Alesis 3630 Vintage compressor SECRET weapon! - Page 2

Dave Peck · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

Serious as heartburn, my friend. The 3630 is not too different than a 33609 (Neve), right behind the Fairchild 670, perhaps ahead of a grey face SSL FX G384...

Laugh all ya want, but those in the know, well...they know.

-a

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

P.S. Sounds like you're sitting on a gold mine!

This post must be some kind of social experiment.

Years go I tried one on bass. It ruined the low end and added a nasty thin fuzz on the top. Even when it wasn't compressing. It just sounded really really bad.

DP

Fleaman · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

Serious as heartburn, my friend. The 3630 is not too different than a 33609 (Neve), right behind the Fairchild 670, perhaps ahead of a grey face SSL FX G384...

Laugh all ya want, but those in the know, well...they know.

-a

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

P.S. Sounds like you're sitting on a gold mine!

So you must have 10 of these about to go up on ebay eh?

Poor little 17 year old is gonna do a search and bring up this thread, the only thread in history to ever say anything nice about the 3630tutt

Fleaman · 15th January 2007

BTW, this thread should be moved to the 'moan zone'.

No, the 3630 doesn't even qualify for 'low end', that would infer that it people here actually use it on a signal.

Harley-OIART · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandlersonic

One of the most versatile comps ever, so light you can play catch with it, it's awesome, great fun for the entire family!

LOL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandlersonic

I also got a vintage metal zone, anybody interested?

dashamu · 15th January 2007

this is the funniest stuff i've read in a while.
hey, dirty halo. my vintage units were used back in 1993 when i recorded and mixed the Charlie Rose theme for PBS. You can hear them on the TV every night nationwide. I used them on the Roland 770 sample drums and on my Alesis D5 drum module. I'll sell that as well.
It all went thru an Allen and Heath board onto a Tascam DA 30 DAT recorder.
And Bob's yer uncle.
You know, that track still sounds pretty damn punchy after all these years.

BTW, why is thread on high end?

heathen · 15th January 2007

Whateva you guy's have been smokin, I WANT SOME!

AllAboutTone · 15th January 2007

YOU GUYS THOUGHT I HAD THE WORSE THREAD EVER, MAYBE YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND NOW !!!

This is high end, this thread should not allowed even in low end !!!!

Stitch333 · 15th January 2007

I heard they used the 3630 (rev d not the later e model that lacked the discrete, class A anodized paint) was used at Abbey Road on Sgt. Pepper...I use my 3630d all the time with a vintage Elam 251!

robot gigante · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitch333

I heard they used the 3630 (rev d not the later e model that lacked the discrete, class A anodized paint) was used at Abbey Road on Sgt. Pepper...I use my 3630d all the time with a vintage Elam 251!

Yeah, it's the key to the Beatles sound. Not too many people know that, but I guess the secret is out!

Dirty Halo · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleaman

So you must have 10 of these about to go up on ebay eh?

Poor little 17 year old is gonna do a search and bring up this thread, the only thread in history to ever say anything nice about the 3630tutt

I WISH I had 10 to sell

Not even a one can be found in my studio... take that as you may

Hmmm... guess that 17-year old would have to use his or her ears...imagine that?

-a

ethan_c · 15th January 2007

Ya know, you go away from a few hours and look at what you miss! I am assuming Jules found a slick new way of tranferring LSD through PM's or something.

I'm not sure what the punch line is or when it's coming but it had better be good!

Dirty Halo · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethan_c

Ya know, you go away from a few hours and look at what you miss! I am assuming Jules found a slick new way of tranferring LSD through PM's or something.

I'm not sure what the punch line is or when it's coming but it had better be good!

Oh, buy an Alesis 3630 purely based on this thread and you'll get the punchline

-andrews

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

soundmasterjedi · 15th January 2007

It's all in the SIDECHAIN people, this thing smokes if you know how to tickle the knobs, I've used it on some VERY popular dance tracks that have went multi platinum. And NO mine is NOT for sale!

SMJ

rossi · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethan_c

Ya know, you go away from a few hours and look at what you miss! I am assuming Jules found a slick new way of tranferring LSD through PM's or something.

I'm not sure what the punch line is or when it's coming but it had better be good!

this is how he does it

http://www.i-doser.com

**TonyBelmont** · 15th January 2007

Maybe LSD is being transferred through the PM's... or the girl at Dunkin Donuts accidentally dropped some acid in my coffee? My mind is about to explode from this thread....

elambo · 15th January 2007

The rumor mill says Alesis is releasing a 7260 -- they doubled the parts list, found a place for everything inside the original chassis and glued them in, and it's expected to give you twice the mojo of the 3630. I believe it will still be $99.99. I don't know how Alesis does it. My patch bay is going on eBay as every channel in my studio will soon have a 7260 hard-wired to it.

btw - anyone notice how Neve is ridding the coat tails of the 3630 by naming their product 33609? Name association is a strong marketing tactic. Or the AKG C12 (add 3+6+3+0), or the Neumann KM54 (3x6x3x0). Subtle and cerebral, but no doubt name theft. And think of all the effort Behringer has made trying to duplicate the 3630 (and everything else). Some would say they took that 3630 "sound" and went even further with it. I'd say they went MUCH further, if that's possible.

Stitch333 · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by robot gigante

Yeah, it's the key to the Beatles sound. Not too many people know that, but I guess the secret is out!

S**T! my bad...ssssshhhhhhhhh....dont tell anyone.....

well since Im spilling the beans, artists that also got their
whole sound and vibe from the 3630d:
The Who
Frank Sinatra
Nirvana
Johnny Cash
Devo
50 Cent
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Yes
Rush
King Crimson
Elvis
Garth Brooks
The whole of FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MTV, VH1, PLAYBOY, SPIKE, HALLMARK CHANNEL, HBO, SHOWTIME networks
Mozart AND Bach (I heard they used the rev A, the one tested in a wind tunnel for aerodynamics)

FFTT · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Led

I have a hand drawn schematic for the unreleased prototype of the never released 3630 killer - the 3635, which had an additional "suck" button. PM me for copies.

You made my day thanks!

juicylime · 15th January 2007

I always knew word on the Alesis would hit the streets one day. I found out about it 18 months ago when I was having some mastering done at Abbey Road. Another one worth sharing is the Behringer Powerplay headphone amp. Ever notice how top pros say it's the only peice of Behringer gear they use? The real reason is that if you retro fit XLR's onto the headphone outputs and run the audio signal in reverse you end up with a seriously sweet 4 channel pre-amp that blows lids of anything for less than £3k.

Any other secrets out there for sharing?

Feinstrom · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by elambo

or the Neumann KM54 (3x6x3x0).

3x6x3x0=0

But maybe I didn't get the joke...

Man, I think I'll have to try that 3630!

drundall · 15th January 2007

they make a great crackling sound in the fire.

RusRant · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Man, I think I'll have to try that 3630!

Don't try it, don't do, it don't go there. I've got one I've had forever. Rack filler basically. I tried the Tape op gate disable mod and it did make it sound better, but not as good as my better comps and limiters. Also, the gate disable killed the only really useful thing I've found for it. Running a click timed to the song into the side chain input for some hard tremolo effect for guitars and keys.

juicylime · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feinstrom

Man, I think I'll have to try that 3630!

Try my modded Powerplay suggestion instead. It raaaawks!dfegad

cornutt · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by foldback

The older versions with the slightly smaller wall wart power supply blow away the newer ones with the slightly larger power supply.

No way! The big-wart ones have complete sonic transparency with a delicate high end and a throughly clarified low end, with hints of rose and garlic and a woody, slightly peppery finish. The little-wart ones sound like the inside of a septic tank. Clean out your ears, man!

The Byre · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundmasterjedi

It's all in the SIDECHAIN people, this thing smokes if you know how to tickle the knobs, I've used it on some VERY popular dance tracks that have went multi platinum. And NO mine is NOT for sale!

SMJ

Every day is April 1st in Forum-World!

thenoiseflower · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RusRant

Don't try it, don't do, it don't go there. I've got one I've had forever. Rack filler basically. I tried the Tape op gate disable mod and it did make it sound better, but not as good as my better comps and limiters. Also, the gate disable killed the only really useful thing I've found for it. Running a click timed to the song into the side chain input for some hard tremolo effect for guitars and keys.

HA, good stuff, I do the same thing with a dfferent terrible compressor. Reason is the best thing ever for having fun with this idea

at one point I acctualy had to argue two these peice's of shit OUT of a rack.

anyopne want two 3630's? one is "modded" - free if you wanna come pick them up.

these beasts are way to heavy to ship. tutt

dale116dot7 · 15th January 2007

You gotta have something to make the dbx 266 sound good.

vernier · 15th January 2007

The 3630 is another serious favorite. I have no idea how it accomplishes this, but anything run through it gets ten times larger than when it went in.

GYMusic · 15th January 2007

Rumor has it that a couple of well-known audio design guys are teaming up to manufacture an "Alesis 3630 compressor simulator". Street price will be around $1000!

foldback · 15th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornutt

No way! The big-wart ones have complete sonic transparency with a delicate high end and a throughly clarified low end, with hints of rose and garlic and a woody, slightly peppery finish. The little-wart ones sound like the inside of a septic tank. Clean out your ears, man!

Dooood, you better quit smok'n so much garlic, it's not transparency that's fueling the rush for this GO TO piece (I think it's being fueled by energy tablets or something you sniff purchased at the checkout counter of your local gas station).

The inverted starved-current no-class circuit design gives that unique sound of Bum-Cakes Flapp'n and Slap'n that's got so many folks saying WoW :-)

No other compressor delivers the noise-to-signal ratio and total harmonic distortion like the 3630, it gives "unbalanced output" a whole new meaning.

15th January 2007	#35
dashamu Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 157	this is the funniest stuff i've read in a while. hey, dirty halo. my vintage units were used back in 1993 when i recorded and mixed the Charlie Rose theme for PBS. You can hear them on the TV every night nationwide. I used them on the Roland 770 sample drums and on my Alesis D5 drum module. I'll sell that as well. It all went thru an Allen and Heath board onto a Tascam DA 30 DAT recorder. And Bob's yer uncle. You know, that track still sounds pretty damn punchy after all these years. BTW, why is thread on high end? Last edited by dashamu; 15th January 2007 at 01:24 AM.. Reason: came to my senses

15th January 2007	#37
AllAboutTone Gear Guru Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina Posts: 11,067	YOU GUYS THOUGHT I HAD THE WORSE THREAD EVER, MAYBE YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND NOW !!! This is high end, this thread should not allowed even in low end !!!! __________________ *Don't Fuk with my Tone !!!. I need a spell check app API~ Dan Alexander~ Fuchs~ John Hardy ~JLM ~Studer 089 Fuchs Amps = Amazing Tone !!**

15th January 2007	#38
Stitch333 Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phila, PA/Upstate MA Posts: 3,432	I heard they used the 3630 (rev d not the later e model that lacked the discrete, class A anodized paint) was used at Abbey Road on Sgt. Pepper...I use my 3630d all the time with a vintage Elam 251! __________________ Little Studio Big Studio "Run to the hills, run for your lives." -Iron Maiden

15th January 2007	#45
TonyBelmont Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 15,753	Maybe LSD is being transferred through the PM's... or the girl at Dunkin Donuts accidentally dropped some acid in my coffee? My mind is about to explode from this thread.... __________________ Tony Belmont We Sell Gear! High Profile Audio.....PluginDiscounts.com

15th January 2007	#49
juicylime Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 801	I always knew word on the Alesis would hit the streets one day. I found out about it 18 months ago when I was having some mastering done at Abbey Road. Another one worth sharing is the Behringer Powerplay headphone amp. Ever notice how top pros say it's the only peice of Behringer gear they use? The real reason is that if you retro fit XLR's onto the headphone outputs and run the audio signal in reverse you end up with a seriously sweet 4 channel pre-amp that blows lids of anything for less than £3k. Any other secrets out there for sharing? __________________ Saved. By the buoyancy of citrus. www.HamletSweeney.com

15th January 2007	#33
Fleaman Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Los Angeles, Silverlake Posts: 3,967	BTW, this thread should be moved to the 'moan zone'. No, the 3630 doesn't even qualify for 'low end', that would infer that it people here actually use it on a signal.

15th January 2007	#36
heathen Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,525	Whateva you guy's have been smokin, I WANT SOME!

15th January 2007	#41
ethan_c Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 236	Ya know, you go away from a few hours and look at what you miss! I am assuming Jules found a slick new way of tranferring LSD through PM's or something. I'm not sure what the punch line is or when it's coming but it had better be good!

15th January 2007	#43
soundmasterjedi Gear interested Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8	It's all in the SIDECHAIN people, this thing smokes if you know how to tickle the knobs, I've used it on some VERY popular dance tracks that have went multi platinum. And NO mine is NOT for sale! SMJ

15th January 2007	#46
elambo Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Up here Posts: 6,037	The rumor mill says Alesis is releasing a 7260 -- they doubled the parts list, found a place for everything inside the original chassis and glued them in, and it's expected to give you twice the mojo of the 3630. I believe it will still be $99.99. I don't know how Alesis does it. My patch bay is going on eBay as every channel in my studio will soon have a 7260 hard-wired to it. btw - anyone notice how Neve is ridding the coat tails of the 3630 by naming their product 33609? Name association is a strong marketing tactic. Or the AKG C12 (add 3+6+3+0), or the Neumann KM54 (3x6x3x0). Subtle and cerebral, but no doubt name theft. And think of all the effort Behringer has made trying to duplicate the 3630 (and everything else). Some would say they took that 3630 "sound" and went even further with it. I'd say they went MUCH further, if that's possible.

15th January 2007	#51
drundall Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 885	they make a great crackling sound in the fire.

15th January 2007	#57
dale116dot7 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 815	You gotta have something to make the dbx 266 sound good.

15th January 2007	#58
vernier Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,074	The 3630 is another serious favorite. I have no idea how it accomplishes this, but anything run through it gets ten times larger than when it went in. __________________ ' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVeojoDlzcY

15th January 2007	#59
GYMusic Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Santa Ynez, Taxafornia Posts: 839	Rumor has it that a couple of well-known audio design guys are teaming up to manufacture an "Alesis 3630 compressor simulator". Street price will be around $1000! __________________ Web Site Mastering Blog MySpace Blatant advertising for one of my latest "one man band" productions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj7BFosfzUg

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