@mercurysoto thanks for taking the time to do the samples that's really cool of you so thank you !

 

Ok, people. I can do an LA2A optical compressor blind test.



Which plugins do you suggest we put up to test? I own the the UAD version. What do we put it up against? They'd need to be AAX or at least RTAS ready. I use Pro Tools.

 

This is great, thanks!

Glad I have the UAD, its the one I picked as best, second Waves.

 

IK Multimedia, NI(Softube)

vocals would be a better choice for this test

 

Ca-2a (cakewalk) would be my suggestion, but it's only vst3 au and prochanne.
And of-course waves version (which I think isn't gonna score as high as their 76)

Are we looking for authenticity of usability? maybe that should be defined in the title/vote?

These results where not really surprising, for me at least. I knew both slate and waves where gonna do good....
what is surprising to me is that I picked slate's version. because I thought I picked waves

I will re-compair these 2 and maybe less biased this time, Thnx for your effort...!!

 

Last edited: May 2, 2016

You can test
- Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A
- Waves CLA-2A
- IK Multimedia TRacks White 2A
- Native Instruments VC 2A
- Avid BF-2A
- MellowMuse CP2V (LA2ish Comp)

 

Ok. Keep your suggestions coming, please. I'll compare whatever I can get my hands on.

I guess authenticity can be determined by comparing all the clones against the hardware unit, which I don't have access to. As for usability, it is a very subjective assessment. What I like about testing LA2A clones is the fact that it can't get any simpler: decide between compressor or limiter mode, move the reduction knob till you get -5 reduction for instance, and turn up the gain until you are at the same loudness as the original sample.

My friends, coming up. And yes, it's going to be vocals this time.

 

Also Cakewalk CA-2A... it's out there. Id be interested to see how it stacks up.
One freebie I know of is the Antress ModernLostAngel. That would also be intriguing to see.

 

Unfortunately not. The UAD 1176 Anniversary Edition you used for the blind test has a 'super-slow' attack mode (SLO) that is more than 12 times slower than the slowest blackface. That difference is significant when comparing gain reduction on a drum signal because an entirely different portion of the signal is being affected.

 

Ok. Done deal. I have to upload samples with the five UAD 1176 models. I hadn't taken that into account. Actually I wasn't aware of this fact.

 

question, is it possible to run uad with the interface dsp but use a different sound card???

 

I wonder why nobody has even mentioned any FabFilter plugins. Are they too bad?
I'm also curious how Flux and Softube comps would compare.

 

I use cakewalk ca-2a too, but never compared it to competition. Plus it would be much more useful test, since you can't set attack/release time on a la-2a and got to stick with what you've got. Plus would like to see softube's tla100 on it because i think it gets more praise than it deserves, but again i haven't done a close up comparison.
P.s Which waves cla-76 was it? Blacky or bluey?

 

Last edited: May 2, 2016

#2

 

Actually yes. I use the Apollo Twin hooked up, change soundcards, and the plugins remain on.

 

It was the Blackey.

 

That was very interesting! Thanks! Please make more blind tests=)

 

Lol, i picked the waves above uad.. but: every hardware version sounds (slightly) different.

+1, the collections are damn fine, much better then the legacy version/s. The La2a Grey and 1176 Rev A / Blue Stripe are 2 of my favourite compressor plugins. Is there a reason why you picked the Rev AE for the blindtest?

I think this blindtest would be only usefull whith the UAD 1176 blackface, since the Waves/Avid/Slate versions are also blackface (not AE).

 

Last edited: May 2, 2016

Too late to add my vote but my hears chose 2 right away. I found it more interesting. I do not own the original gear but still. then i saw the comments and listened again with high quality and found 4 the most transparent one. BUT. i still prefer 2.
What's the point anyway? I think there wouldn't be so many plugins
emulating the very same vintage expensive gear if "the mass was told". Everybody would buy the same compressor. Period.
I'm happy to see that i chose my own possession without knowning though... May be i'm already too accustomed to it

 

Honestly, there's no reason at all. I just picked one. I've been made to see I chose the one version with a super slow attack. You are right. The blackface would have been a better choice. I'll be more careful in matching choices the next time.

I sustain that I'm a happy UAD customer and even though the admission ticket to UAD world is highly expensive, you get top quality hardware and plugin emulations that are great at very reasonable prices. Spoiler alert: You never pay full price. I've bought a Chandler amp emulation for $19. My 1176 collection cost me $25. The Helios Type 69 and LA3A cost me nada. However, it is refreshing to find that if one day I can't be tethered to my UAD system, other manufacturers are right in the ballpark to save the day. In that regard, this test is a win win situation for everybody. Some will decide jumping the gun to UAD is not worth it, others will reinforce their customer satsfaction with Universal Audio.

I'm already preparing the samples from the other UAD 1176 models. I hope I get around to it by tonite. It's only fair to give you the full picture in this test.

 

Last edited: May 2, 2016