is cheap compressor better than none??? - Page 3

lhm1138 · 3rd July 2008, 07:42 PM

There's mods you can do to make the 3630 much better. The simplest one is to simply clip out the noise gate circuit. I believe TapeOp had a tutorial on doing this, give it a google.

NuClone · 4th July 2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bino_5150

Lexus and Toyota share a lot of parts also... They are similar in many ways, but they also have a lot of differences.

The 3630 has a crappy sound that is all it's own, however, there are many DIY upgrades for it, easily accessible by google, that are supposed to make it a very good unit if that's your thing.

The 266xl and the 3630 sound nothing alike, imo... the 266 actually sounds really good if you don't push it too hard...

True, parts are parts, good parts, and better parts and that circuit design/topology does affect things. I'm a car guys also, so I get it. In the same spirit, it is also amazing what somethings can be made to do.

So, how would you describe the 3630's crappy audio qualities.

Again, I'm curious, can a fellow pick out the revision D 3630 in a blind comparison of low end compressors.

I have to admit, the psychology of dislike for some manufactures gear is, to say the least, fascinating. IMO, with today's run of the mill gear achieving good results is always a reasonable expectation. Also, to offer a criticism, that if one cannot get a good sound with, insert disliked manufacturer and model here, then one will not get a good or better sound with an expensive or ultra-expensive unit either. ...and I suppose good is also subjective.

-Noodles- · 4th July 2008, 12:44 PM

Can anyone post up an A/B signal with a standard plugin comp and a "low end" compressor to the same settings (roughly)?

That way people will be able to listen for themselves :)

popmann · 4th July 2008, 02:44 PM

You honestly can't use "the same settings" on ANY two compressors. that doesn't tell much of anything, IMO. You could say "sit this same bass guitar track into this same mix with two compressors...or vocal--or whatever...but, every compressor reacts differently, so the "same settings" will not yeild the same sound, I can assure you we could come up with "some settings" that the 3630 sounds better than a Cl1b. Point being, it's like judging how good a hammer is by dropping both off a roof from the same distance onto a nail head to see how far it drives it in. That's not how you use a hammer.

I use outboard compression a lot. Some of it cheap. Some not close to cheap. But, I don't use them much for tracking. Only on occasion. I don't think I'd get a 3630...not when an RNC is a handful of dollars more, and is a much nicer comp. If you already HAVE a 3630...answer your own question--use it. Run a track out to it and back in...see if you like what you get.

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4th July 2008, 12:44 PM	#63
-Noodles- Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 483	Can anyone post up an A/B signal with a standard plugin comp and a "low end" compressor to the same settings (roughly)? That way people will be able to listen for themselves :) __________________ PC;3.4Hz Dual Core / 1Gb / ProTools LE 7.3 Mac; 2.5Ghz Dual Core / 2Gb / Logic 8 002R / Focusrite Ocotopre LE/ Red5 Mics / Shure Mics / sE Electronics / Reason 3.0 / dfh EZdrummer + DFH exp.

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3rd July 2008, 07:42 PM	#61
lhm1138 Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31	There's mods you can do to make the 3630 much better. The simplest one is to simply clip out the noise gate circuit. I believe TapeOp had a tutorial on doing this, give it a google.

4th July 2008, 02:44 PM	#64
popmann Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,291	You honestly can't use "the same settings" on ANY two compressors. that doesn't tell much of anything, IMO. You could say "sit this same bass guitar track into this same mix with two compressors...or vocal--or whatever...but, every compressor reacts differently, so the "same settings" will not yeild the same sound, I can assure you we could come up with "some settings" that the 3630 sounds better than a Cl1b. Point being, it's like judging how good a hammer is by dropping both off a roof from the same distance onto a nail head to see how far it drives it in. That's not how you use a hammer. I use outboard compression a lot. Some of it cheap. Some not close to cheap. But, I don't use them much for tracking. Only on occasion. I don't think I'd get a 3630...not when an RNC is a handful of dollars more, and is a much nicer comp. If you already HAVE a 3630...answer your own question--use it. Run a track out to it and back in...see if you like what you get.