DBX 286S Mic Preamp Processor REVIEW - Do you really need it?

Here's my review on the DBX 286S Mic Preamp / Processor, with demo walkthrough on all it has to functions it has to offer in this neat little unit.
Tested with the Shure SM7b dynamic microphone and TASCAM DR-60D MK II audio recorder.
Only you will know if you need this in your studio setup, but here's my honest advice - you can probably save yourself some money if you just watch this video instead. :)

DBX 286S Mic Preamp / Processor

Shure SM7B

TASCAM DR-60D MK II

Camera Gear
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Audio Setup
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Lighting
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Support Gear
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Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I might make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.

0:00 Intro
0:18 What is it? (Features)
0:46 The setup
1:16 Demo walkthrough
1:26 Demo - Mic preamp
2:02 Demo - 48V Phantom Power
2:12 Demo - 80Hz High-Pass filter
2:24 Demo - Process bypass
2:35 Demo - Compressor
3:37 Demo - De-Esser
4:36 Demo - Enhancer (LF/HF Detail)
5:26 Demo - Expander/Gate
6:55 Demo - Output Gain
7:35 End of demo portion
7:40 Why did I buy it?
8:35 Danger of using the 286S
8:40 Hardware vs Software plugins
9:20 Selling it because...
9:56 Adding a FetHead?
10:20 Final words
10:45 Outro

#DBX286S #TASCAM_DR60D_MKII #Shure_SM7B

[neutralearth]

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 YouTube 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.

[bobbydolan]

I buy things i DONT need thinking the product will give me some magical results. Thanks for saving me $200 and a headache. I really appreciate your honesty and in depth review.

[YuennyLam]

So many dials and lights! Interesting what difference it can make without even doing it in post recording. What a great informative tutorial lesson that's easy to understand 👍👍

[garyanderson]

After 49 years in broadcasting .The DBX 286s does a major improvement. If your streaming live it's the only way to go! If you record a podcast then use plug Ins!

[YunSungom]

Thanks for your sharing of your view on this preamp.

[syntaxTerror]

You are having a run with your videos, I like that!

[WEDZGAMING]

Thx bro for explaining DRIVE and DENSITY in context for me to understand. Great tutorial, subbed and like!

[andyr]

I have recently got a dbx 286s, and prefer much more a reliable hardware mic processing unit than software plugins, which can be a real pain to use with different applications, and can give all sorts of software and performance problems. The only thing that I really hate about the dbx 286s is its *very* noisy built-in power transformer. I am talking about the 50 Hz (I am in Europe) mechanical vibration noise that it produces, and it is picked up by the microphone. I had to order a Toroidal type of transformer to replace its original transformer (have just ordered one). It could be that the units produced for 120 VAC/60 Hz have much less transformer noise than the 230 VAC/50 Hz, as I don't see many complaints from the US.

[francarlofogaca]

I have this equipment with a defect. Do you have the service manual for this DBX286S equipment? Thank you.

[mjww]

I was troubled by the small output of the BATA58A and came across this video when I was considering installing dbx.
I'd love to buy one for use in live streaming!
Thanks for the great info!

[kry]

Loved the video man.

There is something in the background producing some really annoying hiss/white noise, idk if it's a fan or an air conditioner, but it's rather audible and it was a bit annoying.

Idk if it's just my headphones, but if you could do something about that, it would greatly enhance the video quality! :)

Keep up the good work<3

[JoeLamOfficial]

Phew had to check the dictionary. Somehow thought “simpler” wasn’t a real word 😅 but it is apparently.

[cousin]

very very helpfull thank you very much

[skyace]

Thanks for the review. Valid main point that hardware-based audio processing like this is primarily for live applications like live podcasting, live webinars, etc. that I regularly do in my home office. Any other similar units to consider though? Also what are some good USB audio interface options for this?

[ScorpiaIntell]

If you want some quieter studio lights I would suggest aputure's amaran series
Great lights for the money
And very quiet fans never had any problems with recording on the sennheiser mkh416 and sm7b

[ellinikosfm]

Great Video can i use same time stereo tools + cloudlifter with electrovoice re 20 mic and DBX 286s ? thanks

[nosnitchpolicy]

Can we bypass the pre amp? I prefer my Avalon as my pre amp, but I want to purchase this hardware only for the de-esser

[jayj]

Hi, is anyone getting a bit of a buzzing sound when you put your ear to the dbx286s, its only plugged into the mains, any info would be good. Thanks

[hildegarden]

Yes, you need a de-esser; your voice is sibilant. Your voice is also boomy. Stop using Bose headphones and get neutral, clear and detailed headphones such Sennheiser HD560S, HD600, or Beyerdynamic DT880.

[justanotherpxrson]

the only reason im looking into this is because i do this stuff in realtime through software, but its a real pain to set up and now im trying to switch to linux and its even more of a pain on there.