DBX 676 tube microphone preamp and channel strip

General

In this digital era, a piece of kit like the DBX 676 is a welcome addition. This tube microphone preamp and channel strip gives your microphone or instrument a crystal-clear analogue sound. The 676's tube circuit makes your audio sound rich and warm, but also allows you to add a tube effect and overdrive for that essential analogue touch. The channel strip is fitted with a compressor limiter and a 3-band parametric equalizer. You'll definitely enjoy having the DBX 676 in your (home) studio, but this preamp is also ideal for upgrading your live sound!

Connectors of the DBX 676

This DBX 676 features 6.35mm jack and XLR inputs and outputs. On the front of the unit you'll find a 6.35mm jack instrument input. A rear-fitted sidechain insert is also provided, allowing you to run the compressor via a side chain. Check various levels with the VU meter in the middle of the preamp. Three switches allow you to select the signal you want to monitor: the input signal, output signal or the amount of gain reduction. DBX's 676 has a built-in phantom power supply for use with studio condenser microphones. The polarity is switchable, and with the help of the low-cut filter you can supress the signal below 80 Hz, keeping handling and background noises out of your recordings.

Compressor/limiter

This part of the 676 provides you with a flexible way to adjust the dynamics of your signal. With controls like threshold, ratio, attack, release and make-up gain, you can direct the 676 in how it should treat the signals that you're feeding through. You can even add sidechain compression, a feature that makes the 676 compressor respond to a signal you introduce via the insert on the back of the device. Think of letting the compression on the signal of the bass drum microphone respond to the signal of the bass guitar.