Blog 2: dbx 676 mic pre channel strip

              Hello every one and welcome to Infidel Audio's Blog. As we look at new innovations with in the world of audio recording I will be looking at new products to help with creating the sound you desire and today i will be talking about a new tube microphone pre channel strip  built by dbx. This channel strip  will not be available until January of 2015 but its always a good idea to look towards the future. dbx has announced the introduction of its 676 Tube Mic Pre Channel Strip.The 676 is a vacuum tube-based microphone preamplifier that delivers a host of flexible sound-tailoring options, delivering "extraordinary" audio quality for recording and live sound applications.It employs a high-gain, Class A tube preamp section based around a 12AU7 vacuum tube that can be adjusted to produce either clean/pure or more 'dirty' sounds. The new model also incorporates the Compressor/Limiter design from the dbx 162SL, as well as a three-band parametric EQ, enabling control of dynamics and tonal balance. The 2U preamp offers vintage style controls, a 'military-grade build', ¼-inch and XLR inputs and outputs, a front-panel instrument input and a side chain insert. An optional digital output card is available as well. The 676 allows for precise tailoring of input and output levels, which can be monitored via its large multi-function VU meter. The compressor/limiter section provides flexible control of dynamics such as threshold, attack, gain and release, auto attack and release, hard and soft knee compression, dbx-exclusive AutoVelocity manual and OverEasy modes and a PeakStop limiting algorithm. The EQ enables adjustment of level and bandwidth at frequencies that have been carefully chosen for "maximum musical effectiveness."  I have been using the DBX 266xl compressor for a year now and have many friends that have used other DBX products in the past and I have never heard a bad complaint yet so i have no doubts in my mind that the 676 will deliver a smooth warm sound and easy controls. The price for this unit will sell for $999.95.