19" (4.5cm x 14.6cm x 48.5cm)
Unit Weight 4.5 lbs/2.04 Kgs
Shipping Weight 6.54 lbs/2.97 Kgs
List price: $351.93
Price: $290.00
SKU: DBX286SVVM
Catalog: 
Processors & DSP
Brand: 
DBX
Dimensions: 22 in × 12 in × 3 in
Weight: 7 lb