[JMc]

I was searching for some threads on mods/tweaks for the LA-2A and I ran across a post where someone described the LA-2A as creating "smooth and gooey vocals". I recently purchased a two-year old re-issue LA-2A and while I sort of like it, the sound is not at all what I would describe as "smooth and gooey". More like crunchy bordering on strident. The mid highs and highs seem overly accentuated to me, which leads me to wonder if something is wrong with this unit and perhaps I should send it in for calibration and/or servicing. From what I've read, if anything, this thing is supposed to do just the opposite and squash the high end a little.

Maybe I'm using it incorrectly. I've got it coming after a Requisite PAL Plus Mk3, which is a super clean sounding pre. I'm not overdriving the gain or output on that one at all. The LA-2A is set for compression, not limiting, and the makeup gain is set ar around 38 while the peak reduction is right around 32. I'm looking for fairly aggressive compression on the vocal, but the way my vocals are losing presence and body in exchange for cutting-through, airy crunch is sort of bugging me. For certain things, it works. Can someone with experience using these things advise me on what I might be doing wrong? I can post audio samples if required. Thanks.