The 3630 is an infamous old school compressor that some love to hate. I’ve used it for decades with no issues, and it still gets the job done if you’re careful and patient with it. In general, compressors can be tricky to deal with and difficult to understand for some. I wanted to take the time to not only share why I use the 3630, but to also talk about basic compressor/limiter effect unit features and functionality. I hope this video serves useful.

@michaelcandido2824

3 жыл бұрын

3630 on parallel kick is almost unmatched except by vari-mu compressors on stun for that pumping kick with some weight to it. something in the vein of a Collins 26U

I had 2 back in the day, regret selling one,.......but I did keep 1 workhorse. still kicking ass in 2021. I run a mixing board into the 3630, and then feed all sound cards. EVERYTHING!

@MattyP19751

2 жыл бұрын

oh, AND I love the old school led's......unmatched!! ALESIS should rerelease it asap

@PowercoatMusic

2 жыл бұрын

You know it! If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. 👍🏿

Great video, I bought my 3630 along eith my tascam 4 track in the 90s and finally getting to play with it (along with AW4416) now that I have just retired! ..... subscribed :)

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a lot of fun, and congratulations on your retirement! Thanks for watching and for your support. Wishing you all the very best.

Another great and informative video. I forgot I had one in my closet. I'm definitely going to put it to use. Thanks.

@PowercoatMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching. 👍🏿

Thank you for sharing this information.

cool video bud ....... very clear explanations of how it all works 👍

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching. We really appreciate it.

excellent description

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

I’m going to buy one for 25 bucks plus shipping. Can’t go wrong at that money.

@Two-Eyed_Boy

Жыл бұрын

What's the verdict??

Thank you great explanation!!!!

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

Great video.. thanks so much

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

Thanks for vid. I have this compressor. On to trying all this

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍

I have had 2 of these for years. I used to know more about them but after cutting my fingers in a cabinet shop I stopped playing guitar for a long time and my recording days were almost over. I started playing again the scars on my fingers don't bother me anymore. I got all my equipment working again and now its even better recording straight to computer instead of my old ADAT recorder. I forgot most of what I knew and am here now to re learn how to use my Alesis 3630. I admit I'm a little lost on the threshold and ratio controls. Was hoping for a bit better explanation.

Great Video🎼🕊️

@PowercoatMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

Thank you for the very Informative video. Let me begin by saying I I am a Licensed Ham Radio operator K3FES. I have a ( Alesis Multimis 8 FX USB Mixer ) the reasoning for that purchase was because of it can vary the Vocals around the 2.5khz range in the Mids we don't really use the highs sort of . Speech articulation is very important. With that said my intentions are to create so live Ham radio videos starting with my Facebook Ham radio groups . I can purchase a Alesis 3630 for around 30-35 bucks . My Ham Shack is in a All Aluminum shed with a Small AC unit and a fan going would this help out with background noise, I also have 2 dogs that like to bark from time to time. This would primarily be for Mic audio for the video along with line level RX Audio coming from the ham radio ( Yaesu FT-950) into the mixer and have that audio playing in the background as I am talking on the video . I am very new to all of this and trying to make a good impression. Let me also add that I have a Heil Pr40 on a Rode +1 boom from the Mic I have a XLR splitter cable into a Isolation transformer to help with ground loop problems one to the Mixer to the computer and the other goes to my Radio it only goes to transmit with a keyer at the radio. Would this 3630 be a great addition to my Audio for recording video to enhance the recording. Or would I be wasting my money and time as I'm disabled and working with a limited budget try to do good things . Thank you Sir I hope that I haven't wasted your time sir .

@PowercoatMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Compressors are a standard in radio broadcasting for boosting audio radio signals. Adding a 3630 to your setup for radio operations/broadcasts would be wise, especially for the price you mentioned. Thanks for watching and have fun! Please let me know how this all works out? 👍🏿

Really nice and thorough insights! subscribed right away. That was my only comp for a quarter of my studio's existence (still own it, along 1st gen dbx 166, maybe soon a furman FET one) and, though I really like it on drums, while tweaking the GR meter seems to overshoot. Not a fan of wall warts either. Anyways... I noticed on the video what seems to be a behringer MX console and a couple midiverb 4's down below the rack... correct me if I'm wrong. Would you mind doing how/why vids on them? Do you use the midi functionality on the MV? I have one MV4 tho its program wheel is buggy, so I couldn't explore it to full extent so far.. And I've been thinking of upgrading my 16/4 xenyx to one of these 8-bus desks. Cheers from Brazil :)

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

It does its basic job well, which it why it’s been a workhorse for so long but you already know that.😊 Thanks for watching, sharing, and subscribing. Wishing you all the very best. 👍

thanks im understand

@PowercoatMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Your welcome and thanks for watching. 👍🏿

Very good explained! Thanks!

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome. Thanks for watching!

It is very well lecture. For next video, would you provide a demo with sound and waveform?

@PowercoatMusic

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and sharing. I will make a note of it.

Hi, great tutorial, very thorough. I have the 3630 for decades, but didn’t really understand how to use it. I also have the BBE. When you say you use it in the final mixdown are you saying you don’t record with it?

@PowercoatMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Correct. Only during FMD. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

David Bowie loved them...

Thanks for the tips, I'm going to try them out. Do you know if you can use it on a Bass amp to get a sick compressed tone? To use an extreme example, something like the band korn

@PowercoatMusic

Жыл бұрын

Definitely, and many bass players do it. Give it a try and let us know how you like it? Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

So I have a Tascam DP 24 - it has built in effects including compression and de-essing - which I thought was pretty cool but i wanted to apply some side chain effects and ducking that may not be as powerful on the dp 24 as it is on the Alesis... do i have to have an RQ to run the side chain compression? And what model EQ and other processors are you using in your rack setup?

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

For the side -chain applications using the 3630, follow the Alesis directions for setup in that unit’s owner’s manual on pages 10, 11, 12, and you should be good to go with the DP using it's effect 2 out. For more details on what I use in my mastering rack, watch my video “A Mastering Process: Simply Explained” on this channel. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

Good job, I’m new to doing compression myself but I’m looking for a certain sound for my vocals? Every bit of info counts. The following is for live gigs, I have a 3630, a TC Helicon Triple-c, TC Helicon VoiceLive Rack, 31 band stereo EQ’ing. I’m thinking of using the 3630 for my harmonica & the Triple-C for vocals. What would be your sequence of effects? Example....I’ll put EQ first, then VoiceLive doubling/harmonies, then compression? Your thoughts.....

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Since compressors change the dynamics of the overall sound, you should not put effects after them because it may change the way those effect(s) are intended to function in a cascading fashion. In most (if not all) cases, it is a best practice to put the compressor last in the chain. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿

Hi, can you please tell us how to connect an outboard mastering rig, like how many EQs, Compressors, Sonic maximisers and how they follow each other in terms of connection, and tell us is there's other gear that needs to be added to have a complete outboard mastering chain.

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Stay tuned. I will be doing a video about this in the near future. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

Sir can you make videos for connection from compressor limiter to bbe 882i maximizer to equalizer appreciate your feedback ty❤

@PowercoatMusic

Жыл бұрын

Please check out my presentation "A Mastering Process: Simply Explained", on this channel. That should help. Thanks for watching.

Hi, Your video was helpful. I am saxophonist and I am putting together a rack for stage and studio for a consistent sound. I have the following components: Alesis 3630, Alexis QuadaVerb, and an Alesis Dual EQ. I have two questions. First, what is the order of connection? Secondly, (could each components has an A and B) can hook up two mics (horn and vocal or two horns mics)? 😊

@PowercoatMusic

2 жыл бұрын

First, I would suggest this connection sequence: EQ, Quadraverb, Compressor. Secondly, the answer to your question is "Yes". The 3630 allows for you to have an A/B setup based on it's separate 2 channel architecture. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

I just picked up a 3630, but I didn’t put it in last. Here's how I set up the studio: Tascam send 2 > Furman (high level / in-high level out) > Alesis comp 3630 > Alesis EQ > BBE Sonic Maximizer > Tascam return (input H). Any thoughts?

Ok I have been relying on compressor plugggies like HComp, ssl comp. I want one or 163x

👍👍👍👍

This was very interesting. I have used the 3630 for many years, but, it no longer works so I bought the new 3632 which does not work in the same way. Do you have a video on this upgrade we can watch? Also, I hooked it up to my new Tascam DP24 and they are not happy together. Any advice please. Thanks for your advice in the past on the DP24. I am ok with it apart from the Reverbs are not good and I'm struggling to use input H on guitar. I normally use my Fender Mustand 'Real' amp but the DP24 has white noise issues and records the hiss. I can't noise gate it as I lose decay on my notes. Thanks in advance.

@PowercoatMusic

Жыл бұрын

I don't have any info on the upgrade you mentioned. Maybe some else on this forum can chime in on that. If the new device doesn't sound good to you with on DP-24, then you may want to try using the compressor built-in to that unit. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿

@peterwilliams568

Жыл бұрын

@@PowercoatMusic Hi Thanks for replying. I have solved the problem after splitting the signal left and right on the Alesis 3632. It doesn't like using the stereo. Independent left and right and it works well. I don't know why Alesis made it more complicated. I am now recording on the DP24 but it took a while to understand the effects layers and then wondering why the Reverb is only available in the Mixer. It would have been easier if it been listed under Effects. Oh to have the old fashioned Spring Reverb or Halo from the Watkins Copycat Echo. I do miss that machine but not splicing the tape every half an hour! All the best. Peter

If you open up the alesis 3630 and disconnect the noise gate, the it will sound 100% better. Guaranteed!!!

@dronedoutrc5970

3 жыл бұрын

How do you do that?

@hal2098

3 жыл бұрын

why tho? and you can turn off the gate if you want. but the gate is handy when compression brings up your noise floor

@ggoohhnnjjaalltt

Жыл бұрын

@@hal2098 When the gate is cut from the signal path, the unit strangely sounds improved.

How do you connect the alesis 3630 to the bbe 382i to my behringer xenyk 80 mixer ?

@PowercoatMusic

Жыл бұрын

Under the AUX on the board's bus there are 2 effects knobs to control those type of units. On the back of the board. Connect your effects to AUX returns 3 & 4 on the back panel of the board. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

Can i use it on a dp24 ? should I use it through the send effect ? thank you

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Yes you can. However the DP-24 already has an onboard compressor effect, so you shouldn't need to. You can use the effects send or connect it to the DP-24 stereo outs and at the end of that signal chain if you're planning to do external mastering. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

@marcodanieli2467

3 жыл бұрын

@@PowercoatMusic thank you, isn’t it possible to use a ext compressor like this in track? Mic>external eq>comp>input in tascam

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

@@marcodanieli2467 Yes. 👍🏿

buen dia amigo queria que me ayudes con una conexion de mi compresor 3630 a consola mackie 32.8.2

is that a midi function behind you?

I used this compressor, but i confuse, compressor input use TS jack or TRS jack ? because my preamp out put is TRS (balance) jack if alesis 3630 input just TS, that means my preamps output are in vain please help me to setup my ultragain pro 2200 to alesis 3630

@PowercoatMusic

4 жыл бұрын

Based on the Alesis specifications for the unit, Input and Output Connectors are 1/4" (TS) mono phone jacks. The Side Chain Connectors are 1/4" (TRS) stereo phone jacks. I hope this information helps.

@nochannel1111

4 жыл бұрын

@@PowercoatMusic in that case, even though my soundcard input should be trs does it matter if the output from the comp goes to the soundcard input using Ts cable?

@PowercoatMusic

4 жыл бұрын

Yes. This is because it appears that your sound card is expecting a balanced stereo input. If you connect a TS cable to it you will get either a left or right mono output from the 3630. In your case, my suggestion would be to use a Y cable. The 2 jack pair of the Y cable should be TS (connected from the 3630 outputs), and the single jack should be TRS (connected to your sound card input). Based on my understanding of what you’re asking, this should work for you. I hope this helps.

@nochannel1111

4 жыл бұрын

@@PowercoatMusic thanks bro

@nochannel1111

4 жыл бұрын

@@PowercoatMusic I Love ur channel 👍👍

How compares it with the Behringer Composer PRO-XL MDX2600 2-channel?

@PowercoatMusic

2 ай бұрын

The 3630 unit is no longer in production. The MDX2600 is, and has a more advanced design and technology base (including Tube modeling), among many other things. Thanks for watching.

como puedo conectar el compresor por los subgrupos

What is the name of that graphic equaliser that I see in your studio?

@PowercoatMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Check out my video, "Behringer FBQ3102HD 31-Band Stereo Graphic EQ: Why and How I Use IT" on this channel. It will tell you all about it. Thanks for watching.

@multinkabinde419

3 жыл бұрын

@@PowercoatMusic thanks

how does it compare to the Drawmer 1978?

:)

big UP. How long have you been At It? Enjoy Your day Xd

I knew this is a two yr ole video, but can u help me on my voice chain.