LA-2A Clone

[Digibear]

So I had been asking about clones of LA-2A in 500 series. It seems there isn't any. After looking into the guts of an LA-2A, I can see why!

So if we're talking about 19" rack gear, who makes a great facsimile of the LA-2A (besides UA, of course)?

[soundeq]

If you wanna build your own there's a guy Drip electronics
******//www.dripelectronics.com/

I own the LA2A rev2 pcb, but haven't had the time to build it...
There's a kit that someone put out a while ago Bloo La2a they don't make anymore...

I have heard neither... I love original LA2a's but I find they are so inconsistent from place to place I depend on the CL1B as my main go to vox compressor.

[OhioGreg]

Not specifically a clone, though it sounds very similar:
OC-6 from Qes labs.
It's my fav for vox and bass.

[EPrecording]

I suspect if you want a la2a you are going to need to buy an la2a. Kind of like asking who makes a mercedes benz... other than mercedes benz.


Pieces of kit that lean in the same direction...

ADL1000.
Skibbe Red Stripe.

[Steve Honest]

HIya
am I right in thinking , that the Manley ELOP is very similar to an LA2?
steve

[tapehiss]

The new LA-2A is a little "clearer" than the elder options...

However, there are a couple clone manufacturers (much cheaper than new UA version)....

Regular John
Regular John Recording - Raleigh, NC

Such as the Skibbe Red Stripe
» Red Stripe 5-9c

A decent looking cheaper option is the Chameleon Labs 7802, stereo unit.

[toolz]

Bloo La2a all the way :-) Another good look is the Requisite PAL Plus, it's an La2a (with t4b and cinemag transformers) and also a mic pre as a bonus:

******//cgi.ebay.co.uk/Requisite-PAL-...#ht_502wt_1054

[YRLK]

+2 for Bloo if you can find one.

[theother]

Originally Posted by Digibear

So I had been asking about clones of LA-2A in 500 series. It seems there isn't any. After looking into the guts of an LA-2A, I can see why!

So if we're talking about 19" rack gear, who makes a great facsimile of the LA-2A (besides UA, of course)?

No way can you fit a proper LA2a into the 500 format. The power supply is also not sufficient.

Also one of the big oversights is that 90% of the sound of a real LA2 comes from the old transformers. Same as with the Pultec. You can built as many clones as you like but without the original transformers it will never sound like the real thing.

[latestflavor]

but hey, it didn't stop some unknown guy from claiming he made a 1073 in 500 series format, which of course it isn't, but the sheep think they want one so give 'em what they want to believe.

so just make a comp in 500 series format and call an la2a clone, no one will know the difference 'round these parts.

[Marcocet]

Originally Posted by latestflavor

but hey, it didn't stop some unknown guy from claiming he made a 1073 in 500 series format, which of course it isn't, but the sheep think they want one so give 'em what they want to believe.

so just make a comp in 500 series format and call an la2a clone, no one will know the difference 'round these parts.

Why do people seem to think it's impossible? Mind you, he made a 1290 (which is just the pre from a 1073) not a 1073, but if AMS neve can call the 1073 dps a 1073 I don't see why a 500 series 1290 can't be called one. Plus I don't think he called it a whole 1073. Just the pre from a 1073.

The only component that's impossible to fit is the output transformer, but it's a clone so a resized transformer with similar specs should be more than acceptable. The argument that the power rails aren't there is ridiculous. +/- 16 is MORE range than an original 1073 uses, not less.

[jmikeperkins]

I really like my Anthony Demaria CL 1500 which is a stereo LA-2A clone. Its my absolute favorite compressor for tracking vocals because its so SMOOTH and transparent. You never hear it pumping or producing the kind of artifacts that even a good VCA based compressor will do. There is also a mono version, but the stero version is a better value and saves rack space. Real LA-2A's, vintage and reissues, are cool but I think they are overpriced and a stereo pair takes up huge amounts of rack space.

[latestflavor]

Marcocet you are correct a 1290 is not a 1073, no matter who makes it.

If they happen to buy the brand name it doesn't make it any more ridiculous. As far as I know it's still the same sheep buying both.

How we get from a not quite a 1290 to a 1073 still makes me roll the eyes. The eq circuit is not coincidental.

[ray_subsonic]

There we go now, back to class

[jmikeperkins]

Any compressor built around a T4 optical photo cell would be considered an LA-2A clone and there are a number of them both tube and solid state. I told my love story with the Anthony Demaria CL 1500, does anyone have experience with the Manley ELOP or their solid state Langevin ELOP? Tube Tech makes a number of these units, the CL-1B being their most famous? How do those compare? There are software emulations too, has anyone tried those?

[latestflavor]

If you want an LA2A get the current one.

i always theorized that since UA has an la2a in current production and it isn't that expensive, that there really any money in companies chasing that design. total speculation on my part though, but of course it makes sense to me .

if you are looking for just great sounding units, sure the CL1B, ELOP are awesome and you will probably never regret them. They are both kind of pricey, but they are different than LA2As. also look at Fearn. Buzz, Pendulum, there are a lot of great optical tube comps.

what are you using it for?

Originally Posted by jmikeperkins

Any compressor built around a T4 optical photo cell would be considered an LA-2A clone

so an la3a is an la2a clone? i guess it originally it was! people were sick of pulling tubes back then i guess, it was horse and buggy. though the T4 is only a detector, so i guess you could make an RNC with a t4 but i wouldn't exactly consider it an la2a clone.

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by soundeq

If you wanna build your own there's a guy Drip electronics
Drip Electronics

I own the LA2A rev2 pcb, but haven't had the time to build it...
There's a kit that someone put out a while ago Bloo La2a they don't make anymore...

I have heard neither... I love original LA2a's but I find they are so inconsistent from place to place I depend on the CL1B as my main go to vox compressor.

You always freak me out with your avatar... I'm like I don't remember posting on this topic?

Also, FWIW to the OP, I've built 4 of the Drip clone LA2A boards and they sound fantastic... a very faithful recreation of the original.

[tapehiss]

Originally Posted by latestflavor

If they happen to buy the brand name it doesn't make it any more ridiculous. As far as I know it's still the same sheep buying both.

Bargain hunters maybe....... but not sheep.

So to not be a sheep (by your definition) one must basically stay away from both the name brand and the clone?

An aside: I know this isn't an LA2A or anything like it, but JLM managed to create a variable-mu with two tubes and transformers and opamps in a double 500 space.

[mexicola]

Originally Posted by EPrecording

I suspect if you want a la2a you are going to need to buy an la2a. Kind of like asking who makes a mercedes benz... other than mercedes benz.

Originally Posted by latestflavor

but hey, it didn't stop some unknown guy from claiming he made a 1073 in 500 series format, which of course it isn't, but the sheep think they want one so give 'em what they want to believe.

so just make a comp in 500 series format and call an la2a clone, no one will know the difference 'round these parts.

Comments like this make me laugh. In my opinion, it's the sheep that think only a specific company can make a specific piece of gear. These companies don't have special magic components that only they have access to.

Besides, whose to say that UA's LA2A is the best LA2A? Personally, I think UA's LA2A is not the best it could be - carbon comp resistors and ceramic caps in the audio path? No thanks! I'll take metal film resistors and orange drop film caps in my LA2A clone any day over UA's supposed "magic".

[ray_subsonic]

Bitchslapped

Dustin .. I been perving at your handywork .. Noice

[reflexbc]

(Original post):

Originally Posted by Digibear

So I had been asking about clones of LA-2A in 500 series. It seems there isn't any. After looking into the guts of an LA-2A, I can see why!

However, if this is true:

Originally Posted by jmikeperkins

Any compressor built around a T4 optical photo cell would be considered an LA-2A clone...

Then here are some examples of optical compressors in the 500 series:

Pendulum OCL-500 500 Series Compressor/Limiter | VintageKing.com

Shadow Hills Optograph 500 Single Channel Optical Compressor | VintageKing.com

Buzz Audio Essence True Class A Optical Compressor designed to fit the API 500 VPR Series rack frames | VintageKing.com

Just sayin', if you want that sound, it can be had in 500 series format. Maybe none of these sound exactly like an LA-2A, but they probably don't sound bad either!

Of course, if you're a total purist type, you will say "only an LA-2A will do!" (although I agree with an earlier poster that the new mass-produced units probably have quite a few inferior parts in them, and are they really worth $3K?)

[EPrecording]

Originally Posted by mexicola

Comments like this make me laugh. In my opinion, it's the sheep that think only a specific company can make a specific piece of gear. These companies don't have special magic components that only they have access to.

Besides, whose to say that UA's LA2A is the best LA2A? Personally, I think UA's LA2A is not the best it could be - carbon comp resistors and ceramic caps in the audio path? No thanks! I'll take metal film resistors and orange drop film caps in my LA2A clone any day over UA's supposed "magic".

Oh gee. In my opinion your comments just make out that you want to be one of the sheep more than anything.

My point was simply that you cant get anymore "La2a" than a real La2a. Who knows what has attracted the original user to it! Your claim is like me sayings I do a better "mexicola" than mexicola does...

Nothing can be more like the original than the original.

[tapehiss]

Originally Posted by EPrecording

Oh gee. In my opinion your comments just make out that you want to be one of the sheep more than anything.

My point was simply that you cant get anymore "La2a" than a real La2a. Who knows what has attracted the original user to it! Your claim is like me sayings I do a better "mexicola" than mexicola does...

Nothing can be more like the original than the original.

So you can't get more LA2A than an LA2A?..... That makes sense... So which LA2A is this????? Which one is "real"?.... The one that says UA LA2A on the faceplate, or a clone that is more true to the original schematics, but doesn't say "LA2A" on the faceplate???

Is it the new UA version, which sounds the most different than any of the revisions IMO? There's a nice 80's version..... And then there's the holy grail (and probably several revisions I have no idea about)..... I tried one recently and ended up getting a STA.... the UA just didn't sound like the earlier vintage I had tried and loved.

If you are referring to an original, we should all be so lucky as to have $5K to spend on one...

and from two posters standards.... if you don't spring for the "original" you'll be a sheep... so you better come up with $5K.

[EPrecording]

Originally Posted by tapehiss

So you can't get more LA2A than an LA2A?..... That makes sense... So which LA2A is this????? Which one is "real"?.... The one that says UA LA2A on the faceplate, or a clone that is more true to the original schematics, but doesn't say "LA2A" on the faceplate???

Is it the new UA version, which sounds the most different than any of the revisions IMO? There's a nice 80's version..... And then there's the holy grail (and probably several revisions I have no idea about)..... I tried one recently and ended up getting a STA.... the UA just didn't sound like the earlier vintage I had tried and loved.

If you are referring to an original, we should all be so lucky as to have $5K to spend on one...

and from two posters standards.... if you don't spring for the "original" you'll be a sheep... so you better come up with $5K.

That is a question you are going to have to ask the original poster. If he has his eyes and ears set on something in particular... why not go after it?

[mexicola]

Originally Posted by EPrecording

Oh gee. In my opinion your comments just make out that you want to be one of the sheep more than anything.

My point was simply that you cant get anymore "La2a" than a real La2a. Who knows what has attracted the original user to it! Your claim is like me sayings I do a better "mexicola" than mexicola does...

Nothing can be more like the original than the original.

Need I remind you that UA did not design the LA2A...they acquired the rights to the circuit when Bill Putnam's Studio Electronics Corporation took over Babcock Electronics (the owners of Teletronix) in the late 60's.

So by your standards, all UA LA2A's are not real LA2A's, since they were essentially cloning something originally made by Teletronix for about 4 years before they were ever made by UA.
Also, the "UA Classics" line (LA2A, LA3A, and 1176) are reproductions of earlier circuit revisions of those respective pieces that have been out of production for many many years. So technically, if you're buying a new UA LA2A, you're still buying a clone.

Also, the LA2A is a circuit as specified by a schematic. It is not a grouping of specific brands of components put together by a specific company. BTW, all of the specific components and brands of those components that are in the UA LA2A are available for purchase by anyone.

And the LA2A circuit is so old at this point that no one owns it anymore, it has passed into the public domain. The only thing that UA still owns is the faceplate design, and the right to put the UA logo on said faceplate.

Oh Gee, if you knew anything about anything you'd know that there's no such thing as a newly made "real LA2A" anymore. They're all clones, even the UA version.

BTW, which one of these circuit revisions is your "real LA2A"?
[IMG]******//i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/jaymzcrane/la2arevisions.jpg[/IMG]

[Digibear]

Hi Gang,

As the OP, let me clarify a few things. First, I really appreciate the input. I've learned quite a bit already. The things that draw me to the LA-2A are the sound and the simplicity of use. There is something magical about what they do, and I believe that's why they have stood the test of time. That said, I am not wed to the original brand, just the performance. I wouldn't have asked the question if I believed that the desired effect could only be gotten from a UA box or a vintage piece.

Also, let me ask that we continue this conversation on a pleasant and professionally support note. I perceive that a bit of the GS acrimony has surfaced that I think we could do without. Thanks.

[EPrecording]

Originally Posted by mexicola

Need I remind you that UA did not design the LA2A...they acquired the rights to the circuit when Bill Putnam's Studio Electronics Corporation took over Babcock Electronics (the owners of Teletronix) in the late 60's.

So by your standards, all UA LA2A's are not real LA2A's, since they were essentially cloning something originally made by Teletronix for about 4 years before they were ever made by UA.
Also, the "UA Classics" line (LA2A, LA3A, and 1176) are reproductions of earlier circuit revisions of those respective pieces that have been out of production for many many years. So technically, if you're buying a new UA LA2A, you're still buying a clone.

Also, the LA2A is a circuit as specified by a schematic. It is not a grouping of specific brands of components put together by a specific company. BTW, all of the specific components and brands of those components that are in the UA LA2A are available for purchase by anyone.

And the LA2A circuit is so old at this point that no one owns it anymore, it has passed into the public domain. The only thing that UA still owns is the faceplate design, and the right to put the UA logo on said faceplate.

Oh Gee, if you knew anything about anything you'd know that there's no such thing as a newly made "real LA2A" anymore. They're all clones, even the UA version.

BTW, which one of these circuit revisions is your "real LA2A"?
[IMG]******//i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/jaymzcrane/la2arevisions.jpg[/IMG]

Oh Geeze.

I am entirely familiar with the history of the La2a. You have entirely taken my post out of context (not surprisingly as you are listed in this thread as making clones).

My point was about the desire for gear in relation to purchasing something. Having myself made several purchases where I was suggested something "just as good", only to buy it... realise it isn't entirely what I wanted... selling it for a loss... only to end up purchasing what I original intended.

So by my standards, you are just another arrogant manufacturer trying to start an argument on the internet. My post isn't 'promoting' anything other a gentle reminder for the original poster to give the purchase some hard thought, based on purchase mistakes that everyone makes now and then.


dfegad

[mexicola]

Originally Posted by EPrecording

So by my standards, you are just another arrogant manufacturer trying to start an argument on the internet.

Glad to see you make assumptions about people without knowing them.

Sorry to hear you got burned on some gear, but your experience is not universal. Whenever you buy something you need to research, research, research...rather than just take someone's word that it's "just as good". An understanding of circuitry is an invaluable tool in evaluating the worth of a piece of gear. I always encourage engineers to gain at least a minimal understanding of how audio circuitry works. It's really the only way to know what you're buying.

I didn't start any arguments. I got called a "sheep" for stating my opinion, and then merely pointed out the basis for my point of view (maybe a little defensively). But I still stick to my opinion that the UA LA2A is not the best that the LA2A circuit can be. And that opinion comes from many hours of use, as well as an extensive understanding of the circuit itself. But that's just my opinion. If you disagree, that's fine, just don't offensively fling insults around because your opinion differs.

I'd like to respect the OP's request to keep this discussion civil.

[Jeff D.]

The Manley ELOP is based on a Vactrol element (LED optical) and has little resemblance to the LA2A sound or response.

It's a great compressor in it's own right, and I like it better on the mix buss than on a vocal.

[Turdadactyl]

Originally Posted by OhioGreg

Not specifically a clone, though it sounds very similar:
OC-6 from Qes labs.
It's my fav for vox and bass.

I'm totally digging the sound clips on their website. How much is the OC6?