Voice can be recorded in variety of ways, using different microphones, with or without sound processors, inside or outside the vocal booth. Each improvement has its own new challenges. Each improvement also comes with a price. So given our budget, there is much we can single out.
If you also want to save time, but provide excellent service QUICK AND QUALITY, you will need to invest some money. The good news is that you don’t have to invest much.
The device is called DBX 286S Mic preamp/processor. It’s a sound processor that has several functions which can greatly enhance the sound.
Dbx 286S is used for voice processing and LIVE processing, meaning that the sound recorded can no longer be changed (there is no undo button). Because of this, it is often used in large worldwide radio stations in on air setting. It is also used by numerous voice-over- talents to cut down post-production time.
The first time I heard about it was on Mike Russel’s YouTube channel. Buying it was a cat whisper. Let’s start with DBX 286s – Process your voice like a pro.
DBX 286s – FUNCTIONS
MIC PREAMP
The first item is a microphone preamp with integrated LED lights for the ideal range. My advice is that the voice should go to second green light, sometimes to yellow. The preamplifier amplifies microphone input, which is extremely low by itself.
Buy the product here: https://amzn.to/2X5Ci8w
48V PHANTOM POWER
For microphones that use 48V phantom power, always have this feature turned on because you won’t be able to hear anything without it.
80Hz HIGH-PASS
Filter that filters out – cuts all frequencies below 80 Hz that most often contain rumble from the road or the sound of devices in the environment. Human voice doesn’t contain those frequencies, so we can freely leave this on for voice recording.
PROCESS BYPASS
If for some reason you want to bypass all the upcoming effects, logically, turn on the bypass, otherwise keep it turned off.
COMPRESSOR
Compressor is the first in the series of 4 processes that follow. It is a standard compressor, slightly more simplified than usual with only 2 buttons. One of which represents drive (on older models threshold) and density (on older models ratio). In simple terms, it defines how much the voice will be compressed, or what the difference between the loudest and quietest tones will be. Of course, be aware that with increasing compression the background noise is also stronger, especially if you are in an uninsulated area. For me personally, Drive is 3 and density 7.5. It suits my voice best. The most important on this list is compressor on DBX 286s – Process your voice like a pro.
DE-ESSER
Top notch thing not often seen on physical units. It is a process that removes – lowers the sibilance sound. Practically, whenever you say letters S or C, the de-esser switches on and tunes down the specified sound. Be careful not to maximize this as you may sound like you have a cold. 2 buttons are located here – frequency that controls on which frequency you want to operate and threshold – how strong you want to operate.
Buy the product here: https://amzn.to/2X5Ci8w
ENHANCER
Another great process that makes DBX 286S a top notch device. This is a mini EQ that boosts the low end and high end. With the enhanced LF detail you will sound like a movie trailer, and with enhanced HF detail you could sound too sharp.
EXPANDER – GATE
The right things for those who don’t have a well-insulated recording space. Gate closes the “gate“ every time no one speaks into the microphone, and “opens“ them again when talking occurs. Also, it perfectly eliminates frequencies in which noise occur during recording.
OUTPUT
And finally, Output. Increase it or decrease it depending on what you need.
DBX 286s – PRICE
Is it worth it? Of course!
DBX 286S is worth buying and I recommend it to anyone no matter what microphone they use and in what room they record. Expect a lot from it and you will get a lot. You will save a lot of time in post production. How I process my own voice find out here.
It can be purchased on Amazon for as little as $199, but there are also devices worth $150.
There is the link to the product: https://amzn.to/2X5Ci8w
If you have doubts, don’t think another second. If you have a friend or a colleague that owns it, go and try it out. Mike Russel has made detailed video on this topic, take a look here.
