M
mcr
New member
yeah, I'm also waiting to have some dbx 576 user comment on this device. It sounds great on paper but in reality ... anybody know?
C
chessrock
Banned
There was a review on them in prowreck a while back.
I'm not sure if this qualifies as "having experience with it," but I've heard some stuff done with them, and it doesn't sound too bad. If you need an all-in-one unit, it seems to have a decent preamp, good compression and limiting, and although I wouldn't call it good, it does have eq. It also happens to have pretty good A/D conversion, so it might be something to consider if you need all of that.
I'm just not all sure that it justifies it's price tag. I have heard much better tracks done with a Mindprint Envoice in that price range for what it's worth. A dmp3 + RNC can be had for around $400 and that might make for a better combo, overall, as well.
If you need a decent a/d converter, as well, then I might start considering the dbx. Not too many combos out there that do preamp+comp+limiter+eq+a/d converter. That might the only situation I can imagine where it's price would be justified.
I'm not sure if this qualifies as "having experience with it," but I've heard some stuff done with them, and it doesn't sound too bad. If you need an all-in-one unit, it seems to have a decent preamp, good compression and limiting, and although I wouldn't call it good, it does have eq. It also happens to have pretty good A/D conversion, so it might be something to consider if you need all of that.
I'm just not all sure that it justifies it's price tag. I have heard much better tracks done with a Mindprint Envoice in that price range for what it's worth. A dmp3 + RNC can be had for around $400 and that might make for a better combo, overall, as well.
If you need a decent a/d converter, as well, then I might start considering the dbx. Not too many combos out there that do preamp+comp+limiter+eq+a/d converter. That might the only situation I can imagine where it's price would be justified.
M
mcr
New member
hey chessrock, when you say that the dbx price tag isn't justified ... what price tag are you referring to? I mean, if the Envoice or the 576 were offered for the same price would you still choose the envoice?
C
chessrock
Banned
It depends on what I'm using to record it with. 
If I were recording on to a cheap sound card or a multitrack recorder (Roland VS, Korg D12, etc.), THEN the 576's price tag would be more than justified, because the dbx has a good analog-to-digital converter built in to it. Now it's starting to look like a good option for the price. Excuse me if I'm stating the obvious here (as I don't know your level of knowlege on this subject), but if you don't understand the importance of good a/d conversion, then be sure to do a search on that subject before you make any more gear purchases.
Now, suppose on the other hand that I already have a decent a/d converter. Perhaps I am using a Delta Audiophile, a 1010, or something along those lines. Even an ART DI/O isn't supposed to be too bad. In this instance, I'm not even going to bother looking at the dbx. Why not? Because I'll be paying more money for an added feature I don't need. One of the reasons the dbx models aren't cheaper than they are is because you're getting some pretty damn good a/d conversion for the price! (along with a pretty good preamp and compressor)
Verdict: If you're recording to a soundblaster or a portable multitrack recorder, then get the dbx.
(Or a mindprint + a standalone a/d converter if you can afford it)
If you are recording to a Delta card or you already have a standalone a/d converter . . . or if you're recording to analog, then get the Mindprint.
Now that was easy, wasn't it?
If I were recording on to a cheap sound card or a multitrack recorder (Roland VS, Korg D12, etc.), THEN the 576's price tag would be more than justified, because the dbx has a good analog-to-digital converter built in to it. Now it's starting to look like a good option for the price. Excuse me if I'm stating the obvious here (as I don't know your level of knowlege on this subject), but if you don't understand the importance of good a/d conversion, then be sure to do a search on that subject before you make any more gear purchases.
Now, suppose on the other hand that I already have a decent a/d converter. Perhaps I am using a Delta Audiophile, a 1010, or something along those lines. Even an ART DI/O isn't supposed to be too bad. In this instance, I'm not even going to bother looking at the dbx. Why not? Because I'll be paying more money for an added feature I don't need. One of the reasons the dbx models aren't cheaper than they are is because you're getting some pretty damn good a/d conversion for the price! (along with a pretty good preamp and compressor)
Verdict: If you're recording to a soundblaster or a portable multitrack recorder, then get the dbx.
(Or a mindprint + a standalone a/d converter if you can afford it)
If you are recording to a Delta card or you already have a standalone a/d converter . . . or if you're recording to analog, then get the Mindprint.
Now that was easy, wasn't it?
Tom Cram
New member
Which model?
>If I were recording on to a cheap sound card or a multitrack recorder (Roland VS, Korg D12, etc.), THEN the 576's price tag would be more than justified, because the dbx has a good analog-to-digital converter built in to it. Now it's starting to look like a good option for the price.<
The 576 does NOT have an analog to digital converter built-in. This is an option that has to be purchased seperately. You may be confusing the 376 and the 576.
>Now, suppose on the other hand that I already have a decent a/d converter. Perhaps I am using a Delta Audiophile, a 1010, or something along those lines. Even an ART DI/O isn't supposed to be too bad. In this instance, I'm not even going to bother looking at the dbx. Why not? Because I'll be paying more money for an added feature I don't need. One of the reasons the dbx models aren't cheaper than they are is because you're getting some pretty damn good a/d conversion for the price!<
Again, the 576 does NOT have an analog to digital converter built-in so this is moot.
>Verdict: If you're recording to a soundblaster or a portable multitrack recorder, then get the dbx.<
Dissent: Myself and far better engineers than me use the 576 to great success. I couldn't disagree more, Chess.
>Now that was easy, wasn't it?<
I'm not sure if that is the right phrase for what it was.
Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
-Noam Chomsky-
>If I were recording on to a cheap sound card or a multitrack recorder (Roland VS, Korg D12, etc.), THEN the 576's price tag would be more than justified, because the dbx has a good analog-to-digital converter built in to it. Now it's starting to look like a good option for the price.<
The 576 does NOT have an analog to digital converter built-in. This is an option that has to be purchased seperately. You may be confusing the 376 and the 576.
>Now, suppose on the other hand that I already have a decent a/d converter. Perhaps I am using a Delta Audiophile, a 1010, or something along those lines. Even an ART DI/O isn't supposed to be too bad. In this instance, I'm not even going to bother looking at the dbx. Why not? Because I'll be paying more money for an added feature I don't need. One of the reasons the dbx models aren't cheaper than they are is because you're getting some pretty damn good a/d conversion for the price!<
Again, the 576 does NOT have an analog to digital converter built-in so this is moot.
>Verdict: If you're recording to a soundblaster or a portable multitrack recorder, then get the dbx.<
Dissent: Myself and far better engineers than me use the 576 to great success. I couldn't disagree more, Chess.
>Now that was easy, wasn't it?<
I'm not sure if that is the right phrase for what it was.
Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
-Noam Chomsky-
M
mcr
New member
... hm? I'm starting to think that quite a number of people might be confusing the dbx 367 with the 567. Maybe that's why there's so much pointing towards the Envoice. The dbx 367 can be had for around $450 ... the 576 on the other hand runs in the $750-900 range - excluding the $350 digital extension.
C
chessrock
Banned
Re: Which model?
Tom, I'm not about to argue with you on this -- I'm only going partially by personal experience and partially from what I have gathered from others. Those whom I personally know who own the 576 must have purchased the optional a/d, because that is what I keep hearing about them (that they have good a/d). I also got this quote from zzounds.com about the description. Now I understand what you're saying about the OPTIONAL box, but you should maybe have a talk with some of the folks in marketing, because their wording is somewhat misleading. To the casual observer, I can see where someone might mistakenly believe that it CAME WITH the optional a/d converter box. Just a suggestion:
"The premium 12AU7 vacuum tubes are hand selected for ideal triode gain matching, distortion, microphonics and drive characteristics. You get the best tube sound with the most versatility available today. And with the optional dbx TYPE IV Conversion System output, you can translate the essence of tube processing directly to the digital world, without leaving the box. The digital output offers the ability to communicate in either AES/EBU or S/PDIF at 16, 20, or 24 bit word lengths. In addition, TYPE IV offers the ability to select noise shape algorithms and dither types that best suit your music and your medium. "
By the way, for anyone who might want to know, Tom here has a lot of good advice to give if you hound him enough. And it's refreshing that he is able to give it without the added bias and/or hidden agendas that a lot of other people on this board might have (not to name any names). Thanks for the correction, Tom.
Tom Cram said:
Tom, I'm not about to argue with you on this -- I'm only going partially by personal experience and partially from what I have gathered from others. Those whom I personally know who own the 576 must have purchased the optional a/d, because that is what I keep hearing about them (that they have good a/d). I also got this quote from zzounds.com about the description. Now I understand what you're saying about the OPTIONAL box, but you should maybe have a talk with some of the folks in marketing, because their wording is somewhat misleading. To the casual observer, I can see where someone might mistakenly believe that it CAME WITH the optional a/d converter box. Just a suggestion:
"The premium 12AU7 vacuum tubes are hand selected for ideal triode gain matching, distortion, microphonics and drive characteristics. You get the best tube sound with the most versatility available today. And with the optional dbx TYPE IV Conversion System output, you can translate the essence of tube processing directly to the digital world, without leaving the box. The digital output offers the ability to communicate in either AES/EBU or S/PDIF at 16, 20, or 24 bit word lengths. In addition, TYPE IV offers the ability to select noise shape algorithms and dither types that best suit your music and your medium. "
By the way, for anyone who might want to know, Tom here has a lot of good advice to give if you hound him enough.
And it's refreshing that he is able to give it without the added bias and/or hidden agendas that a lot of other people on this board might have (not to name any names). Thanks for the correction, Tom.
S
schwa
New member
I have a 586 and 566...
And have had good luck with them. I'm not sure they're the best deal out there, I did happen to purchase demo units, so I saved a few ducats.
When I was shopping, I compared them to the Focusrite (platinum), and the Joe Meek, and found them to compare favorably, I was able to dial in a colored sound like to Meek, as well as a more transparent sound.
With the pair, I have two channels that I can get a healthy level, and tame to peaks without too much squashing. They look great in the rack as well.
And have had good luck with them. I'm not sure they're the best deal out there, I did happen to purchase demo units, so I saved a few ducats.
When I was shopping, I compared them to the Focusrite (platinum), and the Joe Meek, and found them to compare favorably, I was able to dial in a colored sound like to Meek, as well as a more transparent sound.
With the pair, I have two channels that I can get a healthy level, and tame to peaks without too much squashing. They look great in the rack as well.
L
lilcapn
New member
on the cheap
hate to degrade this conversation to a level i can afford, but i'm going to -- what about the older, cheaper dbx models like 166, 160A, etc?
i know the orig. 160 is supposed to be "the bomb," and these newer tube ones look cool, but for everyday use that's more affordable, are these cheaper ones even worth the money?
thanks!
hate to degrade this conversation to a level i can afford, but i'm going to -- what about the older, cheaper dbx models like 166, 160A, etc?
i know the orig. 160 is supposed to be "the bomb," and these newer tube ones look cool, but for everyday use that's more affordable, are these cheaper ones even worth the money?
thanks!
Tom Cram
New member
Thanks Chessrock.
In case you are new here, Chess and I (and others) have had this discussion before and it is entirely good natured. For the record I have no problem with Chess' position, disliking a piece of gear because it just doesn't do it for you is fine. I dislike a lot of gear for a lot less solid reasons than that
I just want to make sure that everybody has their facts straight. A lot of mis-information gets passed around on these bbs' and I have found out that some people who were the most vehement dbx-bashers actually worked for our competition. They were spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt). dbx is a very large company, owned by a very large corporation, it's easy to see why this would occur, and none of the reasons have anything to do with how the gear actually sounds.
This is why conversations like this with Chessrock are more meaningful, it is end user to end user, not company to company.
Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
-Noam Chomsky-
In case you are new here, Chess and I (and others) have had this discussion before and it is entirely good natured. For the record I have no problem with Chess' position, disliking a piece of gear because it just doesn't do it for you is fine. I dislike a lot of gear for a lot less solid reasons than that
I just want to make sure that everybody has their facts straight. A lot of mis-information gets passed around on these bbs' and I have found out that some people who were the most vehement dbx-bashers actually worked for our competition. They were spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt). dbx is a very large company, owned by a very large corporation, it's easy to see why this would occur, and none of the reasons have anything to do with how the gear actually sounds.This is why conversations like this with Chessrock are more meaningful, it is end user to end user, not company to company.
Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
-Noam Chomsky-