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This product is increasingly hard to find, but offers exceptional audio processing power for both broadcast and music applications and at a good price. We've bought these units primarily for broadcast voice applications and so cannot comment on their use in music recording or via the line input. However the unit provides what is essentially a complete channel strip consisting (L to R) of the following: A Mic Pre with gain control, a basic 4-LED level indicator, phantom power and 80Hz HPF, plus a button to use the mic pre on its own; A VERY powerful but very easy to use compressor with input level and release controls; A de-esser (which I've never used); An LF/HF enhancer which boosts bass and/or treble without muddying the sound; An expander/gate that lets you remove room background noise below a certain threshold and by a chosen amount; and An output gain control that enables you to maintain a good gain structure for the signal path into your mixer. There are tutorials on the web for how to set this unit up as a starting point for broadcast applications - BSW has a video and cheat sheet that springs to mind - but in fact once you get the hang of what the controls actually do, it's very easy to set up. "Gotchas" include: Don't apply too much Drive to the compressor or it will remove all the dynamics in a voice and can be noticeable. Follow the maxim that if you can hear what it's doing you've turned it up too much; Be careful with the Expander/Gate ratio. Too much noice reduction here can sound a little "papery" on speech as the gate flutters in and out on breaths and other sounds when you are using a lot of compression. Try to set the Threshold so that it gates out room noise but only just, so the minute you speak or breath it opens up. My one complaint with this unit: they should have included a main power switch, even if it was round the back attached to the power socket. While a larger studio may well have a big power switch that brings everything up at start of day, and while there are arguments for leaving gear on all the time, if you are NOT using it all the time it would be nice to be able to switch it off. I bought an IEC in-line switch to do the job, but a built-in switch associated with the power socket would have added almost nothing to the cost - and you could still leave it on if you wish.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Having owned the dbx 286s and a Focusrite ISA One preamp for about 2 years, I have come to a conclusion, I will just have to sell the Focusrite. I was shocked to tell you the truth, after comparing the two today. I bought the 286s just for the compression and deesser feature alone, never have I tried its preamp for the microphone. The ISA One have been doing its duty as the preamp for my microphone these past 2 years. Today I had the thought of comparing the two side by side, and let me tell you, I was shocked, the preamp in the dbx 286s is warmer, just as clear, and just as powerful as the ISA One. I am sad that my favorite preamp will be set aside however, but I will love my dbx more from now on. As a note, I am using the preamp strictly for vocal works, my mic is AE5400, into the dbx 286, to dbx 215s equalizer, and finally to the yamaha MG10XU.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
Using it for on air work. The processor’s easy to use and very effective as a compressor limiter. The gating is easy to dial in to remove computer and hvac noise from home use. Separate hi lo EQ is nice and the D Esser will smooth out all the rough edges. Only downside is 1/4 out only. Be nice if it had both XLR in and out but it’s an easy adaptation. Highly recommend!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
So far so good....easy to use and it does make a difference.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Although you could certainly build a signal chain with a better mic preamp, a better compressor, a better gate/expander, a parametric EQ, etc. you wouldn’t have the same dependable simplicity in a 1 RU unit. The 286A is a classic because it’s easy to get a great sound quickly, and you won’t get bogged down with option paralysis.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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