dbx 286s Setup for live stream, podcast, and voice over

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Күн бұрын

Looking for an easy way to get great broadcast sound in your voiceovers, podcasts, and livestreams every single time? The dbx 286s channel strip can help accomplish that. The 286 is a mic preamplifier and processing chain all in one compact hardware solution and includes such features as +60 dB of gain and +48 V phantom power, as well as a compressor, de-esser, expander/gate, and enhancer. First we’ll show you how to connect your microphone of choice to the dbx and the rest of your audio setup, and then we’ll walk through what each setting does and how to make the most of them with your voice. Let’s see how it’s done!
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. See school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com: ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- dbx 286s Mic Preamp & Channel Strip - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/YLOb
- Universal Audio Volt 276 USB Audio Interface - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/H5pbQ7
- SHURE KSM8 Dualdyne Vocal Mic - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/XKxz
- SHURE SM58 Cardioid Dynamic Mic - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/c2pxTM4
- Mogami XLR Audio Cables - B&H geni.us/awnBq2I
- Canare XLR Audio Cables - B&H geni.us/8y4B
Some of my other studio gear:
- Earthworks ETHOS microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/8G8UdBB
- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/O8e0
- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/iYb065
- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands - B&H, Amazon geni.us/8a8tt
- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light - Aputure, B&H, Amazon geni.us/EreRQa
- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox - Aputure, B&H geni.us/AVHU1p
- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light - geni.us/uGkDX
- Amaran Spotlight SE - Aputure, B&H, Amazon geni.us/4DuyTz
- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender - B&H geni.us/GWKt
- Canon C70 Cinema Camera - B&H geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens - B&H, Amazon geni.us/qwsEs
- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens - B&H, Amazon geni.us/gr47
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2024, Curtis Judd
#Recording #ChannelStrip #dbx286 #podcast #voiceover #livestream
Index
00:00 Intro
00:19 Connect your mic
00:33 Connect your audio interface
00:48 Mic vs. line level signal
01:11 Getting started
02:16 Gain up!
03:37 Compressor
05:56 Enhancer
07:38 De-Esser
10:23 Expander/Gate
12:22 Please buy my courses

Пікірлер: 79

@curtisjudd 2 ай бұрын

UPDATE: Listening back, I would increase the compressor density to 5 or possibly even higher to avoid compressing and emphasizing the breaths.

@cameraheadstudios 2 ай бұрын

Perfect explanation of the 286, it really gives a better understanding.

@curtisjudd 2 ай бұрын

👍

@microstrader Ай бұрын

Just got it TODAY to go with my Lewitt 440 Pure. Seriously just got it today and you publish a video on setting it up! lol. Must be living right.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍 nice combo! Happy recording!

@TheWeatherbuff Ай бұрын

Thanks Curtis. This is the absolute best and easiest explanation I've heard on how to set up the 286. I'm using a Wheatstone M-1, and I want to check out the 286, which has been sitting in the rack for a year, unused. I'm using the new Shure MV7+. This is greatly appreciated!

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍 happy recording!

@TerryWindell Ай бұрын

I've been looking for a video like this for over a year now. Thank you SO MUCH!!!

@WilliamEverhart Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this video. I have had my DBX for a number of years and never felt like I had it set appropriately. I just followed your guidance Curtis and it sounds amazing!

@FluidPrompter Ай бұрын

Fantastic hands-on instruction! I'm setting up my DBX286 now for my studio mic. 😀

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@13riders7 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for your videos, they are always of high quality and thoroughness. As the owner of a DBX 286s, I appreciate the information.

@curtisjudd 2 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@truce11 Ай бұрын

This was awesome! Wished there was more quality competition at this price point but this unit is solid.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@GaryStockton Ай бұрын

Very helpful Curtis. This is the one I use for voiceovers.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@lpseem3770 Ай бұрын

I find it really funny, that prices of 286 went super high, just because it could handle *every* microphone ever. A testimony to a state of preamps in the modern interfaces. Thanks. That is a pretty good explanation.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Thanks.

@mattwruff Ай бұрын

Excellent Idea and Excellent video. Another reference link for when people ask!

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Thanks Matt 👍

@nellomaxim Ай бұрын

This was the best explaimation of this device i have evere seen. So very usefuk

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@aeonlancer Ай бұрын

Quite minimalist and affordable. The thing with the noise usually becomes a challenge.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍 yes, and the same applies in post production except you have potentially more tools to manage the noise.

@rosstrend1177 Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@marcushuyskensmusic Ай бұрын

This thing looks amazing. I have been going through a PreSonus RC500 for the last 8 years - and then using another set of processors in the box. But this u it looks like it could tackle everything straight to “tape” Big fan of your channel for years! Keep up the great work. Cheers, Marcus

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Thanks Marcus. Happy recording!

@tnacrew 2 ай бұрын

Love mine with my AKG C214

@curtisjudd 2 ай бұрын

Nice combo!

@Skedaddle-ft4gv Ай бұрын

Thanks for a very clear explanation - setting the enhancer before the de-esser makes a lot of sense. My 286 suffers from transformer hum - it's not loud but it's very annoying. I'm thinking of potting the transformer, but I'd be interested to know if anyone has any other ideas for fixing the issue?

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@stirado Ай бұрын

I was expecting to hear some example dialog with the effects engaged and disengaged, at the end of the video. So that we could get a better sense of what the proccesing is doing to the dialog. Also, if we could see you getting closer and further away from the microphone, we would also get a sense of how much (or little) the compressor is helping out with giving you more room to move around the mic.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. I don’t like using a compressor to compensate for moving off mic, at least under ideal circumstances.

@janusdk Ай бұрын

Interesting kombining the 286 with the stylish Volt. I thought about hat combination since my Audient ID14 mk ii broke down. Any idea about how 286 and Volt compares to only using a Rødecaster II?

@Irshaad88 Ай бұрын

You're a master of audio and "she sells sea shells by the sea shore"! Can you do it ten times really fast? 🤣

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Yep! I’ve got enough practice 😉

@anicholasfilms Ай бұрын

Hi Curtis, great tutorial. I have this unit and I love it. Do you if there is a vst version available or similar ?

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

There isn’t a dbx 286s plugin of which I’m aware, but there are plenty of preamp emulator, compressor, EQ, de-esser, and gate plugins. Some even combine several of these effects in one.

@AskJoe 2 ай бұрын

I have mixed feelings about my dbx 286s. I realized that for recording you can't really undo all that processing, so I tend to record as unprocessed as possible and only use the 286s for live streaming or events, where you basically have to bake in your sound before you start. The bigger problem for me was that when I used mine inside the silence of my WhisperRoom, I could hear the buzz of the transformer unless I put it on the floor or outside the booth. When I put it on a table, it gets worse as it buzzes the table, so I had to put it on some foam. I'm not sure if mine has a bad transformer, but it caught me off guard.

@curtisjudd 2 ай бұрын

I haven't had issues with the transformer or electronics making noise. Might be worth contacting support.

@RobSpiv Ай бұрын

Would appreciate some guidance on how to choose whether to use the dbx286s or the newer "prosumer" gear flooding the market (Rodecaster, Mackie, etc.) or software processing (using Audio Hijack or DAW apps with stock or optional plugins). I understand the biggest choice is whether one needs fully processed real-time output (for live events, live streaming, etc.) and the "set it and forget" utility versus the flexibility but complexity of some gear or software. But if one isn't doing this fulltime, and willing to trade some complexity (written checklists can help bridge the gap on complicated setups) for lower cost with hopefully equal (or better) results, what would you recommend? Physical space is also an issue for some of us - using a rackmount form factor db286s which still needs an outboard audio interface box and cabling also has a "cost" beyond purchase price.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

I don't have a perfectly objective answer. In part, it is a matter of preference. I will say that I find the RODECaster Pro's de-esser difficult to work with relative to the de-esser here. But that may be more of a Curtis issue than anything else. In terms of audio quality, any arguments over whether analogue vs. digital sounds better seems mostly moot at this point and more down to specific pieces of gear versus other pieces. I find it easier to dial this in than a RODECaster pro, but that's purely subjective.

@kaiservisuals Ай бұрын

I love the color mix of your wall. Can you do a tutorial on how you set that up?

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Yes! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rbOTl9h1s7yRZp8.htmlfeature=shared

@kaiservisuals Ай бұрын

@@curtisjudd thank you. 🙏 appreciate your dedication to building this community as usual.

@RaquelFoster 4 күн бұрын

11:09 The Expander on the 286s is WEIRD! Most gates have a Range knob to set the dB gain reduction of the gate and a Ratio knob to set the expansion ratio. The 286s doesn't have a Range knob, so you might assume that means you're always getting max gain reduction (when the Threshold isn't set to OFF). But the Ratio knob is actually a multifunction knob with a breakpoint at 2:1. Below 2:1, it's acting like a Range knob and setting the gain reduction for the gate. Above 2:1 it's adjusting expansion (and giving you high range/gain reduction).

@curtisjudd 4 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@itswuote Ай бұрын

I really dislike the form factor of the device, half-rack would be ideal. Anyways, thank you Curtis, would you be down to creating a similar demo using your favorite plugins for use with OBS? Possibly including a VST host since OBS is stuck in the VST 2 era

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Yep! 👍

@TimoSund Ай бұрын

Just my lifetime of livesound/studio techie worth thought on this. Try out with mic not needing that ridiculous amounts of gain and hiss is not present on so prominent levels.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

I know. I wanted a worst case scenario. I got it with the SM58. Well, not worst case, but definitely pushed the preamp.

@TimoSund Ай бұрын

@@curtisjudd been there. That’s how we tested new effects and outboard gear back in the 80`s. Too noisy gear seldom were keepers. That much gain can be used to make good cables act as antenna.

@rayvaldovinos8067 Ай бұрын

A little off-topic as I am interested in the universal audio interface. I’ll have to see if you’ve got a video on that at all, but I’m just offhand wondering can it be used without having to use all the associated software etc. that come with that or can I just plug and playinto Mac my Adobe audition?

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

The Volt? It can work without extra software.

@rayvaldovinos8067 Ай бұрын

@@curtisjudd thank you, Curtis. I always enjoy your videos.

@Zack-Hates-Youtube Ай бұрын

In the first half of the video I could have swore something was wrong because I've never thought a 58 was gain hungry.. In my experience you should never have to turn the gain all the way up on any preamp, mixer, or interface... After posting my initial comment I realized that this is specifically for spoken word, dialogue, and voice over; three scenarios I've never encountered. I imagine if this was being used with a singer you'd be about 3/4 or less on the gain knob with a 58 and getting close to max with an SM7B for live vocals.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Yes! Spoken word differs from sung vocals when it comes to gain. 👍

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Also, there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with using a preamp’s max gain setting. Yes, some lower end preamps can get noisy, but that isn’t universally the case.

@MichaelFrazer Ай бұрын

Ive often wondered it using a dbx286 and baking in the expander to the recoeding will make noise reduction in post worse? Maybe less effective is a better way to put it.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Yes, I’d wait til post if you are doing post.

@MichaelFrazer Ай бұрын

@@curtisjudd awesome. Thanks. And thanks for another educational and entertaining video!

@AnandaGarden 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Curtis. I noticed the Adorama link to the dbx 286s isn't working. ?

@curtisjudd 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for letting me know. Just had a look and back to working from here. 🙏

@Go4PlanB Ай бұрын

more please

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@Irshaad88 Ай бұрын

Would there be effects or audio quality advantages for using this over a Rodecaster?

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

You don’t have to dive into menus to adjust it 👍

@CRE8VALU Ай бұрын

YES. Rodecaster's compressor controls are more traditional and BETTER than what is offered on the 286.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

@@CRE8VALU I would not say they are objectively better in terms of achieving a good sounding result. You like them better and that’s totally fair.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

@@CRE8VALU also traditional is subjective. Many of the early compressors were amplifying compressors like this with just 2 controls. Reference LA-2A.

@BenG64646 Ай бұрын

12:15 hm theres a hiss right here. Is that due to the preamp?

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

Probably yes. And the amplification of the compressor. Less likely with a condenser mic.

@ropeyarn Ай бұрын

That high detail setting hurt my ears too. The de-esser causes too much distortion for me. It acts like a notch filter.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

👍

@CRE8VALU Ай бұрын

4:31 "different" = bad, IMO. It's unfortunate that they felt a need to deviate from traditional compressor vernacular & controls. NOT having an "attack" setting is by far the *biggest downfall* of this unit. It allows for MAJOR amplitude spikes at the beginning of almost every sentence if you pause long enough or if you narrate in such a way that you take breaks to gather your thoughts and/or stop to redo a phrase after a mistake (to later fix in editing). Unusable compression, IMO since the beginning of almost every phrase has an amplitude spike.

@curtisjudd Ай бұрын

I don’t take issue with your preference for having more control. But to challenge this idea in a friendly way, how do you retain articulation on consonants if you use a faster attack than this unit allows?