The Final & Ultimate LA2A Plugin - Poll!

[Bombadil]

I had a UA LA2A for my Roland VS machine. This was 16 years ago. It was better than the VS's internal compressor, and I have to say that I prefer it to IK's version. But I won't go down the rabbithole of UAD's platform because it gets, from what I've seen, crazy expensive really fast.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

The Los Angeles chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous?

[BasariStudios]

MOST of the people on KVR don't know what an LA2A is.

The Los Angeles chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous?

That is correct.

[kmonkey]

Tried all of them and UAD versions worked for me effortlessly and best of all of them. I hated that scenario because I needed to get into the whole Spark nonsense but in reality, most of their plugin is really fast to get the sound I am after. No, it's not a brand fanboy or something but UAD LA-2A (especially grey) I just load them and tweak them a bit and there you go somehow the is effortless.

I tried the UAD first, it performed exactly as I wanted and I left it at that.

In that case, you are way more smarter and rational than me. I had to try other stuff. Anyway, I am at UAD and don't intend to keep looking any further for 1176 and LA2A.

Also, this is off-topic, but I tested their SSL channel strip (not BUS plugins) on their DSP (this plugin is not yet available as a Spark native plugin) and compared it with PA, IK, and even SSL plugins. Ok some plugin models aren't modeling the same hardware some are supposedly the same models but different brands, but I had pretty much the very same experience. UAD SSL was head and shoulders above anyone else. You load it, tweak it and the sound is "there" right of the bat. No ton of other plugins is necessary. And saturation of that channel was (for me) like another world opening...

Seems that for my personal taste, UAD dynamic and EQ plugins work amazingly. I can understand someone might prefer something else of course.

[Uncle E]

I didn’t love the UAD SSL bus compressor the first time I used it. However, once I started using the SC filter, I was able to nail the sound of the hardware 4000 Bus Compressor I had at the time (the Stam).

[jamcat]

I tested their SSL channel strip (not BUS plugins) on their DSP (this plugin is not yet available as a Spark native plugin) and compared it with PA, IK, and even SSL plugins. Ok some plugin models aren't modeling the same hardware some are supposedly the same models but different brands, but I had pretty much the very same experience. UAD SSL was head and shoulders above anyone else. You load it, tweak it and the sound is "there" right of the bat. No ton of other plugins is necessary. And saturation of that channel was (for me) like another world opening...

These perhaps came out after you compared SSL models, but did you ever test the Waves SSL EV2 or SSL’s new 4K plugin?

Both model the SL-4000 E, including its preamps. I use the Waves version as my front end for the preamp modeling. I’d like to try the SSL, but it is subscription only, though I think you get a perpetual license with certain SSL hardware.

It’s a great disappointment that bx doesn’t model the preamps, because it is a good model otherwise. IK doesn’t model preamps because it is actually a model of the Mynx X-Rack XR418 and XR425 units, which don’t have preamps.

[jamcat]

Looking at the votes for u-he Presswerk, there are at least 17 people on KVR who don't know what an LA-2A is.

Its more like a #preset recreating the LA2A - Behavior, not bad though.

What concerns me a bit more are the 15 people still praising the CLA-2A.

Well, the controls for both Presswerk and DMG TrackComp2 are totally different than an LA-2A’s two knobs, so I can’t see how anyone could claim either really model an LA-2A.

You can’t even really say they mimic the attack and release of the LA-2A’s T4 cell, because they have user-controlled attack and release settings, while the LA-2A is completely program dependent and has no adjustable controls.

The experience of using either the u-he or DMG plugins is nothing like using an LA-2A. They can’t even be approached in the same way. The only reason they’re getting any votes, I think, is because of KVR’s famed lemming culture when it comes to certain devs who hang out on the forum.

The IK White2A and UAD versions accurately model the program dependent attack and release of the LA-2A, and Waves makes a good faith effort, at least.

[El°HYM]

Some interesting facts about how UAD actually 'modeled' their own plugin - version.

https://www.uaudio.de/blog/la-2a-analog-obsession

Also explains, why even the hardware clones dont exactly match the original Teletronix unit. So the Warm Audio WA-2A is technically an Opto - compressor, yet doesnt have the original T4 - optical attenuator, but uses a T4B Kenetek instead. If I remember right the Black Rooster VLA-2A actually models the Warm Audio unit not the Teletronix, maybe someone can confirm?

The HoRNet HA2A models a new, reissued hardware - version and thus also has a slightly different snappier feeling than the typical smoother behavior of older units which have been in use for several years.

ThrillseekerLA 2.0 on the other hand also doesnt offer the original controls, yet models the Opto - cell and overall behavior pretty well.

Another one would be, like already mentioned, the PSP Impressor which does a superb job on emulating Optical - compression, yet also much more. Its a wide field actually and most definitely worth for further discussion.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Well, the controls for both Presswerk and DMG TrackComp2 are totally different than an LA-2A’s two knobs, so I can’t see how anyone could claim either really model an LA-2A.

You can’t even really say they mimic the attack and release of the LA-2A’s T4 cell, because they have user-controlled attack and release settings, while the LA-2A is completely program dependent and has no adjustable controls.

The experience of using either the u-he or DMG plugins is nothing like using an LA-2A. They can’t even be approached in the same way. The only reason they’re getting any votes, I think, is because of KVR’s famed lemming culture when it comes to certain devs who hang out on the forum.

The IK White2A and UAD versions accurately model the program dependent attack and release of the LA-2A, and Waves makes a good faith effort, at least.

There's a lot to unpack here.

First, I've compared TrackComp2 to my hardware LA-2A clone (Stam). It can get very close in sound. To the point where I don't bother with the hardware in the mixing stage. TrackComp2 is more than good enough.

Now, I agree with you that TrackComp2 (TC2 from here on out) doesn't offer the simple LA-2A experience. It's far from it. But the sound is absolutely there.

Why attack and release times? Because those T4B photocell resistors are wildly variable from unit to unit. LA-2A attack and release times will vary. And look, I don't love the scaling of the attack and release times in TC2's LA-2A mode. I have to get the attack down to around .55ms attack to match my hardware, and .55ms in TC2's LA-2A mode isn't anywhere near .5ms in reality. The release is way on the faster side. But once you dial it in and ignore the on-screen attack/release values, it's INSANELY good. The program dependency on the release is there. A 35-60ms release is not 35-60ms, it'll be quite slower for the second stage. I don't know why, but if you set TC2's LA-2A mode to being on the very fast side of the attack/release sliders, it just starts to sound right. The other modes have attack/release times where you'd expect. So this quirk is just unique to the LA-2A mode.

Anyway, it's a killer LA-2A plugin. Got my vote. And the hardware clone is 2 feet from me.

If TrackComp2 had the pretty GUI's to match the models, people would sh*t themselves and use that for 90% of all compression duties. I've also shot it out against my 76 clone and it also kills there.

I think you need to get past the workflow of TC2, spend some real time with it, and use your ears not your eyes. You'll realize how good TC2 at modeling various pieces of gear. It just has a different design philosophy as to how it lays out the parameters.

[jamcat]

Now, I agree with you that TrackComp2 (TC2 from here on out) doesn't offer the simple LA-2A experience. It's far from it. But the sound is absolutely there.

But that's the whole enchilada right there. This is about LA-2A emulations. So having an analogous experience to the hardware is crucial to qualify, in my book. And neither TC2 nor Presswerk deliver it.

That's not to say that both aren't very good at doing what they do. They're just not providing an LA-2A experience, and thus should be disqualified from this specific competition.

If TrackComp2 had the pretty GUI's to match the models, people would sh*t themselves and use that for 90% of all compression duties.

Perhaps so. But that's not what Dave did. He could have. He may very well should have. But he didn't. So instead, users are left trying to figure out on their own what range to set it within for an authentic LA-2A. And unless they have a real one (or clone) next to them like you do, then good luck with that.

Now I get that maybe Dave wanted to force people to use their ears and not limit themselves to the narrow confines of the LA-2A's tolerances. But at that point, it becomes a different beast altogether, and it's not going to deliver immediate gratification to someone who just wants to grab 2 knobs and always get standard LA-2A behaviour in return.

[Urs]

Looking at the votes for u-he Presswerk, there are at least 17 people on KVR who don't know what an LA-2A is.

MOST of the people on KVR don't know what an LA2A is.

Apparently, some also don't know what Presswerk is.

[jamcat]

Or that. It’s one or the other, if they’re voting for it.

[kmonkey]

These perhaps came out after you compared SSL models, but did you ever test the Waves SSL EV2 or SSL’s new 4K plugin?

Both model the SL-4000 E, including its preamps. I use the Waves version as my front end for the preamp modeling. I’d like to try the SSL, but it is subscription only, though I think you get a perpetual license with certain SSL hardware.

It’s a great disappointment that bx doesn’t model the preamps, because it is a good model otherwise. IK doesn’t model preamps because it is actually a model of the Mynx X-Rack XR418 and XR425 units, which don’t have preamps.

Yes, I did. Actually, now that you said it I can remember Waves (the latest SSL model) being my second choice. But UAD saturation and compression took me over.

Let me put this more clearly: these days anyone can find fabulous SSL emulation from their favorite developer and it will work wonders. Now IMHO there are amazing SSL channel plugins out there. It's just a matter of personal sensibilities. Example: I tried the latest Softube Icons compressors. While the compressor action is really amazing I can not stand "Softube" saturation sound. There is something I can not describe but I don't like how their plugins saturate when you drive them. But other people love it.

To each their own.

[subterfuge]

That's not to say that both aren't very good at doing what they do. They're just not providing an LA-2A experience, and thus should be disqualified from this specific competition.

I see the point but don't quite agree. If you are looking for not only the same sound and behavior, but also the same controls, 2/3 of this list don't belong. Meaning, there are only about 7 which would qualify. And TC2 and Presswerk wouldn't necessarily be the worst offender either. So the list should be culled heavily, or a more flexible approach accepted as is.

[Urs]

Or that. It’s one or the other, if they’re voting for it.

We get a lot of positive testimony for the task at hand. Even if the controls do not match up 100%, the experience is certainly there.