This is a great comparison and also an andvert for pop filters. :D G'Day, mate and Happy New Year 2020 from the USA!

I just had a delivery of DBX, it looks perfect for a voice-over of my videos, waiting for the cable to connect it to my PC. Thanks for sharing

You may need to get at least a small pop filter.... you keep popping it, a lot of folks might not notice it or be bothered by it, but being an audio guy I hear each and every mic pop clearly!.....

Comparing the two, the DBX is generally what could be called "more musical". It is a single strip solution to get everything you need to get the job done, with the sort of sound that works extremely well in so many ways. It most certainly gives you that solid radio station voice, but from all samples I have heard it appears also to give a great general voice over quality that keeps the performance in check without making it into mush. The 1/4 inch out is simply because you don't want to run the "hot" output from this device down an XLR cable and into ANOTHER pre-amp on your console or interface. You want to run it in as the higher level and bypass what would become just an extra noise stage. It's also configured to be easily used as an insert with quarter in and quarter out. It's a pretty common concept. That lack of a power button is because a lot of rack gear is basically powered from the rack, and turned on and off together. I can remember having racks of 166 units with no power switch, pre-wired as inserts and idling in case I needed them in a live situation. Pretty awesome, actually.

Nice. Been waiting for this 👍🏼

Great video! I'm considering one of these units. In your opinion for your setup is the Expander mode on the MDX superior to the Expander mode on dbx? Even for a single mic application? If I understood you right the gate on dbx is better and expander on mdx is better?

Nice Review man, I also use a Zoom R16 you seem to be using here. Do you just plug the Behringer output into the Zoom channel preamp and turn the gain all the way down in the zoom ? thanks !

I got the Behringer setup and the DBX. The Behringer setup sounds better to me. I still can't get the noise gate to work but I just use a noise gate in post and it is great.

The reason that the DBX only has a TRS output is because it’s a line level output, so you really should be using a line input on your interface or on a mixer. Since line level is much stronger than mic level, you risk clipping if your pre on the mixer/interface can’t be cranked back enough, or having to pad it to counter the amplification of the unnecessary extra pre-amp stage you’re going through. It usually works OK, you’re just risking losing dynamic range and/or adding noise.

I just ordered the MDX2600 with 2 TRS to XLR insert cables so I can use it with my Mackie mixer. I think that combo and using the 3 band equalizer on the mixer will give me a good result. Can't wait to try it out. :)

Excellent demo!

Thanks Sean! Marcelo here from Argentina. I just got an AT2035 and I was looking into some compressor. I plan to use it for recording singing and some voice overs for abridge series. .I found in our local ebay a Behringer Composer Pro XL for around 40usd (used), new goes for around 250usd. the DBX brand new here goes for around 400usd. Would you recommend the used Behringer for my needs and the lower price?

Amazing comparison!

Hi! Can you show us how you connected the Composer MDX 2600 with the Ultragain Pro MIC2200 and then audio interface?

I ordered the hybrid setup because of this review. I have my DBX 286s and love it but I need a two person setup for my podcast.

These videos are gold. Gotta get me a 286s!!

I own an old 286 and a new 286s, and both have XLR inputs for microphone. The outputs are symmetrix TRS, as it's standard for line connections. using XLR for line signals is not /that/ common.

It dosnt have xlr out because the correct way to go to your interface after a preamp is line input.

what one would be the best for home recordings on a multitracker ? and would i need a preamp ?

Thanks Sean. I’ve been waiting for this shootout from you. I listened to this comparison on my iPhone. And still the DBX sounds better.

Thank you for this! I recently bought the Ultragain Pro MIC2200, but I'm starting to feel like I should have gone with the MDX 2600. I have seen many reviews that say the Ultragain has a lot of noise and I feel like the added noise gate feature on the 2600 would have been good feature to have. Your review of the Ultragain had pretty much no noise from what I could hear so I'm hopeful.

Thanks Sean. I got myself UMC 404 HD & MDX 2600, (both Behringer) I do KZfaq video posting and advertising. Do you think I may need the Graphic Equaliser as well? Or that EQ can be done on software? Need your suggestions. Thanks.

Hi there I was just wondering if you you have tried these with dynamic microphones. Cheers

Your DBX setup sounds better (on an iPad). Your voice is warmer and can be understood much easier. With a Behringer it sounds harsh and not really pleasant. I couldn’t listen to it for like an hour.

Behringer makes a Direct rival to the DBX 286s. The Behringer VX2000 or Behringer VX2496 Single Channel Mic Preamp Channel Strip Processor. Thank you Shane for this excellent comparison demo.

Hi? Is the mdx compressor can be use in wireless microphone? Thanks

6:35 Dang, man! How am I supposed to connect this to this one place's sound system without XLR??

Interesting that in another video (obviously after this) you really prefer to use the DBX 286s that you even bought two. good video BTW

No power button because they don't want you to turn them off. Our DBX 166XL's have been on for 15 years...

Thanks for the great video! I'm thinking of using the Behringer set-up for live band main vocals. Just to be clear the microphone goes to the ultragain pro xlr, then out to the input of the composer xlr, then out to the input of the mixer xlr- correct- ( I am using the Behringer Qx2442USB- which does not have a pad function on the input) so will this be really hot signal for the mixer? Let me know if I'm doing something wrong please. Thanks again for a great video!

If you could get 2x dbx 286s for only 75 USD more than MDX2600 + MIC2200, would you go for it, instead?

Listening from MBP + soundcraft 12FX mixer with AT M50x headphone the Behringer combo is sounding thin and very sibilant. I know sound is very subjective but the DBX sounded like it has Body while the Behringer combo kinda like lost all the low ends and all presence without any warmth which is the opposite of what I'm expecting from a tube preamp.

Considering that the Behringer units don't have an EQ. Would a par of EQ pedal or a stereo rack mount EQ would be a good work around?

If I have a DBX 286s can I connect the composer to it so I can use the preamp of the dbx and the effects-process of the composer?

Great vid..... The power button issue.... it's kinda not needed if the unit stays on in a control room rack. I'm not sure if it's universal across the dbx range.... But maximum audio the compressor models will take is 26dBu..... berhringer tops out at about 17dBu. There is where the two products vary if you are setting up a chain. Cheers

Is it possible to connect mdx2600 with Behringer umc202hd?

I’ve been a fan of the dbx for a few years… a die hard fan. As soon as you began speaking through the mdx I couldn’t listen past about 5 or so seconds. I had to turn it off. The dbx sounds amazing. I love it.

So what hardware EQ are you using when you recorded this? Sounds TOO crispy for just a mic and compressor with ultra gain.

perfect comparison and excellent timing!

Could you give me an opinion on the dbx 386 preamplifier?

just ordered the two Behringer units. I noticed that you have the threshold maxed out. The signal is squashed too much in my opinion and is harsh to listen to. It would sound so much better with lowered threshold. Just my 2 cents, but thanks for the god review! I believe the Behringer would sound better than the DBX if it had a proper threshold. It looks like there is 15-18 db of gain reduction, yikes that's a lot.

I've had so much trouble with the dbx. I've gone through two in the last six months. Noise level is bad and the gate and de-essersw stopped working.

I just got that behringer set up could do compressor and preamp settings video

The DBX 286s beats them all!

I didnt know that you were moonlighting on an audio tech channel? I thought that In the Blues was your only gig. Are you the hardest working guy on KZfaq?

TKS! Good Video! I have one Behringer MDX 2600, he is very good compressor - cordiales saludos and sky clean!

Are you using the behringer mdx 2600 v2 or v1? thx!!!

Will this plug and play with behringer umc404 to compress vocal peaks during recording?

I bought the Ultragain Pro Mic 2200 yesterday. Trying to get a hold of MDX2600. In the meantime I'm thinking of running through the DBX286. It should do the trick. What do you recokon?

I the Behringer is much smoother with more presence. It gets the thumbs up from me. 👍

Do you use a mixer with any of these setups

The DBX sounds, much, much, MUCH better here. BUT -What matters most is what it sounds like in THE MIX... You never know until you've got it in the mix...

Are the preamps in the Behringer as strong as an inline Cloudlifter preamp?

Is the behringer good for Studio vocals

Thank you for the video! Though I have to say, you sound too compressed for my liking when you're on the Behringer.

Behringer Ultravoice UV1 Channel Strip and USB Audio Interface. Sweetwater should be getting this soon. I can’t wait to get my hands on one

Would the dbx286s be suitable for rap vocals, I'm currently using a clarett 2pre at the moment.. Cheers

You don't mention how the de-esser compares on the 2 models. A serious omission. Also does the Behringer have 48v phantom power like the DBX?

Shane, other than the enhancer/tube switches on the Behringer, I think you'll find the DBX 166xs (like I have) is very similar to it. The DBX is probably a little more now though (around the $300 mark).

As a result of your review I went ahead and purchased the MIC 2200 and compared it against my Klark Teknic mic booster and although the 2200 has a ton of headroom it has a small hum to it in comparison to the mic booster that has none at all. Maybe I'll do another test soon but if I had to choose, I wouldn't use the 2200. Side notes, at the end of your video I can hear a small hum (less present with enhancements) I also notice that your b's produced a noticable pop. Levels might have been to high. Other than that, great video and really appreciate your review and advise.

I have both of these and the Expander on the DBX 286s works much better than the MDX 4600 and 2600. I have use my DBX 286s with the air condition, computer fan running and loud jets flying over my house and the DBX 2862 took all of that out with ease. The MDX didnt do a good of a job with these same noises when tested.

Is it okay to use a compressor plugin on PC after the signal hits the audio interface? I mean, with the compressor left off on the dbx. I am thinking of using an UAD LA-2A or 1176 (or both). Also, I have a dbx 286A (older, black version of 286s). Is that worse in sound quality?

What if you need for channels for a podcast ?

Can I use Mic phone wireless to dbx 286s

Dbx is really has this rich analog sound, no brainer!

Units without a switch are thought to be sitting in a dynamics rack that has its own power on/off. For home use... not so nice :)

Can i use My audio technica at2020 mic with pre amps

Thank you for doing this comparison. I was on the fence between the two but for me, now that I've heard how different they sound, I much prefer the DBX and will pick that up over the Behringer. Didn't think they would sound that different. Really surprised to be honest.

I'm Brazilian and I only speak Portuguese: I'm using the translator. Answer me, I'm in doubt about buying a Dbx 286s or a Behringer Ultra Voice Vx2496, which one should I buy?

Since i already own the dbx couldn't i just buy the ultragain & pair them?

Am I nutz or did the DBX sound WAY better?

The audio at 09:16 sounds way better than during the tests you were doing.

I would insert MDX2600 to DBX286s's External signal chain as an Expander.

Current prices here in Europe: Behringer Composer MDX 2600 & Ultragain Pro MIC2200: 280 EUR 2 DBX 286s devices: 310 EUR (or one for 155 EUR if you only need to support one mic) I'd pick two DBX 286s for these prices because Behringer audio quality sounds a bit more robotic to me. DBX sounds more like high quality fully analog device to me. In addition, DBX units have pretty high second hand unit prices (around 125 EUR right now) so you can nearly get your money back if you want to switch to other hardware later.

I've used the Behringer alongside very expensive preamps and it holds up just fine, sounds a lot better without that enhancer thing in the compressor in my opinion.

Thanks for the informative video. However please use a pop screen filter. I noticed a number of equipment demo guys don't use them in their videos when they should have and I don't know why.

The Behringer sounds more natural to me. 286 has a 'big bottom' I don't care for. You've got great pipes. We just bought a Wheatstone M1 mic processor for our main studio mic and I love it. A bit more expensive ($850 USD) but it's got a sweet sound and more control over lows, mids and highs.

Why you didn't use any compressor on dbx?

To my ears the 286s often sounds like an FM radio slightly losing tune. Almost like clipping? It's hard to really describe the sound.

You need to get an inch or two above the mic when there is no ppppppop screen ...

The DBX is just soo smooth and has some great depth to the sound

It drives me nuts that the 286s has no power button. I like it as an all-in-one unit and I think it's a great value for the price. Tweaking the knobs can make the sound get a little out of control but when even remotely close to being dialed in, it still sounds very good. I have no problem with them using 1/4" outputs, since I'm obviously not going to be feeding a preamp into my audio interace's preamp. The Behringer setup just does not sound good, in my opinion. Your voice sounds mid-boosted and harsh on the high end. The "tube emulation" feature doesn't sound anything like a tube and I don't see what the point in using that is if you've already got an actual tube in your preamp. I guess you could argue to just forget the "tube emulation" concept and use it if it sounds better, but to me it does not. In fact, I think the tube preamp is half of the problem: it's making the sound muddier than the clean preamp of the 286s which makes it need more enhancement. The Enhancer actually seems to do a decent job of this, and I think it sounded the best when you had that enabled without the tube emulation enabled. I think that's what kills the Behringer setup for me. Yeah, you get two channels, but in two rack units, and you still don't have a decent EQ adjustment. The Enhancer and Tube buttons are static effects, so you basically only have 4 settings options. There's no shaping of the overall sound to really dial in the bottom and high ends. Those two knobs on the 286s do a great job of this, so much so that I probably wouldn't even bother with an EQ. The Behringer setup needs a proper EQ, so to me it kind of defeats the purpose of the setup. For instance, the MIC2200 is $124, the MDX 2600 is $153, and a FBQ1502HD is $149. These are current Sweetwater prices and the FBQ1502HD is 2-channel 15-band graphic EQ with good reviews. Your total is $426. If you only need one channel, this is a waste of rack space and money. However, if you need two channels, then it might make more sense. Two 286s will cost you $438. But I would also argue that it would still safe rack space and significantly simplify the setup, while ultimately probably still sounding better because IMO you're starting with a better preamp and adding less potential for noise into the signal chain. So personally, I would just go with two DBX and if you want to save a little bit of cash, find a couple open box units for well under $200 and you're in business. But that's just my opinion. I really liked the comparison and found it very interesting. I love seeing gear alternatives, not only to see what else is out there and how much it costs, but also what features are or aren't included and advantages and disadvantages to each setup. That lack of a power button though is something I might have to take into my own hands to address. Who doesn't want a power button on a piece of rack gear?

also might get a better sound out of the Ultragain pro by changing out the vacuum tube to something higher quality than stock. I have a ART Studio V3 and changed out the tube to something better, made a very noticeable difference

@Geeky Nerdy Techy would you go for two DBXs instead of the behringer Combo if there wouldn't be a difference in price for the complete setup? Since the DBX 286s price here in germany would be about 145 USD each (290 USD a set of two) and the Behringer Combo would be around the same in total so also about 290 USD for both racks. Thanks a lot for your answer, it would help us to start our own Podcast in these days of quarantine ❤

Nice

you mean i have to switch off the dbx from the electrical socket every time i dont use it ??

The Ultrgain is no longer available at Sweetwater or B&H.

I'm not a Behringer hater. They have some great items. But with the Behringer setup you turned a Procaster sound into a Podcaster sound. Not my taste but you seem to like it. I'll take the DBX. I sold my Ultra stuff gear because of signal noise. However their Xenyx mixer series (Mackie clones) are awesome.

Interesting comparison - thanks. The tube sound on the B. is unsuited to your voice. It was so much better when you turned it off! In that moment I decided to buy the ver2 of the B. Mic Pro, I believe it has the composer included. Apart from that, you shouldn't need to put the mics in the plosive path as you would on stage. Still too much room noise for a pleasant interview.

Great vid! thanks. Personally I prefer the sound of the DBX. it sounds way more balanced

Still nothing about the de-esser function, huh?

Behringer👍🏼👍🏼I love mine

Maybe it’s just me listening on my Air Pods, but honestly the Behringer sounded really bad to me. It was like cheese graters to my ears way overloaded on the high end. The DBX sounded smooth and high quality. It could very well be my listening environment, but as I heard it just now there is no comparison. The DBX sounds amazing.

IDK... DBX actually sounds better just how you mentioned it, sounds more natural and clear to hear. The Behringer sounds very bright with much treble, the voice sounds too polished and modified.

Why do you keep thinking that the DBX only has a gate. If you look on the DBX you will see it has both

I’d rather have 2 DBX. Sounds that much better.

Ultragain Pro MIC2200, to my ears, just sounds almost like a telephone with both of those tube, and enhancer, buttons pressed.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

The lack of a power button on the DBX assumes it's installed in a rack with a power controller.

DBX sounds so much better