dbx 676 Tube Channel Strip Reviews
The dbx 676 tube channel strip gives you classic warmth and punch, plus everything you need to sculpt your tracks to perfection - right from the get-go! Over 40 years of dbx dynamics processing is packed into this 2U professional rackmount chassis. It all starts with an immaculate high-voltage, Class A tube preamp section running on 250 volts, delivering signal that can be as pristine or filthy as you desire. From there, the 676 gives you the compressor/limiter design from the acclaimed dbx 162SL, as well as a 3-band parametric equalizer with swept mids. At Sweetwater, we're mightily impressed with the dbx 676. We think you will be, too!
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Highest Rated Reviews
EQ Section
1. Low Control [-15 dB to +15 dB]
This control adjusts the amount of low-frequency boost or cut. This is a shelving type filter with a fixed frequency of 100
Hz and a slope rate of 12 dB/octave.
2. EQ Enable Button
Press this button to enable/disable the EQ – the EQ is enabled when the button's LED is lit.
3. High Control [-15 dB to +15 dB)]
This control adjusts the amount of high-frequency boost or cut. This is a shelving type filter with a fixed frequency of 10
kHz and a slope rate of 12 dB/octave.
4. Mid Control [-15 dB to +15 dB]
This control adjusts the amount of mid-frequency boost or cut. This is a peaking (bell) type filter.
5. Narrow Button
This button changes the 'Q' factor of the mid-frequency peaking filter. When the button is enabled (LED on), the filter
becomes more narrow and has a Q of 2.9. When disabled (LED off), the filter is wider and has a Q of 0.9.
6. Mid Freq [100 Hz - 8 kHz]
This control adjusts the center frequency of the mid-frequency peaking filter.
Underrated and well worth the price tag!!!
Extremely underrated, versatile tube channel strip. I love running mono synths through it, especially with sidechain compression enabled in electronic music productions. As for vocals, it's proven very flexible as well, on many styles - male or female. I've also used it with mics on cabs and when recording snares. The learning curve for gain staging is simple and once you understand it (which takes all of a few seconds) you won't be worrying about any noise issues. I start with the attenuation knob at around 9, then adjust the gain knob until clipping. I then dial the gain knob back until clipping stops and lastly adjust the attenuation knob to taste. I never have noise in my recordings and you won't either. You will have a nice recording that sits well in the mix and you can thank me for that later! Lastly, the stock tube sounds fine but you can swap it out for other tubes if desired. Do not sleep on this unit!
This is Awesome
I was somewhat skeptical at the beginning since I've never had any dbx gear in my studio and since i do a lot of voiceovers I needed a channel strip for my studio b. I took a chance, and I have no regrets.
As soon as I powered it up I was blown away by the warmth and quality this baby produced.
It's worth every penny. I strongly recommend it.
Amazing
Warmth,Quality,Resolution,Compression,Colour Is Perfect.I Realy Love 676...
Not a Parametric EQ !!!
Please get the product description right folks!! This does not have a parametric EQ!! Each band is independently sweepable with a preset corner freq, and a switchable narrow / wide bandwidth. Thanks for changing the product description to reflect this!!
So Warm...
I bought two of these units, along with a couple of Neumann TLM 107s, and the combination of the two products produces a sound that is totally amazing, warm, and clear. As i was looking to get a "vintage" jazz sound I couldn't have asked for more. The Pre's are clear and warm, producing a warm and upfront sound that works perfectly for my application - jazz soloist - vocals and guitar. The EQ and Compressor sections of this channel strip are perfect for dialing in a very transparent and lovely tone. I would have given this product 5 stars but I think Harmon could have used better tubes as they can be a bit "hissy" when pushed. I've since ordered two new tubes to replace the existing tubes but, overall, I'm very happy I made this purchase and love the results I've been getting. Thanks, too, to my amazing sales rep at Sweetwater (Charlie Davis) for taking great care of me on all my purchases.
Amazing value, love mine
I had to go through THREE of these to get one that wasn't defective. But that's exactly why I shop at Sweetwater almost exclusively -- they were overnighting me replacement units until I got one that worked.
The one I ended up with is deserving of a 5 star rating for sure, but I deducted one star for the inconsistent quality control from the factory.
Anyway, if you think of this as a bunch of 500 series units: a tube mic pre, a simple but not simplistic EQ, an extremely sophisticated compressor, and a limiter, you would probably be looking at $3500, and that likely wouldn't sound as good. It sounds *great* on vocals. It has supplanted all my high end Neve clones as my go-to on vocals.
You can bypass the mic pre and just run a line signal through the EQ/compressor/limiter. I haven't tried it yet but even tossing the sweet sounding mic pre out the window that alone is worth far more than the asking price.
This is basically the best deal out there right now in outboard gear, with the caveat that from my experience you absolutely don't want to buy a used one or from a place that you don't have a relationship with to make returns and exchanges painless.
Dbx 676
I have this guy...it is totaly good.but not like older brothers like 576(musicality of recording & tube color).quality is awsome.and comprssor works good(better than avalon 737sp)
Anyway i think it is a Class A unit.but dbx please think about your great past.
dbx 676 product description
I rated this to allow posting a comment. I do not own the product so I cannot rate it's performance but wanted potential buyers to know what is available on the unit. Your Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help you make the best purchasing decision.
A previously posted review says the unit doesn't have parametric eq which is true but it goes on to say that each band is sweep-able which is not correct. The high and low controls are fixed frequency with adjustable gain.
This unit has a semi-parametric mid range. The mid is not a full parametric because the Q control is just a narrow/wide switch as opposed to a continuously variable Q.
To correct the description it should read 3 band EQ with semi-parametric mid range control, or something similar. My opinion is that this set up is likely still quite useful as if you need significant EQ during tracking or live performance, an adjustment to the mic position, or for vocals the microphone used, may pay higher dividends in achieving the desired tone.
Quality Control is NOT good
I returned 3 of these to Sweetwater......yes three. They are cheaply made. Issues ranging from VU meters not working (twice), to static sound in one of the knobs, parts falling off, something rattling loose inside the case. Called manufacturer all 3 times, no help..... and checked serial number on each unit to make sure I was not getting the same unit sent to me repeatedly. I really wanted to like the dbx.....I liked the sound of the unit but I was so disgusted with the QC that I finally gave up. Proceed with caution. I ended up going with an Empirical Labs Mike-E EL9. Top notch build quality, great sound.
