Introduction; Operating Controls; Front Panel; Input - dbx 286A Owner's Operation Manual

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Congratulations on choosing the dbx 286A Mic Preamp/Processor. The 286A is a
powerful, user-friendly unit, providing concise and intuitive controls for all your mic
processing needs, whether you use a microphone to record vocals and acoustic instru-
ments, sample acoustic sounds, or for a public address system installation. The 286A
is also capable of providing effective processing for electronic instruments, individ-
ual mixer tracks, and other mono sound sources.
You can think of the 286A as two separate processors, a Mic Preamp Section and a
Processing Section. These two sections can be used together, or the 286A can be
used as a dedicated Mic Preamp by defeating the Processing Section via the front
panel BYPASS switch. Furthermore, the Processing Section provides four specific
types of processing: Compression, De-essing, Enhancement and Expansion/Gating.
These four controls can be used in any combination, as appropriate to your require-
ments. External audio processors (e.g., equalizer, delay unit, etc.), can be placed in
the signal chain directly between the Mic Preamp Section and remaining 286A pro-
cessing via the rear panel INSERT jack. We recommend that you take a moment and
read through the 286A manual to better understand the power of the 286A's process-
ing, and how you can use the 286A to its fullest potential.
Note: To reduce the risk of damage to your system, set the MIC GAIN control fully counterclockwise and
lower your playback monitor levels before you connect a microphone, power on the unit, or press the
PHANTOM button. This will eliminate spikes and surges, acoustical feedback, loud pops, momentary hiss,
or other unwanted sounds.
MIC GAIN (dB) and LEVEL (dBu) LEDs (including CLIP LED): Use this con-
trol to set the level of gain added to the microphone input signal (or a line-level
input). Note that the 286A's processing controls, or an external processor connected
to the 286A's INSERT, can provide additional gain. Try to set the MIC GAIN con-
trol so that you do no have to reset it repeatedly; allow headroom for the maximum
expected levels. For microphones (connected to the XLR MIC INPUT connector),
the 286A can provide +10dB to +60dB of input gain. For line-level inputs (connect-
ed to the LINE INPUT jack), the gain is from -20dB to +30dB.
Note: To get the lowest noise possible from the 286A, set the input attenuators (if any) on your recorder or
mixer for nominal levels (often about 3/4" of the way up or at the detent position; refer to the device's oper-
ating manual). Then, set the 286A MIC GAIN so that your recorder or mixer is at its optimal operating
level.
The red CLIP LED (located to the left of the MIC GAIN control) indicates that the
combination of the mic signal and additional gain exceeds the circuit's capabilities;
reduce gain via the MIC GAIN control. Set the MIC GAIN control so that the CLIP
LED never lights.
The LEVEL LEDs can also be used to check the strength of the input signal. For
example, the 286A does not support low level microphones plugged into its 1/4"
INPUT jack; in this case, the LEVEL LEDs would not light, because the signal is too
low.
Mic Preamp/
Processor
286A
®
I
NTRODUCTION
O C
PERATING

Front Panel

Input

ONTROLS