How to Make Your Voice Sound Better When Recording (Latest dbx 286s Settings)

[@djcook]

probably the most helpful video i’ve ever watched

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks DJ Cook 👍

[@djcook]

@@MikeRussell my mic is constantly cracking & don’t know why. only happens when i use a program called voicemeeter.

[@MikeRussell]

Voicemeter is introducing clipping I would suggest. For what reason are you using voicemeter? Is it something you could remove from your chain?

[@djcook]

@@MikeRussell it makes my voice sound better, and adds more gain. Is there anyway i can get both of those benefits some other way?

[@MikeRussell]

The extra gain will be why it’s cracking, the signal is over modulating. The better option would be the dbx 286s in this video for real time processing and there’s a clip light to ensure you don’t over modulate.

[@ChrisKane-]

I've been using the dbx 286s for the past 2 years and agree with Mike, it's an awesome piece of kit. Thanks for the great review! 😃

[@doriangreyy7872]

I've had mine about 2 years too. Its great

[@jonkthompson]

I just ordered one about 10 minutes ago. I've been researching for a while now prior to purchase and this is one of the best, simplest explained video's I've seen. Good stuff mate.

[@MikeRussell]

👍

[@TrapMusicNow]

Proper video mate. Had terrible troubles setting this up with the Shure SM7B but hopefully this will remedy those issues. Cheers!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@grahamclark4518]

They can take a bit of getting to know

[@JamzProductionzz]

CloudLifter + DBX 286s = AMAZING Sure SMB7 vocals

[@user-pw4qi4gc60]

@@JamzProductionzz I don't believe you can use a cloud lifter and dbx 286s in tandem unfortunately :(

[@Kilzu1]

​@@user-pw4qi4gc60 You can and if your interface or mixer doesn't have insert or send and return channels, only way to connect SM7B to this, is using cloudlifter or external pre-amp. Only thing you can't connect to DBX 286S is guitar or other line level instrument (both the JACK and XLR inputs are for mic level only)

[@IvanBeles]

This is the best video about the DBX 286S. In 10 Minutes and a little button turning the sound completely change. With the €160 it is the most valuable piece of hardware in my setup.

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks

[@David_Austin]

I've had my dbx 286s for the past 6 year as well as you were the one who tempted me too buy one Mike love the new setup and settings keep up the good videos :)

[@antoineinniss5586]

There was a light buzzing coming from your audio...Why was that?

[@marjoleinterpstra]

Yes, I hear it too. Have been following Mike for a while now so I believe he knows his stuff, but if this would be the first video I had seen... I probably would be a bit reluctant to get audio advice.

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks, looks like I had the "output" gain (far right knob) turned right down giving me a high noise floor. I later experimented with turning it right up. Sending more signal seems to clean everything up.

[@erikglimpse]

Sounds like ground loop between the PC and the mixer.

[@buenbeat6181]

i have the same problem with the same mic. (light dimmers)... it is a square waveform. Dimmer light typical interference

[@MrSodaBelly]

A trash cheap mic

[@DonaldFromKingdomHearts]

Man, am I glad for your videos. You actually explain the way things work and what they are instead of just goin "do dis, dis and dat, done". Keep it up homie, love your work!

[@_JoeMomma]

god damn that thing does wonders gonna order one now hahaha. Also thank you for the walk through, straight forward, to the point, and live demo. More people need to follow this instead of just talking about it for 20 minutes and demo for 2 seconds

[@MikeRussell]

👍

[@jaimesk1688]

I just got a dbx 286s....it's amazing. The noise gate in the DAW is not nearly as slick, and it's not live like the 286s...this is important for saving time and tweaking things up just right....live practice. I can use the output gain to drive a Sony little ICD-Px470 perfectly..it drives the noise right on out on the (ext.input)(line-in). Super clean and refined through the 286s. A lot less messy than setting up the focusrite/scarlett when on location or moving the portable booth around. I can still do things in the DAW but it does save a lot of tedium going through the 286s, and noise is a distant memory.. Thanks for the recommended settings!!. Compression is the one thing I will need to fiddle with and learn more... What a wonderful piece of kit for voiceover! And it's not $1000...mine was $200...and more than paid for by the 2 FetHeads I would have needed.

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Thanks for your update and clarity of settings. I use mine with a Shure SM7B mic with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for voiceover recordings. Helped me review and revise my settings.

[@neutralearth1061]

Thanks for the excellent video! We love the dbx 286s! I (Craig) recorded vocals with microphones direct in my TASCAM DP-32 on our 1st two albums and while they sound excellent, mixing was sometimes a struggle because of my poor microphone technique. I started using the dbx on our 3rd album, "Strange News From A Distant Star" (on our KZbin channel), and while you might not be able to hear any difference from our first two albums, the dbx 286s made mixing my vocals much easier, and it made any microphone I plugged into it come alive with more versatility thanks to all the excellent features you mentioned.

[@MikeRussell]

Glad to hear the dbx 286s made a huge difference in your recording process, Craig, and congrats on your album!

[@BlackGoldSoul]

Can I use this for music?

[@EthanMacLeod]

Mike, I’ve watched your DBX tutorials a handful of times over the past few years and I’ve finally purchased one for myself to try out, looking forward to it arriving! I am however wondering if you would consider doing a video on your EQ settings for the MRC livestream through with the DBX rack equaliser, I would find that very interesting!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks for the video suggestion 👍

[@MarkBurdette72]

Thanks Mike! This new, updated video came in handy when I moved offices to make sure my settings on my DBX 286s were dialed in properly. Keep up the great work my friend!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks so much for the awesome feedback!

[@Retipster]

Wow, I never would've figured out how to set this up (especially the de-esser) without this video. Thanks!

[@MikeRussell]

👍

[@NKFILMSLTD]

Increíble breakdown. Your tutorials are always so well explained and easy to follow, best sound lessons on KZbin by far. Appreciate you Mike!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks very much

[@Miranoo]

I couldnt believe it when you activated the bypass thing. This DBX 286s is actually insane

[@MikeRussell]

It's an awesome piece of kit

[@Q9X75]

Thanks for the great vid on the DBX 286s and the walk through...every informative. Also your tutorials on Adobe Audition are top notch, you've answered a lot of my old brain questions

[@JonathonNunn]

Simple and easy. I appreciate the video. It's helped me with 2 mics so far. Keep up the great work!

[@MikeRussell]

Hi Jonathon, thank you.

[@lisabarry6132]

This is so helpful!! My levels were much too low and my other equipment was over compensating for that and getting some distortion.

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you!

[@sheamatthewfisher8148]

Solid info. Sounds awesome. Having a great, British-accent speaking voice doesn't hurt.

[@MikeRussell]

👌

[@CHMPro]

You earned my SUB. I bought one and your video did the trick. THANK YOU MIKE!

[@MikeRussell]

Great to hear! No problem at all 😃

[@BigBlackMuzik]

finally someone normal, with a normal revies. thanks for this!

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you!

[@baronvonderg]

Ive watched a fair few videos on how to set this up - yours actually helped! Thanks!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks. Glad to help

[@MrMagicglass]

I have a question. May i ... ? I ordered the Dbx 286 s and the Studio v3 . Would i meed both as they are both preamps or dors one suffice? My goal is to improve my singing quality when i record in logic. Please help

[@noimdaveman]

You just gained a subscriber, a quick look at your videos and I know I can get lost for hours refreshing myself on what I learned over 10 years ago and being inspired to create a bunch cool sound elements.

[@CassieJFox]

Just bought a 286s love the sound still tweaking it.

[@MikeRussell]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the dbx 286s, and I'm here to help you dial in the settings for the best possible sound!

[@tonearmgray9537]

Thanks for this, Mike. I've just followed your guidance - tweaking for my own voice, of course - and I'm sounding a lot better (though I say so myself!) I've had the dbx for a while now and - although it's a great piece of kit - was getting frustrated at being unable to achieve the voice quality I wanted for radio and podcasting. I've checked out a few "dbx settings" videos on KZbin and, for me, yours has been by far the most helpful.

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks so much for the feedback!

[@Yellok]

Finally some good tips for the DBX. Thanks m8 ;)

[@Yellowswift3]

Wow, that process bypass makes a big difference! Good video as always. :)

[@billylovesjazz]

A tip of the hat, sir. What a wonderful video.

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you 👍

[@Spatarini]

Hi friend, thanks for your information, would you recommend this product for singers in the studio, or what do you recommend? thank you

[@MikeRussell]

Yep, anything that requires vocals this is a great unit!

[@double-f-productions]

Helpful turorial for this device!!

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you

[@kastornorth]

Excellent description of the product! Thank you this video was very helpful

[@MikeRussell]

My pleasure, George :)

[@NamFlow]

I'm not quite sure why do you have the Gain set to +30 dB and Output Gain set to -30 dB this time? In your first tutorial, you had the following settings: Gain: ~30dB Output Gain: 0dB And when I checked tutorials for dbx 286s from other people on KZbin, they all recommended to have Output Gain set to: 0db. Could someone please explain this to me? Is it always depending on what microphone and the amount of gain on audio interface you have? Or how should one determine what to use? What's the general "guide" for this kind of stuff, so it does not clip and sound clean? Thank you! :-)

[@lpspinners8736]

Nice job explaining what the unit can do and how to tailor the voice!

[@MikeRussell]

Awesome, thanks so much!

[@eddielloyd13]

Nicely done Mick.

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks!

[@Aleziss]

LF and HF DETAIL is more than bass/treble... for example, the LF works by boosting gain at around 80Hz but also cut at around 250Hz, it makes multiple adjustements at boosting/cutting different frequencies on the same knob, same for the HF button. I think the noise gate on the 286s is one of the best, it efficient, cuts mouth noises, room echo and it works really softly, no hard cut or open is heard when properly setup ! Nice preamp on the cheap !

[@starbituin0876]

You sounds amazing👍 thanks for this video

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you

[@samuelansah8321]

lol thank you for the tutorial! really helpful and entertaining.

[@MikeRussell]

👍

[@marcoferraro7466]

Clear, practical, quick explanation. Thanks a lot!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks for the great feedback!

[@dj_ramo]

Absolutely amazing Master Class. Thank you friend.

[@MikeRussell]

👌

[@DJURBANBG]

best , easiest and most informative review , tnx man

[@SimonSeagrave]

Another fantastic video - thanks Mike! Keep up the good work.

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks. Hope you enjoy the dbx!

[@robertodepetro1996]

Thanks a lot!!! Great vedeo as usual

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you

[@DaveKohler]

This is a LIFESAVER!!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks so much, Dave :)

[@michosstudioproduction7992]

Very nice guy !!! Very good analysis

[@radioprobromania]

Processing with dbx or with rodecaster pro2 ? What is your oppinion ?

[@MikeRussell]

You can't beat the analogue sound of the dbx, in my opinion, but the RCP will happily do a decent job without the wires and space required.

[@radioprobromania]

@@MikeRussell Thank you for your replay. I have bcm 104 mic and i never found a good setup for him with rcp2. Maybe you can make a video with that, or you can help me with some setup. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@greatestsawes9712]

Hi, Great video. -How do you connect it to an external soundcard? -Can it be used after vocals have been recorded? Thanks!

[@Bobw1954]

Great info as always Mike

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks so much, Bob. I hope you've got a dbx in your chain? 😉

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

I had no clue what that device was I was interested in the video and I loved it

[@MikeRussell]

The dbx286s is a great bit of kit

[@MontyDeane]

Can I use this for live vocals during gigs?

[@MikeRussell]

Yes you can. This processes in real time.

[@T00nMusic]

Shouldnt the output gain be calibrated at 0?

[@MikeRussell]

The output gain should be set to ensure the correct signal is hitting your DAW or live streaming software

[@T00nMusic]

@@MikeRussell it's true but what I meant was that it should be at 0db at it's minimum optimal level, when I bought mine I did a calibration so it's at 0db and the level is optimized. Cheers

[@AudioReplica2023]

Yes! at least somebody really understand how DBX units gain structure works.👍🏽. I found interesting that you noticed that if you keep it bellow the yellow light it actually will sound really good. Most of the videos I watched ppl using DBX compressors they just crank the input thinking the yellow light its the optimal level ...in fact is not. Yellow light is actually the pre clipping level on this units. I tested this long time ago and found out that keeping your inout level on the green almost peaking the yellow randomly will make the compression stage more "friendly" and easy to dial. You kinda get more control and cleaner results.

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks so much for adding!

[@gurindersingh7933]

very very demonstrative and knowledge based video ,,,thumbs up

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you so much Gurinder!

[@Jkaterchannel]

Outstanding explanations. Very well done. Thank you.

[@Hyperdriveuk]

Fantastic Video- cheers!

[@NewbArchitect]

Noticeable buzz in background...what is that?

[@AlecArmbruster]

Ground loop issue probably

[@rio197]

Thanks, Mike!

[@MikeRussell]

👍

[@marshallbrooks312]

A much needed video.

[@Playlets]

Wow. I've had this for two years, and I'm pretty sure ever setting I used wrong. I always turned the output up halfway, and never the gain. How will using these two settings swapped make a difference on the unit's output? I'm using a ShureSM7B into a cloud lifter CL-1, into the DBX286, into a MG12XU mixer. My theory doing this is I'm getting clean gain form the lifter, so I'm not forcing gain out of the DBX, but the output is still giving gain. I'm going in circles here. Please help me out lol For reference, my DBX settings; 0 gain, compressor 4 and 7, de-esser 4k and 4, enhancer 0 and 1.5, no gate, output at 0.

[@MikeRussell]

Great stats. Thanks for posting these!

[@realconect]

Amazing video! thanks

[@davidlautman]

do you recommend keeping your dbx 286s plugged in 24/7? or do you unplug it in between sessions?

[@GeekDetour]

Man, there is a terrible “hum” “bzzzz” on the background! The explanation about the equipment is nice, though. But your voice indeed gets better with treble at 7

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks for noticing this. It seems I needed to drive the dbx with more microphone signal so as not to have such a noisy output at the end of the chain.

[@_Trakman]

@@MikeRussell so did u get a cloudlifter for that

[@Tomocide]

Thanks, Mike, this was fantastic and super helpful!

[@MikeRussell]

😊

[@Alexandra-Rex]

I first saw this in a Booth Junkie video, and thought that it looked very handy, but assumed it would be very expensive, like 4-6 times more expensive than it actually is. So now I do have one, and it's just amazing (connected before my Scarlet 2i2 2nd gen).

[@burgersilverstein4564]

I actually got a used dbx 286a (the american made version) used for $100 from guitar center. Absolutely fantastic purchase.

[@patrickdeventer5055]

Hi Mike, thanks for this detailed info, it was helpfull for me, i'm using a Shure SM7B in combination with the DBX-286s for voicetracks for radio broadcast, it sounds good now, before i used a Yellowtec VIP1 processor witch is a bit difficult with menu structure to get a good sound, keep up doing the good work!

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks Patrick

[@PlotCast]

Great video Man!!! Many thanks, i had bought it some years ago, but did found not very nice videos...This is THE VIDEO!! Thanks, julio

[@SevereWeatherLive]

I still don't know what heck I'm doing so I have the video saved to my watch later for a recap. Thanks!

[@MikeRussell]

👍

[@TizzaOG]

This realy realy helped me. Thx you

[@amilcardiaz1045]

Is the 286 made for vocals mainly then?

[@nbsproductions9697]

This was super informative

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks so much!

[@MusicaMercy]

Excellent review!

[@MikeRussell]

Thank you so much!

[@mangreat71]

if you plug a mic in it can it master your raps ? Cause sometimes I clip and sometimes it needs to be raised up. What I do is record my raps on a sony voice recorder then I want to hook it up to a hardware compressor ?

[@TheGreatestMajesty]

"If you plug a mic in it can it master your raps". No. If you can't rap. There's nothing any level of equipment can do for you. Well maybe Autotune lol (Just joking). What I think you mean is, can you capture a better quality recording? Definitely a more usable recording. You also don't have to us as much plugins InTheBox to fix things.

[@mangreat71]

@@TheGreatestMajesty so if I buy this if will it raise some of the words up to make the entire verse or vs sound more even. And when I get it will you go over it with me so I can know how to use it ?

[@MikeRussell]

It'll be great for rap music when set correctly.

[@DarkPa1adin]

wow! bypass vs tuned are worlds apart!

[@MikeRussell]

😃

[@DarkPa1adin]

@@MikeRussell what mic were you using?

[@ed.williams]

Hey, Mike. Love your vids; thanks for making them to help all of us out! I also love my dbx 286s, but unfortunately I have to keep the 80Hz high-pass filter turned off at all times and compensate elsewhere to mitigate background rumble. At 1:45 into the video you note that the human voice doesn't usually go below 80Hz, but that's not totally accurate. The typical range for someone who sings bass is C2 (65.4Hz) to around F4 (349.2Hz). Me, I can't hit F4 unless I go falsetto. In spoken recordings, I can reach G1 (50Hz) and typically bottom out--if doing trailer-like recordings or villain voices--at 58-62Hz. That part's just a personal problem. :-) But I'm certainly not unique. 80Hz is just a shade below E2 on a piano, and really isn't all that low. I'd think anyone who is a natural bass or even baritone (the typical singing range for a baritone starts at E2) would clip vital range and depth with the 286s high-pass filter enabled. So just a cautionary note (pun intended) for 286s users with deeper voices: analyze your frequency ranges to understand what enabling the 80Hz filter might mean to your recordings.

[@MikeRussell]

Thanks for the helpful comment 😃

[@punknugget561]

Hi Mike, you mentioned (at min marker 1:15), to use a Cloudlifter with the dbx 286s. I thought that I didn’t need a Cloudlifter since the dbx 286s has phantom power already. Is using the Cloudlifter produce better enhanced spud with the dbx 286s? Let me know please thanks.

[@MikeRussell]

You generally wouldn’t need a cloudlifter with a dbx286s.

[@badsign]

Mike, do you have a vid on interfaces? Currently have the 2i2 but looking to upgrade to an AC powered, any recommendations?

[@MikeRussell]

I don’t have a video on this. I use the 2i2 as also a Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK mixing desk.

[@dougrobinson8632]

How do you hook this up to your mixer for live shows?

[@MikeRussell]

To hook up the dbx 286s to your mixer for live shows, you can connect the output from the dbx 286s to one of the input channels on your mixer using a balanced TRRS to XLR cable for optimal sound quality.

[@LemonPodcasting]

Thanks for the quick tips Mike. I really need to get one of these in my audio chain soon. :)

[@MichaelScrip]

Is there a device like the 286 that is smaller and portable? Perhaps in a non-rackmount? I'd love a gate/compressor/enhancer but not in this form-factor.

[@pixpew]

Maybe look at the GoXLR, it has equalizer, compressor, limiter, de-esser, and gate. Its made for game streamers but works for any voice stuff I guess.

[@umbertofurlan501]

Hi Mike. can I plug my electric bass into this mic preamp? in that case would I need a DI?

[@MikeRussell]

This is designed as a mic pre-amp/processor. You should be able to plug your electric bass into your interface.

[@SYN30STM]

This is awesome I just wish it had a limiter so you can speak freely without worry of clipping. Is there any other out there that has that?

[@MikeRussell]

If you set your levels and the compressor correctly then you won't need a limiter. Remember always better to record a bit too quiet than any at all too loud.

[@happyhomelesshomesteaders158]

Thank you very much 🌹

[@MikeRussell]

My pleasure!

[@foehw]

"Unless you've got a crisp and clear OCD...you might break your tweeters." That got me 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MikeRussell]

🤣

[@KodyCalloway]

This saved my life thanks!

[@MikeRussell]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@markwill777]

Hi Mike. Quick question for you. What about the Audio Interface settings? Any recommendations regarding where to set the D.I. Gain etc.?

[@MikeRussell]

Great one for the community here: community.musicradiocreative.com/

[@YeahBuoy]

Thank you!

[@DougGrinbergs]

2:07 unprocessed. (technically, less reverb - not echo!) 2:56 compression. 5:42 expander / gate.

[@JaponaPapa]

Thank you a lot! 👍

[@kkristopher7413]

Thanks dude, now I know what knobbers to turn

[@MikeRussell]

👌

[@JawillOwens]

Is this good for making music like hip hop or r&b?

[@MikeRussell]

DBX 286s is specifically for recording vocals but, yes, you could get nice crisp clear vocals when producing this style of music.

[@sclep1]

miglior video visto fin ora

[@MikeRussell]

🙏

[@agfcbarcelona]

@Mike Russell Can i plug 2 microphones to dbx 286s? Please Answer, nobody can help me

[@chrispayne750]

No, you can only use one microphone at a time with the dbx286s.

[@RambinoYT]

Looking to buy this with a Shure mic which Shroud and so many others use, so thanks for a good vid. Def gonna buy this. Any tips on this conbined with the Shure mic for livestreaming?

[@MikeRussell]

Great one for the community here: community.musicradiocreative.com/

[@Raidaikin]

Awesome tutorial

[@DevGambit]

I like the review but something doesn't sound right there when you bypassed the settings...

[@jpking8]

Thanks Mike - great video as always. For a multi channel set up for a radio station, would you recommend 3 of these compressors or a single compressor able to handle three/four channels?

[@MikeRussell]

The dbx286s is a single microphone processor so you need one per mic.

[@jpking8]

@@MikeRussell yes - but just wondered if you knew whether the Behringer MDX4600 (for example) would be good enough or would it really suffer on quality? It’s basically three times cheaper…!😜

[@MikeRussell]

The dbx286s is the one I have personal experience of and would recommend.

[@levalethedrumma3313]

How many inputs

[@silentioninja]

Mike, thanks for video. Will be great to know how to dbx works with dinamyc mic's, especially with Rode Procaster.