DBX 586 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

¥ Hand selected and matched Premium

12AU7 vacuum tubes in path

¥ Mic or line/instrument inputs on each

channel. +4/-10 operation

¥ Drive control for a wide variety of

great tube effects
¥ PeakPlusª limiting control
¥ 3-Band EQ with sweepable frequency,

wide / narrow Q and hardwire bypass
¥ Optional TYPE IVª Conversion

System outputs

¥ Separate 1/4" insert sends and

returns on each channel

¥ Custom designed analog VU meters

monitor tube drive, insert, or output
levels

¨

Mic preamps have long been a part of dbxÕs reputation as the leader in signal processing technology.
In keeping with that proven tradition, dbx proudly enters the vacuum tube domain with the 586 Dual
Vacuum Tube Preamp. The 586 is loaded with all the standard features youÕd expect to find in a mic
preamp including custom designed analog VU meters that monitor tube level, insert path or output lev­els, +48V Phantom Power, 20dB pad, phase invert, and low cut filter. Line/Instrument and mic inputs
make the 586 versatile enough to use with virtually any source device. Add to this comprehensive list
of standard features extras like a three band EQ with sweepable mids and selectable mid Q (with EQ
hardwire bypass), available insert loop, and the new PeakPlusª limiting topology and you have the lat­est in a long line of dbx achievements.

All this would be enough, but our customers have come to expect more from us than just ÒenoughÓ,
and we deliver the goods with the 586. Hand selected and matched premium 12AU7 vacuum tubes
ensure the ideal triode gain matching, distortion, microphonics and drive characteristics. What does all
that mean? It means you get the best tube sound with the most versatility available today. Have you
ever wanted to go directly from the wonderfully warm sound of tube processing to the digital domain
without loosing that great sound? Well, now you can. With the optional dbx TYPE IVª Conversion
System output, you can capture the essence of tube processing directly into the digital world, without
leaving the box. The digital output offers the ability to communicate in either AES/EBU or S/PDIF at
up to 16 or 20bit word lengths. In addition, TYPE IVª offers the ability to select Noise shape algo­rithms and dither types that best suit your music and your medium. Never before has so much flexibil­ity been offered to digital users. The 586 has all the rear panel versatility and connectivity that make it
easy to setup and patch into any system. No custom cables or adapters. Gold plated Neutrik¨ connec­tors for the audio ins and outs ensure solid connections and pristine sound every time. Separate 1/4"
connectors for the insert sends and returns, as well as +4/-10 operating level switching make it a snap.

586

Tube Preamp

Dual Vacuum

+

3

0

¨

3

-15

DECIBELS

5

-20 -10

7

-25 -5

10

-30 0

20

-

CLIP

EQ

+15

0

dB

HIGH

-15

4k

8k

1k

dB

FREQUENCY

100

200

NARROW

+15

0

dB

MID

-15

+15

0

dB

LOW

-15

INSERT

+

3

0

¨

3

-15

DECIBELS

5

-20 -10

7

-25 -5

10

-30 0

20

-

CLIP

EQ

+15

0

dB

HIGH

-15

4k

8k

1k

dB

FREQUENCY

100

200

NARROW

+15

0

dB

MID

-15

+15

0

dB

LOW

-15

INSERT

METER SOURCE

CHANNEL TWO

+20

+15

+10

+5

LIMIT

0

+30

+25

(LINE 0dB)

+15

Red: Shape 2

TYPE IV

2

CONVERSION SYSTEM

Off: None Off: None

Red: SNR

Green: TPDF Green: Shape 1

METER SOURCE

CHANNEL ONE

+20

+15

+10

+5

LIMIT

0

+30

+25

(LINE 0dB)

+15

OUTPUT

INSERT

DRIVE

PHASE LOW CUT+48V

PAD

LINE

SHAPEDITHER

INSERT

DRIVE OUTPUT

PHASE LOW CUT+48V

PAD

LINE

Off

dB

PeakPlus

0

+15

dB

LEVEL

-15

+60

dB

DRIVE

-10

Off

dB

PeakPlus

0

+15

dB

LEVEL

-15

+60

dB

DRIVE

-10

THRESHOLD

THRESHOLD

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

MICROPHONE INPUTS

Connectors: Female XLR Pin 2 hot
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced
Impedance: 1.70 k½
Optimum Microphone Impedance: 150 - 200 ½
Maximum Input Level: > +13 dBu, or +33 dBu with 20 dB pad

engaged

CMRR: > 115 dB at 60 Hz, > 110 dB at 1 kHz, >

75dB at 10 kHz

LINE INPUTS

Connectors: Female XLR Pin 2 hot and TRS 1/4Ó
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced
Impedance: 20.1 k½ nominal, or 470 k½ with rear-panel

INST switch engaged

Maximum Input Level: > +30 dBu, or +22 dBu with rear-panel

INST switch engaged

OUTPUTS

Connectors: Male XLR Pin 2 hot and TRS 1/4Ó
Type: Servo-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced 120½, unbalanced 60½
Maximum Output Level: +21.5 dBu, balanced or unbalanced

INSERT

Connectors: TRS 1/4Ó
Type: Impedance balanced/unbalanced (SEND),

electronically balanced/unbalanced
(RETURN)

Impedance: 100½ bal./50½ unbal. (SEND), 20k½

(RETURN)
Nominal Send Level: +4 dBu
Nominal Return Level: +4 dBu

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

DRIVE Control Range: +10 dB to +60 dB
LEVEL Control Range: -15 dB to +15 dB

0.5 dB Bandwidth: 15 Hz to > 90 kHz +0/-0.5 dB
Frequency Response: <10 Hz to >200 kHz +0/-3.0 dB
EIN: Typically -126 dBu, 150½ source imped-

ance, unweighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz mea­surement bandwidth

THD + Noise: 0.04% typical at +0 dBu out, 1kHz, 33 dB

gain

3.5% typical at +21 dBu out, 1kHz, 35 dB

gain
Deviation From Linear Phase: < 20 degrees, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Interchannel Crosstalk: Typically -98 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

EQUALIZER

LOW Frequency: 80 Hz, shelving filter
HIGH Frequency: 12 kHz, shelving filter
MID Frequency: Sweepable from 100 Hz to 8 kHz, band-

width 1.5 octaves (WIDE) or 0.5 octaves

(NARROW)
Gain (all bands): Sweepable from -15 to +15 dB.

PeakPlus LIMITER

Type: Two-stage proprietary
Threshold Range: 0 dBu to + 22 dBu (off)

FUNCTION SWITCHES

INSERT: Inserts a device connected to the rear-

panel Return jack into the signal path.
NARROW: Selects narrow (0.5 octave) bandwidth for

the MID frequency control
EQ: Enables the equalizer section
LINE: Selects the Line inputs
+48V: Enables the 48V phantom power for the

Microphone input
PAD: Attenuates the input signal by 20 dB.
PHASE: Reverses pins 2 and 3 of the input XLR

connector.
LO CUT: Enables the 75 Hz, 12 dB/octave low cut fil-

ter

METER SOURCE SWITCHES

DRIVE: Monitors the signal level at the input to the

vacuum tube
INSERT: Monitors the signal level at the Insert Return jack

OUTPUT: Monitors the output signal level

DIGITAL OUTPUT OPTION SWITCHES

(Note: The digital output option switches are enabled only when the optional dbx TYPE IV is
installed in the unit.)

DITHER: Selects between Dither algorithms
SHAPE: Selects between Noise Shape algorithms

REAR PANEL SWITCHES

INST: Switches the gain and impedance of the

Line Inputs to allow for connection of unbal­anced devices with passive instrument pick­ups

+4 dBu/-10 dBV: Switches the nominal output level between

+4 dBu and -10 dBV

INDICATORS

CLIP Red LED to indicate when the internal sig-

nal level is within 3 dB of actual waveform
clipping; sense points are at all critical
stages of the circuit

LIMIT: Red LED to indicated when the PeakPlus

limiter is active

OPTIONS

Digital output module: Contact dbx for further details.

POWER SUPPLY

Operating Voltage: 100V, 120V, or 220-240VAC 50/60 Hz.
Power Consumption: 30 Watts maximum.
Fuse: 100V: 315mA 250V Slow Blow 5mm X

20mm
120V: 315mA 250V Slow Blow 5mm X
20mm
220-240V: T160 mA 250V 5mm X 20mm

Mains Connection: IEC 320 Receptacle

PHYSICAL

Dimensions: 3.5Ó H X 19Ó W X 8Ó D
Weight: 12 lbs (5.5 kg)
Shipping Weight: 13 lbs (5.9 kg)

Note: 0 dBu = 0.775V RMS.

586

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

DUAL VACUUM TUBE PREAMP

1k

200

INSERT

-150+15

-150+15

dB

dB

LOW

MID

(LINE 0dB)

+25

+15

+30

LINE

-10

dB

DRIVE

PAD

+60

NARROW

100

FREQUENCY

PHASE LOW CUT+48V

4k

8k

dB

-150+15

dB

HIGH

-150+15

dB

LEVEL

EQ

LIMIT

CLIP

+10

+15

+5

+20

0

Off

dB

PeakPlus

THRESHOLD

3

5

7

0

10

20

-

-15

-20 -10

-25 -5

DECIBELS

-30 0

¨

CHANNEL ONE

METER SOURCE

INSERT

DRIVE OUTPUT

3

+

CONVERSION SYSTEM

Red: SNR

Green: TPDF Green: Shape 1

Off: None Off: None

TYPE IV

2

Red: Shape 2

SHAPEDITHER

INSERT

LINE

+15

-150+15

dB

LOW

(LINE 0dB)

+25

-10

dB

DRIVE

1k

200

4k

NARROW

-150+15

100

8k

FREQUENCY

PHASE LOW CUT+48V

-150+15

dB

HIGH

-150+15

LEVEL

dB

MID

+30

PAD

+60

CLIP

EQ

dB

+10

+15

LIMIT

+5

+20

0

dB

PeakPlus

THRESHOLD

Off

dB

3

5

7

0

10

20

-

-15

-20 -10

-25 -5

DECIBELS

-30 0

¨

CHANNEL TWO

METER SOURCE

INSERT

DRIVE OUTPUT

3

+

586

Dual Vacuum
Tube Preamp

®