dbx 286A Single Channel Vocal Processor

The 286A is a single channel microphone preamp, with five additional processing circuits. The preamp and five processors can be used independently or in any combination. The preamp has all the features needed, including wide-ranging input gain control, switchable 48V phantom power, and an 80Hz high-pass filter.

To smooth out uneven performances, the 286A provides a newly designed and patented OverEasy compressor that can also deliver an "in your face" rock vocal. Vocal sibilance and high frequency distortion in cymbals can be taken out with a frequency tunable de-esser. The Enhancer's HF Detail control adds sparkle and crispness to tracks. The LF Detail control adds fullness and depth to vocals and bass instruments, while simultaneously cleaning up muddy low midrange frequencies. And the separate threshold and ratio controls of the Expander/Gate allow the user to subtly reduce headphone leakage or radically gate noisy guitar amps.

The 286A's full complement of metering and status LEDs visually guides the user to achieving the right sound. The floating balanced XLR 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 preamp and signal processing sections can be used to "loop out" to external processors, or to mix the signal out to an external destination.