Black Rooster Audio releases the VLA-3A

[Scarlet Pumpernickel]

Will do. Thank you.

[jens]

TBF, I didn't think any of the emulations sounded as good as his hardware and I'm not someone who automatically jumps to that conclusion in these types of shoot outs. I've got a hardware LA-2A clone, hardware 1176 clone (both of those by Stam), and an Audioscape SSL clone, and I'm usually more than happy with the plugin emulations I have compared to the hardware. But those hardware LA-3A's really sounded nice. Each time he engaged them they just sounded terrific IMO. I think I'd pass a blind test on that one.

Yes, well, I tend to agree - but nonetheless I think the other ones are much closer - I think the VLA-3a was by far the furthest away - and so did Claes - even the age-old Waves one sounded much closer to me (well actually the Waves did better than the UAD, I think).

Which is why I think it would be great if someone from BRA could chime in and explain what's going on - I would love to get a different perspective on it... I always thought Ray's emulation could be trusted to be relatively spot on.

[telecharge]

Obviously not a good look for the VLA-3A, though I would like to see the same shootout on vocals since that's what the LA-3A is better known for.

[jens]

Isn't actually rather the LA-2a the thing that's shines on vocals (amongst other things), while the LA-3a is typically more used on percussive stuff like drums and rhythm guitar?

But be that as it may be, I think drums are better suited than vocals to test the timing behaviour and reveal possible flaws of the emulation.

[cantaloupe]

I always thought Ray's emulation could be trusted to be relatively spot on.

Same. But maybe the specific hardware he modelled was a weird one, or he just got it wrong that one time? Would be interesting to know more.

[telecharge]

Isn't actually rather the LA-2a the thing that's shines on vocals (amongst other things)...

Yes, the LA-2A can be great on vocals, too.

...while the LA-3a is typically more used on percussive stuff like drums and rhythm guitar?

That would be news to me. Horses for courses, and all that, but there are a number of compressors I would reach for first for drums/percussion -- including the 1176 mentioned in the video.

[telecharge]

Sacrificing this post.

[jens]

That would be news to me. Horses for courses, and all that, but there are a number of compressors I would reach for first for drums/percussion -- including the 1176 mentioned in the video.

Well, in the video he says that in his opinion the LA-3a sits somewhere in the middle between the LA-2a and the 1176, so it would make sense that it's perhaps a good solution on vocals (maybe those a bit morer on the agressive side) if you find the LA-2a not grabby enough and on drums if you find the 1176 a bit too agressive (in fact I rarely use my 1176 emulations on anything because it tends to appear a little harsh for my taste)