dbx 386

[michael.butler]

I'm new.
Just started recording with a roland 2480. Purchased a blue babybottle and dbx 386 to run it through. I'm a beginner, but I've got pretty good ears, and I swear, I can't tell a difference in the sound of using the dbx with that of going straight with the roland's phantom power. Did I waste money on the pre, or is there something I'm missing on getting the best sound out of what I have?

michael

[chessrock]

You'll hear a difference as you use it on multiple tracks. It's a cumulative thing . . . the more tracks you record with a better pre, the better your overall mix will sound (and even then, it may not be really obvious), although you could solo each individual track and not notice much if anything.

[Track Rat]

chessrock, you beat me to it. That is correct sir.

[chessrock]

Hey, I learned from the best.

[michael.butler]

Thanks guys. Are there any rules of thumb to getting the most "warmth" out of the pre, and do you think the 386 is a pretty good unit?

Michael

[chessrock]

I think we've been over this one before once or twice. There are a lot of mixed reviews on the dbx Silver series. Some like it, others don't. People I trust who have used it say it's nothing special as far as mic pres, but that the a/d conversion on them is actually quite good.

I haven't been particularl impressed with what little I've heard out of them. If tube warmth is what you're looking for, I'm not sure it would be much better than an ART Tube MP . . . and you're not going to get much more in the way of good quality tube warmth untill you get in to the peavey vmp2 and more expensive models.

As far as rules of thumb, I think a good rule is good quality tubes (Sovteks, for example). Also, keep in mind that there is a difference between a "real" tube pre or compressor (like the peavey or an empirical labs), and a hybrid unit like the dbx gear that simply sticks a tube somewhere in the signal path for added distortion and/or marketing gimmiks. Just be weary of what you are really getting.

[Richard Monroe]

A lot of posters here will bash the silver series in general, and with some cause, because the simple truth is that you can get equivalent simple preamps (MP Dual tube and the like) for less money, and some other units (?376) may be truly overpriced for what they do. I'm using a VS 1824 CD and the DBX also, and I chose it in part because I'm skeptical of the Roland's A-D converters, as well as it's preamps. It was the cheapest preamp I found with 2 channels that will give me 2 digital outs, and which my ears think is better than the Roland's. Anyway, I'm sure we'll meet again, because you'll soon find that the majority of home recorders are using computer based systems, not DAW's, because of cost and versatility. Feel free to email me, we can compare experiences. By the way, I think you'll find that B.L.U.E
mic is a bitchin' mic for acoustic instruments, but for vocals I'd consider adding a Rode NTK or similar- Best of luck- Richie

[drstawl]

Warmth ain't what you buy a 386 for.

Transparency is. And the decent A/D converters. Another entrant here is the Mindprint Envoice which gets good marks all over.
I haven't heard it myself.

Check out the Meek stuff for "tube flavor" enhancement.

[Buck62]

Doc is 100% right.

If you want the best of both worlds(transparency and tube-warmth), the Envoice is the way to go.
If you want tube-warmth all the time, with some "flavor" added, the Meek units are your best bet.

I have the Envoice and a RODE NTK... a great combo, IMHO.
The 386 is a nice pre, though.
Get a decent tube mic and you're all set!

[michael.butler]

Wow. Thanks everyone for your input. This string's turning out to be more enlightening than I'd imagined. So......here's another for you.

Again, bear in mind I'm just getting started here, so go easy on the newbie.

What kind of sound difference will there be between using the digital outs on the 386 with that of the 1/4 inch or xlr. Right now I go in AND out with xlr. Should I go out digital instead?

Michael

[ColdAsh]

Originally posted by Buck62
Doc is 100% right.

If you want the best of both worlds(transparency and tube-warmth), the Envoice is the way to go.
If you want tube-warmth all the time, with some "flavor" added, the Meek units are your best bet.

I have the Envoice and a RODE NTK... a great combo, IMHO.
The 386 is a nice pre, though.
Get a decent tube mic and you're all set!

Im no wizz at this and dont have golden ears but im having truobles with my envoices compressor. As soon as i use it (no mater what settings) it becomes VERY noisey. Any ideas? Should i expect any beter for the price point?

[chessrock]

Originally posted by michael.butler
What kind of sound difference will there be between using the digital outs on the 386 with that of the 1/4 inch or xlr. Right now I go in AND out with xlr. Should I go out digital instead?

Yea, you really should. The a/d conversion on a typical multitrack recorder isn't going to be very good. . . bypassing it in favor of the a/d conversion on something like the 386 will be a huge improvement. That's pretty much why the 386 makes such a good front-end for a portable multitrack recorder. Use the digital outs, and you'll hear a big difference.

[JuSumPilgrim]

Originally posted by ColdAsh


Im no wizz at this and dont have golden ears but im having truobles with my envoices compressor. As soon as i use it (no mater what settings) it becomes VERY noisey. Any ideas? Should i expect any beter for the price point?

The tube is probably gone. Replace it.

I wouldnt spend $500 on a 386 for the converters. You may as well spend a couple of hundred more and get a lucid.

[ColdAsh]

Originally posted by JuSumPilgrim



The tube is probably gone. Replace it.

But the things brand new!

[jeronimo]

Yeah, you can spend $750 for a Lucid but, you don't get the pre's. What do you guys think about getting a 386 or a DPS from ART to use as a kick/snare pre or overheads going digital into the 001?

[JuSumPilgrim]

Originally posted by ColdAsh


But the things brand new!

It happens.

[octoruss]

I myself haven't done it in my 386, but a lot of people swear that changing the tubs makes a noticable improvement in the 386 warmth and tone. I'll see if I can find instructions and recommended tubes....