Search  for anything...
dbx

dbx, 1 286s Microphone Preamp & Channel Strip Processor, 1/4 inch (6.35mm) Audio Jack, Silver, 1U (DBX286SV)

  • Based on 829 reviews
Condition: New
Checking for the best price...
$219.00 Why this price?
Labor Day Deal · 12% off was $249.00

Buy Now, Pay Later


As low as $36.50 / mo
  • – 6-month term
  • – No impact on credit
  • – Instant approval decision
  • – Secure and straightforward checkout

Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout.

Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, PayTomorrow, Affirm, Afterpay, Apple Pay, and PayPal. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Selected Option

Free shipping on this product

30-day refund / replacement

To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.


Availability: In Stock.
Fulfilled by Amazon

Arrives Wednesday, Sep 3
Order within 1 hour and 45 minutes
Available payment plans shown during checkout

Size: Mono 4-way


Style: with Mic XLR connectors


Features

  • The dbx 286s is a full featured Pre-Amp for Microphones, and Instruments - a Channel Strip Processor with 4 Independent Effects - Compression, De-Esser, Enhancer, Expander/Gate. Plus Loop-Out for adding additional processors.
  • Classic dbx Compression - Reduces the dynamic range of signals with loud and quiet elements so that both can be heard clearly. Perfect for bringing vocals to the forefront of your mix, ensuring they stand out with greater clarity and presence.
  • The additional 1/4" TRS Line Input can accept balanced/unbalanced signals to process live electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mixdown. Use the Insert jack to interface between the Mic Preamp and the signal processing sections to "loop out"
  • Enhancer increases the detail and definition of the high and low frequencies adding punch and shimmer to a mix. De-Essers are specialized compressors that focus on a specific frequency range. They reduce harsh high frequencies and sibilance.
  • Full array of status LEDs - Monitor audio levels and processor status at a glance, ensuring optimal performance. Floating balanced XLR Mic Input accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs to connect to microphones.
  • Rack mountable 1U Dimensions: 1.75" x 5.75" x 19"
  • Input: 1/4" TRS (x2) and XLR (x1); output: 1/4" TRS (x1)
  • Operating voltage: 120VAC 60Hz, 100VAC 50/60Hz
  • Purchase includes: dbx286s, power cord, operation manual, and rack mount screws and washers (x4)

Description

Transform your vocal recordings with the dbx® 286s Channel Strip Processor / Mic Pre-Amp Processor. It's a top-tier pre-amp combined with four processors that can be used independently or in any combination, making the 286s a versatile piece of equipment designed to elevate audio quality, and simplify set-up. Whether you're recording in a professional studio or setting up a home studio, the dbx 286s ensures pristine sound with its sonically superior mic preamp, making it an essential tool for any serious musician or producer. The dbx 286s features classic dbx Compression, making it easy to achieve that polished, professional, punchy sound. Its frequency-tunable De- esser effectively reduces sibilance and high-frequency distortion, ensuring your vocals and instruments are clear and crisp. The Enhancer boosts the detail and definition of both high and low frequencies, adding depth, richness, sparkle, and punch. Additionally, the program-adaptive Expander/Gate can subtly reduce headphone leakage or completely gate noisy guitar amps, providing you with flexibility and control over your sound. The insert jack also allows the addition of an external processor seamlessly. The dbx 286s also comes equipped with a full complement of meters and status LEDs, making it easy to monitor your levels and adjust settings on the fly. Plus, with +48V phantom power and precision detented controls, this preamp/processor is ready to handle any microphone or instrument you throw at it. Say goodbye to the hassle of patching together multiple processors. The dbx 286s offers all the mic processing you need in one compact box, ensuring the shortest, cleanest signal path for your music. The dbx 286s is the perfect secret weapon to add to your setup, ensuring your music always sounds its best. Rack mountable 1U Dimensions: 1.75" x 5.75" x 19" From the Manufacturer The cost and hassle of patching together multiple processors for use on one track can be frustrating. The dbx 286s provides you with all the mic processing you need in one box, with the shortest, cleanest signal path to keep your music sounding its best! The floating balanced XLR mic input Accepts balanced or unbalanced inputs to easily connect to professional and home studio microphones. The additional 1/4" TRS line input can accept balanced/unbalanced signals to process live electronic instruments or pre-recorded tracks at mix down. Use the insert jack to interface between the mic preamp and the signal processing sections to "Loop out" to external processors (such as EQ or delay unit) or to mix the mic preamp's signal out to an external destination.

Brand: dbx


Style: Rack Mount


Color: Silver


Product Dimensions: 5.75"L x 19"W x 1.75"H


Item Weight: 2.3 Kilograms


Item Weight: 5.06 pounds


Product Dimensions: 19 x 5.75 x 1.75 inches


Item model number: DBX286SV


Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No


Date First Available: February 11, 2011


Color Name: Silver


Connector Type: 1/4 inch (6.35mm) audio jack


Hardware Interface: 1/4-inch Audio


Signal Format: Analog


Material Type: Metal


Size: 1U


Power Source: Corded Electric


Voltage: 0.4 Volts


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Wednesday, Sep 3

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

  • Klarna Financing
  • Affirm Pay in 4
  • Affirm Financing
  • Afterpay Financing
  • PayTomorrow Financing
  • Financing through Apple Pay
Leasing options through Acima may also be available during checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Top Amazon Reviews


  • Effortless radio voice
I have a shure sm7db hooked into this, which then runs into a scarlet focusrite, and into my pc, and my gosh does it sound incredible. I get radio quality vocals without any post processing. My microphone is fairly decent, but this thing is doing a ton of heavy lifting. I followed the settings listed in another reviewers Amazon review, which I highly recommend, and haven't needed to tweak it since. The raw audio requires next to nothing done to it after the fact, I'm not an audiophile, but it sounds almost perfect to my ears. Using this on calls is phenomenal, it is super crispy, even over most websites trashy audio bitrate. Shure SM7s and their variations are good at blocking out background noise, but with this thing, it's unbelievable. My recording desk is in an unfinished room, with two large fish tanks directly behind it. I always have a dehumidifier running in the room, and usually a fan. My microphone doesnt pick up on a single sound, even in the background while I'm talking, its actually insane. I bought mine for $200, and even at that price I thought it was amazing. Ive seen it go as low as $150. If youre looking for a stellar processor that doesnt cost a grand, go with this thing. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2025 by Ethan

  • Huge, heavy and incredibly useful for mic audio
I use this to enhance my voiceover audio for some projects. Considering what it does, it's a pretty great value. It provides phantom power to mics that need it. It's a clean, very low-noise preamp; compressor/limiter; noise gate to reduce breath, mouth and room noise; simple EQ (lo and hi-tone) and even a de-esser. The knobs have a little 'click' as you rotate so you can perfectly gauge where your settings are from one project to another. I patch out into the 'line in' on my USB audio interface and once I've set levels it's a very consistent device. There are days when you need a little warmth and fuzz without any software plugins, or you have a live internet session with a client and you need a little compression from your mic and this does it great! Some people use this for podcasts or game streaming but I don't. Negatives: This is a big boy. It's made for an audio rack and fills out the space entirely with lots of weight. I don't have space for a rack in my small studio space so it sits on a side table. If this weren't so darn bulky I'd consider a second one! I also wish this had a power switch so I have one on the plug itself. If you turn off the phantom power on a mic that uses it, it can start feeding back if you're not careful. Those little annoyances aside, this unit gives great flexibility when I need it for a relatively great price. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020 by Derick Snow, Amazon Customer

  • OUTSTANDING for removing background noise for livestreams, YouTube videos and podcasts!
As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a solid and professional mic processor. I'm preparing to start doing YouTube videos. However, I'm working from my home, with an less-than-ideal acoustical environment. (I'm an amateur at this and know absolutely NOTHING about audio engineering.) I also use Windows 10 which has really crappy audio drivers: no matter how much I jacked up the mic input volume, my audio was just too low with USB mics that plugged directly into my computer. (It doesn't help that I'm a woman with a relatively soft voice.) After some research, I decided to get a lav mic with an XLR connection and a USB audio adapter. THAT solved my input volume problem, but now any background noise was amplified, including my A/C, room echo and mic hiss. The layout of my room doesn't really allow for sound treatment and nothing in my home is soundproof. No amount of post editing could completely fix it without distorting my voice. Enter the DBX 286s which I bought after seeing reviews on YouTube. It took quite a bit of fiddling and testing the settings, but I've been SUPER HAPPY with the results in testing. The DBX 286s provides plenty of gain and phantom power to my mic, but the standout feature is the expander gate. Background echo/mic hiss is greatly reduced and now my raw audio isn't horrible, which means it's good enough for livestreams. I'm nitpicky and still do some minor editing in Audacity for pre-recorded videos, but live webinars and live Facebook or YouTube videos will sound just fine with virtually no background noise of any kind (except for minor mic hiss only at the highest volume levels). This has solved a MAJOR problem for me: I bought mic processor primarily to eliminate background noise (room echo/mic hiss). This is an OUTSTANDING mic processor and I'm super happy with the results! :) ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2018 by Michelle Nightengale

Can't find a product?

Find it on Amazon first, then paste the link below.
Checking for best price...