DBX 286s Channel Strip & Mic Preamp

Submitted by Alexander Briones on Nov. 22, 2015..

93

GEARANK

93 out of 100. Incorporating 1250+ ratings and reviews.

Gearank High Notes

December 2021: Highest Rated Channel Strip Under $500
June 2020: Highest Rated Channel Strip Under $500
December 2018: Highest Rated Channel Strip Under $500
February 2018: Highest Rated Mic Preamp under $200
August 2017: Highest Rated Channel Strip Under $500
February 2017: Highest Rated Mic Preamp under $200
January 2016: Highest Rated Channel Strip Under $500

Features

Channels: 1
Mic Preamps: 1
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Input Connectors: 1 x XLR, 1 x TRS Line Input, 1 x 1/4" Insert
Output Connectors: 1 x TRS Output
Controls:Gain, Phantom Power, 80 Hz High-Pass Filter, Compressor, De-Esser, Enhancer, Expander Gate, Output
Dimensions: 1.75" x 5.75" x 19"
Weight: 4.5 lbs.

From the manufacturer:

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.