2
676
TU B E M I C
CHAN N E L STR I P
Overview
Introduction
The dbx
®
676 is a single-channel tube microphone preamplifier and channel strip processor with 3-band semi-parametric
EQ, compressor, and PeakPlus™ limiter. When used at the front of a digital audio workstation, tracks will take on more analog
warmth and sheen when compared to preamps built into standard audio recording interfaces.
The 676 preamp is a Class A, high-voltage (250V) vacuum tube design that can accommodate microphones or direct
instrument connections thanks to the front-panel Hi-Z instrument input. Use the PRE TUBE GAIN control to dial in just the
right amount of tube drive, then adjust the POST TUBE ATTENUATION control to set your gain back to unity. Keep the PRE
TUBE GAIN low and raise the POST TUBE ATTENUATION for an open, clean sound. Or, turn the PRE TUBE GAIN up and
lower the POST TUBE ATTENUATION for a tone that’s rich in harmonics and analog warmth. The 676 provides up to 60 dB
of low-noise gain, a 20 dB pad, +48 volt phantom power, and polarity inversion, making it well suited for a wide variety of
recording and live sound applications. Use the insert jack to patch in your favorite outboard compressor, EQ, or any other signal
processor post the preamp.
If you can’t quite achieve the tone you’re after with mic selection and placement alone, use the built-in semi-parametric EQ
to fine-tune the tone of the source. Engage the 80 Hz low cut filter to help keep the mix clean and maximize headroom by
eliminating subsonic plosives, hum, and microphone vibration noise.
The 676’s VCA compressor design was taken from the revered dbx 162SL and delivers smooth, low-distortion compression
characteristics, as well as very fast attack/release capabilities for shaping drum transients. Sources can be compressed gently
by engaging the OVEREASY switch (soft-knee mode) or aggressively by disengaging the OVEREASY switch (hard-knee
mode). Use the compressor to beef up instruments and voices, smooth out level fluctuations, and make your tracks more
‘mix-ready’. Compression attack and release times can be set manually or be program-dependent by engaging the AUTO
switch. Use the compressor’s sidechain jack to insert an outboard EQ for frequency-weighted compression, such as de-essing,
or for other creative sidechaining applications. The PeakPlus limiter can be used for level-critical applications, where you want
to keep the output level under control no matter how loud the source gets.
PREAMP and COMPRESSOR / LIMITER outputs are provided for parallel compression applications or for recording an
uncompressed backup, so there’s no need to worry about over-compressing a recorded track. An option slot can be fitted with
the digital output option card for high-quality onboard A/D conversion and direct connection to an AES or S/PDIF input on a
digital mixer or recording interface.
Whether you’re working in the studio or on the stage, the 676 adds harmonically-rich, warm analog tones to your sound
sources, at a fraction of the cost of other comparable products in its class.
Thanks for choosing dbx.