286s Mic Preamp

Channel Strip Processor

C o m p l e t e L o u d s p e a k e r M a n a g e m e n t Sy s t e m
All the mic processing you need.
The dbx® 286s is a full featured Channel Strip Processor that delivers a studio quality microphone/instrument preamplifier
and four processors that can be used independently or in any combination. Why mic up vocals and instruments through
a noisy, blurry mixer? The sonically pristine dbx 286s Mic Preamp has all the features you need, including wide-ranging
input gain control, switchable +48V phantom power, and an 80Hz high-pass filter to remove low frequency hum, rumble
or wind. Use the patented dbx OverEasy® compressor to transparently smooth out uneven acoustic tracks or deliver that
classic “in your face” vocal performance that only a dbx compressor can. Eliminate vocal sibilance and high frequency
distortion from instruments such as cymbals with the frequency tunable De-Esser. Fine-tune the Enhancer HF Detail
control to add sparkle and crispness to your tracks and make adjustments to the LF Detail control to add fullness and
depth to vocals and bass instruments while cleaning up the muddy low midrange frequencies. And, the separate threshold
and ratio controls on the Expander/Gate allow you to subtly reduce headphone leakage or radically gate noisy guitar amps.

The dbx 286s offers a full compliment of metering and status LEDs to visually guide you to achieving the right sound.
The floating balanced XLR Mic Input accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs to easily connect to professional and home
studio microphones. The additional 1/4” TRS Line Input can accept balanced/unbalanced signals to process live electronic
instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mixdown. Use the Insert jack to interface between the Mic Preamp and the signal
processing sections to “loop out” to external processors (such as EQ or delay unit) or to mix the Mic Preamp’s signal out
to an external destination.

Features
< Studio quality Mic Preamp/Channel Strip < Frequency tunable De-Esser reduces < Insert jack allows you to add an external
Processor sibilance and high frequency distortion processor
< Classic dbx Compression puts great sound < Enhancer increases the detail and definition < +48V Phantom Power
within easy reach of the high and low frequencies < Precision detented controls
< Program adaptive Expander/Gate < Full compliment of meters and status LEDs

Who uses this product:

dbx Professional 8760 S. Sandy Pkwy. 801.568.7660 PHON E 801.568.7583 IN T’L FAX www.dbxpro.com
Products Sandy, Utah 84070 801.568.7662 FAX customer@dbxpro.com
 286s Mic Preamp Channel Strip Processor

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Specifications
MIC INPUT:
Floating balanced, Pin 2 Hot Attack Time Program-Dependent; >1s for small level increases,
Impedance
~ 4.2kΩ Balanced down to 10ms for large increases
Maximum Level
0.25Vrms, Gain = 30dB Release Time Program-Dependent; adjustable between approximately
Gain Adjustment Range
+0dB to 60dB 1dB/Sec and 75dB/Sec
Phantom Power
+48VDC, applied to XLR pins 2 and 3 through Distortion  Typically <0.05%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, 15dB G/R, +10dBu
6.81kΩ resistors Output, DENSITY @ 0
CMRR >40dB, typically 55dB SMPTE Intermodulation Distortion <0.05%; 60Hz/7kHz 4:1, 15dB G/R, +10dBu Output Level,
EIN -125dBu, 22Hz-22kHz, 150Ω source impedance DENSITY @ 0
DE-SSER:
LINE INPUT: Floating balanced, TIP Hot Characteristic Wideband Gain Reduction
Impedance 10kΩ unbalanced, 20kΩ balanced Frequency Range 800Hz to 10kHz High Pass, 12dB/octave
Maximum Level >+21dBu, balanced or unbalanced Release Time Program-Dependent approximately 1ms/dB
Gain Adjustment Range -15dB to +45dB
CMRR >40dB, typically 55dB ENHANCER:
HF Detail Characteristic Program-controlled shelving equalizer, approximately
INSERT (1/4” TRS): Normalled: tip is Send, ring is Return 15dB maximum HF boost
Ring: Impedance >5kΩ LF detail Characteristic Bell-shaped boost @ 80Hz, bell-shaped cut @ 250Hz,
Maximum Level >+21dBu ratio is approximately 2:1
Tip: Impedance 100Ω
Maximum Level >+21dBu, >+20dBm (600Ω load) E X PA N D E R / G AT E :
Noise <-89dBu, unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); Threshold Range OFF to +15dBu
LINE GAIN Control set to 0dB Expansion Ratio Adjustable 1.5:1 to 10:1
Distortion <0.01% THD, 20Hz-20kHz, +10dBu Maximum Depth >50dB
Attack Time Program-Dependent, approximately 2ms (at maximum
LINE OUTPUT (1/4” TRS):
Balanced/Unbalanced attenuation)
Impedance 100Ω unbalanced, 200Ω balanced Release Time Program-Dependent, approxiamtely 10ms/dB
Maximum Level >+21dBu, >+20dBm (600Ω load)
Gain Adjustment Range
-30dB to +10dB DYNAMIC RANGE: Typically 105dB
Noise <-85dBu unweighted (20Hz-20kHz); Both Gain Controls
set for 0dB, all processing controls OFF
Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz, +0.5/-0.5dB P O W E R S U P P LY :
Distortion <0.08%THD, 20Hz-20kHz, +10dBu, all Processing Power Requirements 15 Watts
Controls OFF Operating Voltage USA: 120VAC 60Hz, 100VAC 50/60Hz;
EU: 230VAC 50/60Hz
Operating Temperature 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
COMPRESSOR:
Threshold Range -40dBu to +20dBu
Threshold Characteristics OverEasy® PHYSICAL:
Compression Ratio >4:1 For input levels beyond 20dB above threshold Dimensions 1.75” x 5.75” x 19” (4.5cm x 14.6cm x 48.5cm)
Maximum Compression 30dB Weight Net Weight: 4.5 lbs/2.04 Kg
Shipping Weight: 6.54 lbs/2.97 Kg

dbx engineers are constantly working to improve the quality of our products. Specifications are, therefore subject to change without notice.

dbx Professional 8760 S. Sandy Pkwy. 801.568.7660 PHON E 801.568.7583 I N T’L FAX www.dbxpro.com
Products Sandy, Utah 84070 801.568.7662 FAX customer@dbxpro.com

Part number: 18-0842