Alesis 3630

  • Thread starter Thread starter Antz_Marchin
  • Start date Start date
Blue Bear Sound said:
AT the time when I had one, it produced pops when running a signal into it via the +4 inputs......

There were also pops/clicks from using the gate - each time the circuit kicked in/out....
Click to expand...

I had the same problem. I fixed mine, and it works alot better than it did. QC as Alesis botched it. The +4 switch was smashed into the unit and was dysfunctional for the most part. It must have been causing the unit to act weird because other problems went away. I have a DBX 166, which I prefer for my drums bus' and its sounds completely different to me. Sonusman said the 166 was worse than the 3630, so Ill trade anyone else who firmly agree's.

SoMm
 
I much prefer the 166XLs to the 3630 - no contest actually, IMO....

The compressor section of the 166XL is the same as the 1066, according to Tom Hicks.
 
Mine isn't an XL. Its just an 166, old...highly used... My 3630 is mainly used with my Marshall, the gain levels I use mask alot of the artifacts, and the gate slams the door on it. Its a remnant from my guitars rig where quality didn't matter that much. I really need to replace the 3630 with a good limiter and gate for slamming the guitars to maximum density. It took me years to find the guitar amp I ended up with. I wish there wasn't so much subjectivity in making certain choices. I tried to get Joe Chicarelli to give me a list of compressors and the best uses of each. He said it was impossible because every piece of music reacts differently... "It depends" was basicaly the answer. ;) More is better when it comes to gear choices.

SoMm
 
Son of Mixerman said:
More is better when it comes to gear choices.
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more -- and it hit home quite clearly at a recent listening party for mic pres hosted by a local studio.

It was a true learning experience to hear first-hand the differences each of the top-notch pres that were auditioned imparted to the same source.......

Less is more in terms of signal chain, but not in terms of gear options!!!!
 
Alesis 3630.

Guys I just thought I would kinda lend my two cents on the 3630. I bought mine new and am happy with it for the price that I payed for it. I have much bigger plans for a compressor in the future but this will hold me off for now.

The sound of the unit (at least my unit) is fine with not click pops or other artifacts when used with light to medium compression. On the gate side of things the unit also works well and when used correctly produce good results.

Now on the bad side of things? This compressor works well but the problem lies in the output gain. When you compress a signal this unit does it's job but when you need to raise the output gain to compensate, your signal gets killed when used with deep or high ratio compression. When used with light or medium compression and keeping you output gain to a minimum you can achieve your goals in most cases.

I think this compressor when used in live performances would do the job nicely. The reason it would is simply because the noise level of the output gain can't be heard or isn't as noticeable in a live situation due to other electronic noise from guitars, amps, mics and the the talking of the people in the venue. In a recording it's the total opposite. The noise from the 3630 can be heard and gets printed while tracking, leaving most people who own this compressor unhappy thinking this unit would translate in a recoding.

If I new what I know know about this compressor I would have to say, though this compressor can be used with careful settings I wouldn't buy it. I would save my money and get something that could do the job in any place that I need it to. So if who ever started this thread and asked if he should get the Alesis or the Behringer I would have to say neither. Save your money and get some thing that is going to give you many years of satisfaction instead of disappointment every time you would like it to do something it just can't.

While where on the subject of compressors what does everyone think of the Focusrite P6 TrakMaster unit?

Later
sonicpaint
:D
 
All I know is that I was told to get compression/gatting for six wireless mics at my church (and the budget was $250.00) I was able to get 3 3630s and have been pretty satisfied with their result for live use. Maybe they are not the best thing to record with, but it has helped us out greatly. I guess it is all about what situation you need a piece of equipment for, and what you expect to get out of it.
 
OUch

Basically the 3630 is good for two things

1 Gate on heavily distorted guitar
2 Pumping a Kick drum

Haven't worked with the behringer compressors but i haven't been too impressed with thier DSP work. Love my mixer but don't trust the DSP.

I used to have a 3630 and then i acidentally (and thankfully) fried it with the 24VAC powersupply for my Aphex Aural Exciter (Which kills any BBE processors out there!!) and have since picked up a DBX 266XL for not much more money...and oh man do i love it!

I mostly use it for bass guitar and anything live. when i band plays i'll use one side for my bass rig and the other for a master limiter on the PA, or just to smooth out the vocals
 
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