The Final & Ultimate LA2A Plugin - Poll!

[Leo1999]

A lot of posts created by op with some commitment to nonsense recently (I am not here every day) are on an overwhelming level of intelligence and kindness. People who don't seem to have a life, who prefer to add their negativity to threads and their posts don't contribute.
Omg have I really joined a thread of EL HYMN??, didn't notice first, because thread starts with plugin Iist.
Your list is not only incomplete, it was already discussed in so many threads and a decent longer list one makes in alphabetical order usually.
To think one has made a representative list of LA2A style opto compressors, but apparently forgot to add one of the most used in studios, well...
Empirical Labs Distressor/Arouser is a comp with a LA2A opto mode, it emulates all kinds of comps just like DMG, ever heard of it?
Kive Audio Xtressor, IK Multimedia Comprexxor, Steven Slate...
PSP Impressor is on the list, bx_opto isn't, wheras Acme XLA-3 is (it's rather a LA3A) ?
So if a LA3A is a LA2A to the op, then even a lot more is missing like Apogee etc
With the right settings you can also turn Oxford Dynamics into a LA2A.
Boz Manic compressor "Sheer" is an opto style comp.
Waves RComp has a vintage (LA2A) Opto mode, maybe one of the most popular comps ever and still widely used.
Can't believe RComp is not on the list.
When Italian pasta is the topic, Spaghetti should be included, shouldn't it?_!
Waves Omni Scheps has a LA2A style opto comp, Antress Modern Lost Angel, SSL X Comp, 980 Spark, Variety of Sound Thrillseeker LA, MIA Compressor One, FF Pro-C2, Warm Audio WA-2A and and...
Final & Ultimate list/poll?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Expected Result: listen to the fuzzy distortion!

IK White2A Result: there's a tiny bit of distortion but mostly clean signal.

UAD LA-2A Silver or Gray: distortion!

You can't have a better model of an LA-2A if this isn't modeled

Yes, IK is known for leaving stuff out. But what they did model, quite accurately, is the behaviour of the fluorescent panel and the T4 cell. The White2A will distort when pushed hard, but I don't think it is modeling any non-linearity or harmonic distortion.

However, that doesn't bother me, for reasons I will explain. I am more bothered by IK leaving out the R37 side-chain pre-emphasis control.

On the UAD model, I find the distortion to be more of a hindrance than anything else. It gets too fuzzy too soon, and enters unusable territory shortly after. I've never heard anyone push a real LA-2A into distortion, so I have no idea of how authentic that behaviour is. Do you have any examples?

Anyways, I found myself backing off on the UAD models frequently to keep them usable. If I want distortion like that, there is no shortage of plugins in my DAW that will deliver. And with the added bonus of decoupling the distortion amount from the compression amount when used together.

But within the UAD plugins' usable ranges, I found them to behave very similarly to the White2A. The biggest difference is the White2A seems to have about 12dB more gain, so that needs to be accounted for during comparison.

You only talked about the White2A for some reason. What are your thoughts on UAD vs Waves CLA-2A? Personally, I find it sounds more like UAD's LA-2 than either of the LA-2As.

The vocal distortion on Doorbell by the White Stripes was an LA-2A in fuzz mode. Just a famous example of that sound.

Never used the CLA-2A so won't comment. The White 2A isn't alone in missing the distortion, there were others I tried, but I don't recall the complete list. It's just one aspect of the model anyway.

Regarding the photo resisters in the Opto cell, the variations are pretty great from unit to unit from what I hear. I've got a Stam clone here, but still mostly use software. I can get TrackComp very close to the hardware.

[jamcat]

The vocal distortion on Doorbell by the White Stripes was an LA-2A in fuzz mode. Just a famous example of that sound.

So I listened to My Doorbell, and I'm not hearing anything on any part of the vocal that I would categorize as distortion. Certainly nothing approaching what the UAD LA-2A plugin does.

And Jack White is not known for subtlety when it comes to distortion and lo-fi sounds.

[jens]

The IK one adds a lot of overtones. I highly doubt the original hardware adds even far more. I assume that's just make-believe.

[v1o]

Howcome TBT TLS 1295 LEA is not on list?


CA2A sounds nothing like the LA2A but is awesome and gets my vote.

[beely]

A lot of posts created by op with some commitment to nonsense recently

*Sigh* I'll just point out some things:

To think one has made a representative list of LA2A style opto compressors,

Not "LA2A-style opto compressors", but actual marketed LA2A emulations. Seems the OP was clear enough about that.

but apparently forgot to add one of the most used in studios, well...
Empirical Labs Distressor/Arouser is a comp with a LA2A opto mode, it emulates all kinds of comps just like DMG, ever heard of it?
Kive Audio Xtressor, IK Multimedia Comprexxor,

None of those are LA2A's, nor are they trying to be. Distressors are their own thing, attempting to have a range of compression styles in the box, from softer opto-style compressor, through to mode aggressive 1176-style compression etc - but they are not attempting, marketed as, or pretending to be LA2A emulations.

PSP Impressor is on the list, bx_opto isn't, wheras Acme XLA-3 is (it's rather a LA3A) ?

bx_opto is not modelled on the LA-2A, more "inspired by" a range of opto compressors. They do not use the term LA2A in their marketing blurb accordingly. I have that one, and quite like it.

Opticom *is* by the looks modelled on an LA2A (you have to read the blurb on the site, not deduce it from the model number, and they mention "Smooth and seamless ‘LA-2A’ sound plus optional even-harmonic distortion" multiple times in their marketing). How good it is, I've no idea, as I haven't used that one.

So if a LA3A is a LA2A for the op, then even a lot more is missing like Apogee etc

No, an LA3A is not an LA2A for the op, again, you've just inferred that from incorrectly thinking the "3" in XLA-3 must mean it's based on the LA3A, rather than checking out the actual deets.

This is important to me, because I much prefer the LA3A for most things over the LA2A, which I'm not hugely that fond of (much like Bob Clearmountain, who's aforemented Apogee-affiliations made an LA3A plugin, but don't make an LA2A one.)

Waves RComp has a vintage (LA2A) Opto mode, maybe one of the most popular comps ever and still widely used.
Can't believe RComp is not on the list.

Again, it does opto-style compression, but it isn't trying to emulate an LA2A, and isn't marketed as an LA2A emulation, nor is LA2A mentioned or implied anywhere in their blurb. It's a lot cleaner for a start, and has opto and electro modes. I've had, and really liked RenComp since the early 2000s, one of my favourite simple compressors. (Again, I like this one, and don't generally like LA2A's. so that's an indication of one not trying to be the other...)

I think what's happened here is, wanting to find something to gripe about, you've decided that the OP's list wasn't made according to *your* criteria, and then continued to criticise all the ways it's not fullfilling the criteria you invented for the OP's post.

But thanks for playing - which one did you vote for, out of interest?

[Leo1999]

A lot of posts created by op with some commitment to nonsense recently

*Sigh* I'll just point out some things:

To think one has made a representative list of LA2A style opto compressors,

Not "LA2A-style opto compressors", but actual marketed LA2A emulations. Seems the OP was clear enough about that.

but apparently forgot to add one of the most used in studios, well...
Empirical Labs Distressor/Arouser is a comp with a LA2A opto mode, it emulates all kinds of comps just like DMG, ever heard of it?
Kive Audio Xtressor, IK Multimedia Comprexxor, Steven Slate...

None of those are LA2A's, nor are they trying to be. Distressors are their own thing, attempting to have a range of compression styles in the box, from softer opto-style compressor, through to mode aggressive 1176-style compression etc - but they are not attempting, marketed as, or pretending to be LA2A emulations.

PSP Impressor is on the list, bx_opto isn't, wheras Acme XLA-3 is (it's rather a LA3A) ?

bx_opto is not modelled on the LA-2A, more "inspired by" a range of opto compressors. They do not use the term LA2A in their marketing blurb accordingly Opticom *is* by the looks modelled on an LA2A (you have to read the blurb on the site, not deduce it from the model number, and they mention "Smooth and seamless ‘LA-2A’ sound plus optional even-harmonic distortion" multiple times in their marketing).

So if a LA3A is a LA2A for the op, then even a lot more is missing like Apogee etc

No, an LA3A is not an LA2A, again, you've just inferred that from incorrectly thinking the "3" in XLA-3 must mean it's based on the LA3A, rather than checking out the actual deets.

This is important to me, because I much prefer the LA3A for most things over the LA2A, which I'm not hugely that fond of (much like Bob Clearmountain, who's aforemented Apogee-affiliations made an LA3A plugin, but don't make an LA2A one.)

Waves RComp has a vintage (LA2A) Opto mode, maybe one of the most popular comps ever and still widely used.
Can't believe RComp is not on the list.

Again, it does opto-style compression, but it isn't trying to emulate an LA2A, and isn't marketed as an LA2A emulation, nor is LA2A mentioned or implied anywhere in their blurb. It's a lot cleaner for a start, and has opto and electro modes. I've had, and really liked RenComp since the early 2000s, one of my favourite simple compressors. (Again, I like this one, and don't generally like LA2A's...)

I think what's happened here is, wanting to find something to gripe about, you've decided that the OP's list wasn't made according to *your* criteria, and then continued to criticise all the ways it's not fullfilling the criteria you invented for the OP's post.

But thanks for playing - which one did you vote for, out of interest?

My vote would be RComp, a vintage opto mode can only be a LA2A style and does not have to be promoted as a LA2A emu.
There are some comps on the list that doesn't claim to be a LA2A emu, I am not going to name them, becausr it's pretty clear and of course the opto Comp of a distressor is inspired by LA2A.
List is incomplete and sloppy

[beely]

My vote would be RComp, a vintage opto mode can only be a LA2A style and does not have to be promoted as a LA2A emu.

Vintage opto mode could be LA3A too. And others...

But yes, I like RComp too. Considering it's age, I still think it holds up, and some of the Ren plugs are still my favourite Waves plugins by far.

There are some comps on the list that doesn't claim to be a LA2A emu, I smnot going to name them, becausr it's pretty clear and of course the opto Comp of a distressor is inspired by LA2A.

I don't know all of them, nor do I feel like checking them out. And yes, I agree, it is inspired by the opto compressor sound - that's not the same thing as an exacting emulation trying to recreate the exact machine.

Anyway, ymmv.

[DCrown]

It's pretty clear what RenComp (it is actually called Renaissance Compressor!) aims to be.
There are comps on the list that are less close to LA2A than RenComp.
If you dish it out, you have to be able to take it, that's my general message to the op, too and I herby join Leo.
His poll is pretty weak
We have joined after a weak attempt of the op trying to spoil one of my threads.
Unbelievable to see some posts of old kvr members in general here with this clique demeanour , is it old age?

[Leo1999]

El hymn wrote me that he is going to support me! Insight?
No bribe accepted, tho'
@DCrown
Vurt is even better than El hymn!
Very entertaining, you can't say it's not entertaining, kind of repetetive, but some r devoted 2 their style!

[beely]

It's pretty clear what RenComp (it is actually called Renaissance Compressor!) aims to be.

Yes, a general purpose compressor, with "opto-style" and "electro-style" compression, but not an emulation of any one thing. In fact, the only thing that "style" choice does, is change the release behaviour - Opto mode has a release behaviour similar to the vintage LA2A. And then you have a "warm/smooth" mode for harmonics. And you have variable threshold, attack and release times - quite unlike an LA2A. But you're right in that part of the inspiration for RComp for sure is the LA-2A. How closely or accurately it's modelled I can't say. I don't think of it as an LA2A emulation though, but if you do, fair enough.

There are comps on the list that are less close to LA2A than RenComp.

Quite possibly, I can't really comment on that, as I'm only familiar with some of them. I'm happy to defer to those who have used those.

If you dish it out, you have to be able to take it, that's my general message to the op, too and I herby join Leo
His poll is pretty weak

To be clear, I wasn't really claiming the poll was great, or trying to defend it. I mean most daws have some kind of LA2A emulation in them too. Just taking issue with some specific points raised. You're entitled to disagree, that's fine. I just saw this poll as a little bit of fun, and I see the KVR favourites are up top - people do seem to often pick the "safe" and uncontentious choices a lot of the time... I wonder how many people voted UAD without ever having actually used it, for example..?

[martinjuenke]

I mean most daws have some kind of LA2A emulation in them too.

Oh yes, and they are sometimes quite good like the Opto Compressor in Logic Pro!

[El°HYM]

El hymn wrote me that he is going to support me! Insight?
No bribe accepted, tho'
@DCrown
Vurt is even better than El hymn!
Very entertaining, you can't say it's not entertaining, kind of repetetive, but some r devoted 2 their style!

@Le 1999

Thats not what I wrote you. I wrote you that you can hereby join my foes - list, if you like. I do agree that the Distressor does the 'Opto-style' compression quite well.

[jens]

Opticom *is* by the looks modelled on an LA2A (you have to read the blurb on the site, not deduce it from the model number, and they mention "Smooth and seamless ‘LA-2A’ sound plus optional even-harmonic distortion" multiple times in their marketing).

Neither is it modelled on a LA2a (nor on a LA3a), nor does it look like it was, regardless of the marketing blurb, which you have to put in perspective / read properly in order to fully comprehend what they mean with their mentioning of the LA2a ("inspired by" does in no way equal "copy of" or even just "modelled on"). It is in fact modelled on an Acme Opticom XLA-3, which is very much its own thing. Here's a SOS review of it, which managed to wrap up without mentioning any UREI products just once.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/acme-opticom-xla-3

[fese]

I tend to not like the emulations that add a lot of additional features like wet/dry, extra side chain and so on. For me, the key with the LA2A is the simplicity. Load it, twiddle the two knobs, if it works, fine, if not, next. As much as I like Trackcomp, it’s UI just doesn’t work as a proper LA2A, it really needs a simple mode imho.
I mostly use the IK White on bass guitar, it just works with my default preset. Don’t care if others model the saturation 5% more precisely, it just seems better than my alternatives. Might of course be bias, because I prefer the GUI of it over Trackcomp, LALA, HA2A or the BRA one.