dbx has announced the model 676 Tube Mic Pre Channel Strip, a vacuum tube/valve-based microphone preamplifier aimed at recording and live sound use.

The dbx 676 employs a high-gain class-A tube preamp section based around a 12AU7 vacuum tube that can be adjusted to be clean and pure-sounding or dirty and ‘full of harmonic character’. The 676 incorporates the compressor/limiter design from the dbx 162SL and a three-band parametric EQ, enabling extensive control of dynamics and tonal balance.

The unit offers quarter-inch and XLR inputs and outputs, a front-panel instrument input and a sidechain insert, with an optional digital output card also available. Precise tailoring of input and output levels can be monitored by its large multi-function vu meter. The compressor/limiter section provides flexible control of dynamics including threshold, attack, gain and release, auto attack and release, hard- and soft-knee compression, dbx AutoVelocity manual and OverEasy modes and PeakStop limiting algorithm and many additional functions. The 676’s three-band parametric EQ allows adjustment of level and bandwidth at frequencies that have been carefully chosen for maximum musical effectiveness.

Although comprehensive in its capabilities the dbx 676 is designed for ease of use, with its vintage-style controls and vu metering. It features military-grade build for total reliability and mounts in a 2U-high rack space.

The dbx 676 Tube Mic Pre Channel Strip will be available in January 2015 at a street price of US$999.95