Best LA-2A compressor VST?

[The Noodlist]

I have tested most models and most fail around the transient, the snap, and the weight around 300 Hz.

I noticed this when checking out some comparisons online between hardware and algorithmic plugins and also in my own use. I found it more apparent on FET compressors on vocals.

Transient smearing, it seems to take away a bit of the fidelity at peak reduction point. I found Acustica's tech seems to avoid this, they have some free compressors and other stuff.

Level matched? Dry source?
CLA seems better than I thought.
https://youtu.be/3Pqx-xIt-oo

[soundmodel]

Yes the CLA-2A is easily improved by adding distortion and EQ. Can be made to sound like the VLA-2A except for dynamic behviour. So the tone will be similar, but the dynamic behaviour not quite. Better than plain CLA-2A imo.

[soundmodel]

The Golden Age Project hardware is hugely better than any of the plug-ins at almost at the cost of the plug-ins.

[The Noodlist]

The Golden Age Project hardware is hugely better than any of the plug-ins at almost at the cost of the plug-ins.

GAP 2A is over £500 GBP, hardly plugin price. The Klark Teknik KT-2A is £300 ish, a tad closer.
Alctron sells similar GAP OEM products, no 2A, and they have a CP540V2 (a Neve 2254 Clone?)

Brighton 2 Opto Tube Compressor seems to get good comments. Gonna demo this.
https://www.londonacoustics.com/product/brighton-opto-tube-comp/




 

[soundmodel]

The Golden Age Project hardware is hugely better than any of the plug-ins at almost at the cost of the plug-ins.

GAP 2A is over £500 GBP, hardly plugin price.

Well compared to UAD hardware (at a least a quad) + their plugin. And assuming that you use it for mono tracks.

VLA-2A at £59 is a steal though.

Although there being an UAD native version now at around £111 then that sounds good though.

[ramseysounds]

CLA-2A
Usually on sale for $29
The original Teletronix had 2 knobs; the reissue added a couple more similar to CLA-2A. Why are people suggesting vst’s that are in no way similar?

[The Noodlist]

Why are people suggesting vst’s that are in no way similar?

Valve Opto compressor with limitations, maybe.

The average compression ratio is always set at roughly 3:1, while the average Attack time is 10 milliseconds, and the Release time is about 60 milliseconds for 50% of the release, and anywhere from 1 to 15 seconds for the rest. Remember, this is a program and frequency dependent compressor,

[The Noodlist]

A UAD deal here

Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Quad £145
https://www.thomann.de/gb/universal_aud ... d_core.htm

[Hubert_r]

I don't know if it's psychological because of having used UAD hardware for so long (it could well be), but I've always preferred how they sound compared to a lot of other plug-ins.

[soundmodel]

A UAD deal here

Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Quad £145
https://www.thomann.de/gb/universal_aud ... d_core.htm

Seems like a really good deal for 13 mostly really accurate plug-ins. 11£s a piece with the hardware!

I'd get it if I hadn't invested in Klanghelm etc. already.

BTW, maybe you also want to try https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/DC8C.

[jens]

Tbh I believe the VLA-2A could be the most accurate native plugin. UAD is perhaps the most accurate.

https://youtu.be/i4uaMgP8C_M?si=M0D0iqnhzh9sJVox

[karx25]

I've to suggest the slate digital FG-2A or Custom opto. Really great flavours of opto compression.

[hotmitts]

I've had good results from the Black Rooster one, which comes on sale sometimes

[Lesha]

Maybe not the most accurate LA-2A emulation, but I could not replicate its sound in any other LA-2A plugin, and I absolutely love it.

[jens]

Maybe not the most accurate LA-2A emulation, but I could not replicate its sound in any other LA-2A plugin, and I absolutely love it.

Maybe you like it because it's much cleaner than a La2a and also reacts a lot faster?