dbx DBX286SV Instrument, Microphone Preamp & Channel Strip Processor, with Compression, De-Esser, Enhancer, Expander/Gate, Loop-Out. Metering LEDs, XLR and ¼” inputs. Rack Mountable 1U. Silver

When it first arrived, I admit that I was prepared to find fault with this relatively low cost device. However, I have since found it to be a very competent performer. The dbx 286S Audio Processor packs a lot of features and performance for the approximately $200 that I paid for it. This one rack space (1.75") high device contains a microphone preamplifier with switchable phantom power for condenser microphones, a limiter, expander/gate, and a two-band effects equalizer. All of the processing sections are interconnected such that a signal inserted at the front end passes through all of the sections before emerging at line level out of this device. The amount of audio limiting, expansion/gating and equalization can be set to taste and even individually turned off if you need a particular function. All of the sections "play" well together, making audio tweaks fairly easy to accomplish. Keep in mind that this is a monaural device that can accept balanced microphone or line level input signals. I found the background noise level to be very low (virtually inaudible), even at high mic preamplifier gain settings, and I found the frequency response surprisingly wide and pleasant. This processor brought out the better qualities of the several dynamic and condenser microphones that I auditioned through it. Everything comes through clear and clean at low to moderate control settings, although it is possible to significantly modify your audio, for better or for worse, at higher control settings. Download the manufacturer's manual for this device to learn about its individual features and functions, and how they are used. I find that I really have no complaints about the dbx 286S Audio Processor. It is now in daily use in my modest studio. The 286S does what the manufacturer's literature says it's supposed to do, and it does it crisply and cleanly without added noise or fuss. You can buy high end separate mic preamplifiers, limiters, expander/gates, and equalizers, then connect them all together to do what this little dbx box does. But, you will spend very much more money to achieve or exceed the same level of performance offered by the dbx 286S. Strong bang for the buck. Highly recommended!

I have a shure sm7db hooked into this, which then runs into a scarlet focusrite, and into my pc, and my gosh does it sound incredible. I get radio quality vocals without any post processing. My microphone is fairly decent, but this thing is doing a ton of heavy lifting. I followed the settings listed in another reviewers Amazon review, which I highly recommend, and haven't needed to tweak it since. The raw audio requires next to nothing done to it after the fact, I'm not an audiophile, but it sounds almost perfect to my ears. Using this on calls is phenomenal, it is super crispy, even over most websites trashy audio bitrate. Shure SM7s and their variations are good at blocking out background noise, but with this thing, it's unbelievable. My recording desk is in an unfinished room, with two large fish tanks directly behind it. I always have a dehumidifier running in the room, and usually a fan. My microphone doesnt pick up on a single sound, even in the background while I'm talking, its actually insane. I bought mine for $200, and even at that price I thought it was amazing. Ive seen it go as low as $150. If youre looking for a stellar processor that doesnt cost a grand, go with this thing.

I'm a Twitch streamer and I've fiddled with every sort of software solution I could dig up. I have a Rode NT1 mic with a Scarlet 2i2 interface and a Roland VT3 Voice Transformer. I've struggled with noise in the line, as well as the fact that even on the weakest setting the Noise Suppression filter in OBS colors my voice. I finally broke down and ordered one of these because I'd heard good things. The dbx 286s has blown me away. Not only did it meet my needs as a pre-amp, Noise Gate, and Compressor... but the de-esser is an awesome bonus, as well as the Low and High Frequency Enhancer. My mic is sounding cleaner than it ever has, and my voice is sounding better than ever. When my wife heard my voice over my stream she was instantly moistened. I really don't have enough good things to say about this piece of hardware. You can spend a little bit less to get bits of kit that do some these things individually, but for $50-$100 more having all of these tools in one piece of hardware that works so well is the way to go. From my research you can also spend more on similar pieces of hardware, but for my purposes and for home broadcasting/recording purposes I can't imagine the more expensive solutions being worth the jump in cost. Seriously, if you're on the fence about the dbx 286s, just do it. It's very easy to set up. The settings are very easy to dial in, depending on how anal you are. The results are just magical. My chain right now is RODE NT1 > dbx 286s > Roland VT3 Voice Transformer > Line6 M13 (mainly just to use a foot pedal for volume control to mute during stream) > Scarlet 2i2 > PC

The device is excellent. Performs its functions, all units work well and are easy to adjust. The regulators have a nice segmented stroke. Unfortunately, due to my carelessness, I plugged it into a 220v mains supply, while the unit was designed for the American market with a 120v mains supply. As a result, the transformer burned out and had to be replaced. Instead, I put it on 220v and now everything works as it should. The only thing that is frustrating is the lack of a shutdown button on the body. I have to use a surge protector with a button.

I use this preamp for my vocal rap recordings. I use a high quality neumann mike with the unit .I use a mackie profx v10 mixing board with this unit and My vocals come out crystal clear and sharp now. I have no sound deadening treatment or foam in my recording space or even a pop filter on the mike and I still get production quality recordings . The preamp mutes out p and s sounds and pops . Also mutes the air conditioner unit noise and outside noise as well . Didn’t even realize a preamp has these kind of capabilities . The de esser button on the unit eliminates pop sounds associated with saying p and s consonants. It’s worth the money way cheaper than building sound booths or putting up sound deadening material. I see tube pre amps but I I don’t want to worry about buying and changing tubes I think this is the way to go. People constantly ask me how did I record my music it has great quality. Great buy ! UPDATE: August 2024 Unit still works great gives me great quality vocals while eliminating background noise like ac units , traffic etc. So glad I stumbled upon this unit . Boosts your vocals volume and quality can’t see myself recording without it. Excellent value wish I had brought one sooner !

A big, clear sound ready for podcast or voice on your video. I have no idea what secret sauce DBX uses, but this mic preamp makes big jobs simple. I've never run a condenser through it (might find out it's terrific), but it's perfect for a dynamic mic like the Shure SM7B. Gain, gate, compression, decent de-esser, tone enhancement, all ready to roll and it sounds like I wanted without more gear or a lot of effort. Ideal for generating pro-sounding vox to a video project. Other folks may not agree, but I think the sound is SO good that it needs very little tweeking in a DAW environment. All for less than $200. If I was inclined to be critical, I'd like an on/off switch, but you can always power this unit through a rack switch. Similarly, it would be nice to have an XLR out, but it's TRS and - honestly - at this price point, I'd probably end up converting the signal to 1/4" with a direct box anyway. Great processor/preamp and mine's been running for over a year. I'd get another in a heartbeat. For the project-studio guy/gal out there wondering how to get broadcast quality voice tone without a second mortgage, consider the DBX 286x. Here's a bonus trick someone may find useful: A gate eliminates all room noise; that means you'll have dead silence between your phrases. If it's a problem, you can record a track/loop of clean room noise and import it into your project. That subtle background can make everything sound more natural.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a solid and professional mic processor. I'm preparing to start doing YouTube videos. However, I'm working from my home, with an less-than-ideal acoustical environment. (I'm an amateur at this and know absolutely NOTHING about audio engineering.) I also use Windows 10 which has really crappy audio drivers: no matter how much I jacked up the mic input volume, my audio was just too low with USB mics that plugged directly into my computer. (It doesn't help that I'm a woman with a relatively soft voice.) After some research, I decided to get a lav mic with an XLR connection and a USB audio adapter. THAT solved my input volume problem, but now any background noise was amplified, including my A/C, room echo and mic hiss. The layout of my room doesn't really allow for sound treatment and nothing in my home is soundproof. No amount of post editing could completely fix it without distorting my voice. Enter the DBX 286s which I bought after seeing reviews on YouTube. It took quite a bit of fiddling and testing the settings, but I've been SUPER HAPPY with the results in testing. The DBX 286s provides plenty of gain and phantom power to my mic, but the standout feature is the expander gate. Background echo/mic hiss is greatly reduced and now my raw audio isn't horrible, which means it's good enough for livestreams. I'm nitpicky and still do some minor editing in Audacity for pre-recorded videos, but live webinars and live Facebook or YouTube videos will sound just fine with virtually no background noise of any kind (except for minor mic hiss only at the highest volume levels). This has solved a MAJOR problem for me: I bought mic processor primarily to eliminate background noise (room echo/mic hiss). This is an OUTSTANDING mic processor and I'm super happy with the results! :)

I initially purchased one used (like new). I installed it into my show rig, and within a week, it started failing (the sound would either diminish or cut out completely on the mics that I was using). I had to unplug the unit to "reset" it to get it to work properly. I returned that and bought a brand new one, thinking that the used one was faulty. The new one didn't start acting up until a month after using it 4 days a week for 4 hours at a time. The unit failed (the sound cut out completely on the mics) 4 times within a half hour the last time I used it. Upon doing research on the problem, thinking I was using it incorrectly, I found that it is a very common problem with this model. On top of that, the "processing" this unit does is far too snappy and sizzly. It is about as unnatural sounding as you can get. It is definitely NOT a good pre-amp for a live setting.