DBX 286 S 5-stars Reviews

It does what it should…

Works well both with condenser and dynamic mics (Rode nt1 and Shure PGA58). The only thing - it has no power button, so have to be unplugged when not used.

It Does the Thing

It's rugged and produces great results.

Super mic processor

Great for streaming and live singing. I now have 2 of these, so that I can do live streaming with a friend.

Bang for the bucks

I use this as a vocal processor when recording. Compared to when only plugging the condenser mic directly into the sound card with Midas pre-amps, it brings a boost and clarity that is hard to believe for this money. After starting using the DBX 286 S with humble settings, I've started to save a lot of post-production time making the vocals sound pristine.

A very nice first step

I got the 286 to get better voice recordings and to improve my sound during video meetings. I vas not happy with the weak pre-amp in my audio interface and this gave me even more! It’s lovely to have physical controls for all the steps in the process chain when you’re not able to route your audio through a DAW during Zoom meetings (and the compressor makes hilarious d&d sessions a little more bearable for my party members during fits of laughter)

A solid recommendation both for recording and online meetings!

It’s legendary

I’m inlove in it before then I get it

Perfect for pairing with Shure Sm7B

Mainly used together with Shure Sm7B and it gives perfect processed sound when streaming. For recordings, it requires minimal post-processing. I'm super happy with it.

Great For Beginners

My first time ever, using an analog compressor and preamp. So far I have been very satisfied with its performance and sound quality. The preamp works great with my Shure Sm7b and the compression effects are incredibly useful. Whether you use it for singing or for podcasts, it offers great background noise reduction and vocal compression to make you sound like a true radio host. Combined with a good quality mic, it allows clean and direct vocals, with no background noise if adjusted correctly.

The de-esser function works great, and really helps when preserving your sanity buy reducing the sharp Ssss sound. Along with its compression and eq abilities, it offers a clean, detailed and up-close sound, that requires very little post production to sound good.

For the price, its definitely one of the best options for beginner and intermediate pod-casters and vocalists to get the most out of their desired sound.

Dix 286 s

Makes my mic sound fantastic. An excellent product. Comes with full instructions

Vocal processor

Used as front-vocal processor in home-studio and for small gigs. Good sound, easy to set up, the needed features (except EQ. - that easily can be inserted), transparent sound. Only small irritation is that my voice is not good with the HI-enhance function, it brings out artificial sounding sybils.. But turn it off, and all is good. Recommended

Solid preamp

Versatile, quiet, lots of gain.

Noise gate is ok, nothing more.

Low/high boosting section is more "podcast sound" oriented, rather vocal recording.

I'm very happy with my purchase.

Really good

Really good unit. Sounds really nice. Everything works nicely.

Very impressed

Used it with cheap and high-end microphone and it delivers all the way. Also love the line in which you can use for post processing as well. Very happy with it. And I as a rack user I really admire that It works without a power switch.

A game changer

One of the top two or three most significant pieces of gear I've ever purchased. It made such an immediate and profound difference in the sound I was getting from our microphones that I've been kicking myself for not buying one sooner. In addition to being incredibly easy to use and sounding terrific (on both male and female voices, in our case), it has paid for itself many times over because of the time saved manually editing audio tracks which are now recorded with such an optimal dynamic range and noise already gated out - especially impactful when you're using a condensor mic that picks up absolutely everything.

Speaking of picking up everything... for anyone who is working in a small space or who might not have the luxury of a recording booth completely isolated from the control room: this unit does produce a hum that condensor mics will pick up very clearly in a quiet room. (I have two of them, and they produce an identical hum, so it's a feature... not a bug.)

Worth buying just for the gate

Having seen some negative reviews on this unit in recent years I was slightly dubious, but having taken the plunge I have to say that I’m highly impressed, the dbx 286s is well presented and well assembled, all the knobs and switches are well fitting, and the dials have a nice granular ‘clicking’ to help set levels with finer precision. Once you learn how to set this up it becomes a very powerful tool for any live audio or recording setup. I’ve been most impressed by the expander/gate in this unit, it’s extremely responsive and effective when set properly. The only slightly negative thing I noticed was that the unit emits a slight continuous buzzing noise because the transformer in it is directly bolted to the housing without any rubber washers or anything to insulate it from the housing. The noise is definitely not a deal breaker, but it is noticeable if the unit is sitting on the desk next to you. Note that it does not come through in the audio, and it’s better that the unit has a proper transformer instead of a switch mode power supply.

There is no real contender in this price range

I have been working as a voiceover and producer for a number of years now. For the price, there is no real contender to match ease of use, reliability and build quality. Even some higher priced units aren't as good as this all round.

I recently produced an entire audiobook using this preamp and won quite a prestigious award for the production. Granted I used a lot of VST also (Fab Filter mostly) and other good production techniques, but this unit just gives so much confidence to the performer listening to themselves live. You know what you are going to get with it and you know where you stand with it.

Ignore people saying the tubes are no good. Dig deeper and you will find people who replaced the tubes with "better" ones who eventually reverted back to the stock Chinese tubes. If you are just doing VO for commercials and some games etc. then this is more than good enough, in fact it's brilliant for that. Yes there is no power switch, but it's designed to be rack mounted with a sequenced power conditioner (if you haven't got a power conditioner yet.. please get one and protect your gear.. Furman are good, start there). Get a rack while you're at it.. you're in the audio rabbit hole now and the DBX is a great way to begin the fall!

Great overall, I will probably keep it till I start spending in the high thousands of dollars for preamps.

A Must have for sm7b

This pre-amp is a radio station classic. The price is unbeatable for the quality it delivers. Use is on dynamic mic such as SM7B or RE-20 and you will get an amazing sound.

dbx

For the price/quality ratio it's a bargain!! only comment would be intensity the gain has on the module, produces a very nasally type of sound when pushed too much but other than that no complaints!

Quality product

Ordered another one just because I loved the first one I bought a few years ago

Perfect

Does the job perfectly!