Aphex Channel vs DBX 286s for Voice Over

Is the Aphex Channel worth the premium over the DBX 286s? You decide in this comprehensive overview of the two preamps. I'm no voice over pro, but I use these to help improve my audio for my videos. I bought the Aphex Channel from Sweetwater.com, give Ian a call and tell him you saw my video: Phone [phone] ext 1280.
My DBX 286s Review:
• DBX 286s Mic Pre-Amp T...
Aphex Channel:
amzn.to/2FiYrLw
DBX 286s
amzn.to/2roHRSe
Microphone to DBX XLR Cable
amzn.to/2r3lBh0
DBX 286s to Audio Interface (TRS to XLR Cable)
amzn.to/2r3pJ0q
Clarett 2Pre Thunderbolt Audio Interface:
amzn.to/2qCbyhs
Alternative Audio Interface:
amzn.to/2rCFTL8
Clarett 2Pre to Computer Thunderbolt Cable:
amzn.to/2r3EWPj
Cloudlifter:
amzn.to/2rgGW5R

[@BluffMunkey]

This test makes no sense. You're amplifying with cloudlifter, then again with the strip(s) and then again going into the Claret. It would make much more sense to ditch the cloudlifter, run straight into the strip(s) and then line in (not XLR) to the Claret, bypassing the mic pre-amp. You're tripling potential noise floor issues.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

BluffMunkey without the cloudlifter on the Aphex Channel, the gate is always engaged. The Claret 2 Pre does not have a line in that bypasses the preamps.

[@soulbrothanumbuh3200]

@@GaryCruzDotCom isn't that why it has an xlr/trs input, so if you are using an external preamp you can bypass your AI's internal preamp by plugging in a trs?

[@rars0n]

@@soulbrothanumbuh3200 Yes, if you're using a channel strip with a preamp, then you should be plugging into the interface via TRS which bypasses the onboard pre on the interface. All of the combo XLR/TRS inputs on audio interfaces like this work this way, the TRS input is for line-level inputs and therefore bypass the preamp.

[@patrickvandenhoek1234]

@@GaryCruzDotCom Sorry to say, but your noise level is very high. This is because your input is very low, and you're applying so much gain afterwards. Make sure to have good input levels first, and lower the "Gain Reduction" you have, because your voice sounds very unnatural. You are having a lot of noise, but hiding this with the gate.

[@MikeG-js1jt]

Also you dont need your ratio jack ALL the way up on the gates, or the depth control on the Aphex

[@luisamedina1]

At the same time at One Thousand $$$ for the Apex Channel, I would assume to be better than the $200.00 DBX. How do you compare the Apex Project Channel to the dvx 286s? Thank you.

[@ronaldinocrosdale7622]

Honestly there is a slight difference between the aphex and dbx and after watching this video i can not justify spending $800 more on the aphex The aphex has a worse gate for sure A little fuller sound But nothing that i would spend $800 more for If it was a $100-$200 difference It would be a different story

[@rars0n]

You've got this set up incorrectly. You should not be plugging a preamp into a preamp. I saw your review on Sweetwater of the Aphex Channel and immediately noticed you said you were using XLR from the Aphex to the audio interface. You should be using 1/4" cable to the line input on the Clarett (center portion of the XLR input).

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Thanks! That's how I have it setup after this video.

[@pickleman5041]

@@GaryCruzDotCom Exactly. Also, you have an immense amount of gain reduction going on.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

@@pickleman5041 totally

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Sweetwater confirmed the Gate issue and is sending me a replacement. They also said the Peak LED isn't the input level, but the output. The great thing about Sweetwater customer support is that they will get the same piece of gear and test it out if you have issues with yours. I tested the replacement in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3PSi5uFhsqrjKM

[@andriimotsyk3018]

You have set pretty awkward settings on DBX. Can tell nothing about APHEX.

[@virgogreg]

SM7B mics. Always sound alitle muddy when compressed that's what I notice about them

[@stevefreegard6406]

Your compression settings are way too high and combined with the infinite ratio on the noise gate makes it sound very choppy. Because of the crazy compression, the aircraft is opening the noise gate and every swallow, lip smack etc. can be heard along with your son gaming in the background - which is really, really unpleasant. Having such high compression doesn't make your voice any louder (unless you back off the mic), so on the DBX (which I have) - you probably don't want the "Drive" above 4 and have the "Density" around 7. The way I would set it up, is to set the Density to 7 and the Drive at 0 (turn the gate, EQ, de-esser off) and then speak how you normally would and start increasing the Drive until you stop hearing the loudness increase, so on normal speech you get 3-6Db of gain reduction. Once you've got the compression right, then set the De-esser, EQ (personally I never use EQ myself) and finally the gate. In my opinion the gate shouldn't ever completely cut the audio, but again should be gentle - I personally use it to simply get the noise floor with the gate closed to be the same as running with the mic without any processing (e.g. expanding the dynamic range to where it started before it was compressed) e.g. so you end up with a nice, punchy sound without a really high noise floor or a choppy gate and all the swallowing, lip smacks etc. are still as quiet as they would be without compression.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Steve Freegard thank for the constructive feedback! I’ll take it to heart and try some of this in my future videos! I really appreciate it.

[@WillieMCruz]

Adding a bit of reverb would make it sound more natural with the gate you get rid off the noise with the verb you get back the natural sound but in a controlled way, it needs to be subtle., meticulously set. Not very good with the English I hope I can do better. Peaaaaace

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

@@WillieMCruz Thanks for the tip, I'll have to try that as well. Curious, how did you guys find this video?

[@Clive.Castro]

You do not need a cloudlifter with a dbx or aphex those things carry tons of clean gain. You would only need a cloudlifter if you connected directly to the clarret.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Agreed, no need for a cloudlifter with a DBX, but it was needed for the Aphex since the noise gate wouldn't work with it properly without one.

[@kennethsalter9998]

I push a vocalizer through the DBX! Dang Nice! Works great! It took me years to understand the need for a good external preamp! Its Nite and Day!

[@francarlofogaca]

I have this equipment with a defect. Do you have the service manual for this DBX286S equipment? Thank you.

[@FreerunMediaService]

I am watching this with my toes curled right up. The settings on both machines are not the same and for the DBX it's even turned up too high. The compression is hitting the -20db redcution, for voice it should be -9 at most. The Aphex is showing it's peak indicator while there seems to be almost no sound coming in. There is something going wrong. Phase invert doesn't do much when 1 microphone is in use. So it has no effect whatsovever. For the release, it is too slow. For use in voice you need as fast as possible. The enhancer on the DBX is set too high. For the HF you should not exceed the 5 and LF the same. It gives the wrong coloring on the microphone setting this too high. Expander/gate on the DBX at 10:1? In all, not usefull at all. I would sugest to leave the audio testing to the professionals and stick to the gadgets.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Freerun-Media thanks! I’ve learned a lot since I’ve posted this. At the time there were no reviews on the Aphex. I would hope someone with your expertise would post a better video. I’m not being snarky either. Regardless, others will read these comments and learn too.

[@BrentLeVasseur]

That’s not room noise (airplane flyby exception). What you are hearing is electrical noise generated by your power supply and all the other electrical devices you have plugged into your outlet. You should consider a good power conditioner as well as putting your audio equipment on one dedicated breaker switch and keeping all your other electrical stuff isolated on different breaker switches. That hiss should go away completely provided that all your gear in your signal chain is of good quality and isn’t contributing to that noise. Power chords and power supplies make a big difference too. I would consider looking at audiophile grade power chords from companies like audio quest instead of using the stock power cables that come with these devices. Once you get your power situation fixed, most of that hiss should be gone. Also the noise gate on the Aphex doesn’t solve the hiss problem as it only blocks it when you aren’t talking. However as soon as you start to speak into the mic, the hiss is back and is included in your voice recording.

[@BillBene67]

Great advice Brent. I've been having some hiss and noise and thought it was more of issues with my room acoustics. If I have a power conditioner plugged in the wall but more outboard gear than slots on my Furman, would I need another furman or can I use a power strip connected to the Furman and going into its own dedicated breaker?

[@MikeG-js1jt]

Is it possible to run your audio signal through both units and only use the DBX gate? and use all other effects from the Aphex?... I have the DBX and I know it has a fantastic gate.... if I were running in a "studio silent" envoronment, I would definitely prefer the Aphex, as I like the sound of it over the DBX.

[@Themorningskoop]

I run my signal through both the Aphex Channel and DBX 286s. I use the DBX for the gate. Works great.

[@DreamPrincess010]

It would have been interesting to see how the PreSonus Studio Channel compared in this?

[@generalawareness101]

Surge strip that is brand new on the DBX286s and I returned the DBX as the transformer would begin to AC hum to buzz and get louder the longer it was on. Unplug it and wait a min then plug it back in and it would start the cycle over.

[@SatyaJanghu]

I found my mains were running higher than rated voltage. This was causing the transformer hum. I'm in India and the standard voltage should be 2220-240v. But the voltage in the mains was actually 260-280. I had a backup UPS which I disconnected from mains so it would run on battery and supply 220v and that fixed the hum. Obviously can't run the dbx on battery all the time, so I got a mains voltage regular just for the studio room. Nothing crazy expensive. Mine was rated for 1000w load and cost something like $30.

[@generalawareness101]

@@SatyaJanghu Was not the case here as I tried the same.

[@mr.horror3858]

if you could use just the noise gate and amplification from the 286 and then the rest from the aphex..... that would work because the only sketchy thing about the aphex is the gate

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

I really considered doing that! But I hope Aphex could potentially make an updated one that addresses those two issues. Keeping my fingers crossed!

[@lifesogood3809]

@@GaryCruzDotCom The Aphex noise gate is very unnatural causing your voice to have little noise with your voice and silence before or after you speak.....There is no release or attack with it. It's waste of money if this is these chunky hardwares can do. Then I just do it with my DAW on the way in with Reaper and some great plugins..... Because I see how poor the whole thing is or maybe you need to spend more time till you find the best setting to make your sound supreme......So I dont know anymore...was thinking of buying one of these..... Maybe all I need is just the clean gain preamp.....And all those processings might not be compulsory... Thank you..

[@Antonio_Scuro]

Ну, поскольку комментарии продвигают видео - напишу. 🙂 Спасибо за такое длительное видео с примером звучания. Очень полезное видео, так как оба прибора - по сути одно и то же, но разница в цене кратная. Лично для себя заметил, не смотря на то что aphex кажется более шумным, но характер звука приятнее в сравнении с dbx. Я не разбираюсь с профессиональной точки зрения, но после этих примеров... Слышно что в случае с вокалом, результат обработки вокала - приятно слышать и кажется деталей больше слышно, мелочей всяких , а dbx просто слышно. Несколько раз прослушал это видео, с разными наушниками... Aphex определенно стоит денег. Может это эффект частично лампового звука, не знаю. Я слышу в вашем голосе когда используете aphex - те вещи с которыми очевидно надо работать при пении, они на виду, а те что не так важны - смягчены, само звучание голоса. Если судить с точки зрения новичка, который хочет слышать где как, в каком месте можно лучше спеть, изменить интонацию, динамику. То aphex - прозрачнее. Если поешь плохо - это будет слышно, но не так ужасно что бы бросить микрофон, а если что-то хорошо, то слышно как можно сделать лучше. Dbx - на мой любительский взгляд, это прибор для равнодушной записи сигнала, а aphex cannel - друг вокалиста желающего слышать то что звучит плохо, - не так плохо (живые выступления), а дома с этим прибором слышать детали с которыми можно работать, важные мелочи.

[@Antonio_Scuro]

Будет необходимость с таком приборе, точно не буду спешить. Лучше скопить денег на aphex.

[@Antonio_Scuro]

Не знаю, смотрят ли это русско говорящие. И тем более читают ли комментарии, но обратите внимание именно на этот момент. Как слышно работу голоса? Не сам голос, а что ты там им делаешь и как... Ну, мало ли. Кто поделиться.

[@ivansbobrovs3519]

@@Antonio_Scuro Смотрят. Спасибо. Aphex Сейчас установлен на Пульте Rodecaster Pro, стоит примерно 500 евро. Но шумоподавление явно лучше у DBX. У Aphex эти дёргания и шум явно выше при разговоре

[@JourneyzzTeenzCoach]

That thing sounds delicious! I’m definitely asking Santa for one!

[@veerchasm1]

Geez, did Aphex hire the AM/PM dayglo drink cozie people to design their preamp?

[@andyr8812]

Now, in June 2021, get the Rodecaster Pro. It's more expensive than my dbx 286s with Klark Teknik CT1 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 put together, but it's worth it as you have all the controls in the Rodecaster plus many other inputs. The buzzing sound emitted by the dbx 286s is an electromechanical vibration noise produced by a cheap power transformer inside the unit. I have replaced mine with a toroidal type transformer, and the very annoying noise is gone. However, I might sell the unit since my Rodecaster Pro does everything I need, and has enough gain to power very power hungry dynamic mics.

[@CreativeNotJustYet]

Can you record the microphones separately from each other? or does it record everything in stereo? on the Rodecaster Pro?

[@ivansbobrovs3519]

Best Video

[@kp4cz-Jose]

Great information and awesome video! 👌Aphex is the best for my opinion. The DBX it's ok but the tone on the Aphex is better sound to me. Thanks!

[@MichaelW.1980]

Too bad, you had issues finding the right noise gate/expander settings. The gating was audible pretty much the whole time. I hope you did find good settings since then.

[@moneyman9159]

thank u

[@JudgeFredd]

Tx for this clear review

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

JudgeFredd glad it helped. When I first looked into it, there weren’t any comparisons of the two.

[@jclbuxfan]

I have the 286 the gate sounds way batter than aphex imo . I also don’t live next to an airport.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

You are lucky you don't live next to one!

[@BrantCasteel]

Does the XLR connection on the DBX286s require an external phantom power source?

[@MikeG-js1jt]

no dbx provides it

[@fromgreetings]

DBX over and above the Aphex.The aphex is too expensive and doesn't offer what promises.

[@jclbuxfan]

Gangsta rap and Beastie boys in the same sentence lol

[@ConfidenZeTheHumanTorch]

😂🤣😂😂😂😂

[@1giveme]

great video

[@ivansbobrovs3519]

Aphex now is Rodecaster pro

[@stanleynowak9325]

I like the Aphex better. You just don't sound like a gangster rap host though. This from a former WCBS-FM oldies radio DJ.

[@robertodepetro1996]

wrong settings for the dbx, so it sound so bad

[@fredweinmann2610]

The settings are all wrong and actually making the 286 sound worse than it is properly setup. The Aphex is also terrible with DC pops on the buttons and it also appears to be setup wrong. Just because you have a compressor does not mean more compression is better. 3-9db is good for voice. Both units are being over-driven to the point that the comparison is useless. I would like to see this with a phantom powered mic. The preamp gain is way way way too high.

[@CreativeNotJustYet]

What about both of them? I already got the dbx286s + audio mixer, and considering to replace my Audio mixer to the Aphex 230, so i get the 24 bit sounds (cause my audio mixer only has 16 bit sound) what do you think about that?

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

If you PC has optical in, then that should work.

[@CreativeNotJustYet]

@@GaryCruzDotCom unfortunately not, only spdif out :/ do yo u got discord?

[@kennethsalter9998]

Both are good...DBX is just becoming the standard now...

[@bigtastyben5119]

I feel like the video is too long vs what can be talked about in this video, I feel like if you cut down to 20 a lot of this video would have less dead air and more information. Saw you said that because of the plans you got tired of editing this video, understandable, but I feel like your gimping yourself. It takes some people a week to a month to makes videos because of how tedious editing can be, if it becomes increasingly frustrating to edit videos them maybe this shouldn’t be your thing. Last thing I wouldn’t call beastie boys gangster rap, perhaps Geto Boys?

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Thanks for the feedback Ben. Sorry it's a bit long, for me, I tried to put everything I had wanted to know about the Aphex on this video since I didn't find much when this video was created. As regards to the Beastie Boys, I guess you didn't pick up on my sarcasm lol

[@lifesogood3809]

Sorry for the bashing....You are not supposed to engage the bass roll off or hpf.....that way the bass frequencies is completely removed and your voice thins out.... bad idea for radio and voice over.....even though it was because background noise you engaged it. But now your voice sounds thin and un radio-like on the DBX You need to redo this video. And you saying way too many things....have the video more focused and it could be a 20 minutes video.....Well I click like but you got to do better than this.... Love

[@FreerunMediaService]

What you are saying about the bass roll of is not true. There are no sounds coming from any human voice below 80hz. You can switch the 80hz roll of on without any problems. The only reason for leaving it on is when you record something that can produce 80hz like a bass or a kickdrum. The reason for his voice being that thinny is the HF detail is turned all the way up. For the SM7b you need a little but just a little, about +2 up to +4.

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

How does the DBX pre compare to the CLARETT pres?

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Both very clean.

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

@bert fromarketin which one are you referring to

[@pachobg2]

Too much compression dude! DBX sounds a lot cleaner, Aphex is muddy.

[@RepublicAllegiance]

DEEEEEP in the Big Bottom

[@toker93]

The Aphex sounds much better in my opinion.

[@chrisschwaab]

yes. Much more like radio. Just compare when he says "this is my dj voice" - so huge differencies.

[@ahall3823]

is the dbx 286s digital?

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

No

[@armsby]

I'm sorry but you did just about everything wrong. 35db hiss? OMG! Every time your noise gate switches on you get the hiss enveloping your voice. The aphex noisgate is switching so fast its causing extra artifacts! Listen to the word IN STR MENT from 9:17 The compressors amplify the the hiss of course because they reduce the dynamic range. I'm watching the Aphex meters showing 15 to 20db reduction!! Why? A Phase reversal demonstration needs two inputs! I can't comment on the video after 15:00 because I stopped watching.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

This must have hit some sort of KZbin algorithm because this video is over almost two years old and I've learned a lot since this. When I was looking at this, there were barely any videos on the Aphex. We need people with your expertise making videos, but I went to your site and only saw erratic drone videos. Drones is an area I have expertise in, but that's on my other channel here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6K5l6euZb-pqJY

[@armsby]

@@GaryCruzDotCom Yes I'm not particularly motivated to make videos, need a 4k computer to edit my Anafi stuff. But on the sound front I was a beta tester for Samplitude. I had 16 track recording in the box with two monitors from a Pentium III 600 - Windows 98. I recorded all day with that rig. Never crashed. Maybe I'll do some videos when I retire.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

@@armsby Yeah, videos are tough. I was a DJ at a 100,000 Watt station, but I worked with pro engineers like you. Thank you for sharing your insights and hopefully others will learn from all the comments about my mistakes haha! Stay safe out there!

[@Kurecify]

you don't know how to set it up..

[@HuskiesRL]

You have a great voice!

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Wow, thanks for the feedback. I'm trying to become more comfortable with hearing my own voice. Now if I can only sing like my wife...

[@brtcobra]

you made them sound bad

[@timmark4190]

For deep bottom Aphex wins @19:41

[@miguffx]

you never speak loud , ,

[@MetalManiacMan1313]

Maybe don't drink water or chew gum during your demo.

[@GaryCruz]

MetalManiacMan1313 haha, I would usually edit that stuff out, but in this context, I was also testing how the devices handle that type of noise. I definitely wasn’t chewing gum, mouth got dry and needed the water and I was already “done” with the different takes because of the planes. Thanks for the feedback though!

[@CreativeNotJustYet]

Dbx or Aphex, hmm Dbx is cheap and Aphex is not, I got the DBX but I would love to have aphex, don't know if its worth an upgrade tho, I don't do anything professional, I'm just chatting with friends lol ;)

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

If you have the DBX one thing you might want to consider is the Aural Exciter separately. But I understand where you coming from because I don't do voice over for a living either.

[@CreativeNotJustYet]

@@GaryCruzDotCom So the only difference is the Big Bottom and the Aural Exciter and the Compressor between the Aphex channel and the Aphex Exciter?, the Aphex Channel has the Gate + De-Essing. so I can use the Compressor, Expander Gate and De-esser from the DBX and the aural exciter and big bottom from the aphex exciter? :)

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

@@CreativeNotJustYet You got it!

[@timmark4190]

@@GaryCruzDotCom Where can we buy the Aural Exciter

[@helmanfrow]

This video could (and should) have been ten minutes long. Fifteen tops.

[@koenignero]

35:49 😂😂

[@mr.horror3858]

Gangster Rap??.... oh no keep the children away

[@MauriMoore]

sounds really bad my friend .

[@AlexD12345]

MOST POINTLESS REVIEW EVER. SORRY.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

Thanks for your comment, do you have any feedback on what you were specifically looking for?

[@AlexD12345]

Thanks for your reply. I am looking for something more precise/focused without repetition of the same point, short (10 min or less), with no distructions/excuses that do not add to the review. Thank you.

[@GaryCruzDotCom]

@@AlexD12345 Thanks for the honest feedback. I'll take that into account! Hope you are staying safe out there.