DBX 266XL issue
bige
Posts: 11
Hello everyone, Im having a problem with my compressor/gate/limiter. I have a home studio I operate from and everything was running properly, however I rearranged and after hooking everything up exactly how I had it prior to rearranging, my DBX 266XL is not working? I even messed with the wires thinking I had it hooked up wrong..Here is the chain I was running..
Mic->DBX->Pre Amp->Interface->Computer
I also noticed now that when there is only power going into the DBX the gain reduction lights are fully lit even though there is nothing hooked up to it besides the power cord...
Can someone please tell me what could possibly be wrong with this???
Mic->DBX->Pre Amp->Interface->Computer
I also noticed now that when there is only power going into the DBX the gain reduction lights are fully lit even though there is nothing hooked up to it besides the power cord...
Can someone please tell me what could possibly be wrong with this???
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Comments
I'm afraid you made one glaring error in your re-setup...The XLR inputs to your 266xl are LINE level, not mic level...
It should be Mic>preamp>dbx>interface>computer...or something along those lines...The Mic doesn't have any where NEAR enough gain to even tickle the input threshold meter...
8)
Dennis
I tried hooking it up that way too and nothing happend. I guess I have to mess with it more and see, im just about to loose a screw if this doesnt get solved soon lol
Ok well first off, the equipment im running is an AKG Perception 220 mic, Tascam US 122L interface, ART Tube MP Project series preamp, dbx 266xl of course and a Behringer mini amp(irrevelevant but I didnt want to leave anything out)
The cables I use are just basic $20 no namebrand ones,one mic cord has the xlr female end which is plugged in the mic, the male end I had going into the equipment (the preamp to be exact). The other 'mic' cable has a male xlr and a 1/4 inch jack on the other end. Then I have two 3 inch cords with 1/4 inch jacks on each end.
If the cable is plugged into the ART, and the "phantom power" is on and you don't have a signal... plug your headphones into the ART 1/4" OUTPUT and see if you have a signal(might be kinda weak sounding... but thats ok, it wasn't meant to drive headphones), if you then plug directly into the interface and still don't get sound, open your play control (lower right corner) in your computer and make sure your "line in" isn't muted.
In short, start with the ART and the mic, make sure it works, then add the interface and see if that works, then if it does add the 266 back in...
G
I did this, the ART and the Tascam both work fine. I plug the DBX back into the chain, and nothing. But now "channel 2" is lit up on the dbx.. Nothing seems to be working so im going to take it back to Guitar Center and see if they can test it or something to make sure before I seriously smash it.
I guess my next question would be..IF it is indeed dead, any suggestions on what would bring my sound quality back up to par? Something to help keep my vocals from clippin but yet have that nice warm sound i've always got? (perferably not another DBX)
OR..
If it actually is working..any suggestions to add to the chain to achieve an even better sound?
Dennis
The gain reduction lights disappear
The reason I ask is... I have 10,000 cables or more...it's a job in itself to take care of them I sometimes lament... on the other hand, I think you might have few cables. Judging from the cable fiasco you have in the picture, the quality of the cables is in question... ( a budget cable, plugged into an adapter is a poor way at best to have your equipment connected). You were asking how to improve your sound, well cables are a start...ANY brand can have a failure but the fact the failure happened at disconect/reconnec, I think it is likely a cable.
Now, as to improving your sound. How about looking at a driverack? The PX gives you compressors, limiters, PEQ's, GEQ's,
bandpass filters, LPF's, HPF's, and speaker optimization abilities. Even comes with a measurement mic.
just saying...
G
Sorry for the late reply I've been out of town and no where near a computer.
I still have the problem with the Threshold/ratio turned completely down.
Im going to post more pictures of cables and everything with exactly how ive tried connecting it all together to kinda retrace my steps.
Yes, I've used the same cables since Augest of 2008. I have 3 cables I use.. one is the XLR cable with a male and female end (Connects the mic to the pre) and I have another cable, female xlr on one end and a 1/4 inch jack on the other end (the 1/4 inch end has always went into my "Line In L" on the tascam interface & the female XLR has always been plugged into the "Output" on the DBX) The third cable is just a 1/4 inch jack on each side which has always went from my preamp(output) to the dbx(input)
As far as brand of cables..there just bobo's I got when I had an extremely tight budget
All my cables work fine when I eliminate the DBX from the chain
Unfortunately I havent got a chance yet, Im actually looking for a ride as we speak since my car took a dump today. I was thinking about taking it to Marathon Music up the road from me but they never really have much assistance since they seem to be about acoustics and guitars rather than this.