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Darren Altman · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:58 pm Post subject: U87 & DBX 286a

I've just had a lovely chat with Deeb (what a sweetie!) and we were discussing pre-amps to go with my new U87. I'm aware that the Avalon 737 is the mutts nuts and probably the best choice to compliment my new Neumann, but it's way to pricey for me.

Deeb told me about the DBX 286a and said it's a perfectly good pre-amp for the money and will work well. Before I commit to buying it, I thought I'd ask how, in your opinion the DBX 286 will perform with the U87 and how it will sound?

Thanks in advance.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

+1 on the 286A. Plenty of clean, undistorted gain. Has a compressor and EQ section that's designed for voice, if you want to use them. The expander is pure gold. I've used it with plenty of high end mics. It will do them justice.

Don't be fooled by the price. DBX is not a boutique company. They sell tons of product and don't have to charge an arm and leg for quality gear.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:26 pm Post subject:

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11635
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Pam · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:27 pm Post subject:

Just added a DBX 286a to my signal chain (I have a u87) and it's a nice addition especially if you do ISDN and don't/can't process in post. Bought mine used from the lovely Bobbin Beam.
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Darren Altman · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks all and thanks for the link Mike, I saw it on my FB post and checked out all the samples.

The Golden Age Pre-73 Microphone Preamplifier

Would you say that this is better than the DBX 286a for the U87 or are they comparable? I see the DBX has in-built compression and other neat add-ons, I don't think the GAP does.
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Billy James · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 8:32 pm Post subject:

The 286a doesn't get a lot of love from the VO world, but it's a definite +1 from me. It's clean, has gobs of gain, and a really great expander to improve less-than-perfect recording environments.

I recently paired it up with a new U87, and love the results.

It's got enough thump to bring out the best in low-output dynamics like the RE20 and SM7B, but still compliments the sound of condensers like the U87.

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 11:37 pm Post subject:

We've got a 286a, Avalon 737, Avalon 2022, Focusrite ISA, Grace V2, Aphex 230, and Manley Mono Pre at the DLF VO Lab. I smell a shoot-out coming on! Now to find time to record each of our 25 mics with each preamp.
The 286a surprises me all the time. I chose it for one of the packages I put together for BSW, along with a TLM102.
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Jowillie · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:33 pm Post subject:

Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades says that minor upgrades in components in the 286a (or the older models) can make it one of the best preamps for VO with higher end mics.

VO Mic Tests
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Darren Altman · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:47 pm Post subject:

George, Mike, Jowillie, thanks for the input regarding the DBX 286A. I think that as it also has compressions, noise gate and a de-esser, I think this is the pre for me. If you guys give it the thumbs-up, then I'm gonna bow to your knowledge.

One last thing for me to buy to complete my chain and that's an audio interface. Any suggestions for a Macbook Pro compatible AI?
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Billy James · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:40 pm Post subject:

Darren:

For my money, the dual-input Apogee Duet is the King Daddy of compact Firewire interfaces. A tad pricey, but sounds great.

BTW, while reviews are somewhat mixed on the Duet's little brother called ONE, the Duet gets almost universal raves.

Darren Altman · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:04 pm Post subject:

Hey Billy, yes a friend mentioned the Apogee Duet and you're right, the reviews are fantastic all round.

Can I ask you a lamen's question? If the AD has 2 microphone preamps, then why will I still need the DBX 286? Please can you explain what function that will perform over and above the Apogee?

Many thanks.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 8:23 pm Post subject:

As a preamp the GAP would be a more classic match, since it is a cloned Neve 1073 preamp.

DBX is a good general utilitarian preamp nothing wrong with it. It's also has a few bells and whistles that any good Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) has. The DBX is also a neutral sounding preamp, where the GAP (1073 or any other class "A" preamp) has a nice color.

Bottom line it will come down to what you like. Of the two I prefer the sound of the Gap over the DBX.

~~
I would not say the Duet is the king daddy, but it's right up there if you have a Mac. But you can get just as nice a sound interface with an Echo Audiofire 2, for a lesser price- also Echos has been making nothing but sound cards and interfaces for a long time. Which tends to run with my preference of avoiding all-in-one-box anything.

The the purpose for having an outboard preamp is the flavor that bring to the audio.

There are basically three kinds of preamps Discreet Class A (like a neve1073), a true Tube preamp (RCA BA-1A, or Telefunken V72 or V73) and a modern IC based preamps (these are most commonly found in M-Audio, DBX and many low cost preamps). There is also forth kind of preamp that we run into that combines the an IC pre with a tube-- an Art MPA Gold comes to mind. This type of peramp gives you the power of an IC preamp and the color of a tube, by splitting the signal and running through a tube side-chain, allowing you to mix signal back together on the output to give you some of the "tube's" flavor.

I look at preamps like a spice rack, and microphones like beef, chicken or fish. Each mic, has its own flavor, a preamp like spices, enhances the flavor, sometimes even changing it. We can simply get by with salt and pepper, but after a while it gets pretty boring. By adding the right spices it can make chicken finger lickin' good.

Hope this helps
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Darren Altman · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:40 am Post subject:

What a star mike. Thanks so much for your input, this is all very helpful. Cheers!
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Billy James · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:18 am Post subject:

Mr. Sommer has, as usual, answered the 286/Duet question beautifully. The "preamp as spice rack" analogy is quite good.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I have the Duet, which I use as my converter. It is an excellent converter IMO.

But the pre-amps themselves, while impressive, are a bit sterile to my ear(compared to the sound of a good external pre-amp)

I think what the Duet excels at is converting the signals from the rest of your audio chain.