Tracks recorded with LA2A and LA3A

[Docmattic]

Since theres another thread like this, i thought it would be worth a shot.

Has anyone got any tracks where either of these compressors were used on vocals?

[edit]
User 'Led' suggested i postan audio clip so people can put it through their la2a or la3a's to hear the difference between modules and so i can hear what it sounds like. the file is on an attachment further down the page, or the link is here

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attac...-la3a-test.wav

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by Docmattic

Since theres another thread like this, i thought it would be worth a shot.

Has anyone got any tracks where either of these compressors were used on vocals?

I've got tracks done through an ADL LA2A copy and and UA LA2A "reissue". I'll try to figure out/remember what commercial stuff I've done that you could find easily on Myspace or iTunes, if that'd help you.

No LA3A stuff, though.

[Docmattic]

cheers grotto, that would be great

How would you describe the la2a? I havnt really been able to find a description of its sound.

[Bob Olhsson]

LA-3as were probably on the vocals of virtually every hit record out of Los Angeles between 1970 and 1980.

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by Docmattic

cheers grotto, that would be great

How would you describe the la2a? I havnt really been able to find a description of its sound.

"Pillowy" is a good word, particularly with older units. I've had much better luck using either very subtle (a dB or two of reduction) or very extreme (20-30dB reduction) on the reissue units. I also tend to drive their output quite a bit.

The ADL unit is really nice. Smooth, transparent, but has some weird headroom issues. Sorta takes some getting used to, especially when tracking.

[Docmattic]

cheers bob, i'll try find some stuff.

grotto:
Pillowy in a good way or bad?

[bgrotto]

LA3s haven't really done it for me on vocals other than on rock stuff. They've got a really cool midrange aggressiveness that adds some cool bite to stuff. Love em on guitars. Too much for R&B purposes, IMO, and they're too slow for my tastes when it comes to rap.

[Docmattic]

Originally Posted by bgrotto

LA3s haven't really done it for me on vocals other than on rock stuff. They've got a really cool midrange aggressiveness that adds some cool bite to stuff. Love em on guitars. Too much for R&B purposes, IMO, and they're too slow for my tastes when it comes to rap.

cheers,

[Stitch333]

Love the La2a's. I've only had a chance to use originals...and only a few at that...
One thing to keep in mind with La2a's is that the originals all sound relatively different for a variety of reasons.
I haven't tried the reissue, but I'm building a dual La2a now which I imagine will sound fairly close.
with those big transformer driven input and output, you can just pass signal through and it will come out sounding bigger on the other side.

I've used La3a's to mix rap and they are cool and worked for me on BV's bus. But between the 2a and 3a for vocals, I'd pick the 2a 9 times out of 10 for tracking vocals. But I'd be more likely to strap an La3a in on the vocal mix...both are fairly slow compressors tho

[Docmattic]

Thanks stitch, It sounds like it will be worth it. Its not going to be the real thing. it will be a clonce made by jlm audio. ha has a the option for both so i thought id figure it out. La2a it is.

[Led]

They all sound different depending on the age of the opto cell, the input tranny type and also the components inside. When I got my old La2a there was one capacitor someone had replaced with a crappy make. My tech replaced it and it sounded totally different, so with older models you never know what has been changed on them from stock.
Why don't you put up a vocal file and we can all run them through ours at the same gain reduction (like 5dB or something ) and upload them. It would be an interesting exercise, because my 2 vintage LA3A's sound different and they are only a few years apart. Obviously gain staging would play a part in the sound also...

[Docmattic]

Originally Posted by Led

They all sound different depending on the age of the opto cell, the input tranny type and also the components inside. When I got my old La2a there was one capacitor someone had replaced with a crappy make. My tech replaced it and it sounded totally different, so with older models you never know what has been changed on them from stock.
Why don't you put up a vocal file and we can all run them through ours at the same gain reduction (like 5dB or something ) and upload them. It would be an interesting exercise, because my 2 vintage LA3A's sound different and they are only a few years apart. Obviously gain staging would play a part in the sound also...

edit: Here is a raw wave vocal file to run through the la2a or la3a or compressor of choice. The chain has been Sm7b>JLM ba2> ROland mmp-2 (used for its convertors, everything else is bypassed) >pc.

[nukmusic]

Originally Posted by Docmattic

edit: Here is a raw wave vocal file to run through the la2a or la3a or compressor of choice. The chain has been Sm7b>JLM ba2> ROland mmp-2 (used for its convertors, everything else is bypassed) >pc.

you might need to post the takes with and without the LA2A so folks that are interested can hear the differences.

[Docmattic]

yeh man, that file has no compression

[WildCowboys]

an LA2A kind of takes the initial transient off, makes voices sound fatter and bigger but not in your face. the la3a takes the transients and puts them right up in front of your face. both are slow comps by design. those work best paired with a fast design like an 1176. like 1176 first to take away peaks and then an la2a or la3a for character. when talking about rap, thin voices (most white rappers) benefit from the thickening of an la2a, most fuller voices (many black guys) can benefit more from the la3a imho.

Rock,
Pat

[Docmattic]

Originally Posted by WildCowboys

an LA2A kind of takes the initial transient off, makes voices sound fatter and bigger but not in your face. the la3a takes the transients and puts them right up in front of your face. both are slow comps by design. those work best paired with a fast design like an 1176. like 1176 first to take away peaks and then an la2a or la3a for character. when talking about rap, thin voices (most white rappers) benefit from the thickening of an la2a, most fuller voices (many black guys) can benefit more from the la3a imho.

Rock,
Pat

sounds like the la2a is for me then. That was a very clear responce.

[Led]

Ok, here's the same file through my LA2A (1970's Urei Branded)
and both LA3A's (originals not reissues). The LA3A both have NOS opto cells in them that have only had about 30 hours work so far.
File length is exactly the same as original and they are all normalized to - 5dbFS. Total peak reduction is 5dB at the loudest peaks.
Doc you should be able to import them into your track at the same place as the original for a listen.
Cheers.

[Docmattic]

Originally Posted by Led

Ok, here's the same file through my LA2A (1970's Urei Branded)
and both LA3A's (originals not reissues). The LA3A both have NOS opto cells in them that have only had about 30 hours work so far.
File length is exactly the same as original and they are all normalized to - 5dbFS. Total peak reduction is 5dB at the loudest peaks.
Doc you should be able to import them into your track at the same place as the original for a listen.
Cheers.

Thats awsome! i cant wait to get home and put these through my monitors. much appreciated led.

[WildCowboys]

Originally Posted by Led

Ok, here's the same file through my LA2A (1970's Urei Branded)
and both LA3A's (originals not reissues). The LA3A both have NOS opto cells in them that have only had about 30 hours work so far.
File length is exactly the same as original and they are all normalized to - 5dbFS. Total peak reduction is 5dB at the loudest peaks.
Doc you should be able to import them into your track at the same place as the original for a listen.
Cheers.

Wow that´s wonderful, thanks for doing such work and taking the time to post it here.
However I would also like to note that I personally like to use the LA3A in a "slam it" setting opposed to a 5dB GR setting. I use a 1176 UAD plugin or FATSO tracking comp (which is a 1176 emulation) to take off the peaks and then slam the LA3A with at least 10dB GR. The interesting thing about the LA3A is that above 10dB GR it acts as a limiter while the first 10dB have a more compressor like ratio (that´s what it says in the manual). I did a comparison on vocals a while ago, if I can find the samples I will post them...

Rock on!
Pat

[Docmattic]

OUt of all of them i like the la3a-serial2635 the most. It beefs it up a bit like the la2a but lets just a touch of midrange aggressiveness through (best i can describe it) THen comes the la2a. I liked the over all beefyness. The last la3a i thought sounded not so beefy, but was more midrange aggressive than either of the other 2. If anyone else thinks otherwise im happy to discuss :)

Joe malone described his diy compressor as mostly like the la2a with a touch of 3a sound to it im pretty sure. looks like im in luck.

Thankyou Led for going to all the trouble to do that test. It is very much appreciated.

[Led]

Hi, no worries....you'll definatley hear more of their sounds at 10dB reduction, but on a cold vocal it sounded pretty hardcore . 1176 shaving peaks before it would help out...
I liked the LA2A sonically but on that particular style vocal (fast percussive) the recovery on the LA2A was too slow for my liking. It could just be that it has a 30 year old opto cell in it so it's a bit slower than the 3A's. Joe Malone makes great gear, I'd love to hear his comp....