LA-2A style compressors are among the easiest to use when you are getting started. With fewer controls you can spend more time listening to the sound and less time trying to figure out how to set numerous controls. It doesn't stop there, beginner or pro, LA-2A compression has been a studio standard for vocals, instruments, plus it works very well for voiceover, podcasts, livestreams, and more. It isn't for every source, but without a doubt, optical compression is one of my favorites! How about you?
Hardware will always give you organic compression output given the quality of components used on the hardware sans cross-over distortion to get audio onto the computer etc, whereas plugins emulate hardware based on algorithmic values. So hardware, regardless whether it is a clone, home-made, or brand name will always give you quality sound compared to a plugin
Well said, and the variation in tolerance between the components from channel to channel are a big part of the analog sound imo… Many of us always had our favourite channel for bass, vocals, etc working on consoles back in the day and it was almost scary when repairs were needed lol. Analog isn’t going away any time I can see… Cheers!
Thanks, much appreciated! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this video. If you would like to see me cover a specific topic or have any questions I may be able to assist with, please ask. I try to respond to as many as possible.
Love this video...thank you..subscribed...I'm a newbie. Would love to see a video on how you would route the outboard gear like an LA 2A style analog gear and 1176 style outboard gear to a patchbay then to an Apollo or your interface
Glad you enjoyed the video and are getting started in your studio! Connections to an Apollo (or any other interface) will depend on if / how many analog inputs and output are available. I use the 2A and 76 compressors individually and in series (vocals - 76 first to catch sharp transients and then 2A for smooth overall sound) so I like the ability to patch them individually and in series. For an interface with 2 available inputs and outputs, I would half-normal each compressor to a pair of IO from the interface and then when I want serial compression I would patch the 76 out to the 2A input. This arrangement gives the option for individual use, parallel compression (on each), and serial compression (either 76 first or 2A first). When one input and output are available we can still use each compressor individually and in series, but not both individually at the same time, still very useful for both recording and mixing, A video (actually a series) showing this will be coming soon as I am currently working on what will be a 64x64 channel studio upgrade with both analog and digital patching. Cheers!
That sounds very reasonable to me! As good as plugins have become, to my ears hardware and plugins are not the same, both can be very good, but not the same. For me hardware and plugins side-by-side allows for more variety, more flexibility, and the opportunity for more creativity. I included both in this video to show that settings are not a matter of numbers on the dial, but rather sound. Both provide the LA2A vibe, but sound different to my ears too.
@@askdrtk I agree. I tend to close my eyes when making adjustments as to not be tricked by what I am viewing. Allowing for different options (plugins, hardware, different types of plugins) can benefit us and allow us to choose the exact tone we want. Great video!
Not sure if you are referring to the mono / stereo options. An advantage of plugins is that they can generally be used on as many channels as your CPU is capable of running, so when you use an LA2A plugin on a stereo track it processes the right and left channels without blending the two together into mono. To do this with hardware requires two LA2A style compressors. In my demonstration I only have one WA2A hardware compressor, so I have to demonstrate tracks in mono. If you were referring to the final mix, because I have only one WA2A I had to print (re-record each track) one at a time through the compressor. I then played back the mix of re-recorded tracks to demonstrate what it would sound like to have a separate WA2A hardware compressor on each track. I hope this helps out.
LA-2A style compressors are among the easiest to use when you are getting started. With fewer controls you can spend more time listening to the sound and less time trying to figure out how to set numerous controls.
It doesn't stop there, beginner or pro, LA-2A compression has been a studio standard for vocals, instruments, plus it works very well for voiceover, podcasts, livestreams, and more. It isn't for every source, but without a doubt, optical compression is one of my favorites! How about you?
Excellent tutorial, as a drummer i just got the warm audio La2a.Even a drummer can understand your way of explaining this hardward. Thank you
Hardware will always give you organic compression output given the quality of components used on the hardware sans cross-over distortion to get audio onto the computer etc, whereas plugins emulate hardware based on algorithmic values. So hardware, regardless whether it is a clone, home-made, or brand name will always give you quality sound compared to a plugin
Well said, and the variation in tolerance between the components from channel to channel are a big part of the analog sound imo… Many of us always had our favourite channel for bass, vocals, etc working on consoles back in the day and it was almost scary when repairs were needed lol. Analog isn’t going away any time I can see… Cheers!
I subbed after 1 video. I enjoy your style and approach. Very easy to listen to and learn from
Thanks, much appreciated! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this video. If you would like to see me cover a specific topic or have any questions I may be able to assist with, please ask. I try to respond to as many as possible.
Would love a demo on using the limiter feature
Great suggestion...I will make that happen.
Love this video...thank you..subscribed...I'm a newbie. Would love to see a video on how you would route the outboard gear like an LA 2A style analog gear and 1176 style outboard gear to a patchbay then to an Apollo or your interface
Glad you enjoyed the video and are getting started in your studio!
Connections to an Apollo (or any other interface) will depend on if / how many analog inputs and output are available. I use the 2A and 76 compressors individually and in series (vocals - 76 first to catch sharp transients and then 2A for smooth overall sound) so I like the ability to patch them individually and in series. For an interface with 2 available inputs and outputs, I would half-normal each compressor to a pair of IO from the interface and then when I want serial compression I would patch the 76 out to the 2A input. This arrangement gives the option for individual use, parallel compression (on each), and serial compression (either 76 first or 2A first). When one input and output are available we can still use each compressor individually and in series, but not both individually at the same time, still very useful for both recording and mixing,
A video (actually a series) showing this will be coming soon as I am currently working on what will be a 64x64 channel studio upgrade with both analog and digital patching. Cheers!
Thanks so much for the info
Would we be correct in saying the hardware version sounds more "alive"? Or just me...
That sounds very reasonable to me! As good as plugins have become, to my ears hardware and plugins are not the same, both can be very good, but not the same. For me hardware and plugins side-by-side allows for more variety, more flexibility, and the opportunity for more creativity. I included both in this video to show that settings are not a matter of numbers on the dial, but rather sound. Both provide the LA2A vibe, but sound different to my ears too.
@@askdrtk I agree. I tend to close my eyes when making adjustments as to not be tricked by what I am viewing. Allowing for different options (plugins, hardware, different types of plugins) can benefit us and allow us to choose the exact tone we want. Great video!
the ending tottaly confused me , i would like more words on that
Not sure if you are referring to the mono / stereo options. An advantage of plugins is that they can generally be used on as many channels as your CPU is capable of running, so when you use an LA2A plugin on a stereo track it processes the right and left channels without blending the two together into mono. To do this with hardware requires two LA2A style compressors. In my demonstration I only have one WA2A hardware compressor, so I have to demonstrate tracks in mono.
If you were referring to the final mix, because I have only one WA2A I had to print (re-record each track) one at a time through the compressor. I then played back the mix of re-recorded tracks to demonstrate what it would sound like to have a separate WA2A hardware compressor on each track. I hope this helps out.