DBX 286s Mic Preamp and Processor Walkthrough

[@jinglesbluecat]

I've just bought two of these units for a radio studio - we've never sounded so good ! Thanks for taking the time to demo this properly, letting us hear how it actually affects your voice

[@SimulationKris]

Now I want the 286s even more. This is the best and most thorough walkthrough I have seen. Thanks Mike

[@JtwasLuck]

If only it was a bit smaller!

[@modernwize]

Jafar Uddin thats what she said

[@JtwasLuck]

u know it ;)

[@cybercongo6506]

I know he is awesome

[@afinomusic]

just get an Apollo Twin Duo instead.. smaller form factor, zero latency processing with a dual-core processor inside the unit, no need for a rackmount unit

[@Dwoalin]

I've had the 286S for about 4 months now and as a streamer on Twitch I couldn't have chosen a better all in one box. Great alternative to having to buy a compressor, a Cloudlifter, etc etc. At $200 it's a steal. Glad to see you covered this awesome piece of gear and covered it very well at that. Great job! Love your videos.

[@mediamannaman]

As an audiobook narrator who does his own editing and mastering I find this is a great timesaver, especially being able to gate out mouth noise, breaths, and outside noise.

[@elizabethficocelli7608]

This was an incredibly helpful tutorial for understanding my DBX -- I made some tweaks and it has reduced my room floor, cleared up my s-sounds, and by using the by-pass filter have no more annoying hum from the HVAC unit next door! Thanks so much...

[@MacnackVideo]

2:37 Preamp 4:34 Compressor 7:45 deesser 9:25 Enhancer 11:35 Expender 15:22 output Thanks for the video!

[@ClearAdventure]

Thank you!

[@JaeBTundra1]

I wonder if you can use this if you already have a external preamp. I would like to use it for the dessers.

[@Filow]

The Best DBX Settings Video yet.

[@TechGorilla1987]

I posted 2 years ago about an auction for one of these - it fell through. I got the OG 286A from the US, recapped it and I absolutely love it. This is the fourth or fifth time I have watched this. It's a bible. Welcome to Sept 2022.

[@nicktayloriv310]

Came back to revisit this vid just to say I bought one shortly after seeing you (and another trusted voice out here in YouTubistan) give it the run through and I have no regrets. I paired it with a DBX 131s equalizer a short time afterwards and I love my sound now. I bought one of them remote controlled power plug things and plugged both into it so I can turn them off and on to keep them from being on when not in use.

[@SuperDerek]

Hey Mike, I just wanted to thank you for this video. Today I received my DBX 286A and I can't wait to use it during my live-streaming sessions. The 286A is the same piece of equipment with basically just an older looking front-plate. The A costs a bit less, and I picked it up thanks to your persuasion. I'm constantly looking for ways to improve the quality of my content, and I think the advice I've been gleaning from your channel over the last few weeks has really inspired me to get out there and record something amazing. :)

[@bdr518]

This! I just ordered a used 286A from guitar center for $50 (before taxes and shipping)

[@PitmasterSupplyCompnay]

I just have to thank you for all of your advise in your video's... I have taken many of you tips and applied them to my recording chain. Added the dpx 286s today and followed you all the way thru the video AND BOOM - It Magically cleared up my chain and the loud room I have to record in. I will be making a few changes to the room to deaden it some more - But WOW! What a difference it has made! I am using it with my new Digital Mixer - the Yamaha MG10XU & New CAD E100S - Love that mic! It reminds me of when I was the Production Director for Citidel in SLC and had a Neumann in my studio. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! I hope you are getting paid from these companies - I sure you sell more products than you know~!

[@MrAlexmbat]

I got its older brother the 286A, which as far as i can tell is just a new coat of paint. Thank you booth junkie!

[@ICACJ]

i've been considering this for exactly the reason in the intro. Usually I run a VST host to process while streaming or recording and it takes a little too much cpu.

[@kamay7021]

yoooooo hitman boi

[@veerchasm1]

I’ve used a 286 for 17 years, great piece

[@Odix91]

Dude, you explained that soooo well, all my questions are answered! Greetings from Germany. Next time, i will pay you for doing such a great and informatic Video :P

[@rooty_tooty]

Wow. I know nothing about mics let alone preamps and all the fancy sound devices. I understood everything you explained and was able to digest it. I just bought a Shure MV7 and was thinking about boosting the potential of the mic. Thank you for such a helpful explanation!

[@vasileiospgr]

came to check the dbx 286s. got a free lecture instead. dude 🖤

[@bradleysmith681]

Great video.. Well explained... A thought to keep in mind when adjusting processing is that "less is often more."

[@MelroyvandenBerg]

Just: less is more. Period

[@heyitswesty]

this is great - I know it's an older vid but I'm literally buying one of these units and this is a nice walkthrough of features. Appreciate it.

[@savanaviolenta]

Im getting this pre amp along with Lexicon MX400 in a week,not for voice over ,but for singing.Thanks great review!

[@MichaelW1980randoms]

Thank you a lot, mike, for sharing this video with us! This was the video that made me aware of this piece of tech, and since having a signal as processed, like what im getting after post in OBS right now for every application, it was simply gold to me! Compressor, Expander/Gate, a dynamic equalizer and a de-esser before the signal even gets to my audio interface? I'm in love! I'm sure this will be the pre-amp i'll end up buying. Great stuff...

[@loose_tooth]

Hiya, Dunno if my comment 3 weeks ago inspired this (I would like to think) but it was a good watch, really enjoyed it and learned some things (like I did not realise you kept the output at 0). Anyway just to let you know that the DBX 286s had a predecessor called the DBX 286a. No-one is sure why DBX discontinued one for the other as, apart from the order of the chain, they are identical. The DBX 286a comes up on Ebay a lot cheaper than the new DBX 286s - I am currently tracking one for £40 in the UK. Many thanks for the video.

[@Q9X75]

Just stop by to say thanks for all of your great informative podcasts, your videos on the DBX 286 and the Stellar X2 were great helps. Like the deep knowledge base you share

[@2E0KOL]

Very pleased with mine, the only difference that I have with my set up is that I use a Valve Pre-amp before hand. Very happy with the results using a Heil PR40 and PR781 , I use this set up for Ham Radio. Great Video!

[@danielpenaofficial4186]

What’s your call sign got any clips of it on the air?

[@SlickFrame]

Thanks for your help dude! I'm going to be buying ALOT of stuff soon, including a preamp!

[@infinitebuzz]

The 'bypass as an input' trick is cool, but going though a line in on most interfaces will accomplish the same thing. There is a 'pre-amp' in line with the line in, but it is not generally amplifying, especially if the outboard gear is set correctly. You definitely want to bypass high gain, inexpensive, mic level pre-amps, but I have not had, and wouldn't expect, extra noise from a line in.

[@designwithdaniel]

I was about to say the same. I'm still learning the fundamentals, though I learned this just recently and bought myself a new interface with Line In (Stenberg U242) for this very reason.

[@WyattOShea]

I have the older A version and I love it :P.

[@IndieRespawn]

I actually have both the mic and the amp and this video helped me dial things in! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I owe ya!

[@richwilliams9103]

Thanks Mike You have a gift of explaining how these gadgets work Thank you thank you thank you

[@DemmaUndergroundMusic]

Great video. This has really helped me understand & set up my 286s to my liking. Thank you.

[@yourcamaviationachimvander4191]

Great Voice, Great Bro and a professional Voiceover Speaker...and also funny guy...I like you so much and it's a pleasure to listen and see you. Greetings from Germany...Take care...Achim

[@CastellaTV]

This is the definition of a perfect guide/walkthrough! Thank you for this. I'm just ordered this!

[@saewms2616]

Did you decide to buy one for yourself? I did and love it.

[@FrozyFPS]

Wow thank you for this. Very informative! Think I’ve decided on a pre-amp

[@Andoeriz]

I bought one back in 2018 and got an open box deal off of American Musical. I like it, but I wish I knew about this video sooner because I've been fiddling with the settings since I bought it.

[@sanga783]

I will surely purchase this one

[@pepeonzima2444]

So this guy start recording, leaves the room, and then pretend to be entering it for the first time of the day....hahahaha, that alone is comedy gold 😂😂😂😂

[@ACS402010]

?

[@barrycrowder]

Nice walkthrough. I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while...

[@matthew.datcher]

I have a similar device, the ART VoiceChannel. However, I only use it when I'm live. Prefer to record raw and use plugins for EQ and compression when I'm narrating. I know the ART is in a lower category than anything by dbx, but I will say the first thing to do with an ART is to replace the tubes. A $20 expense makes it sound so much better.

[@MikeG-js1jt]

the most effective section on this device (in my experience) is the noise gate, it works very well and luckily that was the main reason I bought it.... also the preamp is or seems to be pretty good.... the rest of the device is really less than stellar and I don't use those other sections, which is fine, considering the price I paid

[@ingeniousclown]

A few notes: the Cloudlifter doesn't just block the phantom power, it actively USES the phantom power. Also, a DI slot on an interface doesn't necessarily mean that it's bypassing the onboard pres. The Scarlett interfaces are a good example; they have DI that goes through the pre's, meant for electric instruments and the like. I've been unable to really find many interfaces that can bypass the pres, and ended up with an Audient iD22 for that reason.

[@rzaba000]

I love your content, Mike. All of it. But don't you have a bypass on the 286s? I have a 2i2 2nd, I'm eyeballing a Motu M2. I reckon the bypass on the dbx is good enough, right? Also, I know it's not necessary but is having a FetHead/CL in the chain adding any value to it? I have the FH for my sm7b but having seen what the 286s does, it seems like I will be returning it!

[@designwithdaniel]

Great video! Good to see you are giving the info relative to voice work too rather than music. I have a My DBX 266XS coming tomorrow. I expect I've learned things which can be applied to it.

[@grahamclark4518]

I got one two weeks ago, Its brilliant

[@cdverabass]

Thanks Mike for your videos, Greeting from Chile 🇨🇱...!!!

[@_benlesh]

I have this exact same device. It was given to me, I'm not sure how to configure it, this helped, but even after playing with all of the settings, my voice sounds unnaturally low

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Thank you for this video!!!

[@DusttinB]

Still god tier video sir

[@AZzackP]

Just bought one. Mine has a loud buzz coming from the unit itself. Sounds like power supply hum. Sounds clean on the recording but annoying as heck! Might do an exchange to see if I got a lemon.

[@tendandtaint]

Your channel is required reading - and always entertaining. :) Thanks for the review on the dbx 286s. Would love one. I have a poor-man's version where I use Rogue Amoeba's Loopback and Audio Hijack apps to route my 'live' fx chain to any other app's input I want - in my case Twisted Wave. Have you come across these apps before? On a related note I see Ocenaudio's free wave editor now does Punch and Roll editing!

[@BoothJunkie]

I do use both Audio Hijack and Loopback. I think Loopback is essential. I use it all the time.

[@tendandtaint]

The swiss-army knife of audio apps. Great stuff!

[@annette2687]

I wish to God you had been my Algebra teacher! You make the (for me) complicated, understandable! Thank you SO much!

[@willhart9834]

Yessssss!

[@gamingultracheap-budgetgam8541]

That seems like a nice bit of kit.

[@DankLordvsGames]

Awesome. Bought the SM7b and was just about to buy a cloudlifter! Rather get this instead as it's comparable in price.

[@garydorking8374]

Same here! Lots of research into cloudlifter, Fethead etc, then someone on a thread said, "You might as well get a dbx". "What's that?" I thought. I've been using the SM7B without a pre amp, other than the one built into my babyface pro, and it means I'm very close/ plosive danger! Looking forward to sitting back a bit.

[@desmondmiles1066]

Hey man, just wanna ask. Is this how you plug in your setup? SM7b >> DBX 286S >> Audio interface >> to PC??? If yes what's your audio interface???

[@Aj9Livess]

late, but yes thats the correct order. He has an Audient id 22

[@mistered1397]

Love your video and info on the DBX 286S. I have a question about the 286S. I'm a Newbie in my Voice-Over endeavor. I'm currently rebuilding my recording booth due to too much background noise with what I originally had set up. I use a Rode NT1A and Scarlett Solo. I do not stream yet. My question is would it benefit my signal chain to include the 286S when recording for VO only to be post processed?

[@LMojzis]

Yeah I might be an amateur, but I only ever go off of 0dB area when I seldom hit the red clip or when the signal is hard to manage in post. Usually I wanna have as much SNR in the analog chain, especially if it doesn't bring any significant benefits. If I had a box like this, I'd shoot for >= -10 dB on the pre, and make sure the output varies in loudness between -12 to -5. I _HATE_ when I open a youtube video and I need to apply 24 dB gain just to hear the talent, let alone when I forget and click off to another video and I need to pay the glaziers :D What I'm saying is that I don't want people to have to turn up the volume when I hate it myself. It's not like I care about dynamic range when it comes to voiceover of whatever I'm doing. I just want people to hear me "loud and clear". Thoughts?

[@guruwanidigital7161]

Very nice conversation.

[@Old_SnakeTwitch]

is it not weird that the gate is at the end?

[@thorstenebers2862]

I used it to protect my interface and gear not from beeing cooked (48v phanton to a synth) by accident patching hot ports. with the dbx I have a line out on the patchpay :-)

[@richardcohen3994]

Mike you gotta pump UP the volume on your videos Alitle. Buddy Other than that. GREAT. Stuff

[@TallyHoTech]

Great video. Im a noob to this and your videos are helpful. Will this plug into a focusrite 2i2?

[@krausshusha2694]

A basic interface wouldn't have a bypass preamp send/return jack, though? Is it 100% necessary to do so?

[@liamoconnor8072]

Sick video. Subscribed bro

[@photosvein]

I use plug-ins for my stream but I'm still interested in this as it would just be easier to have it in hardware. :-)

[@mjmoore86]

I have the Behringer Xenyx X2222 Mixer with Channel Inserts for FXs. I'm thinking about purchasing the DBX286 to use with the SM7b rather than using the Cloud Lifter. Can I plug the XLR cable from the microphone directly into Channel 1 on the mixer, then send the signal out the Channel Insert on the mixer to the DBX 286 and then back to the mixer? I've never used the Channel Inserts on my mixer before, but from what I understand the audio gets replaced coming back in to the mixer.

[@savage4rmdaskreeets448]

Can you please give us a review / help ful video on the scarelet 2i2 second gen and a blue bluebird mic that'd be great

[@mikeerstad3705]

Thanks for the video....question: being a ham radio operator, we're always trying to improve things like signal and audio.... I'm currently running a Heil Microphone and was thinking of using a cloud lifter....but I like what the DBX 285S can do..... Would you ever use a Cloudlifter and DBX 286s together?? Thanks, Mike

[@FacelessAudio]

Great video! now DBX 286s or Symetrix 528e? what do you think?

[@CreateConsumeRepeat]

Love this video and had a question. I just purchased an EV RE20 + cloudlifter + dbx. You mention in your video that the cloudlifter isn’t needed if you are using the dbx. If I connect the two would it cause any issues? PS Keep up the amazing work.

[@suncani]

Hi Mike. Would you please clarify when you said at the end of your video: "When I turn the gain al the way up in the preamp section, I can hear no sound in my headphones.." Does this mean that the 286 S preamp is so quiet (no self noise for dynamic mics), or it's self noise is gated out by using it's expander/gate? I am considering to buy one of these and if the preamp is that silent as you had described, I wouldn't hesitate to get one DBX 286 S for my work. Thank you BIG time , I highly respect your work Mike. Please help me with this one to "record something amazing". Best regards from Bosnia. Sani

[@Spatarini]

Hi, does the cable to bypass the preamp have to be stereo, or mono? Thank you.

[@justy123]

То что мне нужно!!! Thank you!

[@BODSMayhemHour]

Very awesome video and informative as well....I know this is a crazy question.... I do a podcast and I was wondering can I use the DBX 286s with a mixer. I use a Mackie Profx12 usb and I'm buying the Shure Sm7B shortly and wanted to know if this is possible?

[@rr88821]

i bought sm7b, dbx 286s and scarlett 414 3d gen but still getting hiss sound, can get the right settings to make it quiet.

[@NewbArchitect]

Newb again, what's the differences between the preamp processor and a mixer? Is there a preamp mixer? Sorry it's cool stuff and want to learn about it. thanks!

[@ThomasKop]

How did you record the audio? Is your interface connected to your PC in some way, or did you use a recorder like a Zoom?

[@lives4trauma]

the sound on the video is kinda low.

[@cristianbatelli5873]

but clean

[@normcharlesowen]

Thank you so much for all that you do! Mike, I have an Audient id14 and a Cad e100s mic. My intention is to work as a voice-over actor only. Nothing live. Would the DBX still be useful? And...if using the DBX in my chain, how should I adjust the FX settings in my DAW (Reaper)? Thanks, again. Cheers. N

[@rr88821]

What is your recommend reverb effect that is compatible to dbx 286s?

[@edman4828]

Hey, great step by step review! I've had these unit for months and still can't figure how to input in my interface properly, maybe you can be kind enough to help! I have an Audient iD14 which has mic/line combo inputs. How can I connect it directly to my interface correctly? ( I would greatly appreciate your help, thanks )

[@opie95]

Hey Mike, very informative. I was wondering, would this work in conjunction with the ZoomH5? I have my set up similar to your video on setting up your first booth. Could this be set up in there and then bring the SD card up to my computer? That is how I currently do it. I get a considerable amount of white noise when I normalize and it is very noticeable when I use a noise gate. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@Tallpaaaul]

opie95 yes this would work fine Opie, just make sure all your cables will work (don’t know what you have) also by normalising you are bringing up the white noise level too, if you had the dbx you would surely be able to kill the noise at source while recording

[@_RocKhan_]

if you'll use external preamp with H5 just dont forget to use TRS jack to H5, must be XLR to TRS

[@Kimcam2007]

Hey Mike and All.....Sorry for this (possibly) ignorant question....but I'm wet behind the ears when it comes to this stuff. I just finish watching the "Reaper Preset" video and I love the results I got....(now looking forward) with the DBX 286s installed...do I then go back into "Reaper" and eliminate the the original presets as discussed in the video? Another words does one configuration replace the other? or just marry both?...Again, this is probably common sense for all of you, but a huge learning curve for me. Thanks in advance! On a side note if needed...I am working with the AKG P220 Microphone and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. :)...CARL

[@77Cardinal]

Just my opinion, but for a studio recording session (not a live stream) I setup my analog outboard gear to get the cleanest signal to my interface (I have a Scarlett 6i6). I use the digital tools in my DAW to do the final mix. In other words use the outboard gear to get the recording you want, and adjust the software to treat that recording. You'll eventually find the presets you need to work with that outboard setup. I had a DBX 166A years ago. This is way better in terms of quiet operation, features and flexibility for the price. I like the sound of good analog gear better than digital processing. But using analog gear correctly demands proper setup. This many features and knobs take some time to tune. But once you have that done, the digital tools work better to give you what you want in a final mix and that makes a happy marriage. It's not so much either/ or, it's using the best of both. I hope that's useful. .

[@Kimcam2007]

John, your suggestions were extremely helpful...Thanks a million for clarifying that the goal should be "using the best of both"...Take care!

[@77Cardinal]

Glad to help! Thanks for the kind response.

[@JustinDTorresVO]

Hi, I was thinking about getting this for my Sennheiser 416. Are there any better microphone preamp/processors out there better? Considering this review was 4 years ago.

[@Cetlior]

Great video. Would anyone know if the dbx 286s will work well with the zoom h5 if you're using the h5 as your only audio interface?

[@bloodyoats9666]

I'd like to know this as well, I have the same setup. Theoretically it should if you use an XLR Male to 1/4inch TRS male cable in the output from the 286s to the input on the H5. I'd like someone else to verify that, though.

[@piscesdreams1023]

I use a DBX 286S into my Zoom H5 with a TRS cable and it works great.

[@djlars5220]

I bought a condenser processor that I was going to use for my Karaoke business. I haven’t set it up yet. Did you patch your mic directly in it?

[@scoremoore4280]

sir I have seen this before however isn't the studio chAnnel kinda similar to this one?

[@elmortobeats5919]

Thanks!im ordering this tomorrow 😋👌 then i have the dbx and a Neumann mic. Do i need anything more to record instruments and vocals??

[@savanaviolenta]

well ,an audio interface and a PC/Mac

[@EllCeeable]

Im looking at getting a Shure SM58, and a yamaha AG03 for a mixer for live streaming...I'll need a pre amp, the DBX seems great but are the functions sort of redundant if im already going to have a mixer that will have EQ and comp options, do you think I could still benefit from the DBX? Or In that case would I be better off with just a cloudlifter for a pre amp?

[@guenstigkochen]

can I use a fethead with the dbx286s?

[@jogabkingdomcitizen4687]

For professional voiceover work, do I need to add a dbx286s to an audient i14 interface? will it actually sound better? I only use the audio interface between my CAD e100s mic and my macbook pro computer.

[@kedarbhat2670]

thanks. loved it

[@stevenr3853]

How would you compare the DBX pre-amp to the SD MM-1 pre-amp?

[@boutiqueimagery4461]

What do you think of the PreSonus Studio Channel or the Aphex Channel?

[@joseskertchly]

Great video!!

[@SHAIJU9824]

Hi ... Can I use this device in India in 230 volt

[@danielstaff4742]

Thanks for this video man, I just ordered one for my sm7b. Do you think grabbing a cloud lifter or se dynamite would be a great addition to these? Thx

[@Deactrals]

You dont have to honestly but It can help if you want CLEAN audio

[@brtcobra]

i own this with a scarlet 2i2 with the 2i2 gain at zero. am just wondering if it's safe to use the dbx as a boost then turn up the gain on the 2i2? people always tell me the 2i2 must be at zero on gain

[@snakeTSR]

Awesome video

[@MarkFeaGuitar]

btw, I hope dbx gave you a unit for this video on their behalf!

[@marcovicente4015]

Hi Booth Junkie I really like your headphone can you tell me the brand name plase. Thanks and would like to buy the DBX 286s Preamp and Processor.

[@cristianbatelli5873]

Sennheiser