Some LA-4 Love

[mappee]

LA-4's are unheralded but I realize I get plenty of use from them. They don't turn heads like distressor, 1176's, and the big old tube units do, but I use them without hesitation. Very easy to dial up a sound and place in mix and they are quiet.
I imagine the one trick pony label is affixed these unsung workhorses. They don't have user release time, but on things like guitars(acc/elec), keyboard, and backup vox, I rarely complain, and in fact rather enjoy the smooth forward sound they achieve.
Never modded and never felt need. What's not to like?
Some quiet love and admiration for UREI's LA-4.
Anyone else?

[NLC]

Yes, I also like my la4, unmodded with no complaints. It doesn't work for everything, but sometimes it's just the right thing. I use it on guitars, vocals and the occasional snare drum. I also like my valley people dynamite and my dbx 160x's. I have more expensive compressors, but there is nothing wrong with any of these. It's just about the right tool for the right job.

[Crash]

I have one that I have the upgraded op amps in. It was a cheap drop in that keeps it from getting darker as it compresses harder, which I recall was the biggest complaint of this box. I like 'em and I use it on vox quite a bit these days. Here is a tune I mixed with it on lead vox just for the sake of keeping up my end of the conversation.

http://soundcloud.com/miximusmaximus/im-walking

[mappee]

Crash... gritty gal, like open/airy mix. I'll share with you.
LA-4's acoustic guitar recorded in stereo on this new mappee original.
http://soundcloud.com/mappee/the-last-sunset-12-9

[Ward Pike]

Well I'm glad some of you have found uses for your LA4s. Mine just sit there in one of the racks, taking up space... Lord knows I've tried.

[Crash]

Originally Posted by mappee

Crash... gritty gal, like open/airy mix. I'll share with you.
LA-4's acoustic guitar recorded in stereo on this new mappee original.

I wish I had two of them so I could use them on stereo things. Unfortunately, I only have the one. I never thought of trying it on guitar, though I have other boxes and I lack the stereo capabilities as I have stated.. Thanks for sharing, sounds good.

Ward Pike, have you tried putting in the burr brown op amps? It is a cheap drop in mod, no soldering required or anything.

[DaveE]

I like mine. Not the most flexible piece, but its good on guitar, bass, keys. The threshold knob is a little too sensitive. Sometimes moving it a hair can make it jump 1-2 db of reduction.

[Sean Sullivan]

I helped install a B room at a studio recently and they have a pair. I'd never used them before so I pulled up a session and tried them on a bunch of things and I liked them just kissing the snare drum...helped smooth it out without sending chocked.

Didn't suck on bass either.

[princeplanet]

we use em on toms...

[jensenmann]

I´ve been using my LA4s only little. Sometimes it worked great but very often it didn´t. So I decided to mod one and heck, instantly fell in love with it. No question, I reworked the second one, too, and since then they are in frequent use.

[Karloff70]

Who's idea was this then.....what if my blackface one wants a brother one day...? Are you all (bar Ward Pike) set on making that an expensive experience when the day comes or what?

[Ward Pike]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

Who's idea was this then.....what if my blackface one wants a brother one day...? Are you all (bar Ward Pike) set on making that an expensive experience when the day comes or what?

I have a blackface brother to yours. What might you want to swap?

[a2dpapi]

I have owned black face models and liked them on taming guitars. PM me if you are looking to get rid of yours.

[RedWallStudio]

I have a pair that I use on acoustic guitar. They are a one trick pony but they do the trick well.. don't think I've turned the knobs on them in a decade. I've tried other comps out of boredom, but always go back to the unmodded Silverface.

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

I have a blackface brother to yours. What might you want to swap?

If I had something worthwhile to suggest for a swap I'd be game, not much of use that can leave though.......