Best Settings and How To Connect - get started with the dbx 286s

This is a setup guide for the dbx 286s. In this video I will show you how to connect the dbx 286s to an audio interface and how to calibrate the audio setup. After that I go over all the buttons and knobs on the 286s and explain what exactly they do. I will also give you a recommendation to what to set these settings to.

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[JulianKrause]

Important point when calibrating the audio level with a dynamic mic:
Put the smartphones speaker as close to the mic as possible and better turn the volume of your smartphone to about 3/4.
Otherwise you might turn up your preamp gain to the maximum and can't reach the level to light up the yellow LED.
Dynamic mics have a low sensitivity, so the tone has to be quite a bit louder than with condenser microphones.

[bricetrophardy]

Thank you so much for this video. I bought the dbx 286s to basically kill the noise from a busy street, and you saved my life.
Now, I can finally record myself in the (fake) silence of my office.

[Dalamain]

The thing that differentiates Julian's DBX286s video from the rest is the signal gain calibration at the beginning. I was trying to avoid using too much gain for fear of noise on the DBX but having followed Julian's method on getting the final gain to around -18db I now have amazingly clear recordings with a great signal. I highly recommend watching Julian's video on 'gain myths', it explains why we target -18db. Thanks Julian 👍

[patronofthepocket]

Julian I know this video is 5 years old, but I just got the DBX 286 and man, your video was amazing and well thought out. Thanks for making this, really helped me out a lot.

[dudeinthesea]

How did i miss this video? Had mine for half a year already. This is truly the best 286s video available. keep up the great work.

[KROWNCHAKRATV]

on the phone with my aunt and unconciously played with my settings..thankful for this video

[natevirtual]

never seen a more detailed video on audio calibration. Sir, you have my respects

[MaxxZimonick]

Thank you. 5 years later this video is still helping people out :)

[nicktamin]

After watching almost every tutorial, guide or written text about this device, I was about to get another compressor and a better EQ because I didnt quite like the sound of it fully. Now with your video I did not only really understand what every single nob is doing but also took almost an hour to fine tune it to my voice.
Thank you so incredibly much for the information density and the kind way you where presenting it!

[JulianKrause]

Timestamps!

-Connection and audio level calibration 0:31
-Preamp section 4:17
-Bypass button 6:09
-Compressor 6:37
-De-Esser 8:39
-Enhancer 9:55
-Expander/Gate 11:14
-Output 13:32

[TGriner]

This was the best I have heard on this subject and device. Thank you so very much for your expertise. So very good.

[engelhorns]

Julian, I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate this video. Your explanations are very easy to follow and I got mine set up in no time. I would also like to thank you because out of everyone on youtube who has their own way to set up the processor and pre-amp, NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE really shows how to hook up the 286s to a focusrite. Some try to explain with words, but never show the back of the 286s and actually show you where and what to hook up. Love your help, thank you so much.

[tinkertime]

Very nice to watch videos from anywhere in the world. Thanks everyone, from the USA.

[apostolicbible]

I purchased a DBX286a twenty five years ago along with a Beyer DT290 headset. But I was never ale to understand how to set up the 286 with their manual. I then gave the 286 to a friend who didn't know how to use it and he gave it back to me where it stayed in storage for twenty years until I ran across this video, and it has resulted in my sound being great. So people can look for videos on what interface to use or what mic to buy, bu who you should listen to above all is Julian Krause...thousands thank you.

[RedBearAK]

This is by far the best, most detailed and helpful guide to properly using the DBX 286s that I've seen on YT so far. Your clear explanation of precisely what each control does and why to use certain settings is fantastic and helps me understand the 286s. After my previous comment on having issues with connecting a 2i2 and a DBX 286s, I can't help but think I might have inspired the content of this video. If so, you put together a very well-thought-out video with remarkable speed. As usual. Two thumbs up.

[elkipalki]

I've been using the version "DBX286A" for many years ... Good machine!!!

[andrewjarvis]

see I knew I bought this thing for a good reason(s)...excited now, finally, to get started. thanks for the super helpful breakdown!

[benjaminsantiagosstuff]

This was super helpful, super clear, no dang mularkey just right to the relevant information explained in a way that is both extremely clear, practical and allowed me to know when to make my own choices. Thank you so much!

[justjoshiehd]

I recently bought one of these baby's I love it, makes the mic sound so clean and crisp. Would highly recommend to anyone for voice over.

[pizzapaul]

This is the video to watch when trying to setup the dbx 286. Thanks very much for a clear tutorial.