Hey, I'm kind of stuck and confused. I wanted to know which one is best or the closest emulation to a LA2A plugin according to you guys and why. Just seeking for advice and to learn more about it. Please list more than one if you have any idea on them.

Aside from UAD, which one would you choose or think is the best? CLA2A, Opticom XLA3, FG2A or something else?

 

LA2A is so vintage, with multiple releases, that there can't be a "closest" plugin. The hardware unit-to-unit variations are bigger than the differences in the software emulation vs the analog unit that has been modeled (for modern plugins at least).

So, according to the biggest rule of modern audio : Pick the one with the most photorealistic GUI, and with the best marketing. If Acustica has a LA2A, it should be the best !

Oh no sorry, I wanted to say : Pick the one that sounds the best for you. Think of it like choosing your favorite hardware unit out of multiple. And consider CPU usage and GUI workflow too. Don't forget to do blind tests, confirmation bias is the biggest b*tch in audio.

PS : The XLA3 is not a LA2A emulation.

 

I'm actually looking for an answer that helps and not explanation and all this )
And XLA3 is based on LA2A.

 

Black Rooster has their VLA-2A and VLA-2A Mark II . I would add it to your list of ones to check out.

 

But that's the truth. There can't be an aswer that helps because there is no answer to this question. I would be lying to you if I said that Black Rooster's VLA-2A is the "best or the closest emulation". It's my favorite and that's all. How can you measure the closeness of something to another thing that has so much variations ?

The XLA3 is very loosely inspired by the LA2A, but is very different. It has triple the amount of photocells to offer multiple response times, and exhibits more harmonic distortion (based on the official plugin, I never used the hardware unit). It doesn't sound like a LA2A.

 

TrackComp2 (IMO, ofc).

 

+1 for Black Coc.. Rooster

 

Overloud and UAD both harmonically. There is a video on YouTube where one engineer compared many emulations vs hardware, both sonical and spectral.
So, Overloud made me wonder) don't know which is closer as compressor, timing etc, but harmonics are modelled identical, same way. Also it is interesting to know overall sound...

 

Pick the one that sounds best to your ears as every one will have differing opinions based on their hearing and preference.

 

The Opticom XLA3 is a real unit and is not at all an LA2A. Just because something has an optical cell does not mean it's an LA2A. Will you say the Shadow Hills compressors are based on an SSL compressor just because it has a VCA circuit? No.

Just as Fowly said, you will not get an answer here as there isn't an answer to give.

 

There is current production and anybody with the cash can pick an "original" one up.

I like the Black Rooster version of the software iteration.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LA2A--universal-audio-la-2a

 

Last edited: Sep 11, 2023

Everyone will recommend something different, and that alone should tell you there is no clear winner.

The sister site has a massive range to choose from. Why not go there and pick out the one that best suits your taste? And No, I'm honestly not trying to be funny. Just offering advice I would want had I have asked that question.

 

I like the NEOLD U2A. That said, are there any emulations around with auto-gain? Setting up gain in this thing is always annoying as fuck. Haven't found one yet where the knobs aren't really fiddly.

 

Neold U2A, i think it's the only la2a emulation that allows you to fine tune the release which is a nice addition.

 

TBT TLS 1295 LEA

 

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 11, 2023

May I ask why you want to know this? Do you have an LA2A whose sound you want to reproduce digitally? If not, just use whatever sounds good to you. There is no "one particular" LA2A sound. It's more of a sonic range. There are now as many different LA2As as there are grains of sand.

 

I don't even know how the original UREI Teletronix (thanks @No Avenger) LA2A sounds like on its optimum condition (only experience those clones) but I kinda like the Black Rooster VLA2A MKII for quite some time until the Antares Vocal Compressor comes out. 4 with 1 of them capable of dancing with the pitch is always better than any LA2A ever in digital world for vocals atleast to me. The Opto A mode in it is LA2A on meth, different attack behavior, I'd say a little aggressive and I like it.

 

Last edited: Sep 12, 2023

If you are super serious about finding the best, here are some shootouts on YT:

 

If it looks good, it must sound good.

 

Sadly, it can't even handle 2x OS.