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286

1.1 Service Contact Info

If you require technical support, contact dbx Customer Service. Be prepared to accurately 
describe the problem. Know the serial number of your unit - this is printed on a sticker 
attached to the bottom panel. If you have not already taken the time to fill out your warranty 
registration card and send it in, please do so now.

Before you return a product to the factory for service, we recommend you refer to the manual. 
Make sure you have correctly followed installation steps and operation procedures. If you are 
still unable to solve a problem, contact our Customer Service Department at (801) 568-7660 
for consultation. If you need to return a product to the factory for service, you MUST first 
contact Customer Service to obtain a Return Authorization Number. 

No returned products will be accepted at the factory without a Return Authorization Number. 

Please refer to the Warranty information on the following page, which extends to the first 
end-user. After expiration of the warranty, a reasonable charge will be made for parts, labor, 
and packing if you choose to use the factory service facility. In all cases, you are responsible 
for transportation charges to the factory. dbx will pay return shipping if the unit is still under 
warranty.

Use the original packing material if it is available. Mark the package with the name of the 
shipper and with these words in red: DELICATE INSTRUMENT, FRAGILE! Insure the package 
properly. Ship prepaid, not collect. Do not ship parcel post.

Section 1

Introduction

2

286s

Summary of Contents for dbx 286S

Page 1: ...286 User Manual Mic Preamp Processor Professional Audio Equipment...

Page 2: ...Power Cord WARNING THIS APPLIANCE SHALL BE CONNECTED TO A MAINS SOCKET OUTLET WITH A PROTECTIVE EARTHING CONNECTION The cores in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code GREEN...

Page 3: ...Sandy Utah 84070 USA Date September 10 2010 European Contact Your local dbx Sales and Service Office or Harman Music Group 8760 South Sandy Parkway Sandy Utah 84070 USA Ph 801 566 8800 Fax 801 568 75...

Page 4: ...2 2 Front Panel 5 Section 3 Basic Operation 10 3 1 Connecting the 286s to Your System 10 3 2 Understanding the 286s Mic Preamp 10 Section 4 Problems Possible Causes Solutions 16 Section 5 Technical S...

Page 5: ...on These two sections can be used together or the 286s can be used as a dedicated Mic Preamp by defeating the Processing Section via the front panel BYPASS switch Furthermore the Processing Section pr...

Page 6: ...rn a product to the factory for service you MUST first contact Customer Service to obtain a Return Authorization Number No returned products will be accepted at the factory without a Return Authorizat...

Page 7: ...ts and labor will be covered up to a period of two years A Return Authorization number must first be obtained from dbx by telephone The company shall not be liable for any consequential damage as a re...

Page 8: ...INE OUTPUT Jack The 286s LINE OUTPUT jack accepts either balanced or unbalanced 1 4 phone plugs Nominal output signal levels is 0dBu into 600 and maximum output signal level is 21dBu into 600 Output i...

Page 9: ...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 Preamp MIC GAIN...

Page 10: ...TOM POWER button is in 80 Hz HIGHPASS Button and LED Press this button In to activate the 286s pre processing third order filter The HIGHPASS function filters out frequencies below 80Hz by 18dB octave...

Page 11: ...elease for smooth compression to 10 a fast release where compression follows the envelope of the program very tightly There is no absolute right way to set the DENSITY control However in general slowe...

Page 12: ...s all signals unattenuated effectively bypassing the gate Turning the knob fully clockwise causes the gate to attenaute input signals below approximately 15dBu The amount of attenaution depends on the...

Page 13: ...ou have adjusted the 286s controls for the desired amount of processing adjust the OUTPUT GAIN control clockwise to add gain as needed The red OUTPUT GAIN LED located to the right of the OUTPUT GAIN c...

Page 14: ...NOT connect anything other than a microphone to the MIC INPUT C Connect the load e g mixer recorder etc to the 286s LINE OUTPUT jack D Connect an external processor or effects device to the 1 4 INSER...

Page 15: ...in level below the threshold of compression the compressor gain remains fixed If the input increases above the threshold of compression the gain begins to decrease i e the amount of gain reduction inc...

Page 16: ...r sometimes called a Spectral Enhancer adds clarity and detail to vocals or other line level signals by intelligently boosting specific frequency ranges Use the HF DETAIL control to add high frequency...

Page 17: ...in is added at all the preceding stages of the 286s Using the Four Processors in Different Combinations Note Too high of a THRESHOLD setting with expansion i e lower EXPANSION RATIOs may cause the 286...

Page 18: ...g should initially be applied conservatively to taste avoid overusing an effect unless it is absolutely necessary For example use De Essing for sibilance or high frequency distortion only otherwise tu...

Page 19: ...tively re energized and enhanced with treatment Use to taste Program Dependent Use when program material needs treatment Make sure you use only as much treatment as needed Not Recommended The 286s is...

Page 20: ...ultitrack studio applications consider gating out the hiss during the initial recording then adding HF DETAIL enhancement afterwards during mixdown Audible Distortion With certain combinations of cont...

Page 21: ...essive brightness try reducing the HF DETAIL or increasing the De Esser THRESHOLD if the audio is a single track as appropriate Low Rumble or Excessive Low Frequencies Although the HIGHPASS button wor...

Page 22: ...ice be prepared to accurately describe the problem Know the serial number of your unit this is printed on a sticker attached to the rear panel Note Please refer to the terms of your Limited Two Year S...

Page 23: ...0dB Distortion 0 01 THD 20Hz 20kHz 10dBu LINE OUTPUT 4 TRS phone Balanced Unbalanced Impedance 100 unbalanced 200 balanced Maximum Level 21dBu 20dBm 600 load Gain Adjustment Range 30dB 10dB Noise 85dB...

Page 24: ...s approximately 2 1 EXPANDER GATE Threshold Range OFF 15dBu Expansion Ratio Adjustable 1 5 1 10 1 Maximum Depth 50dB Attack Time Program Dependent approximately 2ms at maximum attenuation Release Time...

Page 25: ...286 21 286s Section 7 Block Diagram...

Page 26: ...286 22 286s...

Page 27: ...286 23 286s...

Page 28: ...286 8760 South Sandy Parkway Sandy Utah 84070 Phone 801 568 7660 Fax 801 568 7662 Int l Fax 801 568 7583 Visit us online at www dbxpro com 18 0728V A Printed in China...

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