dbx 231 Graphic Equalizer

Very easy to use. The controls are the same as on most graphic equalizers, and are pretty self-explanatory if you understand the concept of a graphic equalizer.

The first unit I bought had a LOT of noise in the left channel, and was rather noisy in the right channel also. I returned it and the replacement unit I was sent had the same problem only opposite -- the very loud ambient noise was in the right channel, and the left channel was a bit noisy also. I returned this unit also, did some research and discovered this was a chronic, unaddressed, problem. The unit advertises a S/N (signal to noise) ratio of 90db or greater. Both units I tested didn't even come close to this specification. Perhaps 40db, or less. Not even remotely close to acceptable in any studio or professional application.

Obviously, a product with an unacceptably loud noise floor cannot be considered "reliable" in any sense.

I have corresponded extensively with the company about this issue. They have never once addressed me or the issue in any way other than vague corporate-robot-speak about "looking into it". But my internet research indicates this has been a known problem for years, and dbx has totally neglected it.

For all the reasons described above, this product is not of a quality that can be used in any serious musical application. It should not be on the market. Advertising a specification of S/N ratio of 90db or better, and NOT DELIVERING ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE, is not an acceptable way to market a product.

Controls are very straightforward, and pretty much the same as any other graphic equalizer. This is one of the easiest audio components to use.

Here is the problem -- NOISE! I recently purchased the dbx231 new and it had a lot of noise in the left channel. The right channel was noisy also but not quite so bad. Because of the noise, I returned the unit and was sent another dbx231. It was different, but just as bad. In the second unit, it was the right channel with blaringly loud noise, and the left channel somewhat better. The units don't even approach the 90db S/N ratio advertised. More like 40db, if that. This is nowhere near professional level.

At the same time, I also purchased a dbx215, the 15-band version in the same series of dbx graphic equalizers. It was somewhat better, but still flawed. In the this one, the left channel was dead quiet (as they all should be), but there was some noise in the right channel -- not as bad as the two dbx231 units, but still not up to spec, nor acceptable in a professional studio. However, the one good channel indicates to me that it is not a design problem, but rather a case of cheapo components and NO QUALITY CONTROL! Obviously the units are not tested to see if they're up to spec before they're shipped. Otherwise these three units I purchased and tested would not have been sold.

dbx has really dropped the ball on quality control, or eliminated it entirely. Beware of any dbx product! (My retailer, Sweetwater, told me of similar problems with the dbx1046 compressors, which I had been considering.) I'll never buy another dbx product. Too much hassle dealing with defective units!

How can a defective unit that never performs properly, or up to spec, be "reliable"?

I wrote dbx about the problems. They replied only that they were forwarding my email to their R&D department. No acknowledgment of the problem.

I would suggest avoiding dbx products altogether. They evidently don't care about quality, or quality control.

I'm using this in front of the main PA amp. This unit adds very audible noise to the system even in bypass mode. When active, with gain of +3db you begin to hear hiss for high frequencies and other noise for lower frequency. Worst even when cut frequency, you get the same hiss noise level as when boost. So if you plan to use the 10khz range to reduce some noise or feedback, you actually get more noise. Which tells me that this unit uses cheap component and of poor design. A good eq should do its job transparently with intended colorization and not boosting the noise.

looks like its ok and of average quality.

Haven't have to deal with yet

Not to be used with FOH PA unless floor noise is not a concern. Not suitable for acoustic or jazz but should be ok for heavy distortion guitar rock type of music.

It's an equalizer, It has 2 channels with 31 bands of equalization(hence the name 231)....easy right?. I didnt recieve a manual but I dont think it is really necessary. if you dont know how it works
fiddle around with it for about 8 seconds and you'll figure it out.

I run a 100W marshall 8200 bi-chorus head through channel 1 for clean sounds, and a mesa dual rectifier through channel 2 for dirty. It then goes to a bbe 482i sonic maximizer, a rocktron hush super c, rocktron replifex, korg Dtr 1000 tuner, and to a shure slx14 wireless reciever. I use Ltd MH-400 guitars and 75(clean) and 90(dirty) watt celestion speakers.

Sound quality is great, the 231 was the latest edition to my rig. It has really let me define my own sound as there are endless options to what can be squeezed out of the unit. My clean sound has thickened up and smothed out and I was able to eleminate unwanted distortion even at high volumes. My rectifier has never sounded beter! Thick, chunky, monsterous yet tight, percise low and mids for rythem, and lets out screamingly smooth highs while playing leads.

It seems sturdy enough, I think the only way it will break down of frizz out is if my whole rig falls doun a flight of stairs. when it comes to rack gear I dont believe in backups! I put forth full trust in the products I rely on. I never mistreat it so it has no excuse break down on me, and if it does...

...I would definately buy a new one!

I play mostly hard rock and the dbx 231 gives me the ultimate tone (in my opinion). I've been playing for about 10 years now, and am overly satisfied with my current set up. For this price you can not go wrong, although I have never used any other equalizers and dont know their capabilities...I dont want to. I'm sticking with my sound!

It's an EQ, if you dont know how to use one you probably shouldn't have one. It's simple sliders, a Low Cut/High Pass button, a +/- 6/12 db button and a bypass button.

The sound is great with this thing, so many different frequencies, it really is a ultimate sound shaping unit. If you run a distorted guitar, you can make it sound like anything.

Iv'e had it for a month, so far, so good. dbx is a wonderful company and they make great, professional grade products at affordable prices. It's built like a tank too.

Haven't needed it yet

I play hard music (REAL punk rock, metal, anything in between) and I'm still in the middle of putting my rack together (Jackso RR with an EMG-81 in the neck, Sennheiser 1092, Sabine RT-7100, Line 6 POD Pro, Rocktron Intellifex LTD, the 231, and a not so great Alesis 3630 Compressor [soon to be a dbx 266], all going trough a ENGL 930/60 Power Amp). If you know how to use one this unit will be very valuable to your rack system. I would just kill the person who stole it or but a new one if I was Dumb enough to lose it. The only reason i give it a 9 is because iI've only had it for a month.