Compressor/Limiter/Gate

[cw4u]

I was looking at buying two dual channel compressor/limiter/gates for our three member praise team and youth pastor. I know, this is probably low end equipment, but has anybody used the Alesis 3630? Or the Alto ACL2 Pro? Would they be practical for vocals?

We'd probably end up purchasing just one unit first and test it out for a month or two before we bought additional ones just to test the product out.

Thanks.

[cmchamp]

I have not used the Alesis in quite some time as my "bottom end" comp/limit/gate but have used the Alto products quite extensively for that purpose.
Depending on the purpose of device, my next steps up are products from ART, then PreSonus, dbx, JoeMeek etc.
Personally, I use an ART ProChannel for my vocal and a discontinued ART TubeChannel for our bass vocalists' microphone in my quartet.
I have an Alto CLE8, 8 channel comp that's Ok, meaning that after 2 seasons in a "Barn" install protected from the elements, but not the temperature swings, one channel has gone out. Others work find, no breathing or throbbing. Alto has updated the CLE8 with their ACL8.
C.

[cw4u]

Well, I've got the ok for the Alesis unit, and we have a spare dbx 1066 that I will probably be able to use. Later this summer, we're hoping to get an Alto ACL8 for drums and two additional vocals.

The decision was easier to make when one of our sound engineers said that he had used multiple Alesis units at a church before.

[cw4u]

I just finished installing the 1066 into our system, and I had a question. If I get two more dual channel units, should I just run my 6 ch xlr snake from my wireless direct into the three units and then run XLR from them to my board or should I still use insert cables?

[ntravis]

I would personally stick with the insert cable just for added flexibility to easily move the processing to different channels. Also if anything goes wrong with the unit its nice to be able to just pull the insert to bypass the unit. At the same time, the balanced cables would give you better noise rejection to some degree. Its just a matter of determining what setup you feel best meets your needs.

[Tim Padrick]

The Alesis is the most reviled compressor ever made, and for good reason. Get a Behringer or a dbx 266xl.

[EmilBarnabas]

I have two of the 8-channel PreSonus ACP88 compressors that I use in my portable sound system. They sound great on vocals and everything else and don't take up too much rack space.

I know you are looking for four channels, but if you think you will need more in the future ...

Stick with insert cables. That way you are compressing the signal after it has gone through the mixer preamps.

[waynehoskins]

We have a pair of ACP88s at the church, and I love them. I don't know how I lived before we had them.

[Tim Padrick]

The ACP88 comps aren't bad - a little dull under heavy compression perhaps. If you put a cheap EQ in the sidechain they are very good (the EQ must have an input level control to keep it from clipping - I used Art 15 bands when I had ACP88s - I need to sell those Arts). The ACP88 gates are a different story though- the Behringers work better (the ones that have both Release and Hold).

The 1U/four channel dbx aren't bad - sometimes a little slow?

The Rane C4 is very nice - about $500 used.

[cw4u]

Well, I ended up getting two dbx 266xl and one alesis 3630 all for about $150/shipped. (From a studio that was closing up) Maybe not the best deal, but cheaper than new. I bought two Hosa insert snakes to connect them with and just ran two services off them last night.

They work really great and I can wait to get some more in.

[FlamHappy]

Yeah,

Pretty much run away from the 3630 unless you can find one that has the famous mod that makes it usable. The alto is to be avoided as well.

+1 for the dbx.

We have a 266xl as well. I strapped it across the 2 bus just to keep the dynamics under some control. Maybe only shaving 2 or 3 db in overeasy mode.

The overeasy mode of the dbxs is nice and un-noticeable at low comp settings.

[cw4u]

This is the thing I hate about technology. Some people have great experiences with products, others don't.

I'm an IT guy and I've had Cisco switches and routers that don't last near as long as the same cheap D-Link switches I've put it.

Technology seems to be like a game and you have to play it right.