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The dbx286a Microphone PreAmp/Processor

Whether you're recording vocals and instruments in the studio, sampling
in the field or need studio-quality processing for live sound, the dbx 286A
gives you all the tools you need. A Mic Preamp, Compressor, De-Esser,
Spectral Enhancer and Expander/Gate are all included in one compact
unit-at a fraction of the cost of buying these processors separately.

Flexible And Powerful

The dbx 286A's Mic Preamp and Five processors can be used
independently or in any combination. Why mic up vocals and instruments
through a noisy, blurry mixer? The dbx 286A's sonically pristine Mic
Preamp has all the features you need, including wide-ranging input gain
control, switchable phantom power and 80Hz high-pass filter. Use the
286A's newly designed OverEasy® Compressor to transparently smooth
out uneven acoustic tracks or deliver that classic "in your face" rock
vocal. Take out vocal sibilance and high frequency distortion in cymbals
with the 286A's De-Esser. Fine-tune the Enhancer's HF Detail control to
add sparkle and crispness to tracks. LF Detail control adds fullness and
depth to vocals and bass instruments while simultaneously cleaning up
muddy low midrange frequencies. And, the Expander/ Gate's separate
threshold and ratio controls allow you to subtly reduce headphone leakage
or radically gate noisy guitar amps.

Versatile And Easy To Use

The dbx 286A's full complement of metering and status LEDs visually
guides you to achieving the right sound. The floating balanced XLR mic
input accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs. An additional 1¦4" TRS
phone jack can accept balanced/ unbalanced line signals to process live
electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mixdown. An insert jack
between the 286A's Mic Preamp and signal processing sections can be used
to "loop out" to external processors (such as EQ) or to mix the Mic
Preamp's signal out to an external destination.

The Logical Solution

The cost and hassle of patching together multiple processors for use on
one track can be frustrating. The dbx 286A gives you all the tools you'll
need in one box, with the shortest signal path
to help keep your music sounding clean.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Mic Input:

Connector: XLR, Floating Balanced, Pin 2 Hot.
Impedance: 174 ohms.
Maximum Level: 0.2Vrms.
Gain Adjustment Range: +10dB to +50dB
Phantom Power: +15VDC.

Line Input:

Connector: 1/4" TRS Phone, Floating Balanced, Tip Hot.
Impedance: >20 kohms.
Maximum Level: +20dBu, Balanced or Unbal.
Gain Adjustment Range: -20dB to +20dB
CMRR: >40dB.

Insert:

Connector: 1/4" TRS Phone, normalled; Tip is send, Ring is return.
Ring: Impedance: >5 kohms.
Maximum Level: +20dBu.
Tip: Impedance: 47 ohms.
Maximum Level: +20dBu into 600 ohms, <0.02%THD and no clipping.

Line Output:

Connector: 1/4" TRS Phone,unbalanced.
Impedance: 47 ohms.
Maximum Level: +20dBu into 600 ohms, <0.02% and no clipping.
Gain Adjustment Range: -30dBu to +10dB.
Noise: <-80dBu (typically -85dBu), Unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); Both Gain Controls set to
12:00, all processing controls Off.

Compressor:

Threshold Range: -40dBu to +20dBu.
Threshold Characteristic: OverEasy®.
Compression Ratio: >4:1 for input levels beyond 20dB above Threshold.
Attack and Release Times: Program Dependent.

De-Esser:

Characteristic: Wideband Gain Reduction.
Release Time: Program Dependent; approximately 1mS/dB.

Enhancer:

High Frequency Detail Characteristic: Program controlled
Shelving Equalizer, approx. 15dB Maximum HF boost.
Low Frequency Detail Characteristic:
Bell-shaped Boost @ 80Hz, Bell-shaped Cut @ 250Hz,
Ratio is approx. 2:1.

Expander/Gate:

Threshold Range: Off to +15dBu.
Expansion Ratio: Adjustable 1.5:1 to 10:1.
Maximum Depth: >50dB.
Attack and Release Times: Program Dependent.

System Performance:

Dynamic Range: Typically 105dB.

Hardware:

Power Requirements: AC provided by External Power Supply included with unit.
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F).

Dimensions:

1.75" x 4" x 19". (4.5cm x 10.16cm x 48.5cm).
Weight: Net Weight: 5 lbs. (2.3 kg);
Shipping Weight: 7 lbs. (3.2kg).

COST: Around $350 Canadian
(if bought new)

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