What is the most iconic compressor of all time? Of course, this is the legendary optical compressor based on Teletronix LA-2A lamps. Regardless of whether it is the original Teletronix 60 pendant module, the virtual version of Universal Audio, or any of the many excellent VST plug-ins modeled on hardware, it has been trusted throughout the history of music mixing, thanks to its transparent, smooth and musical dynamics. With a fixed attack and release time, there is no easier compressor management than LA-2A.
- Cla 2a Compressor Vst Free Download Torrent; Article Content. The LA-2A is arguably one of the most popular compressors ever invented. Revered for its rich, warm tone and smooth, musical compression characteristics, the LA-2A has been a favorite amongst engineers for over 50 years.
- The CLA-3A models the popular ’70s solid-state compressors which at the time offered better transparency when compared to the tube compressors. This gives it the tendency to perform better on vocals and guitars as opposed to the tube compressor modeled CLA-2A.
- Dec 18, 2019 Free Alternative to LA-2A plugins like Universal Audio’s Teletronix LA-2A: Antress Modern Lost Angel. The LA2A stands alongside the 1176 as one of the most iconic compressors of all time, and Universal Audio’s version is a faithful digital recreation offering three generations of the classic optical design.
In this article, we list some of them that we consider to be the best LA-2A plugins and emulations that are worth checking out. In truth, the legacy of LA-2A is so wide that dozens of plug-ins are really very close in sound, features and design. We summarize the main and most often used by mixing engineers in the work!
Cla 2a Compressor Vst IK Multimedia’s While 2A Leveling Amplifier nails the unique program dependent characteristic of the original LA-2A. However, it doesn’t emulate the analog tube characteristics of the analog units, making it an excellent choice for smoothing out dynamic performances with transparency.
Avid – BF-2A
Avid BF-2A is available as part of the classic Avid compressor kit. The user interface design may seem a little outdated compared to more modern versions of the plugins, but don’t let this dissuade you, the BF-2A, like the BF-76, are great instruments with a distinctive sound. Avid BF-2A is only available for Pro Tools AAX, Audiosuite, RTAS and, fortunately for HDX, AAX DSP users. Visit the official Avid website for more information.
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Cakewalk – CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier
Cakewalk handed out CA-2A (a consonant title to the original) completely free, which allowed many to get a license for an unlimited amount of time. Unfortunately, the company stopped updating, selling and supporting the plugin. However, its frequent use has earned a place on this list. We hope that new product owners will continue to add and refine this tool. Read more on the Cakewalk website.
IK Multimedia – White 2A
IK Multimedia is well known for developing great plugin audio emulations, one of which is White 2A. It is available in T-RackS 5 Deluxe packages, and in Studio MAX 2. White 2A offers a cool M / S mode not found in the original hardware … because the original device was single-channel. Visit IK Multimedia for more information.
Softube / Native Instruments – VC 2A
Softube is also one of those plugin developers who can model equipment in accordance with strict standards. Instead of Softube developing their own product under the LA-2A brand, they collaborated with Native Instruments to produce the VC 2A, which provides parallel mixing control that was not originally introduced on the equipment. Read more about the plugin on the Native Instruments website.
Universal Audio – UAD LA-2A
Is there any other developer more suitable for modeling LA-2A other than Universal Audio? This is not for us to decide. Two LA-2A variants are available for the UAD2 platform, both sounds are great, and both are probably the closest to a real compressor. Many tests and comparisons are proof of this. Visit Universal Audio for more information.
Waves – CLA-2A
Waves partnered with legendary engineer Chris Lord-Alge to create a set of plug-in emulations based on three well-known studio compressors. One of them is LA-2A, which was named CLA-2A. Chris has an excellent reputation for creating compressors and his precise knowledge, along with the capabilities of Waves, have given yet another LA-2A emulation, widely loved by musicians.
Article Content
The LA-2A is arguably one of the most popular compressors ever invented. Revered for its rich, warm tone and smooth, musical compression characteristics, the LA-2A has been a favorite amongst engineers for over 50 years.
In this article, we’ll break down some of the most popular LA-2A emulations to help you determine which one is right for you.
Teletronix LA-2A
The LA-2A was the first compressor to use a tube-driven optical attenuator to achieve gain reduction. The T4 optical attenuator is entirely program-dependent, allowing the compression ratio and release time to vary greatly based on the source material.
The average attack time is fixed at 10 milliseconds, but the LA-2A’s signature sound comes from its unique release characteristic. The initial release time is fixed at 60 milliseconds for 50% of the release, and anywhere from one to 15 seconds for the full release, depending on the program material.
Due to the largely automatic nature of the LA-2A, it features very simple controls: Peak-Reduction knob, Gain Control for make-up gain, and a Limit/Compress switch to adjust the compression ratio.
About the Audio Files
We put some of our favorite LA-2A emulations to the test on drums, bass and vocals with approximately 3 to 5 dB of gain reduction.
Here are unprocessed versions of the three audio files …
Drums
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drums_1.wavBass
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bass_1.wavVocals
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vocals_1.wav1. UAD Teletronix LA-2A
Universal Audio offers one of the most accurate LA-2A emulations available, which makes sense since they own the patent. While it doesn’t offer any new features, it does an excellent job of capturing the LA-2A’s signature sound and analog warmth.
In addition to the standard LA-2A Classic, Universal Audio also offers the LA-2A Classic Leveler Plugin Collection, which features emulations of the original “Gray” Teletronix version, the reissued “Silver” UREI version, and the exceptionally rare predecessor to the LA-2A, the LA-2. Each model offers a slightly different take on the iconic sound.
For the purposes of this shootout, we used the “classic” leveling amplifier.
As always, you’ll need some form of UAD DSP hardware to support these plugins.
UAD Teletronix LA-2A – Drums
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drums_2.wavUAD Teletronix LA-2A – Bass
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bass_2.wavUAD Teletronix LA-2A – Vocals
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vocals_2.wavTeletronix® LA-2A Classic Leveler Plug-In Collection Trailer
The LA-2A is arguably one of the most popular compressors ever invented. Revered for its rich, warm tone and smooth, musical compression characteristics, the LA-2A has been a favorite amongst engineers for over 50 years. In this article, we’ll break down some of the most popular LA-2A emulations to
2. PSP MixPressor2
PSP’s MixPressor2 is easily the most advanced LA-2A-style compressor available. It emulates the classic characteristics of valve and opto-compressors as well as modern compression designs.
The MixPressor2 features fully variable attack and release times, including automatic settings. It also offers options for look-ahead compression for a more modern sound, as well as selectable RMS and peak modes for a variety of sonic options.
It features a Mix control for parallel compression as well as an input for sidechain compression. It also offers a highly configurable sidechain filter — including an option to use the unit as a de-esser.
The first thing you’re likely to notice about the MixPressor2 is its rich, warm analog saturation. Load it on any channel for an instant analog vibe.
The MixPressor2 is available as part of PSP’s MixPack2.
In order to emulate the sound of a traditional LA-2A, we used the “fast” attack setting, “slow” release setting in RMS mode.
PSP Mixpressor 2 – Drums
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drums_3.wavPSP Mixpressor 2 – Bass
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bass_3.wavPSP Mixpressor 2 – Vocals
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vocals_3.wav3. Brainworx bx_opto
The bx_opto by Brainworx is packed with versatile new features not found on the original LA-2A. The most notable of which is the Speed control, which allows you to dial in the transient response of the compressor. While the bx_opto does utilize the program dependent attack and release times, the Speed control enables you to shape the sound in ways the original LA-2A never could.
bx_opto also features a fully sweepable sidechain filter all the way from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Choose between high-pass, low-pass, gentle band-pass or aggressive band-pass filter options. A dedicated Mix control lets you dial in the perfect amount of parallel compression.
In order to emulate the sound of a traditional LA-2A, we used the default Speed and Sidechain settings.
Brainworx bx_opto – Drums
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drums_4.wavBrainworx bx_opto – Bass
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bass_4.wavBrainworx bx_opto – Vocals
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vocals_4.wavBrainworx bx_opto & bx_opto Pedal Demo
Cla-2a Compressor Torrent
The LA-2A is arguably one of the most popular compressors ever invented. Revered for its rich, warm tone and smooth, musical compression characteristics, the LA-2A has been a favorite amongst engineers for over 50 years. In this article, we’ll break down some of the most popular LA-2A emulations to
4. Native Instruments VC 2A
The VC 2A from Native Instruments sounds silky-smooth and offers an array of updated features. It still utilizes the original automatic attack and release controls, but it introduces a high-pass filter to avoid pegging the needle when compressing bass-heavy signals.
It also features a dedicated sidechain gain control for sidechain compression and a wet/dry control for parallel compression.
And at just $99, it’s one of the most affordable emulations on the list.
Cla 2a Compressor Vst Free Download
Native Instruments VC 2A – Drums
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drums_5.wavNative Instruments VC 2A – Bass
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bass_5.wavNative Instruments VC 2A – Vocals
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vocals_5.wav5. IK Multimedia White 2A Leveling Amplifier
Cla 2a Compressor Vst Free
IK Multimedia’s While 2A Leveling Amplifier nails the unique program dependent characteristic of the original LA-2A. However, it doesn’t emulate the analog tube characteristics of the analog units, making it an excellent choice for smoothing out dynamic performances with transparency.
The White 2A Leveling Amplifier is also available as part of their T-RackS 5 Deluxe and T-RackS 5 MAX.
IK Multimedia White 2A – Drums
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drums_6.wavIK Multimedia White 2A – Bass
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bass_6.wavIK Multimedia White 2A – Vocals
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vocals_6.wavHonorary Mentions
These are just five of our favorite LA-2A emulations — there are dozens available, each with their own sound.
McDSP’s 6030 Ultimate Compressor features two modules modeled after the LA-2A: the Opto-C and the Opto-L, modeled after the compression and limiting characteristics of the original unit.
Waves offer a spot-on emulation with their CLA-2A, with optional analog noise.
Cakewalk also offers a meticulously modeled emulation with a variable high-pass filter called the CA-2A.
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And the best part is, most of the plugins on this list offer free trials, so you can try them out for yourself!