La 2a again

[_leras]

The UAD LA 2A is an amazing sounding compressor. Great for vocals and lots of other things. I use it on all sorts of things. Free is a great deal.

[El°HYM]

https://www.uvi.net/opal iLok account (free, dongle not required)

Maybe one of the best more recent ones; so how does it hold up vs. Softube/NI that would be an interesting question. Dont own any of them and just tested the Opal in a Glimpse. For the UA, which certainly is a very good one, me can replicate most of its behavior with the Overloud Gem, yet with better control over the saturation part. As technology moves on, plugins are getting better, more sophisticated, some are even getting worse. Lots of Choices we are having, then a Compressor also working quite different for different Genres, your emulation is working just fine on Vocals? Now go tell that a Drone, or Ambient producer. Often a communication problem on KVR as it seems

[Alexander_D]

Seems that so many suggestions with Ilok system. It's the reason, why I am asking in the topic alternatives without Ilok.
But thank you very much for all your comments!

[HcDoom]

UA LA2A, IK, Softube (not NI), UVI - you cant go wrong with any of these and you wont notice the difference in the mix anyways. Isolated, maybe, if the settings are heavy pushing. Normal circumstances, in the mix - hard to tell. So, dont overthink it, pick the one which looks nicest to you and thats it.

[martinjuenke]

UADx uses Machine Authorization now, no iLok needed.

UAD still uses iLok, at least for me, but perhaps I'm an exception.

[martinjuenke]

Seems that so many suggestions with Ilok system. It's the reason, why I am asking in the topic alternatives without Ilok.
But thank you very much for all your comments!

Look at Plugin Alliance.
Different optos on their list.

[El°HYM]

It basically uses iLok & Machine Authorization.

[El°HYM]

UA LA2A, IK, Softube (not NI), UVI - you cant go wrong with any of these and you wont notice the difference in the mix anyways. Isolated, maybe, if the settings are heavy pushing. Normal circumstances, in the mix - hard to tell. So, dont overthink it, pick the one which looks nicest to you and thats it.

Then again, are those really better than the one he already has in Presswerk? Will anyone notice a difference in a busy mix anyway.

[jens]

Maybe any great alternatives?

Yes, PA ACME Opticom.

[idoru97214]

I don't mind iLok, but I respect people who want to avoid it.

Everyone has their own reasons for enjoying/avoiding all kinds of things for whatever reason. All good. I don't use La-2a vsts much because I have a hardware 3a, which is close enough. Before I got that, I used the Analog Obsession one, and it was free and worked well.

I avoid UA for totally non-iLok related reasons. Same for IK. Both companies on my Do Not Install list. Personal reasons - doesn't matter.

I've heard really good things about UVI Opal, but haven't tried it myself. I have DMG Trackcomp, and that one is fine.

[Alexander_D]

Maybe any great alternatives?

Yes, PA ACME Opticom.

Seems that I really need to check Plugin Alliance stuff. What's your thoughts about Neold?

[Alexander_D]

UA LA2A, IK, Softube (not NI), UVI - you cant go wrong with any of these and you wont notice the difference in the mix anyways. Isolated, maybe, if the settings are heavy pushing. Normal circumstances, in the mix - hard to tell. So, dont overthink it, pick the one which looks nicest to you and thats it.

Then again, are those really better than the one he already has in Presswerk? Will anyone notice a difference in a busy mix anyway.

Presswerk is really good compressor but honestly don't know how to emulate la 2a style perfectly

[jamcat]

I don't mind iLok, but I respect people who want to avoid it.

Sure, but people should actually know the facts first, or at least not actively spread misinformation to others.

[Ploki]

I like DMG TrackComp 2. But warning, it's a modern interface.

This is now the standard i hold other models to. Can’t believe i slept on it for so long

[djanthonyw]

I like the IK one.