Alesis 3630 Compressor/Limiter/Gate

I gave my previous review already, so I'll say what I haven't said yet. I found a third one in dead mint condition for $85 Canadian whcih was an excellent deal. The guy who owned it before me kept it in a clean studio environment. Very easy to use and I've just discovered
the joys of its noise gate.

I am starting to lreally like this units sound quality due to it being very quiet and the wondefull noise gate. Yeah, some may say that this is a cheap econo compressor but I say it is awesome and kicks the ass
of many other compressors that I have tried.

I have used mine quite a bit and not a problem with them breaking down. No tubes to worry about. The only component I don't like is that
damn wallwart power supply. Oh well.

I have never had the need to use them so I cannot say. I do notice two things about Alesis. They stick with a successful product and not dump it for the new flavor of the month. BAD POINT: Once a product is discontinued it is abandoned, so if you need help with it Alesis will
have no info on it. I won't give a rating because I have never tried
to get tech help from them. I love this compressor more and more.

A wonderful unit that works well. I would like to add how incredibly useful the noise gate is. Some of my effects use a lot of noise. With the gate, when I am not playing or singing all is quiet. How awesome is that. This noise gate is super quiet. I am very happy with Alesis'
quality of parts and the price.

Would I buy another one at this low price??? Absolutely! The price is fair. I have seen solid state compressors go for way more. To me this doesn't make sense because SS technology is so cheap to make. I can understand tube Compressors to be expensive because of the components, but not Solid State ones. Unless the companies include a free BJ from a model with every purchase. Yeah, I'm being crude.
Is anyone laughing??

I won't rate my value a ten because the deal I got was incredibly rare. The normal price is an excellent value, but then again no complamentary model to go with it. He he he!

I would suggest this compressor to anyone looking for a great solid state unit. My ideal compressor: "Something with a lot of tubes in it and ceramic tube holders."

Simple to use. Very straight-forward. 14 knobs, 9 switches, no presets. I read the manual for the first time after using it for 2 weeks it's that simple. Reading the manual gave me a couple little insights on making the sound that I wanted more accurate.

Everything works wonderfully. No added noise to the sound being processed. I'm currently running either a Novation Drumstation or a Juno-106 through it and they both sound wonderful.

I've only had it for a month. But it seems to be a pretty solid rack unit. I'd gig with it, no questions asked. It's way too useful to not bring with you.

I love it! I'm working on some hardcore techno stuff and the fact that it's a dual compressor means I can get ultra compression on my 909 bass drums. I got it for $150 new but it's not too hard to find used for around $100 (look around locally). I'd definitely buy this unit again if it disappeared, it's wonderful, easy to use, and just looks neat (lots of LED's :). I've only used pedal compressors before and they just don't compare. The Peak/RMS and Hard/Soft Knee don't seem to do anything, at least I can't hear a difference with my ears. If you want a really nice compressor I believe this unit to be the best available. Go buy one. :)

All of the controls are well marked, ordered, and calibrated. If you know how a compressor works you should easily be able to set this one up.
The manual is fine, but I like to experiment any way. Alesis also has more info on compressing on their web site.

The before and after sound quality is untouched. As far as high frequency response goes, regular compressors give a perceived loss of high frequencies. It's nothing irregular. A little twist of the eq knob for some 12kHz or higher can help balance the small loss of high frequencies. Some devices add a brightner or enhancer to restore the presence. I use the "air" eq on my Mackie 24-4's sub busses.
I've always used it in the insert jack of sound boards and have never experienced any clicks. The proper placement in the signal chain and implementation of any processing device is paramount to its proper operation and effect on sound. This one gives you the option of two voltage levels.

The 1/4" jacks are connected to the chassis and the knobs are bolted to the aluminum front panel. It is only 4" deep and weighs a few pounds; its compact size helps to make it more resistant to breakage.
It's internal construction is good, but I wish it had a built in transformer/power supply (thus the nine rating). That it probably the area a problem will arise at.

Have never dealt with them.

There are some things a compressor like this should be used for and some things it shouldn't. It's good on drums, overall mixes, and other dynamic sources.
I love the LED displays for input/output and gain reduction. It almost makes it worth the price for them alone.
The gate is an extra little feature. With an adjustable fade to gate time, a smooth in/out can be obtained. Again, a gate might be good for drums, but probably not vocals.
I got this one cheap ($70) and in excellent condition. I would still get another since they are cheap brand new. It is a simple, straight forward, clean, efficient... all around good device to have that won't break your checkbook or your back.

Very easy to use thanks to the simple and straightforward manual, the beginner can leave it in RMS mode and the 3630 automatically sets the attack and release rates. It takes a few days to get a feel for the range and characteristics of the effect but overall its quite simple.

I think the sound quality is outstanding on every level and is as "transparent" as you want it to be...the gate is great! very quiet almost noiseless operation, contrary to what others have said- its simply a matter of adjusting it for the material being played through it- can be used as a great effect for drums etc I use it with an Alesis RA100, alesis MEQ230 and behringer ultrafexii sound processor, I am very happy with my Alesis products- always very good sounding.

Very reliable and well built, large knobs with good resistance- no problems yet.

A fantastic value- everyone should get one- comparable to more expensive products that do the exact same thing, learn how to use it and you will have no regrets yet If were lost or stolen I might get a dbx compressor instead- I think it is better to have a range of gear from different manufacturers rather than sticking to one company

This unit is extremely easy to use and this is my first compression unit.
There are no real good sounds or bad sounds with this unit, since it
is a compressor. There is a slight colouration of the signal with some
loss of very high(close to 20,000HZ) sound. If this were a tube product, I think everyone would be saying what a warm sound it has.
But since this unit is solid-state, people usually see any colouration of the signal as just bad.
There aren't any editing patches aside from the usual analog
controls. The manual is great and very extensive on its explaination
of this compressor. The only thing the manual could really use is
a better explaination of where exactly this unit should go and
shouldn't go in an effects chain.

I use these units(I have two) at the very first stage of both my
bass and guitar rackmount systems. I did consider putting the compressor after the per-amp and before the power amp but
here are the reasons I did not do that:

1) I don't always like going through a compressor since it always
changes the sound. I can use it or not. If it is between my pre-amp
and power amp, then the signal has to go through it or I have to
always rehook my patch cables when I want to change something.

2) It is solid state, so I want as few solid state stages as possible. Basically, I only use the compressor when I absolutely need it
(rythym guitar, funk bass).

3) In guitar or bass playing, everyone I know and read about always
puts the compressor pedal or unit before the input of the amp.

I am using this amp with my rackmount Marshall set-up and my rackmount Ampeg/SWR/Peavey set-up.

I have read about some people saying that this compressor makes a click. I have had that happen, but only when it is placed after the pre-amp. Maybe some units have a disposition to this, but mine don't.
I just think I had the settings(exp. the noise gate and threshhold)
set wrongly.

Good unit and good compression. No it is not a Meek or TL Audio
compressor, but most of us are musicians and not studios.

Sure. It is very dependable and very cool even after hours of use.
I would perform with it without a backup if I brought my rackmount
gear to gigs. The only thing I hate is that damn wall wart. It's
just so cheap to have that for a compressor. I guess that is part of the
reason the cost on these units are so low.

I am one of the people that doesn't like Alesis' customer support. There is none. They only have downloadable manuals from their
current units, but you are screwed blued, and tattoed if you need
help or info from an older unit. At least, this is what I find.

Never had to get either one repaired and I probably never will.
These are durable little rackmounts. If mine broke, I would try to
fix it myself, but if I couldn't then I would buy another one. Repair
bills would be too much compaired to the cost of this compressor.

I HATE THE WALL WART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought my two units because they were in mint condition(and still are) and inexpensive
compared to every other compressor and even new Alesis 3630s.
They were both owned by a radio station in Kelowna, B.C., Canada
so I knew they weren't used in smokey bars.

The 3630's really help me with my music. They keep all levels
of sound where I want the sounds to be at. And since I put the
3630 I was using for vocals into my bass set-up. I am really missing
it. If I find a good deal on a nother one, I'm sure I'll buy it.

I am happy I bought them and I probably have them be a permanent
part of my rackmount systems. There is nothing out there within
that price range that can do what they can do.

Pretty easy to use if you are familiar with compressors. I think the interface is nicer than the Beringhers and the DBXs. I like the way I can switch the meter between input and output. The RMS setting is great for vocals and instruments, use the peak setting for drums and such.

I have used the unit in studio recording and sound reinforcement applications and always liked the sound quality. I have not heard the click mentioned in previous reviews. I have always sent it a line-level signal, which is what it wants. Another reviewer mentioned plugging in his bass guitar so he could isolate the clicks. If you plug a bass guitar directly into the input, you are sending a instrument or low line level signal to it, which is naturally closer to the noise floor. If you then amplify this signal, I would expect you to hear noise with this product or any. To properly compress bass guitar, use this as an insert into the mixer, or place it in the signal chain after a preamp. Send it a line level signal, folks.

It is probably not the most transparent compressor in the world. But for the home or project studio, or sound reinforcement, it is a nice little compressor with good sound quality and I would buy it again.

It's about as rugged as any rack unit. That is to say, put it in a rack for protection and don't abuse it and it should be fine. Of course, it doesn't have the brushed aluminum faceplate that the beringhers do, so maybe it is a little less rugged than they are, but I don't expect any problems.

They got all the manuals on the web page. Never dealt with them directly.

For the project studio it is great. Good sound, nice interface. Not the best compressor in the world, but then it only cost about $200.

Somewhat difficult to tweak the settings perfectly but overall it's easy to see how it changes your tone. It can really bring out the sustain of my distorted guitar through a 60W tube combo. Makes it sing. Very noticable upgrade in recording quality as well, in my guitar tracks and keyboard/electronic drums. It really separates each sound so you hear them each individually in the mix.

Overall, a very nice price for this unit indeed. Stereo dual-channel operation, a cool LED display so you know the dang thing is working, and a handful of comp options make this a deal, even if the actual compression isn't the absolute crystal-clearest in the entire world. But what's important to this working musician is that it works, and works good, freeing up my budget for more essential items, like a killer amp for the foundation of great tone you need to start with anyway.

Reliable as anything. Works great.

Overall, I'm very pleased. With the side chain options, noise gate (hey it may not be the best but it's there, and that's the important thing...I don't use it much anyway) This is an essential piece of gear if you want to clean up your tone and package it nice and neat within a mix, either in a band or on a tape. It can increase sustain very well, which is mainly what I use it for. It's hard to slag such an essential item at this price when it does so much so well.

Bad coloration of the signal. Used for home recording. The gates are terrible, and the overall sound quality is dismal.

Like a kindergarten version of gear--kind of does the job, but nothing really well.

straight ahead.

I've used a lot of very expensive compressors, this one is ok for the money, but sucks a little life out of the program material. Maybe its transient response. I'm not delighted.

So far so good.

I'm seriously thinking about taking it back and spending a little more money on something a little better (Cleaner). On the other hand, for the money it probably can't be beat. Good features. I've love to hear from somebody who has put it side by side with a composer.

It's a compressor... if you know how to use them, it's easy... I just think their RMS and PEAK mode are weird... the gate sucks...

I'm using it to record tracks in my studio (compression before going digital)... it's good for that... I mean, I don't compress alot at this stage... just prevent from clipping... not quite transparent but anyway...
The gate is shit! I wish it was an expander... no real use for a gate in a studio imho... Once I tried the compressor in a live situation, the threshold couldnt go hi enough so the gate was always opened (drums and monitors too loud in the vocal mic)... so the gate was useless AGAIN... anyway, don'T buy this for the gate! :)

It's reliable... nothing bad happened so far

never had to deal with them

Imho, get a Berhinger Composer or a DBX166a for about the same price... they're 10000 times better...