DBX 1086 User Guide

8760 S. Sandy Pkwy.

Sandy, Utah 84070

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

IntÕl Fax [phone]

[e-mail]

http://www.dbxpro.com

A Harman International Company

¨

¥ Premium low-noise mic pre capable

of going direct-to-tape, or straight
into a DAW

¥ Classic dbx dynamics processing for

recording or live sound

¥ Prevents overload

¥ Bypass inferior digital converters on

DAT machines and DAW hardware
¥ Protect speaker components
¥ Transfer between analog and digital

media

Mic Pre

The dbx 1086 represents the digital wave of the future. After producing the worldÕs most renowned series of com­pressors, the task of producing new technologies worthy of our reputation would be daunting for most engineers.
Not for dbx. Now we introduce the 1086 Mic Pre / Processor. The 1086 features an ultra low-noise, extended head­room mic pre with a variable-frequency low-cut filter and unique low and high detail equalization controls. The mic
pre section has +48V phantom power, a 20dB pad as well a phase invert switch. Mic pre levels are visible on a clas­sic dbx backlit custom VU meter. The 1086Õs mic pre can also be used independent of any other processing, via mic
pre ÒoutÓ connectors (1/4 inch and XLR!) on the rear panel.

The 1086 also has all the features that brought dbx to the forefront of dynamics control and processing: an award
winning compressor, as well as a de-esser, an expander/gate, and a limiter. The dynamics processing section can also
be accessed separately, making the 1086 two independent processors in one rack space. In the compressor, selectable
hard-knee or OverEasy¨ characteristics make the 1086 ideal for your gain control needs, whether youÕre looking for
ÒheavyÓ almost-special-effects compression or soft, smooth gain leveling. The de-esser is the dbx classic de-esser,
featuring variable control for both threshold and frequency settings.

The expander/gate, made popular on the 1066, has threshold and ratio controls, coupled with a 2-LED meter for visu­al indication of the signal in relation to the threshold level. For overall speaker protection, our new patent-pending
PeakStopPlusª limiter does all previous circuits one better. With its new design, PeakStopPlusª represses those
unwanted transients from blowing your drivers while minimizing the distortion common to many ÒhardÓ limiters.

The 1086 is outfitted in the now standard dbx 10 Series design; lightpipe technology replaces standard LEDs found
on most other units, making the unit both very easy to read and much easier to operate.

Couple this feature set with the best high-resolution analog to digital processing around, the TYPE IVª Conversion
System, and you have the 1086. Ultimate flexibility and control in the digital domain. The 1086 is ideal for digital
workstation recording or with the modular digital multitrack machines now on the market. Bring the warmth of the
original analog signal into the digital domain with TYPE IVª. WeÕre dbx, and weÕre bringing our industry-standard
dynamics processing into todayÕs digital pro-audio marketplace.

Processor

1086

Red: SHAPE 2

TYPE IV

2

CONVERSION SYSTEM

Red: SNR

-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]

+

30 25 20 15 10 6 3 1

+

0

-

+

-

3
0

3
5
7

10

+

+14

+12

+10

4k

7

5

46

3

0

3:1

2:1

1.5:1

0

-10

-20

3:1

2:1

1.6:1

-20

-40

BYPASS

PROCESSOR

+

¨

-15

DECIBELS

-20 -10

-25 -5

-30 0

20

-

+9

+6

+9

+6

120

Low Cut

Low Cut

+30

+20

+48 V

Green: TPDF Green: SHAPE 1

I/O METER

+20

+6

1.25k 6.3k
8

2

-10 +10
6:1

1.2:1
+10

-30

4:1

-60

SOURCE

+12

+3

+12

+3

220

40

+40

+10

INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL dBu

INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL dBu

THRESHOLD

DE-ESSING dB

GAIN REDUCTION dBTHRESHOLD

THRESHOLD

THRESHOLD

PEAK

Off: NONE Off: NONE

INPUT

9

1

OverEasy Slow

OverEasy Slow

1.4:1
0

LINE

Enable

Phase Invert20 dB Pad

DITHER SHAPE

OUTPUT

OFF

dBu

LIMITER

PeakStopPlusOUTPUT GAIN

+4

10k

Hz

FREQUENCY

800

10

THRESHOLD

OFF

+20

dB

-20

:1

∞

1:1

+20

dBu

THRESHOLD

-40

8:1

RATIO RATIO

1.2:1

+15

dBu

THRESHOLD

OFF

MIC

MIC PRE-AMP LEVELMIC PRE-AMP DETAIL EXPANDER/GATE COMPRESSOR DE-ESSER

+15

dB

HIGH

0

+15

dB

LOW

0

30030

Hz

LOW CUT FREQ

+60+5

dB

GAIN

1086

Mic Pre Input
Connector: Female XLR (Pin 2 hot)
Type: Extended headroom instrumentation amplifier

Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: 1.7k½
Max Input Level: >+34dBu balanced or unbalanced (Pad in)

>+16dBu balanced or unbalanced (Pad out)
CMRR: >40dB at 1 kHz, typically >55dB

Mic Pre Outputs
Connectors: XLR and 1/4" TRS (Pin 2 and tip hot)
Type: Servo-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced 120½, unbalanced 60½
Max Output Level: >+21dBu, >+20 dBm (into 600½) unbalanced/unbalanced
Nominal Output Level: -10dBV or +4dBu, switchable on rear panel

Dynamics Processor Inputs
Connector: Female XLR and 1/4" TRS (Pin 2 and tip hot)
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced >50k½, unbalanced >25k½
Max Input Level: >+24dBu balanced or unbalanced
Nominal INput Level: -10dBV or +4dBu, switchable on rear panel
CMRR: >40dB at 1 kHz, typically >55dB

Dynamics Processor Outputs
Connectors: Male XLR and 1/4" TRS (Pin 2 and tip hot)
Type: Servo-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced 120½, unbalanced 60½
Max Output Level: >+21dBu, >+20 dBm (into 600½) unbalanced/unbalanced
Nominal Output Level: -10dBV or +4dBu, switchable on rear panel

Mic Pre System Performance
Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): -122dBu typical, 22kHz measurement bandwidth, unweighted
Bandwidth: <10Hz to >100kHz, +0/-0.5 dB

Frequency Response: <5Hz to >250kHz, +0/-3 dB
THD+Noise: 0.005% typical, 150½ source, 30dB gain, 1kHz

Dynamics Processor System Performance
Bandwidth, unweighted: <10Hz to >75kHz, +0/-0.5 dB
Frequency Response: <5Hz to >180kHz, +0/-3 dB
Noise: <-92dBu, unweighted, 22kHz measurement bandwidth
Dynamic Range: 119dB typical
THD+Noise: 0.009% typical at +4dBu, 1kHz, unity gain

0.05% typical at +20dBu, 1kHz, unity gain

<0.1% any amount of compression up to 30dB, 1kHz
IMD: <0.1% SMPTE, any amount of compression up to 30dB
VCA: dbx V2ª

General
Signal Source: Mic Pre Output or Processor line input, front panel switch
Processor Bypass: Front panel switch
Input/Output Meter: 8-segment LED bar graph at -24, -18, -12, -6, 0, +6, +12 and

+18dBu
Meter Source: Input level or Output level, front panel switch

Options
Mic Pre Output Transformer: Jensen¨JT-123-dbx or JT-11-dbx, BCIª RE-123-dbx or RE-11-

dbx
Processor Output Transformer: Jensen¨JT-123-dbx or JT-11-dbx, BCIª RE-123-dbx or RE-11-

dbx

Digital Output: dbx TYPE IVª Conversion System

Dither: Off, TPDF, or dbx SNR2ª dither, front panel switch
Noise Shaping: Off, dbx Shape 1, or dbx Shape 2, front panel switch
Format: AES/EBU or S/PDIF, rear panel switch
Sample Rate: 44.1 or 48kHz, rear panel switch
Word Length: 16- or 20-bit, rear panel switch

¥ Ultra low-noise, high-headroom premium mic pre
¥ Mic pre levels shown on a classic dbx custom VU meter
¥ Unique high and low ÒdetailÓ equalization adds space to any

voice/instrument
¥ Variable frequency low-cut filter
¥ Selectable hard knee or OverEasy¨ compression modes
¥ De-esser with variable threshold and frequency settings
¥ PeakStopPlusª limiting for setting maximum allowable level

with minimal distortion

¥ Processing section is independently bypassable
¥ Full complement of meters show status of each processor sec-

tion

¥ Optional dbx TYPE IVª Conversion System accessible from

front panel
¥ Switchable +4dBu or -10dBV operation
¥ Mic/Line input selector switch on front panel for the processor
¥ Lightpipe technology replaces standard LEDs for easy reading

and operation

dbx engineers are constantly working to improve the quality of our products. Specifications are, therefore subject to change without notice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

dbx Professional Products ¥ 8760 S. Sandy Pkwy. ¥ Sandy, Utah 84070

Phone [phone] ¥ Fax [phone] ¥ IntÕl Fax [phone]

[e-mail] ¥ http://www.dbxpro.com

MIC PRE / PROCESSOR

+48 V

Low Cut

120

+20

+10

85-2107-A 1086 front line art (5-22-97)

+30

40

+40
Phase Invert20 dB Pad

+60+5

dB

GAIN

POWER

+6

220

+3

30030

Hz

LOW CUT FREQ

FUSE: REPLACE WITH SAME

TYPE FUSE AND RATING.
ATTENTION: UTILISER UN FUSIBLE DE
RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE ET CALIBRE.

¨

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS
A HARMAN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH • MADE IN CANADA
MODEL 1086

10 SERIES

PEAK

+

+9

+6

+9

+12

Enable

0

+15

0+3+15

dB

dB

HIGH

LOW

3

5

7

0

10

3

20

-

-20 -10

-25 -5

-30 0

+12

MIC PRE-AMP LEVELMIC PRE-AMP DETAIL EXPANDER/GATE COMPRESSOR DE-ESSER

dbx TYPE IVª CONVERSION SYSTEM OUTPUT OPTION

PROCESSOR

BYPASS

+

-15

DECIBELS

¨

SOURCE

DIGITAL OUTPUTS

AES/EBU

S/PDIF

AES/EBU RATE

THRESHOLD

+

-

-40

2:1

-20

1.6:1

-60

1.4:1

S/PDIF

OFF

dBu

THRESHOLD

48 kHz

44.1 kHz

0

1.2:1

+15

RATIO RATIO

20 BIT

16 BIT

WIDTH

LINE

MIC

+

0

-

-10

3:1

-20

4:1

-30

-40

+20

8:1

dBu

THRESHOLD

GAIN REDUCTION dBTHRESHOLD

3:1

6:1

:1

∞

-10 +10

-20

INPUTS

+4 dBu

-10 dBV

0

+20

dB

2:1

0

1.5:1

+10

1.2:1

OverEasy Slow

1:1

MANUFACTURED UNDER ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING U.S. PATENTS: 4,234,804 4,282,252 4,316,107 4,329,598 4,331,931
4,377,792 4,403,199 4,409,500 4,425,551 4,434,380 4,454,433 4,471,324 4,473,793 4,588,979 5,282,252 OTHER PATENTS PENDING

DYNAMICS PROCESSOR

OUTPUTS

DE-ESSING dB

30 25 20 15 10 6 3 1

5

46

3

7

2

1

9

10

OFF

THRESHOLD

4k

1.25k 6.3k

8

800

Hz

FREQUENCY

THRESHOLD

+10

+6

10k

+4

PeakStopPlusOUTPUT GAIN

LIMITER

MICROPHONE PRE-AMP

+

+12

+14

+20

OFF

dBu

LINE OUTPUTS

INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL dBu

-24 -18 -12 -6 0 +6 +12 [phone]

CONVERSION SYSTEM

Red: SNR

I/O METER

Green: TPDF Green: SHAPE 1

Off: NONE Off: NONE

INPUT

DITHER SHAPE

OUTPUT

+4 dBu

-10 dBV

TYPE IV

2

Red: SHAPE 2

MIC INPUT

1086

Mic Pre

Processor

®