Set The DBX 286s For Great Voice Overs!

I walk you through each section of the DBX 286s microphone processor and show you how to achieve a big, professional voice-over sound from this device. With the explanation in this video, you will learn how to improve the voice-over sound with any microphone. I take the technical explanations and break them down into non-technical terms so that even a beginner will understand. Learn how to set the mic preamp, compressor, de-esser, enhancer, and expander/gate. I also guide you through the process to best connect this unit with your computer audio interface.

0:00 - Intro
0:36 - Connection Setup
1:10 - Initial Knob & Dial Positions
2:00 - Input Gain
2:28 - Compressor
4:33 - Enhancer LF/HF Detail
5:34 - De-Esser
6:43 - Expander/Gate
9:24 - Output Gain

IMPORTANT: If you use a dynamic microphone (like an RE20 or SM7B) with the DBX 286s, I suggest using a mic activator. Dynamic microphones require more gain than condenser microphones. Using only the gain from the DBX 286s for a dynamic microphone will introduce noise in your system.

DBX 286s Channel Strip sweetwater.sjv.io/GmKj4V
Male 1/4" to Male 1/4" Balanced TRS Cable https://amzn.to/3fZKAZX
Song: The Jump by Lenny Balistreri   / the-jump  
Official Website http://www.lennyb.com

Other equipment in this video (pictured above the DBX 286s)
The Blackmagic Design Multi Dock - https://amzn.to/4psZBoU
The Warm Audio Wa2A Compressor - https://amzn.to/4ro55TC

FOR FOCUSRITE SOLO USERS #####
Specifically, on the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, you can ONLY connect the DBX 286s to the Solo XLR (channel one). Channel 2's input won't work. The Solo can receive both a mic level and the "balanced" line connection with its XLR connection. So you'll need a male 1/4" TRS cable from your line out of the DBX 286s to a male XLR into channel 1 of your Scarlet Solo.

Some of the links on this page are links to affiliate websites, and I receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. My affiliates include Sweetwater, Waves, and Amazon.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Most audio problems aren’t processing problems.

If you’re struggling with your recordings, the issue usually isn’t the mic,
the interface, or the plugins — it’s something earlier in the chain.

I personally review raw voice recordings to identify what’s actually limiting them:
• The recording environment
• How the voice is captured in that space
• Performance consistency and control
• Direction and clarity around what the recording is meant to do
• Or the limits of processing itself

If you want to hear what your voice could sound like when it’s optimized correctly —
and understand what’s actually holding it back — you can submit a raw recording for review.

This diagnostic review is free and comes with no obligation.

How to submit your voice:
👉 Visit https://www.lennyb.com
👉 Click the red “Submit Your Voice” button
👉 Upload a short raw voice recording