DBX 286S | Microphone Pre-amp / Channel Strip

286s 

Microphone Preamp/Channel Strip

The 286s is a full featured channel strip that includes a studio quality microphone/instrument preamplifier, and four processors that can be used independently or in any combination. The hassle of patching together multiple processors for use on one track can be frustrating. The unit delivers the entire microphone processing chain needed in a single box, with the shortest, cleanest signal path.

Features include wide-ranging input gain control, switchable +48V phantom power, and an 80Hz high-pass filter to remove low frequency hum, rumble or wind. The dbx OverEasy compressor can transparently smooth out uneven acoustic tracks, or deliver the classic "in your face" vocal performance. Vocal sibilance can be tamed or even eliminated and high frequency distortion removed from instruments such as cymbals with the frequency tunable De-Esser.

The Enhancer provides both HF Detail and LF Detail controls that can add sparkle and crispness to vocals, while making adjustments to the low frequencies for adding fullness and depth to vocals and bass instruments. Muddy low midrange frequencies can be cleaned and the separate threshold and ratio controls on the Expander/Gate allow for subtly reducing headphone leakage, or radically gate noisy guitar amplifiers.

The channel strip provides a full complement of metering and status LEDs. The XLR microphone input accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs, allowing for easily connecting professional or home studio microphones. The 1/4" TRS line input can accept balanced/unbalanced signals to process live electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mix-down, while an insert jack provides access to the signal flow between the preamp and the processing sections for connection to external processors.

• Studio quality microphone 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 complement of meters and status LEDs
• +48V phantom power
• Precision detented controls

Specifications

• Number of Channels
  • Single
• Inputs
  • 1 x XLR Microphone (p2 hot)
  • 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Line
  • 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Insert
• Outputs
  • 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Insert
• Frequency Response
  • 20Hz to 20kHz, +0.5/-0.5dB
• Noise
  • <-80dBu unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); both gain controls set for 0dB, all processing controls OFF

Preamp

• Gain Range 
  • 0dB to +60dB
• Maximum Output
  • 0.25Vrms, Gain = 30dB 
• Input Impedance
  • ~4.2kΩ
• EIN
  • -125dBu, 22Hz to 22kHz, 150Ω source impedance
• CMRR
• >40dB, typically 55dB
• Phantom Power
• +48VDC, applied to XLR pins 2 and 3 through 6.81kΩ resistors

Line Input

• Impedance 
  • 10kΩ unbalanced, 20kΩ balanced
• Maximum Level
  • >+21dBu, balanced or unbalanced 
• Gain Range
  • -15dB to +45 dB
• CMRR
  • >40dB, typically 55dB

Insert

• Impedance
  • Ring: >5kΩ
  • Tip: 100Ω
• Maximum Level
  • >+21dBu, >+20dBm (600Ω load)
• Noise
  • <-89dBu, unweighted (20Hz to 20kHz); Line Gain control set to 0dB
• Distortion
  •  <0.01% THD, 20Hz to 20kHz, +10dBu

Line Output

• Impedance
  • 100Ω unbalanced, 200Ω balanced
• Maximum Level
  • >+21dBu, >+20dBm (600Ω load)
• Gain 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
• Distortion
  • <0.08%THD, 20Hz to 20kHz, +10dBu, all processing controls OFF

Compressor

• Threshold Range
  • -40dBu to +20dBu
• Ratio
  • >4:1 for input levels beyond 20dB above threshold
• Attack Time
  • Program dependent: >1S for small level increases, down to 10mS for large increases
• Release Time
  • Program dependent: adjustable between approximately 1dB/sec and 75dB/sec
• Slope
  • OverEasy
• Distortion
  • Typically <0.05%THD, 20Hz to 20kHz, 15dB gain reduction, +10dBu Output, Density @ 0
• SMPTE
  • Intermodulation Distortion: <0.05%; 60Hz/7kHz 4:1, 15dB gain reduction, +10dBu Output Level, Density @ 0

De-Esser

• Characteristics
  • Wideband Gain Reduction
• Frequency Range
  • 800Hz to 10kHz High Pass, 12dB/octave
• Release Time
  • Program dependent approximately 1mS/dB

Enhancer

• HF Detail
  • Program-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately 15dB maximum HF boost
• LF Detail
  • Bell-shaped boost @ 80Hz, bell-shaped cut @250Hz, ratio is approximately 2:1

Gate

• Gate Threshold
  • OFF to +15dBu
• Expansion Ratio
  • Adjustable 1.5:1 to 10:1
• Maximum Depth
  • >50dB
• Attack Time
  • Program dependent, approximately 2mS (at maximum attenuation)
• Release Time
  • Program dependent, approxiamtely 10mS/dB
• Dynamic Range
  • Typically 105dB

Physical

• Power Requirements
  • 120VAC 60Hz, 100VAC 50/60Hz 15W consumption
• Operating Temperature
  • 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C)
• Dimensions
  • 19 x 5.75 x 1.75" (485 x 146 x 45mm)
• Weight
  • 4.5 lb (2.04kg)

In The Box

• dbx 286s - Microphone Preamp/Channel Strip
• AC Power Cable Limited
• 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty