LA3a Hardware vs UAD-1

Beyersound · 22nd February 2008

To continue the comparisons, how do you rate the plugin LA3a against the hardware version? Please feel free to share your general opinions of the LA3a and even your favorite uses for it. Thanks

baikonour · 22nd February 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beyersound

To continue the comparisons, how do you rate the plugin LA3a against the hardware version? Please feel free to share your general opinions of the LA3a and even your favorite uses for it. Thanks

I haven't compared them but the UAD LA3A is now my "go to" compressor for electric bass.

Beyersound · 22nd February 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by baikonour

I haven't compared them but the UAD LA3A is now my "go to" compressor for electric bass.

My go to on bass also. Same on kick, just not as much squash.

Led · 22nd February 2008

I have a pair of original LA3A's that I mainly use for the electric guitar buss. I've got UAD cards, and the LA3A on there is good. It doesn't saturate the way the hardware does, and you get a bit more bite out of the hardware. The plugin is pretty good though. I've used it when one of mine was getting repaired. The LA3a is pretty good on a rock vocal too. One thing you can't do with the plugin that you can wiith the hardware is use it as a mic pre for a dynamic. Good on amps and sometimes on toms.

FatStudio · 19th May 2008

I have the hardware and the plug in.

They sound sort of close ,but the attack on the hardware has more punch.
I do like the plug for some stuff ,Its cleaner ,but the hardware has a lot more magic.

Before I had them side by side they did sound the same but in an A/B test you can definitely hear the deference .

Hardware-Bass ,Vocal ,cool Drum room pump.
Plug in - Piano ,vocal ,E.Guitar buss.

Mr.HOLMES · 19th May 2008

Maybe this helps too.
I have compared the 1176 with the Plug In.

Yes the hardware ads more grip I would say .... to the signal.
English is not my mother-language.

But I had the feeling that Plug Ins these days are so close to it that at this point different Questions such as costs more flexibility during the mix-down and no maintenance comes to mind....my 2 cents

Also I prefer mixing with Plugs aftrer I tried to do it with a desk.
I am to lazy to buy five 1176 even this would mean a total restore of my Studio.

22nd February 2008	#1
Beyersound Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Vegas, Norcal Posts: 3,608 Thread Starter	LA3a Hardware vs UAD-1 To continue the comparisons, how do you rate the plugin LA3a against the hardware version? Please feel free to share your general opinions of the LA3a and even your favorite uses for it. Thanks __________________ Congratulations 2010 World Champion SF Giants!!! "There is no crying in baseball, there are no rules in recording!!!" www.myspace.com/beyeraudio Michael Beyer

19th May 2008	#5
FatStudio Gear nut Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Israel Posts: 142	I have the hardware and the plug in. They sound sort of close ,but the attack on the hardware has more punch. I do like the plug for some stuff ,Its cleaner ,but the hardware has a lot more magic. Before I had them side by side they did sound the same but in an A/B test you can definitely hear the deference . Hardware-Bass ,Vocal ,cool Drum room pump. Plug in - Piano ,vocal ,E.Guitar buss. __________________ *********** Fat Studio* *************

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22nd February 2008	#4
Led Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,728	I have a pair of original LA3A's that I mainly use for the electric guitar buss. I've got UAD cards, and the LA3A on there is good. It doesn't saturate the way the hardware does, and you get a bit more bite out of the hardware. The plugin is pretty good though. I've used it when one of mine was getting repaired. The LA3a is pretty good on a rock vocal too. One thing you can't do with the plugin that you can wiith the hardware is use it as a mic pre for a dynamic. Good on amps and sometimes on toms.

19th May 2008	#6
Mr.HOLMES Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,130 2 Reviews written	Maybe this helps too. I have compared the 1176 with the Plug In. Yes the hardware ads more grip I would say .... to the signal. English is not my mother-language. But I had the feeling that Plug Ins these days are so close to it that at this point different Questions such as costs more flexibility during the mix-down and no maintenance comes to mind....my 2 cents Also I prefer mixing with Plugs aftrer I tried to do it with a desk. I am to lazy to buy five 1176 even this would mean a total restore of my Studio.