The age does darken the signal a bit but it also messes with the GR envelope/timings, as well as harmonics and compression frequency response. I actually love this emulation its really lovely 🥰
The Hornet HA2A LA2A emulation is fantastic, because it adds a lot of (optional) mod cons on top of an authentic emulation (which was of a fairly new LA2A incidentally) . Honorable mention to Analog Obsession COMPER because you can do the "two types of compression in serial" trick with that in a single, free plugin.
Very interesting when you stop to think about it and make top 5s of our plugins. There are so many options nowadays, we are always trying something new. Sometimes it feels like changing your wardrobe: we buy a new plugin just for the sake of novelty. LOL. I know I'm guilty of that.
I have to try it. I use a lot the Brighton Opto Comp by London Acoustics. I have the VLA 3A from Blackrooster, the CLA:3A, Opto Comp from Brainworx... At the end i always go with the Brighton.
HoRNet HA2A really surprised me as with almost all of HoRNet's plugins! Analog modeled, m/s modes, linked input and output, auto input gain, fully resizable GUI, sounds great!
I like their stuff a lot, but usually a frustrating lack of input/output gain controls, and mix knob. Probably easy additions to make, and would make their plugs much more usable/saleable.
I give all of them a try when I need them. One of my favorite opto comps to use was always the Renaissance Compressor in Opto mode. These days I have my bread and butters like the Fabfilter Pro-C2. If I run out of ideas with that I'll give the LA2A stuff a try. Analog Obsession(LALA and Comper), Blackroosteraudio (VLA-2A MKII, their LA3A variant is great too), IKMultimedia White 2A, Waves CLA-2A. I've probably forgotten some. Bloody hell, I don't want to have to count them.
I like the CLA2A from Waves. For vocals, depends on the song, it would be CLA76 (white) or CLA3A, RVOX is quite good too for slight compression. (RBASS is also fantastic ... but not for vocal of couse ^^). By the way, Fabfilter C2 is shit :/ same for LA2A from Ikmultimedia, they add nothing more than "volume uplift".
I stack the UADx (Teletronix -- it was free, might not be anymore) LA2A with the Waves CLA76 as parallel compression, sounds beautiful. Then I stack JST howard's vocals AIO with xvox pro AIO in the vocal bus, i no longer have 15 plugins on my vocal chains and have full control with simple automation clips
For (death metal) vocals, I'll run them through the T-Racks Comprexxor with a 10 or 20:1 ratio, fast-ish attack and release, aiming for about 10-12dB reduction, then into the PA Console-N channel strip, then through an 1176 (Pulsar Smasher, Purafied Comp, AO Fetish), then through an LA-3A (Purafied) or LA-2A (ADHD Leveling Tool), looking to get between 20-35dB reduction in total, depending on the track. For clean vocals I usually omit the Comprexxor and 1176, using just the channel strip comp and 2/3A for leveling and just a bit of grit
If you're mixing vocals and you're not using the TDR Kotelnikov (a free plugin, BTW) then you're just doing things the hard way. Though I do frequently follow that comp with the UAD LA-2 - for its vibe.
Holy cow this is crowded now, gj guys, keep doing it :D ! I'm a "new school" mixer guy and for some reason, I really don't like any, but, any LA2A, not a clue why lol, anyways, good video like always! cheers! ✌
There are so many LA-2A out there but UAD sells theirs on sale for pretty cheap. I mean just get the OG. Yes some of these have different "flavors" but it seems like there are so many. Analog Obsession has one and it's free.
@@StudioLife101 I appreciate when a developer does something unique and I think the COMPer from Analog Obsession was the most creative. Solves a common setup of running two comps in serial. Anyways love the videos!
I use mainly Arousor and Rvox. I’ve got just about all the 1176 emulations but my voice sounds best with a bit of Audiothing type A and a few compressors to smooth it out like the Arousor.
Well, it doesn’t do that on its own…you’d need to use an eq set to the sibilant frequency setup via a side chain…but I’m sure it would work, as would any compressor…
Pft, just use a simple straight to the point deesser plugin, no biasing no sidechaining no whatever... this is not 1980 where u re limited by the number of gear and routing in ur rack
The age does darken the signal a bit but it also messes with the GR envelope/timings, as well as harmonics and compression frequency response. I actually love this emulation its really lovely 🥰
The Hornet HA2A LA2A emulation is fantastic, because it adds a lot of (optional) mod cons on top of an authentic emulation (which was of a fairly new LA2A incidentally) . Honorable mention to Analog Obsession COMPER because you can do the "two types of compression in serial" trick with that in a single, free plugin.
COMPER by analog obsession has a opto compressor that sounds as good as any i tried and its free.
LALA from analog obsession is a good one especially for free!
Good call
One of my fav
Very interesting when you stop to think about it and make top 5s of our plugins. There are so many options nowadays, we are always trying something new. Sometimes it feels like changing your wardrobe: we buy a new plugin just for the sake of novelty. LOL. I know I'm guilty of that.
We all do it...🤦♂️
DO THE TOP FIVE OF ALL THE CLASSICS!!! (LA2A, 1176, SSL Bus, etc) Pardon the screamo. 🙊
you guys should do a review of the DMG TrackComp. Its Easily the best in the box compressor I've heard.
Yes, I religiously use that for track channel. Truly a one-stop compressors plugin
I'm a fan and rabid user of Black Roosters' VLA -2A Mark II and Overloud's Comp LA (which also includes their 3A - both are great)
I have to try it. I use a lot the Brighton Opto Comp by London Acoustics. I have the VLA 3A from Blackrooster, the CLA:3A, Opto Comp from Brainworx... At the end i always go with the Brighton.
Brighton is AMAZING
UAD version has always been the one to grab for me, these days i run the vocal through pulsar audios 1178 then into the uad la2a. Great match.
HoRNet HA2A really surprised me as with almost all of HoRNet's plugins! Analog modeled, m/s modes, linked input and output, auto input gain, fully resizable GUI, sounds great!
We'd better have a look....👍
I like their stuff a lot, but usually a frustrating lack of input/output gain controls, and mix knob. Probably easy additions to make, and would make their plugs much more usable/saleable.
@@bobbyweezer Great points!
I give all of them a try when I need them. One of my favorite opto comps to use was always the Renaissance Compressor in Opto mode. These days I have my bread and butters like the Fabfilter Pro-C2. If I run out of ideas with that I'll give the LA2A stuff a try. Analog Obsession(LALA and Comper), Blackroosteraudio (VLA-2A MKII, their LA3A variant is great too), IKMultimedia White 2A, Waves CLA-2A. I've probably forgotten some. Bloody hell, I don't want to have to count them.
I like the CLA2A from Waves. For vocals, depends on the song, it would be CLA76 (white) or CLA3A, RVOX is quite good too for slight compression. (RBASS is also fantastic ... but not for vocal of couse ^^). By the way, Fabfilter C2 is shit :/ same for LA2A from Ikmultimedia, they add nothing more than "volume uplift".
I stack the UADx (Teletronix -- it was free, might not be anymore) LA2A with the Waves CLA76 as parallel compression, sounds beautiful. Then I stack JST howard's vocals AIO with xvox pro AIO in the vocal bus, i no longer have 15 plugins on my vocal chains and have full control with simple automation clips
Well whatya know? A year later and it's currently on sale for $29.99
yall should do is it shit on studio monitors will be dope
For (death metal) vocals, I'll run them through the T-Racks Comprexxor with a 10 or 20:1 ratio, fast-ish attack and release, aiming for about 10-12dB reduction, then into the PA Console-N channel strip, then through an 1176 (Pulsar Smasher, Purafied Comp, AO Fetish), then through an LA-3A (Purafied) or LA-2A (ADHD Leveling Tool), looking to get between 20-35dB reduction in total, depending on the track. For clean vocals I usually omit the Comprexxor and 1176, using just the channel strip comp and 2/3A for leveling and just a bit of grit
20 to 35dB? That's full-on crazy..😂
@@StudioLife101 But it works like a charm 😉
If you're mixing vocals and you're not using the TDR Kotelnikov (a free plugin, BTW) then you're just doing things the hard way. Though I do frequently follow that comp with the UAD LA-2 - for its vibe.
Would love for you guys to get the free demo of the Acustica Audio El Rey 2. All the best.
Holy cow this is crowded now, gj guys, keep doing it :D !
I'm a "new school" mixer guy and for some reason, I really don't like any, but, any LA2A, not a clue why lol, anyways, good video like always! cheers! ✌
Nothing wrong with that....would be dull if all records sounded the same. Do you...👊💥
Please do a top 5!
Suggestions:
UVI Opal
Slate Custom Opto or FG-2A
NEOLD U2A
UAD - Teletronix LA-2A
Softube - OPTO Compressor
That’s a pretty good Top 5 👊
There are so many LA-2A out there but UAD sells theirs on sale for pretty cheap. I mean just get the OG. Yes some of these have different "flavors" but it seems like there are so many. Analog Obsession has one and it's free.
True.... I love the Tone Empire OptoRED....really good and $29 👍
@@StudioLife101 I appreciate when a developer does something unique and I think the COMPer from Analog Obsession was the most creative. Solves a common setup of running two comps in serial. Anyways love the videos!
I use mainly Arousor and Rvox. I’ve got just about all the 1176 emulations but my voice sounds best with a bit of Audiothing type A and a few compressors to smooth it out like the Arousor.
I've used the white 2a ik version prior to this. Also, the comp tube sta by arturia. But this is nice.
Question for Sean...did this replace his usage of the KT unit on some vocals?
Nope....Still loving the kt...👍
@@StudioLife101 Thanks! I'm ordering one right now. Is yours still stock?
@@johnlance3860 yep...👍
The best? I don’t know. But, it’s my favorite on my vocals.
Ah a new video from the best guys on TH-cam. Time to watch it.
👍
Lets just have a moment of silence for the people haven't used this as a desser yet 🙏
Well, it doesn’t do that on its own…you’d need to use an eq set to the sibilant frequency setup via a side chain…but I’m sure it would work, as would any compressor…
Pft, just use a simple straight to the point deesser plugin, no biasing no sidechaining no whatever... this is not 1980 where u re limited by the number of gear and routing in ur rack
Bonjour !!! Peace from france 😂😉
UVI OPAL
We reviewed this later....and yes, it's great.👍
I assumed the 'ageing' nob would affect the actual ballistics 🫤
It might...I just noticed a top end roll off in plugin doctor.