Alesis 3630 & cabling frustration

I have a MPC1000 and an Alesis 3630, with a mixer that has 6 line-level inputs but NO inserts

my problem is that i need to know how to route my 1000 into my 3630 compressor and then how to route the 3630 into my mixer, and keep/record the effects. i've read all 3 manuals and still do not know which exact cables i need.

Will I have to use both Channels A and B on the 3630? I need specific routes, as in which input/output the cables need to go in.

Is this correct?:

MPC L/R outputs ----> 3630's Channel A and B' inputs

3630 Channel A and B outputs ----> Mixers Channel's L/R line-inputs

(this is the only conclusion I can come to, because i dont need insert cables because my mixer doe not have Inserts, it only has line level inputs and L/R outputs for my speakers)

That sounds about right.


You will need to use both channels on the 3630 if you are compressing a stereo signal, so in your case - yes.
This will allow you to compress the entire beat together, or if you solo tracks, one track at a time.

If you want to have the compresssed signal run alongside your original signal, grab more cables.

Like for instance you said your mixer has 6 inputs. So if you wanted to compresses say only the kick and the snare, run the stereo outputs of the mpc into 2 inputs of your mixer. You can then route the kicks to output 1 and the snares to output 2 of the mpc. Output 1 will go into input A of the 3630 and output 2 will go into input B of the 3630. Then run the outputs of channel A into an input of your mixer, and do the same with output of channel B.
This will take 6 cables - 2 from mpc to mixer, 2 from mpc to 3630, and 2 from 3630 to mixer.

You can now compress your drums separately from the rest of your beat.


Good luck! I have heard good things about the 3630 for drums!

thanks so much for the detailed reply maxwell!! means a lot man

also, for verification....in your example where you say i can compress only the kick or snare, etc. and i'll need 6 cables....exactly what kind of cables. 6 TRS->TRS cables or 6 TS->TS cables or 3 Stereo cables?

sorry, just want to get everything right

trs and stereo cables are the same! it depends on the connections what will travel through them - balanced mono signal or stereo signal.

in your case this does not matter since all your connections can be made with both types of cables.

balanced cables are higher priced, but if you plan on developing your setup to something bigger than balanced connections can make a difference in sound quality in the long run, because there will be less noise.

also try to only buy cable at the length you need for the connection and avoid long cables where they are not needed.

peace, jo

yeah i know trs and stereo are the same, i just mean should 3 dual sided TRS cables, or 6 individual Trs-->Trs cables


yeah in all of my manuals, they all say to go BALANCED whenever possible, which is what im trying to do.

So basically, i should just buy 6 of these? (they are 3ft, not too long, not too short)

Champloo wrote:So basically, i should just buy 6 of these?

Yep!

Sick!! thanks "Buddy" haha

finally will have all this working right now....thanks again

No sweat my dude