dbx 286 S, User Manual

286

Enhancer

Note:

 The low and high frequency enhancers are off when their respective DETAIL controls 

are set to OFF.

LF DETAIL Control

The 286s Low Frequency enhancement simultaneously applies an 80Hz boost and 250Hz cut to 
the program.  This lets you apply substantial bass boost without making the program sound 
muddy or boomy due to excessive mid-bass boost.

HF DETAIL Control

This control determines the amount of High Frequency spectral-enhanced signal added to the 
input signal.  Spectral Enhancement is a form of dynamic phase and amplitude equalization.  
Continuous analysis of the input signal intelligently and automatically determines the amount 
of equalization necessary at each moment to achieve detailed, defined audio that is never 
shrill or over-sibilant.

Expander/Gate

Note:

 The Expander/Gate is off when the Expander/Gate THRESHOLD is set to OFF.

THRESHOLD (dB) Control and LEDs

Adjusting this control sets the level at which the expander/gate will fully open and allow the 
signal at the input to pass through to the output.  Turning the knob fully counterclockwise 
(to OFF) allows the gate to pass all signals unattenuated, effectively bypassing the 
gate.  Turning the knob fully clockwise causes the gate to attenaute input signals below 
approxi15dBu.  The amount of attenaution depends on the setting of the Expander/
Gate’s EXPANSION RATIO.

The THRESHOLD (-) LED (located to the right of the EXPANSION RATIO control) lights when 
the signal is below the set THRESHOLD.  The THRESHOLD (+) LED lights when the signal is 
above the set THRESHOLD.  The combination of these two LEDs also serves as the “POWER ON” 
function, as one or the other is always on.

EXPANSION RATIO Control

This control sets the amount of attenuation applied to the input signal once it is below the 
threshold, from gentle downward expansion (appropriate for mixed program, vocals, etc.), 
to a hard gating effect (effective for percussion).  Fairly low EXPANSION RATIO settings 
(and higher Expander/Gate THRESHOLDs) work best for downward expansion, whereas higher 
EXPANSION RATIO settings (clockwise towards 10:1) work best for gating.  If a setting 
produces undesirable “pumping” readjust the Expander/Gate EXPANSION RATIO and THRESHOLD 
settings.

Note:

 The attack and release rate of the Expander/Gate are program-dependent -- very 

fast for transient material (e.g., percussion) and slower for material with slow attack (e.g., 
vocals).

Section 2

Operating Controls

8

286s