dbx preamps

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The Axis

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I suspected you would be reading the forum today, Tom Cram !
Hey, are you able to elaborate on any audible sonic differences between the 786, 586, and 386 pres ?

Why does the 386 and 786 digital card support 24/96 while the 586 doesn't ? Is there a plan to upgrade that ?

Rick
 
Whatchagonnado?

Hey Axis,

I'm getting my ass kicked across three different bbs'. Not bad for a paragraph long post.

On to your question;

The tube pre-amp circuits in the 300 and 500 are virtually identical. There was a board redesign in the 300 series that some claim is quieter. If it is, I can't tell. The difference is mostly features (uh-oh, the F-word).

Let's compare the 386 to the 586 first;

The 586 has three band EQ w/sweepable mid, the 386 does not. The 586 has a limiter on each channel, the 386 does not. The 586 does not have built-in digital conversion, the 386 does. So there are plusses and minuses to both units. The 504x card that goes in the 586 will do 24/48. We were planning on making an updated version that will do 24/96 but there has been zero demand for it. If the demand increases, dbx will respond.

Okay, the 786. Now I'm going to wax poetic here and get all opinionated. I was in the market for a "golden channel" pre-amp. I was planning on spending from $2000 to $3000. I went to the last AES and checked out some kick ass preamps from some of the big names. But I didn't check right under my nose. One of my buddies who is not even affiliated with dbx recommended the 786. I thought "what the hell," and tried it out. OHMIGOD, the 786 is the sleeper unit of the century! I bought it the next day. It is the cleanest, quietest, clearest, loudest, pre-amp in the world. The specs are phenomenal, but they don't tell the whole story. Ya gotta plug it in. This one pre-amp made me reconsider my whole mic collection, compressor collection, Fx collection, etc. Everything was represented in all it's glory or putresence. I'm seriously thinking about selling all my old gear so I can get more 786's. I cannot recommend this pre more highly, it has changed my life. Go to www.dbxpro.com if you want the specs, I would plug it in though instead.

Let the flames begin! 8^)

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
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dbx 376

What's the feeling onthe the 376, looking at your post it seems to be a combo of the 586 & 376, in a channel strip, being a novice owner of of the 376, I wonder about the EQ and the desser, which I think is almost non existent in application, is quality a question, when compared to the 786.
 
more info

The 376 is not quite a combo of the 576. The 576 has on one side a single mono pre-amp identical to the 586. On the other a mono tube comp identical to the 566. If you plug into the input of the pre side and into the output of the comp side you run through both. But you can seperate them out to use with your fave comp or pre.

The 376 is more in the channel strip vein. It's the successor to the 1086 and 286a. Anyway, The pre-amp circuit in the 376 is the same as in the 386 and 586. The EQ on the 376 has a little bit wider Q's and a little less cut/boost, and a different taper to the pots. This is to make it more of a tone shaping EQ instead of a surgical EQ. The comp is what I call a "two-knob-job," obviously with only two knobs you aren't able to control a lot of comp functions, but it still works well. The de-esser works great, it is based on the famous dbx 902 de-esser. I use the de-esser to control string squeak on acoustics, and obviously for de-essing. When you say it is "almost non-existant in application," what do you mean? Are you dialing in the right freq?

Comparing the 376 to the 786 is apples and oranges. The 376 retails for $599.99, it's a channel strip, it has a pre/comp/de-esser/etc. The 786 retails for $2499.95, it's solid state, its a just a pre-amp. Two different animals. I use them both in my studio for different applications.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
dbx 376

Thanks for the quick reply Tom, typically on the de/esser Iv'e got it running at 6k and 12 oclock on the amount, this is usually the range I use for a male vocal, thats a good idea on the guitar strings. What do you use the 376 for, for me it's my only preamp going into a korg d16, for vocal it's a at 4033, this combo seems fair to good, for guitars it's roland vg88 to the 376, although I have been experimenting with a MXR dynacomp in the chain or even in place of the 376, that's it in a nutshell, the sounds seems good if not sparkling,maybe aceesing digital spid/if in would help, just the same, what applications do you lean towards, I realize the up in the 786, do you feel the 376 can be versatile and avoid the everything sounds the same syndrome. Thanks..
 
I've been using as a "character" pre-amp. Just like I use everything else I have. Different units for different jobs. Some singers just can't hang with the in your face clarity of the 786, it's too honest. I put them through the 376 and the tube gives 'em some hair, compress' a bit, and they are happy. Since you can control the amount of saturation you can get some very colored sounds or very neutral sounds. So, using it on everything shouldn't be a problem, but I would try to mix it up if possible though. Some things you want an SM57 on, some things you want a C12. Different units for different jobs.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
Saturation

When you say saturation are you referring to the drive, I think the 386 addresses this with a dedicated meter but the 376 seems to have pretty much a drive and an output stage with an optional Digital/or Anologue meter, either or, no visual monitor or blending beyond the ear, am I right. Also I assume all the right side buttons are active in the digital realm only, is this true of the shape button, have you used this to any advantage in an anologue or digital path. Thanks Tom it's great to be able to talk to someone using the 376, your the first Iv'e come across, surprising to me because of it's simplicity. Thanks again..
 
Yes, the Drive knob sends more signal to the tube, thus more tube saturation. Your going to have to use your ear to decide how much saturation you want. There is no meter for the saturation. The right side buttons are for digital functions only.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
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