dbx / 286s Mic Preamp/Compressor/Enhancer/De-Esser

This multi-function microphone preamp features four built-in dynamics processors. It quickly and easily improves the sound of your microphone. It's ideal for a wide range of applications, including streaming, home recording, and speeches.

Key Features

Studio-quality microphone preamp circuitry

Classic dbx Compressor

Adjustable frequency de-esser for reducing sibilance and high-frequency distortion

Enhancer for high- and low-end enhancement

Program adaptive expander/gate

Insert jacks for all connections

Level meters and status LEDs

+48V phantom power

The 286s is a channel strip processor featuring studio-quality microphone/instrument preamps and four built-in processors. The 286s' microphone preamps offer all the essential features, including wide input gain control, +48V phantom power, and an 80Hz high-pass filter. Use the patented dbxOverEasy compressor to smooth out uneven tracks or achieve that classic ""in your face"" sound. The adjustable frequency de-esser eliminates sibilance and high-frequency distortion from vocals. The enhancer helps you add definition to your tracks by fine-tuning the HF control, or clean up low-mid frequencies by adjusting the LF control. The expander/gate's threshold and ratio controls can also be used to prevent headphone leakage or eliminate guitar amp noise.

The dbx 286s features easy-to-read LED meters and status LEDs. The microphone input and 1/4"" TRS line input are both balanced and unbalanced, allowing you to use a wide range of sources, from microphones to electronic instruments and re-amping recording tracks. The insert jack allows you to insert external processors (such as EQ or delay) between the microphone preamp section and the processor section in the signal chain, or you can use each section independently by using only one of the insert jacks.

■English manual