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Chater-La « very versatile »
Published on 05/22/12 at 05:51Written by Steven Williams
Here’s a list of some of the Alesis 3630 main features:
• Minimized Signal Path for optimised sound quality.
• Sidechain send and return for external effects loop.
• Switchable low-cut filter reduces audio-program pumping from bass.
• LED monitors for visual monitoring of critical values.
• Intelligent Ratio adjusts expansion based on input signal
• Intelligent Gain auto-adjusts output
• Stereo compressor/expander/limiter/gate for dyanimcs management.
UTILIZATION
The Alesis 3632 Compressor is the new and updated version of one the most popular dynamics processors ever, the 3630, which was famously quoted by Daft Punk as providing pumping sound in several albums. So it’s fair to say that the 3632 has attracted a lot of attention amongst the producer community building upon the legacy that its predecessor left behind.
I was surprised to see that the 3632 is significantly deeper and heavier than the 3630, which is due to its enhanced internal power. The actual layout of the controls is similar but with a few obvious differences, it does of course share the same two channels of noise gate/expander and compression/limiting that can be altered in stereo or mono modes.
SOUND QUALITY
There are however some very distinctive differences between to the two models, the majority of which being improvements and upgrades. The most obvious of which is the new versatile 2181Bs which have replaced the outdated THAT 2150AVCAs found in the 3630. The circuits themselves have also been subject to upgrade to provide cheaper more efficient components. Crucially the op amps have been improved to for more detailed equivalents, all of this adds up to an all-round better sound and build quality.
In terms of actual sound its clear the Alesis have the same pioneering intention for the 3632 that they had for the 3630 over 20 years ago, which was designed as cheaper alternative but was massively popular thanks to its technical superiority. This is certainly applicable to the 3632, its not exactly outstanding but its very versatile and taking into consideration its price and size its perfectly suited to home or small studios.
OVERALL OPINION
The 3632 Compressor keeps the same impressive metering of the 3630, the sidechain feature allows you to add compression in effects loops and ducking. You use this feature to trigger compression when you want it, a second internal sidechain has a switchable low-cut filter to help control pumping from heavy bass.
Unusually the 3632 doesn’t have a hard and soft knee setting, but instead has a hard knee setting or a smart knee option for more soft subtle effects. As well as this it doesn’t have an RMS mode that was used on the 3630 and its replaced with an auto button. When it is in auto mode the attack and release settings are automatically set depending on the incoming signal, this is pretty useful but unfamiliar to me. A limiter at the end of the chain protects against spikes in the output.
The Alesis 3632 is in many ways very similar and very different from its older brother. Basically it’s just a generally improved update and as a budget compressor it’s a must buy. Granted if you’ve got the money to spend on more expensive competition then I would advise it but I really like it. Its great for beginners as its cheap, compact and easy to use but is still suitable for more experienced producers.
Here’s a list of some of the Alesis 3630 main features:
• Minimized Signal Path for optimised sound quality.
• Sidechain send and return for external effects loop.
• Switchable low-cut filter reduces audio-program pumping from bass.
• LED monitors for visual monitoring of critical values.
• Intelligent Ratio adjusts expansion based on input signal
• Intelligent Gain auto-adjusts output
• Stereo compressor/expander/limiter/gate for dyanimcs management.
UTILIZATION
The Alesis 3632 Compressor is the new and updated version of one the most popular dynamics processors ever, the 3630, which was famously quoted by Daft Punk as providing pumping sound in several albums. So it’s fair to say that the 3632 has attracted a lot of attention amongst the producer community building upon the legacy that its predecessor left behind.
I was surprised to see that the 3632 is significantly deeper and heavier than the 3630, which is due to its enhanced internal power. The actual layout of the controls is similar but with a few obvious differences, it does of course share the same two channels of noise gate/expander and compression/limiting that can be altered in stereo or mono modes.
SOUND QUALITY
There are however some very distinctive differences between to the two models, the majority of which being improvements and upgrades. The most obvious of which is the new versatile 2181Bs which have replaced the outdated THAT 2150AVCAs found in the 3630. The circuits themselves have also been subject to upgrade to provide cheaper more efficient components. Crucially the op amps have been improved to for more detailed equivalents, all of this adds up to an all-round better sound and build quality.
In terms of actual sound its clear the Alesis have the same pioneering intention for the 3632 that they had for the 3630 over 20 years ago, which was designed as cheaper alternative but was massively popular thanks to its technical superiority. This is certainly applicable to the 3632, its not exactly outstanding but its very versatile and taking into consideration its price and size its perfectly suited to home or small studios.
OVERALL OPINION
The 3632 Compressor keeps the same impressive metering of the 3630, the sidechain feature allows you to add compression in effects loops and ducking. You use this feature to trigger compression when you want it, a second internal sidechain has a switchable low-cut filter to help control pumping from heavy bass.
Unusually the 3632 doesn’t have a hard and soft knee setting, but instead has a hard knee setting or a smart knee option for more soft subtle effects. As well as this it doesn’t have an RMS mode that was used on the 3630 and its replaced with an auto button. When it is in auto mode the attack and release settings are automatically set depending on the incoming signal, this is pretty useful but unfamiliar to me. A limiter at the end of the chain protects against spikes in the output.
The Alesis 3632 is in many ways very similar and very different from its older brother. Basically it’s just a generally improved update and as a budget compressor it’s a must buy. Granted if you’ve got the money to spend on more expensive competition then I would advise it but I really like it. Its great for beginners as its cheap, compact and easy to use but is still suitable for more experienced producers.