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View Full Version : The DBX 286s - Should every podcaster own one?



andrewzarian
11-11-2013, 08:32 PM
I just posted an article on the front page of the IAIB discussing how important the DBX 286s (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LWH79A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004LWH79A&linkCode=as2&tag=thgufrquponet-20") is for podcasting. What do you guys think? Do you think this is something every serious podcaster should have?

Love to get your input.

Link of article : http://www.ibroadcastnetwork.org/blog/why-every-podcaster-should-be-using-a-dbx-286s-mic-processor

Here is an audio clip of me using the DBX

https://soundcloud.com/andrew-zarian/dbx-286s-microphone-preamp

http://i.imgur.com/V0D8xZQ.jpg

oscarmartz
11-11-2013, 08:48 PM
Just shared this with a few friends. Im going to be picking one of this week. I never even thought about gating all the crap thats happening in my room.

dbxguy
11-12-2013, 09:36 AM
Hi Andrew,

Great article! Personally I am not a podcaster, but I do work for dbx. I can honestly say most people I talk to who are using the 286s or who are interested in it, are podcasters. Like you mentioned in your article the price point is hard to beat for what you are getting, and any serious podcaster should consider the 286s to get a little more out of their setup.

Be sure to check http://www.dbxpro.com regularly because we've been known to run special rebates. Also go like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dbxpro because over the next ten months we will be making some exciting announcements!

Thank you for the support.

Joshua
dbx TCS

jamesdelfresco
11-12-2013, 10:05 AM
I just ordered two of them from amazon. Im so excited to try it out. Thanks Andrew for making this post. I had no idea I could cut the background noise from my podcast

andrewzarian
11-12-2013, 10:08 AM
Hi Andrew,

Great article! Personally I am not a podcaster, but I do work for dbx. I can honestly say most people I talk to who are using the 286s or who are interested in it, are podcasters. Like you mentioned in your article the price point is hard to beat for what you are getting, and any serious podcaster should consider the 286s to get a little more out of their setup.

Be sure to check http://www.dbxpro.com regularly because we've been known to run special rebates. Also go like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dbxpro because over the next ten months we will be making some exciting announcements!

Thank you for the support.

Joshua
dbx TCS

Thanks for the kind words !

andrewzarian
11-12-2013, 10:08 AM
I just ordered two of them from amazon. Im so excited to try it out. Thanks Andrew for making this post. I had no idea I could cut the background noise from my podcast

thats awesome! you are going to love it. When you get it let us know if it made a difference in your podcast

AlBurr
11-12-2013, 01:37 PM
Andrew your article put me over the top and I just picked one up. Although I'm not sure how anything can make me sound any better than I already do... :) Thanks for taking the time to do the recording as it made the difference for me.

docizzen
11-12-2013, 01:48 PM
Here's a video Mark Jensen, over at New Media Gear, did on the dbx 286s. Those channel strips are the bomb, cuz they make your voice go "Boom!"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR9vsfNdyTo

andrewzarian
11-12-2013, 03:18 PM
thanks guys. Im a huge fan of the DBX 286. thanks to Mike Phillips

Linuxcooldude
11-13-2013, 06:35 AM
I use a dbx 166XL. This compressors been great. Use one channel for main vocal mic along with the noise gate. The second channel I use for secondary mic when a guest is in the studio. But now the second channel is normally hooked to the computer audio for things like music and skype calls. That was a problem before, the audio was constantly jumping around, it definitely smoothed things out. Another podcast where I'm co-host, they normally want people to mute their mic if they are not talking. But using the noise gate I don't have too.

Spencer Kobren
11-13-2013, 04:43 PM
I'm not sure, but I think I might have been the first internet broadcaster to have two dbx 286As as part of my rig!:) Using them since 2009 and love them! Important article Andrew…Keep them coming!

Dan Ortego
11-14-2013, 07:05 AM
Wow! That was a great sound clip for my aging old damaged ears and the difference was considerable. The modulation and tone dropped to completely flat and lifeless with the bypass engaged. I regret sending the one back that I had but frankly, the demo from Mark Jensen gave me pause. Not sure if it was the combination with his RE20 or the settings he chose, but I also wanted something with a bit more adjustability.

Anyway, I'm on the fence today to purchase a different microphone preamp and I have to say that some of our fellow forum members may call me crazy. Unfortunately, I have a habit of pushing the envelope a bit too far so hopefully I'll hold off and just reorder the 286.

By the way Andrew, that was an excellent article and very well written.

AlBurr
01-01-2014, 11:23 AM
In my search to solve noise issues in my audio chain I came upon a post at VoiceOver Universe about setting up your 286a which I believe applies to the 286s as well. I found it helpful to read it, and the responses. Hope it is helpful to anyone else trying to better understand this stuff...

http://www.voiceoveruniverse.com/profiles/blogs/dbx-286a-quickstart-guide?id=2070077%3ABlogPost%3A188461&page=1#comments (http://www.voiceoveruniverse.com/profiles/blogs/dbx-286a-quickstart-guide?id=2070077%3ABlogPost%3A188461&page=1#comments)

andrewzarian
01-01-2014, 12:07 PM
I think it all comes down to your setup and environment.Everyone will have a different setting

I personally never use the De-Esser

AlBurr
01-01-2014, 12:16 PM
Andrew that is so true. It was funny to see people asking others "what are your settings?". Between the environment and your voice and even your voice at different times of the day, weather conditions etc etc...it appears affect and can change the settings. No two people are alike.

andrewzarian
01-01-2014, 12:19 PM
I have set up a few DBX 286's and every time the settings have been different. One thing I stand by is "Less is more" dont over do the Boom and Sizzle

bigsix
01-08-2014, 03:29 PM
OK, my DBX 286s is arriving tomorrow. I have a question for you experts out there. Is this thing easy to set up and what kind of cable(s) will I need?

andrewzarian
01-08-2014, 03:53 PM
Very easy to set up. I suggest getting a few high end TRS Cables. Also always remember that less is more.

bigsix
01-08-2014, 03:58 PM
Very easy to set up. I suggest getting a few high end TRS Cables. Also always remember that less is more.

I have the XLR mic cables and TRS cables. So do I just take the XLR from my mixer and connect it to the DBX and then run a TRS from the DBX to the mixer? I don't have any other devices (yet) connected to the mixer, other than my monitors and my computer via the USB on the mixer.

Thanks

andrewzarian
01-08-2014, 04:17 PM
Microphone connects to the DBX Via XLR.... Line out from DBX into the mixer

bigsix
01-08-2014, 04:23 PM
Thank you very much!!!

AlBurr
01-08-2014, 07:10 PM
Microphone connects to the DBX Via XLR.... Line out from DBX into the mixer
Make sure you get a balanced TRS cable for the connection from the DBX to the mixer. I almost made the noob mistake of buy a guitar cable...hey it looked the same to me :)

bigsix
01-09-2014, 04:07 AM
Thanks Alburr, all of my cables are balanced. :)

chrisnitzel
02-07-2014, 05:01 PM
I use a dbx 166XL. This compressors been great. Use one channel for main vocal mic along with the noise gate. The second channel I use for secondary mic when a guest is in the studio. But now the second channel is normally hooked to the computer audio for things like music and skype calls. That was a problem before, the audio was constantly jumping around, it definitely smoothed things out. Another podcast where I'm co-host, they normally want people to mute their mic if they are not talking. But using the noise gate I don't have too.

Thanks for the post! I have 2 Skype machines and I am trying to clean up the audio from them going into my mix. This sounds like what I need.