1k compressor

alright im new so this might be a dumb question. If i where to get the Alesis 3630 how would i hook that up with a Presonus Firbox. I havent bought it yet and it comes with cubase so i dont know if there might be a need or not but compression makes everything sound good and i want to get the best possible sound.

Compression makes things sound good, but the Alesis 3630 doesn't do it for me. Look into getting a used RNC from FMR. Not much more money; much much better IMO.

For line level sources: source>compressor>Firebox line in. For a mic, you'll need a mic pre because the Firebox doesn't have a pre-out that I can see.

primebeatz wrote:I use the 1k's onboard effects and leave them in the final version. I like the sound.

same here. the 1k's effects (including the compressor) work well for me.
the only time i use effects out of the 1k is when i use my lexicon mpx 200 for other external hardware, which is also synced to the 1k.
other than that, i'll add some final mix compression in wavelab, since i 2-track everything at once from my external mixer.
one of these days i'll buy an audio interface like the audiofire 12 to replace my mia soundcard. but i've been happy recording the oldschool way since i first started buying hardware back in the 90's.

i love the mpc compressor. when used within reasonble limits its really nice .


only wish it could be used as a regular effect with a dry/wet mix available .........parallel compression with the mpc's style of compression [auto-gain] would sound AWESOME

I wouldn't compare it to any hardware comp, but it's decent if ya have nothing else. Consider buying an outboard though, then you'll have two. Maybe that 3630 , or the Dbx 260xl they both run around $100

Make sure you audition them both before you buy.

I personally can't stand the 3630, but others (including a couple of well known acts) rave about them.

jackymurda wrote:only wish it could be used as a regular effect with a dry/wet mix available .........parallel compression with the mpc's style of compression [auto-gain] would sound AWESOME

Record it in two passes on to separate tracks.

Let's remember that everything is relative to sonics, the specific sounds in the song, and the creative process. Just because you have a certian compressor, effect, etc. does not guarentee that it will sound good with what you are trying to achieve.

Experiment, try different things. Don't be held down by convention, and don't let others tell you what is right for YOU. Take suggestions, and its good to get an idea of what might be worth your while to use, but in the end, use your ears and your judgement to decide.

dont forget that going outta the mpc ,digital-to-analog conversion, into a semi-pro (noisy) compressor like the alesis with a shyte signal-to-noise ratio, then back into the mpc analog-to-digital conversion again, is gonna add a LOT of artifacts: all that conversion distortion from your two(!) 16bit a-to-d conversions, the noisefloor from the analog compressor, the distortion from the low slew-rate of the shyte op-amps used in that analog compressor's audio circuitry, and the rf noise you picked up along the way using those cheap radio-shack cables .....

unless you got a nice 24-bit a-to-d for the trip back, and a real nice analog compressor ...i'd recommend to stay digital once you're in the digital domain, there's plenty of great plugin available to manipulate your sound and avoid the added artifacts of un-needed conversions..

if you really wanna compress analog with semi-pro gear, i'd recommend using compression BEFORE the first conversion , ie, when sampling from vinyl/drum machine/keybaoard/mic...

i had great results sampling stuff i wanted to crush, with akai's hexacomp, a cheap but sonically powerful multiband compressor in a pedal...

Lithion wrote:Let's remember that everything is relative to sonics, the specific sounds in the song, and the creative process. Just because you have a certian compressor, effect, etc. does not guarentee that it will sound good with what you are trying to achieve.

Experiment, try different things. Don't be held down by convention, and don't let others tell you what is right for YOU. Take suggestions, and its good to get an idea of what might be worth your while to use, but in the end, use your ears and your judgement to decide.

Truth right here. Truth.

jackymurda wrote:only wish it could be used as a regular effect with a dry/wet mix available .........parallel compression with the mpc's style of compression [auto-gain] would sound AWESOME

you can do this.

the compressor can be assigned in the same way as the all the other effects, then there's
the 'master' effects that can be applied to the entire stereo output.

so you could chain 3 together if you wanted to...