La2a Hardware vs UAD LA2a Software - Part Deux!

[norman_nomad]

B samples

[norman_nomad]

originals

[baybud]

ooo crap. I accidently voted A= hardware.

I think hardware is actually b

[sleepwalker]

B sounds much better. The transients also seem to decay slower in B. I've got the 2-1176 at home, I should compare it to the UAD 1176 sometime.

[TheGetDown]

Honestly, it's hard to say with these mp3s. the two do sound slightly different, especially the pumping of the lows, but I couldn't call one 'better' than the other from these samples.

[FossilTooth]

This is gonna be fun to watch! As it stands, the vote is split nearly 50/50.

I already voted.... but since I insinuated that I'm damn certain I can get this right, I don't want to post my answer and slant anyone's vote one way or the other. (However, I PM'd Norman the correct answer, so he can testify that I got it right if the need arises.)

In addition to letting folks get to know the differences, Norman's A/B threads have been a fun way to get inside the heads of different Gearslutz. It's a great psychological experiment and survey of tastes.

Originally Posted by sleepwalker

I've got the 2-1176 at home, I should compare it to the UAD 1176 sometime.

True, you should. Things are always much easier it is to test things when other people set it up for us.

There's actually a 2-1176 vs UAD 1176 sample in part 1 of this thread.

[seppa]

I vote A for being the hardware:

I would swear by the Ka drum that A is the hardware because of the slight overdrive I can hear.

As for the rock mix I can hear the compression being tighter on B. A being more silky, in this case I prefer B cause it just works so well. so in this case with less conviction I still choose A as the hardware.

I'm completly unable to have an opinion on the acoustic mix and the acoustic guitar. Simply cause I don't feel much flavour on both. its straigh compression. they don't sound exactly the same.....but cant decide which is which...

So there it is I would be quite please to be wrong cause I have so much prejudice towards plugin. I'm really fed up with them although I agree in some case there are better for the task. I'm mainly a digital guy and I really love the sound of analog hardware.

I've got the 2-1176 at home, I should compare it to the UAD 1176 sometime.

Great, I'd love that.... really looking foward to it!

[Blast9]

Now we're all in danger of losing nuts left right and centre... They're too close to call!

Based on listening to KA drums, I'd say A is hardware based on the overdriven kick drum at the start, and the "thump factor" of the kick generally.

The character of pumping on the hats and cymbal decay is really similar

But really, this is all academic as they sound very similar (both sound great --- the tone reminds me of Mute Math drums)

[The Listener]

I made it even harder for myself - I listenen only to acoustic mix - immediate impression - A is HW...
Has more of that "inaudible" "mojo" that I attribute to HW... It brings more sibilance out in softer passages (not so good) - but also keeps more transients - the thing is more open and more "agressive" in a still good way... B is softer the way I don't like in UAD LA-2A... The most obvious it is when things get loud - A remains open and "magical" in choruses - I actually enjoyed the song, while in B I kept listening to how the compressor closes the loud part and how should I make it stay open and emotional - the way I keep thinking that when I mix with UAD ITB...

best

P.S. I am still saving for my HW LA-2A... or shouldn't I (cause I'm wrong this time)?

[Blast9]

Lovin' it! 50/50 neck and neck (or nut and nut)

[jackdrummer]

to me A is the hardware......but in this kind of threads I find that my ears are not good at all!!!

[Slaytex]

I bet my nuts back that "A" is hardware. I hear harmonics in "A", but "B" sounds like it's trying to hard to be analog if you ask me. I prefer the sound of "B" for some things but It isn't hardware.

I agree with FossilTooth that this will be an interesting study on how we percieve things.

[joho]

A is hardware

B is software

something about the front-to-back depth (headroom). Easy to listen to on smaller speakers (laptops etc.)

[joho]

yeah listenend to other samples to - A is def hardware.

[dmb10]

A sounds better. On everything.

[living sounds]

A is hardware.

[imdrecordings]

We have the 1176 and this LA2A test going on, over at the UAD forum.
Check out the 1176LN - (2-1176 hardware) comparison test. It's a killer.
UAD Forums :: View topic - 1176 Challenge


Here is the LA2A thread over at the UA forum. It's 50/50 over there.
I voted "B"
UAD Forums :: View topic - LA2A Hardware VS Software - Take Two!

[lukejs]

I heard a thicker sounding bass drum in A , and the cymbals being less clear, made me think it was the hardware unit, since it had to pass through an ADDA conversion losing clarity. The B sample was clearer, but the bass drum didn´t have as much mojo... a bit thinner sound. But they were very close..... If I´m wrong..... I´d be very surprised because I don´t know how passing through ADDA conversion could make a sound clearer...unless the hardare la2a works some type of analoge magic on the signal........ OK.... which is which ????

[dizzy dog]

Originally Posted by Slaytex

I bet my nuts back that "A" is hardware. I hear harmonics in "A", but "B" sounds like it's trying to hard to be analog if you ask me. I prefer the sound of "B" for some things but It isn't hardware.

I agree with FossilTooth that this will be an interesting study on how we percieve things.

I also bet Slaytex's nuts that "A" is hardware
If we are wrong, ask Universal Audio for a "nuts" plugin
... well, for certain things maybe HARDware is better

[imdrecordings]

Originally Posted by Slaytex

I bet my nuts back that "A" is hardware.

I'll bet you 1 dollar Paypal, you're wrong.
It's almost impossible to tell on the single instruments. When listening to the (A/B Mixes) you can clearly hear the accentuated ESsssses in "A". This is a tell tail sign of the UAD plug. Listen again.

[Slaytex]

Originally Posted by imdrecordings

I'll bet you 1 dollar Paypal, you're wrong.
It's almost impossible to tell on the single instruments. When listening to the (A/B Mixes) you can clearly hear the accentuated ESsssses in "A". This is a tell tail sign of the UAD plug. Listen again.

Sorry, I gotta stick to my guns and say "A" is hardware!

I've never heard any UAD stuff so I can't compare it to that. I can only compare it to other cool outboard compressors. I find this test easier than the last, because it is used in a pleasing way instead of a hard overdiven into distortion way. Again I feel that "B" is used completely different than "A" and it's setup to try and sound analog when it's not. But both sound great I admit.

[Alex Niedt]

Listening on laptop speakers again, and I prefer B, which I'm guessing is software. In the last test, I preferred the software, but guessed it was hardware simply b/c of the constant hardware praise my brain is fed on this site...

I sure would have a laugh if I was wrong this time, too.

[ToneCre8]

I have to say with 100% confidence that "B" is hardware!





But a part of me will feel great about being wrong . Love these tests!!

[dizzy dog]

I think Acoustic Mix A is better than B; the other samples sound very similar, except for the Electric Guitar attack (in B there is a clipping).

[imdrecordings]

Originally Posted by Slaytex

Sorry, I gotta stick to my guns and say "A" is hardware!

I've never heard any UAD stuff so I can't compare it to that. I can only compare it to other cool outboard compressors. I find this test easier than the last, because it is used in a pleasing way instead of a hard overdriven into distortion way. Again I feel that "B" is used completely different than "A" and it's setup to try and sound analog when it's not. But both sound great I admit.

I respect that. I was just having fun. In fact I liked A the best for the drums, but B seems like hardware. (just listen to the way the cymbals decay in B, let alone the esssssing in the songs, from A)
I've used the LA2A plug for a while and know it's short comings. That's how I based my decision. I guess I have you at a disadvantage. Can't wait for the result's.

Again I feel that "B" is used completely different than "A" and it's setup to try and sound analog when it's not.

hmmm.. Stop and think about that. The LA2A only has 2 knobs... I wonder how you could set it up to be more analog?

[hurd300403]

ahhh! not another one of these!

i shall vote when i get back home.... fun fun

[Slaytex]

Originally Posted by imdrecordings

hmmm.. Stop and think about that. The LA2A only has 2 knobs... I wonder how you could set it up to be more analog?

True, but I do know that using the exact same settings (input and output) will yield different results from both software and hardware. I feel it is best to just use your ears and not your eyes when trying to mimic a hardware piece. I just think that the software one is pushed harder on the input which in return gives it more saturation. From my experience software compression is cleaner at high compression settings than hardware hence my opinion.

Thanks.

[thermos]

I like a better.

[Slaytex]

So........



















I think today is going to be a great day for my nuts!