DBX 286S Microphone Preamp

DBX 286S Microphone Preamp
Product no: AXL-DBX286S Bax Music Warranty: This product comes with a 3-year warranty.

General

The DBX 286S is a fully equipped channel strip preamplifier. It consists of a studio-grade microphone/instrument preamp as well as four processors that can be used independently or in any combination.

Functionality

Why record vocals and instruments through a noisy, distorting mixer? The sonically high-quality DBX 286S preamp has all the features you need including wide-ranging input gain control, switchable +48V phantom power and an 80 Hz high-pass filter to remove low frequency hum.

Compression

Use the patented DBX OverEasy compressor to transparently smooth out uneven acoustic tracks or to deliver a classic ‘in your face’ vocal performance. Eliminate vocal sibilance and high-frequency distortion from instruments such as cymbals with the frequency-tuneable De-Esser. Fine-tune the Enhancer HF Detail control to add clarity and sharpness to your tracks. You can also make adjustments to the LF Detail control to add fullness and depth to vocals and bass instruments while cleaning up the muddy low and mid range frequencies.

Connectivity

The separate threshold and ratio controls allow you to subtly reduce headphone leakage or radically gate noisy guitar amps. The DBX 286S offers a full range of meters and status LEDs to visually guide you to achieving the right sound. The floating balanced XLR microphone input is suited for balanced or unbalanced inputs to connect professional and home-end microphones. The additional 6.3mm TRS line input is also suited for balanced and unbalanced signals to process live electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks in the mix down phase.

External effect modes

You can use the insert jack to interface between the microphone preamp and the signal processing sections to loop out external processors, such as EQ or delay unit. You can also use it to mix the signal of the mic preamp to an external destination.

The costs and inconvenience of patching multiple processors for use on one track can be frustrating. The DBX 286S provides you with all the mic processing you need in one device with the shortest and cleanest signal path to make your music sound its best!

Tips or comments about this product

Specifications

Product features

19-inch rack size	1U
Number of channels	1
Digital output	no
Sustainable product	not specified
Energy source	AC
Phantom power	yes
Phase reverse	no
Headphone output	no
Built-in compressor	yes
Built-in equaliser	no
Built-in limiter	no
Connection sockets	2x TRS send/return (balanced)
Stereo function	no
Analogue audio input type	microphone input (XLR)
Analogue audio output type	unbalanced line out (TS jack)
Type of dynamic processor	compressor, expander, gate, de-esser
Equipped with tube	no

Weight and dimensions including packaging

Weight (incl. packaging)	3,0 kg
Dimensions (incl. packaging)	56,5 x 29,0 x 6,5 cm

Product specifications

studio-grade mic preamp / channel strip processor
classic DBX compression puts great sound within reach
frequency-tuneable de-esser reduces sibilance and high-frequency distortion
enhancer increases the detail and definition of the high and low frequencies
programme adaptive expander/gate
insert jack for adding an external processor
full range of meters and status LEDs
+48V phantom power
precision dented controls
microphone input, type: floating balanced, pin 2 hot
microphone input, impedance: ~4.2 kOhms
microphone input, max. level: 0.25 Vrms, gain: 30 dB
microphone input, gain adjustment range: 0 dB to +60 dB
microphone input, phantom power: 48 VDC, applied to XLR pins 2 and 3 through 6.81 kOhms resistors
microphone input, CMRR: > 40 dB, typically 55 dB
microphone input, EIN: -125 dBu, 22 Hz - 22 kHz, 150 ohms source impedance
line input, type: floating balanced, tip hot
line input, impedance: 10 kOhms unbalanced, 20 kOhms balanced
line input, max. level: > +21 dBu, balanced or unbalanced
line input, gain adjustment range: -15 dB to +45 dB
line input CMRR: > 40 dB, typically 55 dB
insert, type: 6.3mm TRS phono jack, normalised, tip is send, ring is return
insert, ring impedance: > 5 kOhms
insert, ring max. level: > +21 dBu
insert, tip impedance: 100 ohms
insert, tip max. level: > +21 dBu, > +20 dBm (600 ohms load)
insert, noise: < 89 dBu, unweighted (20 Hz - 20 kHz); line gain control set to 0 dB
insert, distortion: < 0,01% THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +10 dBu
line output, type: 6.3mm TRS phono jack; balanced/unbalanced
line output, impedance: 100 ohms unbalanced, 200 ohms balanced
line output, max. level: > +21 dBu, > +20 dBm (600 ohms load)
line output, gain adjustment range: -30 dB to +10 dB
line output: noise < -80 dBu unweighted (20 Hz - 20 kHz); both gain controls set for 0 dB, all processing controls off
line output, frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5/-0.5 dB
line output, distortion: < 0,08 THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +10 dBU, all processing controls off
compressor, threshold range: -40 dBu to +20 dBu
compressor, threshold characteristic: OverEasy
compressor ratio > 4:1 for input levels beyond 20 dB above threshold
compressor, max. compression: 30 dB
compressor, attack time: program dependant; > 2 for small level increases down to 10ms for large increases
compressor, release time: program dependant; adjustable between approximately 1 dB/sec and 75 dB/sec
compressor, distortion: typically < 0.05%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, 15dB G/R, +10dBu Output, density @ 0
compressor, SMTPE intermodulation distortion: < 0,05%; 60 Hz - 7 kHz 4:1, 15 dB G/R, +10 dBu output level, density @ 0
de-esser, characteristic: wideband gain reduction
de-esser, frequency range: 800 Hz to 10 kHz high pass, 12 dB/octave
de-esser, release time: program dependent approximately 1 ms/dB
enhancer, HF detail characteristic: program-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately 15 dB 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: > 50 dB
expander/gate, attack time: program-dependant, approximately 2 ms (at maximum attenuation)
expander/gate, release time: program-dependant, approximately 10 ms/dB
expander/gate, typically 105 dB
operating temperature: 0 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius
power consumption: 15W
operating voltage: DO 120VAC 60Hz, 100VAC 50/60Hz EU 230VAC 50/60Hz
dimensions: 45 x 146 x 485 mm
weight: 2.04 kg

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Andrew C. July 30, 2024