Alesis CLX-440 4 channel compressor

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vangoing

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How does it sound? I need many channels of basic compression, and this is cheap (of course not necessarily good)
 
2 things --

- I haven't heard much about it, good or bad -- if it were good, people would be talking about it, since the words "Alesis", "good" and "compressor" are rarely used in the same sentence.

In any case, if it's cheap, you could always try it and see if it works for you....

- The unit is a 4-channel, STEREO compressor - not a 4-ch compressor... the difference is that there are controls for each PAIR of channels, not 4 sets of controls, so it's really only functional as a 2-ch compressor, but for either 2 stereo signals, or 2 mono signals. It can't be used as 4 independent channels.
 
I'm not sure anybody even owns this compressor, therefore nobody to talk about it.

Not sure why Alesis released this product, it just seems off-base. It's a digital compressor without digital I/O. So you get analog I/O into a digital processor. Seems really wrong to me. It should either be an analog compressor internally, or a digital compressor with analog AND digital I/O. I think they would have done better if they'd put SPDIF I/O on it.

I personally prefer analog compressors, because of the way they interact with the audio. Don't know how this Alesis unit sounds though, might be incredible, just don't know. I'll be interested to hear comments from anyone who owns it though.

How many channels of compression do you need, and what's your budget?
 
SonicAlbert said:
It's a digital compressor without digital I/O. So you get analog I/O into a digital processor. Seems really wrong to me.
It's exactly like using a plug-in, without a computer attached.

I'm guessing they didn't spend a whole lot on the digital converters though, so that alone could cheapen the sound considerably, even if the digital compression algorithms are good.
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
It's exactly like using a plug-in, without a computer attached.

I'm guessing they didn't spend a whole lot on the digital converters though, so that alone could cheapen the sound considerably, even if the digital compression algorithms are good.

Exactly my point. The worst of both worlds.
 
SonicAlbert said:
Exactly my point. The worst of both worlds.
I know - I wasn't disagreeing with ya, just expanding/clarifying on it for the benefit of Vangoing! ;)
 
Thanks for the ideas. Makes sense now. I started mixing outboard, and am building up my compressors... want a total of 16 channels + 2 bus

have:

rnc
levelar
(2) dbx 163x


those behry 4 channel comps used are attractive price wise, but i used to rely on behry equipment, and resolved to never do that again.

hated the sound of the 2 channel procom or whatever it was
 
A while back I bought a DBX 900 rack lunchbox. I've filled it with four DBX 903 compressors and four Aphex Expressors. The 900 rack is a great way to pack a bunch of compressors into three rack spaces. I also have a couple DBX 160X compressors, which I also like very much.

The way it has worked out though, I haven't really used all those compressors, so I'm cutting back on one or two of the Expressors to make room for a couple DBX 905 eq's I just bought.

16 compressors plus two buss is an awful lot. Can't you combine tracks into busses and send them to fewer compressors?

Also, what is your budget for the 18 channels of compression? That makes a big difference in what I can suggest.
 
How to post

How do you post a question to this site. I'm brand new to it.
 
at the top left side of the screen it says "NEW THREAD" you get to title it and post your question without hijacking the thread
 
And hijacking goes like this.... "hey Bear, have you ever tried the FAT Man tube compressor by HHB?" (serious question) thanks
 
budget, nothing. not a huge priority, but i pick some up now and then when i see a decent deal.

thanks for the info, those 900 racks look interesting...
 
Big Kenny said:
And hijacking goes like this.... "hey Bear, have you ever tried the FAT Man tube compressor by HHB?" (serious question) thanks
no... I heard a few good things about them, off-hand -- from people whose opinions I'm not really sure of, which is completely unhelpful to you... sorry!

Next comp I buy is likely to be an Empirical Labs Distressor.
 
I have two Distressors. RUN, don't walk, to your nearest gear emporium and buy a couple! They are truly great, amazing what they can do. Mine have both mods, the stereo image link, and the British. I highly reccommend getting both mods as well.

Regarding the DBX 900 rack: you just have to be a bit patient when it comes to finding the modules. Sometimes it can seem like you'll never see another 903 for sale ever, and then all of a sudden a bunch will become available. So it might be a few months before you have all the modules you need. Once you have the 900 rack though, then adding compressors to your studio becomes a much more affordable proposition. I've paid between $155 and about $180 for my 903 modules.
 
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